Patterns in Math, Spring 2016

Math 12, Section 2

 

MWF 12.10-1pm, DGH 136

UPDATE PAGE WITH INFORMATION FOR EACH CLASS

 

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Department of Mathematics

Course: Patterns in Math (3 credits)

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course teaches some basic concepts of mathematics. We will present some applications from fields such as finance, environmental science, social science, etc., It will use online (Webwork) assignments as well as videos made using Tegrity.

 

REQUIRED TEXT:  No textbook is required but you can use any College Algebra book as reference. Class material will be posted on the update page for you to download and study.

 

COURSE GOALS:

1.    To enable the student to apply his or her knowledge of linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their graphs, counting methods (permutations and combinations), basic probability theory and statistics, and arithmetic and geometric sequences to real world problems concerning finance, the environment, etc.,

 

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  On completion of the course, students should be able to

á      Interpret and use graphs of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions arising in real world.

á      Able to use counting methods to find probability.

á      Interpret and apply probability theory to simple questions.

á      Apply the compound interest formula for geometric sequences to the problems in finance.

á      Describe the basic math and science of energy conservation, solar and wind energy production, and demonstrate simple computations involving these principles.

 

PREREQUISITE:  A satisfactory grade in College Algebra I.

 

Instructor: Sankar Sitaraman

 

EVALUATION:

 

                                                2 one hour exams 100 each                                 Total  200

                                                Assignments                                                             Total  200

                                                Final Exam 200 pts                                                 Total  200

                                                Grand Total                                                                           600

 

HOMEWORK

 

                        There will be almost daily homework assignments. There will be two types of HW: First type of HW is posted on Update page to be submitted on paper or via email. The second type is posted on the online testing system based at HU named Webwork (link to be posted soon). It is your responsibility to do them by the due date. You can get help from others as well as from me but make sure you understand what you are doing. Otherwise you are guaranteed to do poorly in the tests and the final exam. Each will be 15 points and there will be more than 14 of them so that you can get extra credit. A total of more than 200 from the homeworks will help you get extra credit and compensate for any poor performance in the tests.

           

Syllabus

 

Course format:

The approximately 40 class meetings will be divided as follows:

3 exams with 3 days for review for each exam.

34 lectures

 

Course material:

 

Functions: (8 lectures)

Linear and quadratic functions and modeling real world problems and graphing them.

Exponential functions and Logarithmic functions, their graphs and applications.

 

Sequences: (8 lectures)

Arithmetic and Geometric sequences

Writing the general term and Adding the first n terms.

Applications.

 

Counting methods: (8 lectures)

Counting number of ways an event can happen.

Permutations and Combinations, Binomial expansions.

Applications.

 

Probability and Statistics: (10 lectures)

Computing probability using counting methods.

Measures of Central tendencies:  Mean, Median, Mode.

Measures of Variation: Variance and Standard deviation.

Binomial and Normal distributions.

 

Academic Code of Student Conduct (please see Howard University handbook):
No copying, unauthorized use of calculators, books, or other materials, or changing of answers or other academic dishonesty will be tolerated. Cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone caught cheating will receive an F for the course and may be expelled from the university.

AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT: Howard University is committed to providing an educational environment that is accessible to all students. In accordance with this policy, students in need of accommodations due to a disability should contact the Office of the Dean for Special Student Services (202-238-2420, bwilliams@howard.edu) for verification and determination of reasonable accommodations as soon as possible after admission and at the beginning of each semester as needed.

Statement on Interpersonal Violence: Howard University takes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual harassment seriously. If a student reveals that he or she needs assistance with any of these issues, all responsible employees, including faculty, are required to share this information with the University Title IX Office (202-806-2550) or a student can be referred for confidential services to the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) (202-238-2382) or the University Counseling Services (202-806-6870). For more information, please go to www.CampusSafetyFirst.Howard.Edu