Math 142
Suggestions on
How to Study
for
Exam 2
-
Exam 2 is Tuesday April 2, 2019.
It will cover sequences and numerical series,
specifically sections:
10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6.
The test will be a mix of: fill-in-the-blanks,
working problems by hand (showing ALL your work),
multiple choice, true/false, and short answers.
Note that §10.7 Power Series will NOT be on this exam.
- On our Exam 2, (§10.1) sequences will be covered while
(§10.7-10.10)
power-&-Talyor series will not be covered.
Since 2010, sequences are typically covered either on Exam 1 or Exam 2
while power-&-Talyor series are typically covered either on Exam 2 or Exam 3
(depending on the book, snow, hurricanes, and floods).
Keep this in mind when looking through previous exams.
-
Hint (warning)
The first problem, Problem 0, will test
the basics from the Sequences and Numerical Series.
If you do not make at least a 50% on this part of the exam
(of short answers), then your score on the whole exam is what you got on
this part. There really is no need to look further through your paper.
Make sure you can do:
Then practice doing (without notes/books)
the 1st problem from any Exam 2 since 2010 from my
Previous
Exams.
-
As stated on the syllabus, calculators are not allowed (nor needed) on exams.
-
As stated on the syllabus, during class, cell phones are to be
turned off and stored in a closed (e.g., zipped or buttoned) bag (e.g., backpack or
purse). Cell phones may not be stored in the person's clothing (e.g., jacket pocket).
At the request of a student, I will project my watch up onto the overhead screen.
-
Of course, you have already finished all the homework for the sections
covered by this exam.
-
Got out sheet(s) of paper and make a column for each of series method we have
covered:
- nth-term test for divergence
(also called just "nth-term test" or just "divergence test")
- geometric series
- telescoping series
- Integral Test
- Comparison Tests (DCT/LCT)
- Ratio Test
- Root Test
- Alternating Series Test (AST).
When you finish a problem, put the problem in the appropriate column and
make a note to yourself of why it went into that column, i.e., why the
method works for a problem that looks like that. Keep reviewing you
columns, looking for patterns. This should help you in picking an
appropriate method when handed a problem. Remember,
some series can go in multiple columns.
-
Of course,
you have been working several problems a day
from the two problem sources:
- 38 Serious Series Problems
- 15 Serious Series Problems,
which are posted (with sol'ns) on the Ch 10 Homework page
under Review of Numerical Series: §10.2-10.6.
-
Work through one of my previous exams as explained below.
After working an exam,
you should know how you stand on the various concepts.
For the topics you need more work on, practice
more problems of this type.
- The Ch 10 Homework page has additional problems (from other
textbooks) to practice (with solutions!). Look for "need more practice?".
-
MML has the nice feature where you can go to (on the LHS toolbar)
"To Review Homework" and practice problems (without changing your grade).
- The textbook has more (i.e., not assigned on MML)
problem with solutions in the back of the book.
Then try another previous exam.
-
When working through my previous exams,
which are posted on the course homepage under
Previous Exams,
do so
- without your notes/books/etc.
- in 75 minutes (the amount of time you will have for the exam).
I suggest working through the following.
(In this list, F denotes Fall while S denotes Spring)
- 2018F Exam 2: all
- 2018S Exam 2: all
- 2017F Exam 2: all
- 2017S Exam 2: all
- 2016F Exam 2: (omit 2,3,4,10).
- 2016S Exam 2: all
- 2015F Exam 1: #8 (page 4)
- 2015F Exam 2: 1-7
- 2014S Exam 1: 10, the last 4 questions of Problem 0.
- 2014S Exam 2: 1-5
- 2013S Exam 1: 4, 11
- 2013S Exam 2: 1-3, 5-8
- 2012F Exam 1: 8
- 2012F Exam 2 1k, 2-7
- 2011F Exam 1: take-home part Problems 1-5
- 2011F Exam 2: 2-7
- Come to the exam well rested.
Findable from URL:
http://people.math.sc.edu/girardi/w142.html/
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