A nontechnical presentation of mathematical topics essential to the student of the arts, humanities, or social sciences. The following are studied: elementary set theory, logic, number systems, probability and statistics and measurement and applications of mathematics to various disciplines. A scientific calculator is required. This course is appropriate for secondary education students (not math majors); some content is based on the Pre-Professional Skills Test in Mathematics (PRAXIS).
Prerequisites: none.
Miller, Heeren, and Hornsby; Mathematical Ideas, 10 ed., Pierson Education Addison Wesley, 2004. ISBN: 0-321-16808-9.
Grades are based on the following assessment items:
Tests will consist of problems similar to those assigned as homework. Your instructor will announce the specific topics to be covered on each test about a week prior to the test date.
The format for the final exam will be the same as that of the tests, but longer. The final exam is comprehensive.
Homework will be assigned for each class, except on test dates. Homework consists of textbook exercises, and is intended to reinforce concepts presented in class. Although homework is not factored into the final grade, completion of homework assignments is essential to the student's comprehension of material, and to her success in the course.
Answers to homework problems are usually found in the back of the book. The student should use these answers to check her work. However, the answers do not necessarily give insight into how one arrives at the answer. The student should feel comfortable that she can arrive at the expected answer, and seek help if having difficulty doing so.
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1/21 1/23 1/26 1/28 |
Ch. 5; Number Theory (5.1-5.3) |
| 1/30 2/2 2/4 2/6 2/9 2/11 |
Ch. 6; The Real Numbers and Their Representation |
| 2/13 | Ch. 7; The Basic Concepts of Algebra (7.1-7.3, 7.5-7.7) |
| 2/16 | Test 1 |
| 2/18 2/20 2/23 2/25 2/27 3/1 3/3 |
Ch. 7 (continued) |
| 3/5 3/15 3/17 3/19 |
Ch. 2; The Basic Concepts of Set Theory |
| 3/22 | Test 2 |
| 3/24 3/26 |
Ch. 2 (continued) |
| 3/29 3/31 4/2 4/5 4/7 |
Ch. 3; Introduction to Logic (3.1-3.4) |
| 4/13* 4/14 4/16 4/19 |
Ch. 11; Counting Methods (11.1-11.3) |
| 4/21 | Test 3 |
| 4/23 4/26 4/28 4/30 |
Ch. 12; Probability (12.1-12.3) |
| 5/3 5/5 |
Ch. 13; Statistics (13.1-13.2) | TBA | Final Exam |
* Tuesday April 13 follows a Monday schedule.