Southwestern Michigan College
Division of Academic Studies
Course Syllabus
Winter 2011
Course Title: Finite Mathematics
Course Number: Math 129
Section: 1298
Class Meeting Times: Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-6:30
Credits/Contacts: Credit Hours 4
Lecture Hours/week 4
A-T hours/week 0
Final Exam Information: Monday, May 3 @ time TBA
Instructor: Greg Koehler ()
Office: 134G
Office Hours: arranged
Prerequisites: Satisfactory Completion of Math 105 with a grade of “C” or higher.
Course Description: This course provides computer information systems and business curricula with a survey of set theory, graphing, linear equation systems, matrices, linear programming, permutations and combinations, and probability with particular attention to applications in the area of business.
Core Curriculum: N/A
Distribution Requirements: This course may be used to meet a SMC Natural Science and Mathematics Degree Requirement.
Textbook (required): Finite Mathematics for the Managerial, Life and Social Sciences, Tan, 9th edition
Other Materials
Calculator: Please bring a basic calculator to class. You may NOT use a graphing calculator. Since it is not required, not everyone will have one – therefore, in fairness, nobody is allowed to use one. Your calculator does need to at least have a square root button.
Graph Paper (encouraged): Either buy graph paper or print off your own using the two examples provided on SMC Wired for this course.
Notice: The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Southwestern Michigan College, to make changes in course content and instructional techniques described in this syllabus.
Honesty Policy: Cheating or plagiarizing will absolutely not be tolerated at Southwestern Michigan College. Any student found cheating or plagiarizing material in any manner may be assigned a failing semester/session grade in this course. A second such incident while at SMC could result in suspension or expulsion from the institution. A student found in violation of this section of the syllabus will not be allowed to drop this course. Additional detail regarding cheating and/or plagiarism may be found elsewhere in this syllabus. For more detailed information consult the SMC Student Code of Conduct.
Method of Instruction: Lecture and selected problems throughout the course.
Evaluation: Upon completion the student will demonstrate achievement by obtaining a minimum grade of seventy percent (70%) of the following points:
13 Quizzes 75% of total
Final Exam 25% of total
Grading Scale
A 93-100%A- 90-93%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82% / C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
Attendance Policy: Attendance is necessary. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. There are no points awarded for attendance.
In the event that a student must be absent from class due to religious observation, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor prior to the absence to arrange for an opportunity to make up any examination or study requirements which the student may have missed because of such absence.
Class notes are posted following the day they are given.
Homework: Homework will not generally be collected, unless believe it to be necessary. Nonetheless, it is extremely important to attempt the exercises in the textbook, as these will form the basis for quizzes and final exam. While we will review the homework, it is very important that you make a sincere attempt (either by yourself or with a classmate) to complete and understand the solutions. Do not simply rely on the solution manual.
We will review the homework on the date it is due at the beginning of class. Please come to class prepared. If you do not have the work competed, and you’re asked to place your solution on the board, just let me know that you do not have it.
Quizzes & Final Exam: Quizzes and the final exam will emphasize solving problems much like those completed in the relevant homework assignments.
There will be a quiz every Thursday (except day one) – covering the material since the previous quiz. These brief assessments will gauge your progress and how you are understanding the respective material. Since there are no tests, these quizzes are quite valuable toward your overall grade. Please take them seriously. If necessary, consider them as mini-tests.
There are NO make-up quizzes. Your lowest QUIZ score will be dropped. So, if you must be absent due to sickness or your car won’t start – then you get one freebie.
This is a list of absences that you want to avoid (not comprehensive):
· Car won’t start - call a friend to give you a ride
· I’m sick – hey we all get sick now and then – thus the one dropped quiz
· Planned vacation – have a great time – but that zero won’t help your grade!
· Taking Spring Break during a week other than “Spring Break?” Wish I could do that! Again, that will be a zero.
At this point, I sound like a real jerk, don’t I? Well before I get too much of a “mean guy” reputation – let me back it up with some rationale. I want to push you a bit to do the best work possible. We meet once a week! It isn’t too much to ask for your presence. Sure, “life happens” – but don’t let it be an excuse for poor work. If life is really getting the best of you –talk to me. I don’t like excuses, but I do have compassion for honest-to- goodness tough times. Talk to me about your problem (in person, please!) and let’s arrive at a solution instead of allowing it to fester.
Major Course Learning Objectives:
1. Students will understand and apply the appropriate formula for set operations including union, intersection, complement, and set difference when solving problems involving sets.
2. Students will understand, apply, and interpret Venn diagrams when solving applications involving two or more sets.
3. Students will understand, apply, and interpret the outcomes to problems involving the probability and/or the mathematical odds of the occurrence of an event.
4. Students will understand and apply the appropriate formula for calculating the mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation when analyzing a set of data.
