APCalc Syllabus
APCalc Syllabus
Differentiation:
Definition and
a Glance 1
UNIT
Continuity 2 Basic Derivative
Rules
AP EXAM AP EXAM
WEIGHTING 10–12% AB 4–7% BC WEIGHTING 10–12% AB 4–7% BC
CLASS PERIODS ~22–23 AB ~13–14 BC CLASS PERIODS ~13–14 AB ~9–10 BC
Plan CHA 1.1 Introducing Calculus: CHA 2.1 Defining Average and
The Course at a Glance provides Can Change Occur at Instantaneous Rates of
2 2
a useful visual organization an Instant? Change at a Point
of the AP Calculus AB and LIM 1.2 Defining Limits and CHA 2.2 Defining the Derivative
AP Calculus BC curricular 2 Using Limit Notation 1 of a Function and
components, including: Using Derivative
LIM 1.3 Estimating Limit 4 Notation
§§ Sequence of units, along 2 Values from Graphs
with approximate weighting CHA 2.3 Estimating Derivatives
and suggested pacing.
LIM 1.4 Estimating Limit 1 of a Function at a Point
2 Values from Tables
Please note, pacing is based FUN 2.4 Connecting
on 45-minute class periods, LIM 1.5 Determining Limits Differentiability
meeting five days each week 1
Using Algebraic and Continuity:
for a full academic year. Properties of Limits 3 Determining When
Derivatives Do and
§§ Progression of topics within LIM 1.6 Determining Limits Do Not Exist
each unit. 1
Using Algebraic
Manipulation
§§ Spiraling of the big ideas
FUN 2.5 Applying the Power
LIM 1.7 Selecting Procedures Rule
and mathematical practices 1
1 for Determining Limits
across units.
FUN 2.6 Derivative Rules:
LIM 1.8 Determining Limits
Constant, Sum,
Teach 3
Using the Squeeze
Theorem
1 Difference, and
Constant Multiple
MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES LIM 1.9 Connecting Multiple
Mathematical practices spiral throughout
Representations
FUN 2.7 Derivatives of cos x,
the course. 2
of Limits LIM sin x, ex, and ln x
1 Implementing 3 Justification 1
Mathematical
LIM 1.10 Exploring Types of
Processes
4 Communication 3 Discontinuities FUN 2.8 The Product Rule
and Notation
1
2 Connecting LIM 1.11 Defining Continuity
Representations 3 at a Point FUN 2.9 The Quotient Rule
BIG IDEAS LIM 1.12 Confirming Continuity 1
Big ideas spiral across topics and units. 1 over an Interval
FUN 2.10 Finding the Derivatives
CHA Change FUN Analysis of LIM 1.13 Removing of Tangent, Cotangent,
Functions 1 Discontinuities
LIM Limits 1 Secant, and/or
Cosecant Functions
LIM 1.14 Connecting Infinite
BC ONLY
The purple shading represents BC only content. Limits and Vertical
3
Asymptotes
LIM Connecting Limits at
Assess 1.15
Infinity and Horizontal
2
Assign the Personal Progress Asymptotes
Checks—either as homework FUN 1.16 Working with the
or in class—for each unit. Intermediate Value
Each Personal Progress Check 3
Theorem (IVT)
contains formative multiple-
choice and free-response
questions. The feedback from
the Personal Progress Checks Personal Progress Check 1 Personal Progress Check 2
shows students the areas where
Multiple-choice: ~45 questions Multiple-choice: ~30 questions
they need to focus. Free-response: 3 questions (partial)
Free-response: 3 questions (partial)
NOTE: Partial versions of the free-response questions are provided to prepare students for more complex, full questions
that they will encounter on the AP Exam.
