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Math is its own language, and, if you can read it and you can speak it, you will do all right.
Epsilon, epsilon, what’s epsilon? It’s just a number they chose to confuse you.
One doesn’t change. As x changes, it stays the same. It says, “I don’t care what x does! It can run around me in circles! I’m one!”
What happens when you see this on the exam? You’re gonna want - what? - to kill it, me, and everything else you can see.
talking about the AP Calculus exam
Of course, I have seen the granddaddy of all table books.
referring to integral tables
If you forget dr/dt, you’ll probably find a big hole on your paper because I beat it up.
On the first test, I will be generous. On the second test, I will be not so generous. On the third test, I will be mean, nasty and rotten! Do not forget the “+ C”!
talking about integration and tests
You probably just think he’s throwing in an extra word to make himself sound smart.
talking about word problems
Ooh, I could have fun with a pop quiz on vocabulary!
(Evil laughter)
(Evil laughter)
It’s the Headmaster’s fault. She kept me up late last night. That woman can go forever!
the reason why he hadn’t finished grading our tests
You will all get 5’s. You might even get 6’s.
speaking about the AP Calculus exam
And you go… and you go… and you go… He’s like most of us - strange.
drawing a graph
One day, Richard, you’re gonna bite on that toe of yours, and it’s gonna hurt.
Yes, the aliens. They’re still flying around my backyard. Every night I go out and say hello to them.
Drawing in 3D is a - what? - experience for me.
People don’t just go out [and say], nice wolf, pat pat, and feed it with their right hand.
“It’s so obvious!”
a running inside joke about really hard problems
Numbers make sense to me. Physics teachers, eh…
Please note: Every mistake Richard is making will be on the AP exam. It will be there for Richard.
Your minds have all gone to mush.
speaking to us about forgetting math over the summer
And then they blow off the third floor!
demonstrating a 3D coordinate system
The TI-89 [calculator] is so powerful, it can think for you.
For some people, the calculator does nothing but bite them. For others, the calculator dances.
They give you a whole point for the answer. That’s not degrading. That’s upgrading.
speaking about the AP Calculus exam
It diverges and has fun somewhere at infinity.
speaking about power series
(talking to himself and waving his finger in the air) This is how I think.
Nicole, we’ll ask you first since I don’t want to feel too stupid.
Nicole, we’ll ask you first since I don’t want to feel too stupid.
the homework problem said “think…”
When they jump, they bite, and you yell out, “Arctan!”
speaking about the AP Calculus exam
Mr. Durant: Jie, did you break it?
Jie: I don’t have my homework.
Jie: I don’t have my homework.
speaking about very complicated integration problem
Mr. Durant: I can make a bet that part of the answer will be arctan.
Class: …No…
Mr. Durant: NO?!? They got me! I lost the bet.
Class: …No…
Mr. Durant: NO?!? They got me! I lost the bet.
discussing one of our homework problems
Mr Durant: What kind of fraction is this? [It begins with] I - M - P…
(random stuff yelled out by students)
Gene: Impossible!
Mr. Durant: Yeah, for some people…
(random stuff yelled out by students)
Gene: Impossible!
Mr. Durant: Yeah, for some people…
Jen French (to Mr. Durant): Smart, smart man.
Mr. Durant: I know, I know.
Mr. Durant: I know, I know.
from AP Calculus class
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