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.
Please scroll down for a course outline, final exam info, course policies, homework help, and other resources.
- Registration, Closed Classes & Add Codes Questions?: Click Here
- Standard, Hybrid, or Online Math 126 Questions?: Click Here
- New to Math 126? A Short Orientation for Students: Click Here
Course Outline
| Week | Exam Archive | Topics and Textbook Sections |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | 12.1–12.2 — 3D coordinates, vectors |
| 2 | — | 12.3–12.5 — Dot products, cross products, lines in space |
| 3 | — | 12.5–12.6; 13.1 — Planes, quadric surfaces, vector functions |
| 4 | — | 13.2–13.4 — Vector derivatives/integrals, curvature, motion |
| 5 | Exam 1 Archive | Exam 1; 14.1, 14.3 — Functions of several variables, partial derivatives |
| 6 | — | 14.4–14.7 — Tangent planes, chain rule, gradient, optimization |
| 7 | — | 14.7–14.8 — Optimization, Lagrange multipliers, applications |
| 8 | Exam 2 Archive | Exam 2; 11.1–11.2 — Sequences and series |
| 9 | — | 11.5, 11.9 — Alternating series and power series |
| 10 | — | 11.10–11.11 — Taylor/Maclaurin series, Taylor polynomials and error |
| 11 | Final Exam Archive | 11.11 applications; comprehensive review |
Final Exam
5:00–7:50 p.m.
Course Essentials
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.
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.
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.
Where to Find Help
There are several places at UW where you can get help with Math 126, study with other students, or work on your overall academic strategies.
Math Study Center (MSC)
The Math Study Center, located in Communications B-014, is a place for Math 126 students to study, work with classmates, and get help from mathematics tutors.
CLUE Tutoring
CLUE provides free tutoring for UW Seattle students, including mathematics. CLUE offers in-person and online drop-in tutoring as well as exam reviews and study groups.
Instructional Center (IC)
The Instructional Center provides academic support and tutoring for eligible students, including students in EOP and TRIO. Students who are unsure about eligibility can check with the IC.
Academic Success Coaching
Academic Success Coaching offers free one-on-one meetings focused on the overall academic experience. Coaches can help with time management, study strategies, test-taking strategies, motivation, goal setting, and finding campus resources.
Policies
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.
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.
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.