Differentiation: Contextual Analytical
UNIT Composite, UNIT UNIT
Applications of Applications of
3 Implicit, and
Inverse Functions
4 Differentiation 5 Differentiation
AP EXAM AP EXAM AP EXAM
WEIGHTING 9–13% AB 4–7% BC WEIGHTING 10–15% AB 6–9% BC WEIGHTING 15–18% AB 8–11% BC
CLASS PERIODS ~10–11 AB ~8–9 BC CLASS PERIODS ~10–11 AB ~6–7 BC CLASS PERIODS ~15–16 AB ~10–11 BC
FUN 3.1 The Chain Rule CHA 4.1 Interpreting the FUN 5.1 Using the Mean Value
Meaning of the 3
Theorem
1 1
Derivative in Context
FUN 5.2 Extreme Value Theorem,
FUN 3.2 Implicit Differentiation CHA 4.2 Straight-Line Global Versus Local
1 Motion: Connecting Extrema, and Critical
3
1 Position, Velocity, and Points
FUN 3.3 Differentiating Inverse Acceleration
Functions FUN 5.3 Determining Intervals
3 CHA 4.3 Rates of Change in on Which a Function Is
Applied Contexts Other 2
Increasing or Decreasing
FUN 3.4 Differentiating 2
Than Motion
Inverse Trigonometric FUN 5.4 Using the First
1
Functions CHA 4.4 Introduction to Related Derivative Test to
Rates 3
Determine Relative
1 (Local) Extrema
FUN 3.5 Selecting Procedures
for Calculating
1
Derivatives
CHA 4.5 Solving Related Rates FUN 5.5 Using the Candidates
Problems Test to Determine
3
1 Absolute (Global)
FUN 3.6 Calculating Higher- Extrema
Order Derivatives CHA 4.6 Approximating Values
1
of a Function Using FUN 5.6 Determining Concavity
1 Local Linearity and of Functions over Their
Linearization 2 Domains
LIM 4.7 Using L’Hospital’s Rule FUN 5.7 Using the Second
for Determining Limits Derivative Test to
3 3 Determine Extrema
of Indeterminate Forms
CHA 6.1 Exploring FUN 7.1 Modeling Situations CHA 8.1 Finding the Average
Accumulations of with Differential 1
Value of a Function on
4
Change 2
Equations an Interval
CHA 8.2 Connecting
LIM 6.2 Approximating Areas FUN 7.2 Verifying Solutions for
Position, Velocity,
1 with Riemann Sums 3 Differential Equations and Acceleration
1
of Functions Using
LIM 6.3 Riemann Sums, FUN 7.3 Sketching Slope Fields Integrals
Summation Notation, 2
2 and Definite Integral
CHA 8.3 Using Accumulation
Notation FUN 7.4 Reasoning Using Slope Functions and Definite
3 Integrals in Applied
Fields Contexts
4
FUN 6.4 The Fundamental
Theorem of Calculus CHA 8.4 Finding the Area
1 and Accumulation FUN 7.5 Approximating Between Curves
Functions Solutions Using Euler’s 4 Expressed as
1
Method bc only Functions of x
FUN 6.5 Interpreting
the Behavior of
CHA 8.5 Finding the Area
FUN 7.6 Finding General Between Curves
2 Accumulation Functions Solutions Using 1 Expressed as
1
Involving Area Separation of Variables Functions of y
FUN 6.6 Applying Properties of FUN 7.7 Finding Particular CHA 8.6 Finding the Area
3 Definite Integrals Solutions Using Between Curves That
1 Initial Conditions and 2 Intersect at More Than
FUN 6.7 The Fundamental Separation of Variables Two Points
Theorem of Calculus
3
and Definite Integrals
FUN 7.8 Exponential Models CHA 8.7 Volumes with Cross
with Differential Sections: Squares and
3
FUN 6.8 Finding Antiderivatives 3
Equations Rectangles
and Indefinite CHA 8.8 Volumes with Cross
4 Integrals: Basic Rules FUN 7.9 Logistic Models with Sections: Triangles and
and Notation Differential Equations
3
Semicircles
3
FUN bc only
6.9 Integrating Using CHA 8.9 Volume with Disc
1 Substitution Method: Revolving
3
Around the x- or y-Axis
FUN 6.10 Integrating Functions
Using Long Division CHA 8.10 Volume with Disc
1 and Completing the Method: Revolving
Square
2 Around Other Axes