Prospective Course : Calculus Concepts for Inquisitive Seniors
Would you be interested in taking the course described below? If so, please let us know by completing and submitting the accompanying "I'm Interested" form.
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Maybe you took calculus in college (or even high school!) and enjoyed it. Or maybe you were totally terrified of it. No matter. In this class I hope to show you the beauty and utility of calculus - one of the supreme achievements of the human mind.
We’ll start by discussing the real line, the simplest locale for numerical work. We then focus on the concept of the limit and learn how we can say sensible things about something infinitely small. The limit concept will then be the means for developing the key concepts of the derivative and integral - the keys to understanding the mathematical basis of most contemporary science. We'll extend what we need for calculus from the line to the plane. We’ll focus on developing a pictorial view of derivatives and integrals in the plane by way of explanation rather than using technical manipulations. Proofs will be avoided. Anyone with a decent background in high school mathematics should be able to understand much of this class. If you’ve studied a bit of math in college, you should find this class to be a refreshing reminder of some beautiful ideas. Interested in having OLLI offer this course? If you haven't done so already, please complete and submit the "I'm Interested" form. Remember, there is no obligation to take the course and the instructor will not be obliged to offer it.
Steve Bravy - who is he?Training: PhD in Abstract Algebra, useful in codes and little else, but fun
Interests: Physics, History (particularly military), Acquiring Books of Interest to a Thoroughly Unreasonable Degree, World Politics, A Little Economics (since 2008) Work: Retired. ~33 Years Defense Dept. (Army, Navy, much Missile Defense), A Couple of Think Tanks for Brief Stints, A Bit of Medicaid Exercise: Gym periodically, restaurants frequently Approach: Prefer humor and informality Birth: Israel (Palestine, actually) Age: 75 |
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