THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, ST AUGUSTINE
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
COURSE OUTLINE
ECON 0001 –- REMEDIAL MATHEMATICS
Title of Course : Remedial Mathematics
Course Code: ECON0001
Level: Pre Level I
Semester: I
Credits; 0
Prerequisites: None
Post-requisites: ECON1003 (Introduction to Mathematics)
OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE
This course is intended for those students who are reading B. Sc. Economics Special or B. Sc. Economics Major and were unsuccessful in the Mathematics Proficiency Test (MPT). Such students are holders of either a Pass in Mathematics at either the G.C.E. ‘O’ Level or the CXC General Proficiency level. It aims to provide these students with an experience of basic mathematics that will result in the students closing proficiency and knowledge gaps in the areas of basic mathematics that are considered as prerequisites for the Level I course, ECON1003 – Introduction to Mathematics.
These areas are as follows:
1. Positive and Negative Integers
2. Fractions, Positive and Negative Real numbers
3. Powers and Indices
4. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division of Integers, Real Numbers, Fractions & Powers
5. Order of Operations – Brackets, Powers, Multiplication, Division, Addition & Subtraction
6. Cross Multiplication of Fractions
7. Inequality Signs
8. Algebraic Expressions
9. Substitution into an algebraic expression
10. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division of Algebraic Expressions
11. Solution of Simple Equations in one variable
12. Construction of a Graph.
LECTURES AND TUTORIALS
Lectures/Tutorial: two (2) hours per week
Attendance at Lectures and Tutorials is mandatory.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment Objectives:
Assessment will take the form of a Final Examination. The assessment will test the ability of the students to:
a. demonstrate an understanding of the basic mathematical concepts and solution approaches within the course content;
b. logically develop a solution approach and use it to arrive at a correct solution
c. solve problems that are related to the seven (7) sections of the course;
d. recognise the appropriate solution technique for a given practical situation described as a word problem and apply same to the related word problem.
The Final Examination:
This examination will be two (2) hours long and will be scheduled in the final week of teaching.
COURSE CONTENT
The course is divided into seven (7) sections.
1. Algebraic Expressions – Manipulation, Simplification, Substitution, Cancellation, Algebraic Fractions
2. Sets – Definitions, Union, Intersection, Complement, Number of Elements; Integers and Real Numbers
3. Numbers; Simple Inequalities; Manipulating Inequalities
4. Linear Equations; Cross Multiplication; Changing the Subject of a Formula; Simultaneous Equations; Factorisation of Quadratic Expressions; Solution of Quadratic Equations
5. Indices and Power; Rules of Indices
6. Word Problems
7. The Straight Line – Generic Equation; Slope/Gradient, y-Intercept; x-Intercept; finding y-value for a specified x-value, finding x-value for a specified y-value.
COUURSE DLEIVERY PLAN
Week 4 Algebraic Expressions;
Week 5 Sets
Week 6 Numbers and Inequalities
Week 7 Solution of Linear Equations; Changing the Subject of a Formula; Cross Multiplication; Simultaneous Equations; Factorisation of Quadratic Expressions; Solution of Quadratic Equations
Week 8 Indices and Powers; Rules of Indices
Week 9 Word Problems
Week 10 The Straight Line
Week 11 Students’ Revision
Week 12 Students’ Revision
Week 13 Final Examination
READING LIST
Alan Tussy and R. David Gustafon, Basic Mathematics for College Students, Third Edition, Thomson Brooks/Cole
Lecturer's Contact:
Office Ext. 3055
Via email
September 2009
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