Solving Equations with Newton’s Method

Last time we solved some of the equations connected with a segment of a circle using Newton’s Method. Let’s take a closer look at the method – how it works, why it works, and a few caveats.

Proving a Radical Expression Is Rational

It can be tricky deciding how to approach a proof; this problem, whose answer requires going in a very different direction than you might expect, provides some interesting insights into the nature of proof. The proof itself, in fact, is far less interesting than the process of getting there!

Turning a Maximization Problem Inside-Out

Here is an interesting question we got recently, that turns a common maximization problem (the open-top box) inside-out. What do you do when you’re given the answer and have to find the problem? We’ll hit a couple snags along the way that provide useful lessons in problem-solving.

Pitfalls of Inverse Trig Functions

A couple recent questions involved errors made both by students and by the authors of their textbooks, involving trigonometric or inverse trigonometric functions. These offer some good lessons in pitfalls to be aware of.

How to Evaluate Trig Functions (By Hand?)

In discussing the value of radians, we introduced the idea that trig functions are easier to evaluate that way. That raises the question, how do you find the value of a trigonometric function without a calculator, and how do calculators themselves do it? Let’s look into that.

Radians: Why, and When, They Are Better

A recent question reminded me that we hadn’t yet covered the topic of radians yet. We’ll look at several questions comparing radians to degrees, concluding with the recent question: Is a radian a unit, or something else?

Integration: Sometimes It Just Can’t Be Done!

Having looked at what it takes to work out an indefinite integral, using all our tools, we need to face something that isn’t explained often enough: Some integrals aren’t just difficult; they’re impossible! We’ll look at what we’ve said in several cases where this issue arose.

Integration: It Takes a Whole Toolbox

Individual techniques of integration, as discussed in the last two posts, don’t represent the reality of the process, any more than demonstrating how to use a hammer or a screwdriver shows how to do carpentry. Let’s look at two questions we’ve had about challenging integrals that require a combination of methods. We’ll be using substitution, …

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