5. Apply the concept of function and mathematical modeling in business, economics, and management applications.
6. Graph and use linear and polynomial functions in applications.
7. Calculate interest, present and future value, annuities, and amortization tables.
8. Solve and use systems of linear equations and inequalities in two variables in applications.
9. Use Gauss-Jordan elimination to solve linear systems of equations with two or more variables in applications.
10. Understand the concept of matrices and their usage and perform operations on matrices.
11. Formulate and solve linear programming problems graphically and by using the Simplex Method.
12. Use calculators and computers in learning and doing mathematics.
How To Succeed In This Course:
1. Attend lectures. The problems covered on the quizzes will emphasize material covered in class. If you miss a lecture, get a copy of the notes from someone else in class. (I do not make my lecture notes available to students.)
2. Complete your homework. Quiz problems will look just like homework problems. In order to succeed on the quizzes, you need practice! Be honest with yourself. If you are having challenges with a particular section, do more practice.
3. Ask questions. See me if you are having difficulty of any kind. Ask questions!
Acceptable Use Of Personal Communication Technology
All phones, iPods, Black Berries, palm pilots, pagers, laptops and other technological devices including devices capable of taking photographs must be turned off or placed on vibrate mode and may not be brought out during class. If you are expecting or receiving an urgent call, you are required to leave the classroom before answering. Violation of this policy will result in your removal from the classroom for the class period. Multiple violations of this policy will be referred to the appropriate dean for disciplinary action. Further details or ramifications of violations maybe found elsewhere in this syllabus. The instructor has the right to modify this policy to meet the needs of your course.
This Syllabus is Subject to Modification
as Necessary!
Text sections to be covered during this course (may change due to time constraints)
Chapter 1 Straight Lines and Linear Functions
1.1 The Cartesian Coordinate System
1.2 Straight Lines
1.3 Linear Functions and Mathematical Models
1.4 Intersection of Straight Lines
1.5 The Method of Least Squares – MS Excel
Chapter 2 Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices
2.1 Systems of Linear Equations: An Introduction
2.2 Systems of Linear Equations: Unique Solutions
2.3 -Not covered-
2.4 Matrices
2.5 Multiplication of Matrices
Chapter 3 Linear Programming: A Geometric Approach
3.1 Graphing Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
3.2 Linear Programming Problems
3.3 Graphical Solution of Linear Programming Problems
3.4 Sensitivity Analysis
Chapter 4 Linear Programming: An Algebraic Approach
4.1 The Simplex Method: Standard Maximization Problems
4.2 The Simplex Method: Standard Minimization Problems
Chapter 5 Mathematics of Finance
5.1 Compound Interest
5.2 Annuities
5.3 Amortization
5.4 Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions
Chapter 6 Sets and Counting
6.1 Sets and Set Operations
6.2 The Number of Elements in a Finite Set
6.3 The Multiplication Principle
6.4 Permutations and Combinations
Chapter 7 Probability
7.1 Experiments, Sample Spaces, and Events
7.2 Definition of Probability
7.3 Rules of Probability
7.4 Use of Counting Techniques in Probability
7.5 Conditional Probability and Independent Events
Chapter 8 Probability Distributions and Statistics
8.1 Distributions of Random Variables
8.2 Expected Value
Chapter 9 Markov Chains and the Theory of Games
9.1 Markov Chains
9.2 Regular Markov Chains
See SMC Wired for this class for schedule
Class Schedule – Intended as a Framework – will likely CHange
Week:
/Dates:
1
/Jan 13
/ Introduction1.1 – 1.2
2
/Jan 18
Jan 20 / 1.3, 1.4Quiz 1
1.5, 2.1
3
/Jan 25
Jan 27 / 2.1 – 2.2Quiz 2
2.1 – 2.2
4
/Feb 1
Feb 3 / 2.2Quiz 3
2.4 – 2.5
5
/Feb 8
Feb 10 / 2.5Quiz 4
Chapter 2
6
/Feb 15
Feb 17 / 3.1 - 3.2Quiz 5
3.3 – 3.4
7
/Feb 22
Feb 24 / Chapter 3Quiz 6
4.1 – 4.2
8
/Mar 1
Mar 3 / 4.1 – 4.2Quiz 7
5.1 – 5.2
/
Mar 8 & 10
/Spring Break – no class
9
/Mar 15
Mar 17 / 5.1 – 5.2Quiz 8
5.3 – 5.4
10
/Mar 22
Mar 24 / 6.1 – 6.2Quiz 9
6.3
11
/Mar 29
Mar 31 / 6.4Quiz 10
7.1 – 7.2
12
/Apr 5
Apr 7 / 7.2 - 7.3Quiz 11
7.3 - 7.4
13
/Apr 12
Apr 14 / 7.3 - 7.4Quiz 12
8.1 – 8.2
14
/Apr 19
Apr 21 / 8.1 - 8.2Quiz 13
9.1 – 9.2
15
/Apr 26
Apr 28 / 9.1 – 9.2Review for Final Exam
/ May 3 /
Final Exam, Time 4:30