Math 126 – Autumn 2026
Welcome!
Math 126 is the third course in the introductory calculus sequence. The course begins with vectors and geometry in three dimensions, continues with vector-valued functions and motion, develops differential calculus for functions of several variables, and concludes with power series and Taylor approximation.
Math 126 has a revised curriculum beginning Autumn 2026. Older course materials and exam archives remain useful, but they may contain topics that are no longer part of Math 126 and may not contain some topics that are now part of the course.
Homework and WebAssign
Homework will be administered through WebAssign. Students will access WebAssign through the link in their Canvas course. WebAssign access includes an electronic version of the textbook. Information about purchasing WebAssign access is available on the UW Calculus Cengage page.
Textbook
The course textbook is James Stewart's Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 9th edition. An electronic version is included with WebAssign access, so a printed copy is not required. Students who prefer a physical textbook may use a recent edition for reading, but page numbers, section numbers, and exercises may differ among editions.
Math Study Center
All Math 126 students are encouraged to use the Math Study Center (MSC), located in B-014 in the basement of the Communications Building. The MSC is a good place to study, work with classmates, form study groups, and receive help from tutors. Current hours are posted on the Math Study Center website.
Calculator Policy
A TI-30X IIS calculator is required in Math 120, 124, 125, and 126. It is the only calculator permitted on Math 126 exams. We recommend using the same calculator for homework and exam practice.
Calculus Grade Policy
For Math 124, 125, and 126 courses taught during the regular academic year, the median grade in each lecture section—or across an instructor's combined lecture sections—will fall within the range 2.9 ± 0.2.
Quiz Sections
Quiz sections are an important part of Math 126 and will emphasize actively doing problems. Depending on the week and instructor, quiz sections may include worksheets, quizzes, test preparation, guided homework discussion, or other problem-solving activities. Your instructor will provide the specific details for your section.
Accommodations
If you need accommodations because of a disability, please contact Disability Resources for Students. For religious accommodations, please see the UW religious accommodations policy. Once your accommodations have been approved, contact your instructor to discuss relevant details.
Exams
Math 126 has two midterm examinations and a common final examination. Individual instructors will provide policies and details for their midterms and quizzes.
Archive note: The Math 126 curriculum changed beginning Autumn 2026. Older exams should be used selectively: some include topics no longer covered in Math 126, and older exams do not include all topics in the revised course.
Final Exam
The common final examination for all sections of Math 126 will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
Students may use a TI-30X IIS calculator and one 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of handwritten notes, using both sides.
Common Final Exam information, policies, and room assignments
Course Outline for Autumn Quarter 2026
Weekly resources, exam archives, topics, and textbook sections
| Week | Resources | Exam Archive | Topics and Textbook Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week 1 Resources | — |
12.1 — 3D coordinates, distance, spheres 12.2 — Vectors, magnitude, unit vectors |
| 2 | Week 2 Resources | — |
12.3 — Dot products, angles, projections 12.4 — Cross products, normals, area 12.5 — Lines in space |
| 3 | Week 3 Resources | — |
12.5 — Planes and geometric relationships 12.6 — Cylinders and quadric surfaces 13.1 — Vector functions and space curves |
| 4 | Week 4 Resources | — |
13.2 — Derivatives and integrals of vector functions 13.3 — Arc length and curvature 13.4 — Motion, velocity, acceleration |
| 5 | Week 5 Resources | MIDTERM #1 Archive |
Review — Chapters 12–13 Exam I 14.1 — Functions of several variables and level curves |
| 6 | Week 6 Resources | — |
14.3 — Partial derivatives 14.4 — Tangent planes and linear approximation 14.5 — Multivariable chain rule |
| 7 | Week 7 Resources | — |
14.6 — Directional derivatives and gradient 14.7 — Local extrema and optimization 14.8 — Lagrange multipliers No class Wednesday, November 11. |
| 8 | Week 8 Resources | MIDTERM #2 Archive |
14.7–14.8 — Applications and review Exam II 11.1 — Sequences 11.2 — Infinite and geometric series |
| 9 | Week 9 Resources | — |
11.5 — Alternating series 11.6 — Ratio Test and absolute convergence No class Thursday or Friday for Thanksgiving. |
| 10 | Week 10 Resources | — |
11.8 — Power series and convergence intervals 11.9 — Functions as power series 11.10 — Taylor and Maclaurin series |
| 11 | Week 11 Resources | FINAL Exam Archive |
11.11 — Taylor polynomials, approximation, and error Review — Comprehensive final exam review |
Previous Math 126 Materials
The links below are retained from previous versions of Math 126. Because the course curriculum changed beginning Autumn 2026, some of these materials may include topics that are no longer part of the current course.