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How To

Introduction
The How To video series is a collection of videos recorded by the Math Learning Center tutors solving common math problems. This is a good resource for learning how to solve new problems or as a refresher for material you may have learned in the past. 

Each How To page is listed below, and you can read the description to see what types of examples are covered. Also, you can view the video playlists to see more detail and click a playlist to go straight to those videos. 

Note that each page has a recommended level corresponding to a particular math course. You do NOT need to be in that course, but this does give you an idea of the difficulty and mathematical rigor of the examples on that page. 
    
Precalculus
Recommended Level: MATH 150

Algebra, Functions, Linear Systems, Vectors, Trigonometry

This page covers topics from precalculus topics such as lines, rational functions, functions, the difference quotient, vectors and systems of equations. It also includes exponentials, logarithms, and trigonometry.
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Video Playlists
3 videos
Equations of Lines
Writing the different forms for the equations of a line given two points on the line
3 videos
Factoring
Factoring polynomials
8 videos
Rational Functions
Performing operations with rational expressions and finding the holes and vertical asymptotes of rational functions
4 videos
Roots of Functions
Finding the roots of functions
13 videos
Functions: Domain, Composition and Inverses
Finding the domain and inverse of common functions and finding the composition of two functions
3 videos
Difference Quotient
Finding the difference quotient and simplifying your answer
5 videos
Solving Inequalities
Using a sign diagram to solve inequalities
2 videos
Properties of a Quadratic
Writing a quadratic in standard form and determining its absolute maximum or minimum
4 videos
Vectors
Calculating vector operations and the dot product and finding a unit vector
5 videos
Systems of Equations
Solving systems of linear equations and systems including a quadratic equation
9 videos
Exponential Functions
Solving equations with exponential functions, modeling population size and finding the horizontal asymptote
9 videos
Logarithmic Functions
Using properties of logarithms, finding the vertical asymptote, and solving equations with logarithmic functions
13 videos
Trigonometry
Evaluating trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, solving trigonometric equations, and graphing trigonometric functions
  
Calculus 1
Recommended Level: MATH 142

Limits, Derivatives, and Applications of Derivatives

This page gives an introduction to limits including limits at infinity and infinite limits. It also covers calculating derivatives and using the common derivatives rules such as the Product, Quotient, and Chain Rule. Lastly, it includes applications of derivatives such as related rates and using the derivatives to graph a function. 
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Video Playlists
6 videos
Introduction to Limits
An introduction to evaluating limits using graphs, numerical approximation, and substitution
11 videos
Limits: At Infinity and Infinite
Solving limits at infinity and limits that may have infinite behavior
5 videos
Continuity
Determining where functions are continuous algebraically and using graphs
6 videos
Average and Instantaneous Rate of Change
Finding the average and instantaneous rate of change and the slope of secant and tangent lines
3 videos
Limit Definition of the Derivative
Using the limit definition to find the derivatives of functions
20 videos
Calculating Derivatives
Finding derivatives of common functions and using the product, quotient and chain rules with several business applications
6 videos
Implicit Differentiation and Related Rates
Finding derivatives with implicit differentiation and logarithmic differentiation and solving related rates problems
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7 videos
Analyzing Graphs with Derivatives
Finding critical values, extrema, and inflection points; finding intervals where the function is increasing or decreasing and concave upward or downward
NEW!
Absolute Extrema and Optimization
7 videos
Absolute Extrema and Optimization
Finding the absolute maximum and minimum on closed intervals; solving word problems by optimizing functions with given constraints
NEW!
Antiderivatives and Integrals
28 videos
Antiderivatives and Integrals
Finding antiderivatives of functions and solving indefinite integrals including examples using \(u\)-substitution; estimating area under curves with Riemann sums; finding the average value of a function; finding the area between curves