Fall 2025
Math 9: Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra
E-mail: salim.tayou@dartmouth.edu,
Office: Kemeny Hall 341.
Schedule:
- Meeting times: Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 8:50 AM-9:55 AM. (9L)
- X-hour: Thursday, block 9LX (9:05 - 9:55 AM.).
- Room: 108 in Kemeny Hall.
- First/last meeting: Monday, September 15th/ Tuesday, November 18th, 2025.
- Office hours: See Canvas or by appointment, in Kemeny Hall 341.
Syllabus:
Math 9 is a course on multivariable calculus, especially in dimensions 2 and 3, through the lens of linear algebra.
The topics we will cover include: vectors, equations of lines and planes, arc length and curvature, matrices and linear transformations, functions of several variables (limits and continuity, partial derivatives, the derivative as a linear transformation, tangent planes and linear approximation, the Chain Rule, directional derivatives and applications, and optimization problems including the use of Lagrange multipliers).. Linear algebra plays a crucial in modern mathematics and will be a great tool for understanding the concepts in this class (and elsewhere!). We will also use geometric intuition and constructions to gain a better understanding of core concepts in multivariable calculus.
Textbook:
- James Stewart, Calculus, Multivariable Calculus. Eight edition.
- Calculus Multivariable, Jon Rogawski and Colin Adams. Third Edition.
- OpenStax Calculus, volume 3. Gilbert Strang, Edwin Herman.
Prerequisites:
Advanced placement into MATH 9 or MATH 11.
Grading:
- Homework will be assigned. The solutions can either be scanned or typed and uploaded on Canvas. Late homework can only be accepted under special circumstances. Collaborative work on homework is accepted but you must write your own solution as well as the names of the collaborators, see policy on Canvas for collaborative work on homework.
- The Final Grade will be based on homework (10%), mideterms (50%), and final exam (40%).
Collaboration
Collaboration on problem sets is encouraged, but:
- Attempt each part of each problem yourself. Read each portion of the problem before asking for help. If you don’t understand what is being asked, ask for help interpreting the problem and then make an honest attempt to solve it.
- Each student must write they own solutions with their own words. In addition, they must add the name of the collaborators and the sources used. If they fail to do so, then they may be charged with plagiarism and reported to the relevant instances of the College.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Understand of the basic concepts of multivariable calculus and linear algebra;
- Solve mathematical problems: utilize abstraction and think creatively;