LEARNING OUTCOMES

FOR
MATH 12002 – CALCULUS I

The successful Calculus I student should be able to apply the following competencies to a wide variety of functions, including piecewise, polynomial,
rational, algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic.

LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

Learning Outcome Sample Assessment Item “A” Expectation “C” Expectation “F” Expectation
Determine the existence of, Evaluate: Factors, simplifies, Incorrect answer due States that the limit is
0
estimate numerically and and evaluates limit to algebraic errors. 0 or does not exist.
x2 − 16
graphically, and find algebraically lim correctly.
x→2 x2 − 3x − 4
the limits of functions.

Recognize and determine infinite Evaluate: Recognizes that the Recognizes that the Does not recognize
limits and limits at infinity and x−4 limit is infinite. limit is infinite. does that limit is infinite or
interpret with respect to lim Determines correct not determine correct says limit does not
x→2+ x−2
asymptotic behavior. sign with justification. sign or justification is exist.
insufficient.
√ Determines correct Determines correct Fails to determine
7x5 − 3x2 + 5 x value of the limit at value of the limit at limit at infinity.
lim
x→+∞ 4 − 9x5 infinity. infinity but does not
Provides appropriate provide appropriate
justification. justification, or has
only minor errors.
Determine continuity at a point Determine if the following is con- Uses limit definition of Correctly determines Fails to determine
or on intervals and distinguish tinuous at x = 4: continuity correctly to whether continuous whether continuous or
between the types of  determine whether but without sufficient has correct guess with
x2 − 16
discontinuities at a point. 

 2 if x 6= 4 continuous. justification, or uses no justification.
f (x) = x − 3x − 4 correct method with
minor errors.


8/5 if x = 4


1
DERIVATIVES
Learning Outcome Sample Assessment Item “A” Expectation “C” Expectation “F” Expectation
Determine the derivative of a Find f 0 (4) if f (x) = x2 − 6x + 2 Correctly sets up and Correctly sets up the Does not set up
function using the limit using only the limit definition of evaluates the limit of difference quotient but correct difference
definition. Interpret the the derivative; find the equation the difference quotient does not determine quotient or evaluate
derivative as the slope of a of the tangent line to the graph of to compute the the correct limit. limit.
tangent line to a graph, the slope f (x) where x = 4. derivative.
of a graph at a point, and the
rate of change of a dependent
variable with respect to an
independent variable.
Determine the derivative and Find the derivatives: Uses differentiation Uses correct Uses inappropriate
higher derivatives of a function 1 √ formulas to compute differentiation differentiation
explicitly using differentiation 1. f (x) = 4x4 + 4
+ 3 4 x + 34 derivatives correctly. formulas but has formulas (e.g.,
x
formulas. significant errors in product rule instead
2. f (x) = (6x7 + x) sin 3x the computations. of chain rule) or
incorrect formulas
x5 + sec x
3. f (x) = (e.g., product of
5 − cos x
derivatives instead of
4. f (x) = (ln(x8 +5)) sec−1 (4x) product rule).
4
ex +5
5. f (x) = 3
x + ln x
Determine derivatives implicitly. Find y 0 (the derivative of y with Succesfully Differentiates Neither differentiates
respect to x) if differentiates implicitly but with correctly nor solves
implicitly and solves significant errors (e.g., for y 0 .
x2 + y 3 + tan y + x4 y 5 = 6. for y 0 in terms of x does not use product
and y. rule for x4 y 5 ) and
solves for y 0 , or
differentiates correctly
but does not solve for
y0.

2
APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES
Learning Outcome
Solve related rates problems.
Determine absolute extrema for a
continuous function on a closed
interval. Use these and other
appropriate techniques to solve
optimization problems.
Use the first and second
derivatives to analyze and sketch
the graph of a function, including
asymptotes, intervals on which
the graph is increasing,
decreasing, concave up, or
concave down, and any local
extrema and inflection points.
Sample Assessment Item
A rocket, rising vertically, is
tracked by a radar station on the
ground 9 miles from the launch
pad. When the rocket is 12 miles
high, it is rising at 1050 miles per
hour. How fast is the distance
from the radar station to the
rocket increasing at that time?
1. Find the absolute maximum
and absolute minimum
values of the function
f (x) = 5x2 − 2x3 on the
closed interval [−1, 2].
2. A rectangular box is to be
constructed with a square
base and open top, and a
volume of 32 cubic feet.
Find the dimensions of the
box that will minimize the
amount of material used.
Analyze this:
x2
f (x) =
(x + 2)2
“A” Expectation “C” Expectation “F” Expectation
Draws appropriate Draws diagram, Only draws a diagram
diagram, defines and incorrectly labels or or unrelated picture
relates variables, relates variables but (e.g., of a llama).
differentiates to relate differentiates and
rates of change, solves, or relates
correctly determines variables but fails to
requested rate. to relate rates and
find the requested
rate.
Correctly sets up Sets up incorrect Does not set up
function to optimize, function and finds correct function to
finds critical optimum value, or optimize; does not
number(s), determines sets up correct differentiate.
optimum value, function but fails to
verifies that it is determine correct
optimum. optimum value.
Determines correct Determines only some Does not determine
intervals from correct information correct information or
derivatives, from derivatives; fails graph.
determines local to sketch graph
extrema and inflection compatible with
points, and accurately information.
sketches graph
including asymptotes.
3
INTEGRATION
Learning Outcome Sample Assessment Item “A” Expectation “C” Expectation “F” Expectation
Determine antiderivatives and Compute the following indefinite Makes appropriate Makes appropriate Does not make
indefinite integrals and integrate integrals. substitution and substitution but fails appropriate
by substitution. Z   evaluates integral to correctly evaluate substitution; uses
1
1. √
5
+ 4 cos x − 9 dx correctly using integral. incorrect integration
x3 integration formulas. formulas (e.g.,
product of integrals
Z
2. (x3 +3x2 )(x4 +4x3 +4)7 dx instead of
substitution).

Use the Fundamental Theorem of Evaluate: Uses appropriate Determines correct Neither determines
Calculus to evaluate definite Z 3  substitution and antiderivative but fails correct antiderivative
3 2
integrals. 1. + 4x dx integration formulas to evaluate definite nor evaluates definite
1 x2
to determine integral correctly, or integral correctly.
Z π/2 antiderivative and evaluates definite
2. cos8 x sin x dx correctly evaluates integral but with
0
definite integral. incorrect
antiderivative.
Use definite integrals to find Find the area of the region Sets up correct Sets up correct Does not set up
areas of planar regions. bounded by the curves definite integral integral but fails to correct integral or
y = x2 + 2x and y = 4 − x2 and representing area and evaluate definite evaluate correctly.
the lines x = 0 and x = 3. correctly evaluates integral to find area,
definite integral to or sets up incorrect
find area. integral representing
area but evaluates
definite integral
correctly.