Chapter 27: Derivative or Defective!
Good afternoon, everyone. I know you've had a pleasant start to the semester and would like to continue enjoying your newfound freedom and party with your friends. Unfortunately, for you, I take the quality of your education seriously. Today, I've handed out the first math assignment, and I want to emphasize its importance. This assignment may appear challenging at first glance, but remember, it's designed to stretch your intellectual boundaries. Now remember, I am here to help. If you're struggling, I encourage you to seek assistance during my office hours. During our next class, I'll be selecting random students to discuss their thought process and approach to the assignment. This is to ensure authenticity and that there is no plagiarism. Also, I will be assessing your level with this and failure to submit the assignment would mean an F. So be careful. Now let us continue..."
Nora looked down at the first problem on the assignment sheet that the professor had given out and almost fell to the floor. The entire topic of Derivatives had been going over her head and now this.
'Consider the function f(x) = 2x^3 - 5x^2 + 3x - 7. Calculate the first and second derivatives of f(x), and then analyze the critical points, inflexion points, and intervals of concavity of the function.'
She did not even understand the first question, how was she to look for an answer? Suddenly it made her realize that she was in hot waters. The two math experts in the class happened to be the two people who hated her the most.
Sara and Antonio had quickly become the star couple at the university. Sara had an outgoing personality and looks that matched her. She had quickly become friends with everyone, effectively isolating her. Antonio, on the other hand, had become the perfect adoring boyfriend to Sara, enjoying and reaping the benefits of her fame.
Thankfully, they had at least not tried to cross paths with her, but she could already feel Antonio's smug gaze on her. She had never been very smart with numbers, but she would have been better at it if Lara Anderson had ever let her study. Her formative years had been spent doing the bare minimum to pass school and handling all the household chores that her mother had said were her responsibility.
Professor Thomas had almost finished the problem on the board, and Nora realized with a jerk that she had missed the entire explanation! Oh gosh! She was going to go crazy!
Finally, the professor left, and she quickly started to pack for the day, stuffing the assignment sheet into her bag. Maybe she could look for a tutor who could help her with this. Yes, as if she hadn't been looking already. But every senior who could help her had already refused her. Professor Thomson said that she could go to him for help, but it was an open secret among the students that Professor Thomson was as prejudiced as a judge who would rule a person guilty before even start of a trial. If she exposed her weakness, she would forever be failing this class.
Distracted by these thoughts, she failed to see Sara approaching her. As she picked up her bag, she heard the girl's sweet voice," Nora."
Nora raised her eyes and felt anxiety as soon as she met Sara's eyes. She was definitely up to something. Nora quickly scanned the classroom and noticed that most of the students had left while the others were leaving. Giving her a strained smile, Nora nodded at her," Sara."