Calculus Computer Lab
Math 242L


News

Lab Schedule

Tutor Room

Newton's Method: a Java Demo

Derive Basics

Derive Information

Welcome

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News:

--Online Derive Demo: (click to view)
You can view and download videos from the math department website. These videos show how to get started using Derive 5. You will need a Windows PC with sound capabilities and you will need to install some video software in order to view the videos. After installing the video component software you can use the links below to listen to the videos. The videos are available on a CD in Keller 419.

Opening Derive for Windows
Entering Algebraic Expressions and Constants
Functions
Basic Graphing
Substituting
Using `Solve'
Differentiating and Integrating
Limits
More about Graphing
The Vector Function
Iterates, applied to non-overlapping generations
Matrix Operations
Inserting Text Objects, Families of Tangent Lines
Euler's Method, Foxes and Hares
--Derive Basics:
Chapter 0 of the lab manual is available online as an Adobe PDF document. Just click the "Derive Basics" link on your left and it will be displayed in a new window. (Note: You need to have the Adobe PDF reader installed on your system. Click the icon below if you need to install this plugin.)
--Online Grapher: (click to try)
Try out this online grapher. Be sure to use the * character for multiplication and you zoom in on a point by dragging your cursor to form a rectangle around the point.
 
--Open Lab Schedule: (click for complete schedule)
The lab is open for students working on their lab assignments at various times each week. See the link "Lab Schedule" on your  left for the details.

The older version of Derive is also available in the K214 PC Lab. Locate the 'Class\Derive' folder and double-click on the startup icon. You will need to use a floppy disk to save your work. This lab is opened longer than PSB208. See their home page for the exact schedule.
--Accounts and passwords:
Each lab account can use a portion of the network hard for storing files. You save your files to the H: drive and not the local hard disk or C: drive. In Derive you would typically save your lab by using the Save As ... option on the File tab and then saving you file with the name H:\lab1. To open a file you would use the Open option on the File tab. The default directory should be the H: drive, if not then enter H: <cr> to see a list of your files.

In order to keep others from using your account you need to keep your password confidential. For example, don't write it down next to your account number in your manual where others can see it.
--Terms of Acceptable Use:
Each student must agree to the Terms of Acceptable Use statement for the UH Math Dept Computer Lab. The students agree to obey all of the terms of use and conditions set forth in the UH Information Technology Resources Policy. Their policy is here:

http://www.hawaii.edu/infotech/policies/itpolicy.html

The policy for the math lab will be the same, but adds in particular that

Students agree not to:
1) Download, install software or run any outside programs or software packages.
2) Download or upload work protected by copyright or files not related to class work.
3) Attempt to gain unauthorized access to remote computer systems.

In addition you acknowledge that:
4) There is no expectation of privacy in the Math Lab and your activities may be monitored.

--Purchasing Derive 6:
We are using Derive 6 software in the lab. The software is not required for the class but it is an excellent software package and it's sold at a reasonable price. It will allow you to work on the labs at home and it will be useful for all of your math and science classes. 
The Soft Warehouse, the developer of Derive, have become part of Texas Instruments Incorporated. They have an online store where you can purchase the latest version of Derive for a student price.  Click to see TI's  Derive web page. The UH Bookstore computer counter also has the latest version for a similar price.

  Note: If you have your own version of Derive you will need to copy the utility functions on to your computer. See below.
--Utility Functions:
We use a special collection of interesting new functions for the lab. They are contained in a Derive utility file. Click on the "Utility Functions" link on your left for a discussion and examples of their use. If you use Derive at home you can download the required files ADD-UTIL.DFW and ADD-UTIL.MTH at the bottom of that page.
 
--Just for fun ... read about an important math/computer problem:
The famous problem "P versus NP" problem is decades old and there is a million dollar prize to solve it. Now a mathematician in England has shown that the problem is equivalent to solving a larger version of the well know Minesweeper game that is included with the Windows operating system. Read the news story, Scientific American article or just play the game.
 
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