Offered: Fall 1995
Instructor: Kevin J. Mitchell
Times: MWF 8:00 to 9:10 in Napier 201
Lab on Thurs 1:30 to 3:15 in Napier 202
MWF 10:40 to 11:50 in Gulick 223
Lab on Thurs 10:55 to 12:40 Lansing 300
Text: Contemporary Precalculus Through Applications, Janson Publications
Calculator: TI-82
Historically, mathematics has been universally recognized as one of the most important disciplines. This is especially true today for true anyone contemplating a career in areas such as the natural sciences or most of the social sciences, especially economics. Although students are repeatedly told that mathematics is important, sadly, most math instruction fails to communicate exactly why this is the case. Recently there have been widespread educational reforms in mathematics eduacation aimed at addressing this failure. The text for this course represents one such effort to make mathematics more meaningful for students. In particular, analysis of real data relating to everyday life is one of its most important features and one that I will try to emphasize.
The central, overarching theme for the text and our course is the concept of a function. Their study is important for two reasons. First, functions, together with sets, form the basic core of all mathematics. Second and perhaps more important, functions constitute the basic mathematical building blocks for describing quantifiable relations in the world (both real and ``virtual"). Functions provide the basic language for expressing connections between quantities, deducing consequences, and making predictions. As such, they are an indispensible tool in the investigation of all kinds of scientific questions. Our text provides an introduction to this real-world context for the study of functions. Fortunately we live in an era when technology can take much of the drudgery out of complex computations. The TI-82 graphing calculator is central to this course and will help us explore various aspects of functions. Over the course of the term I hope you begin to appreciate the power and applicability of functions.
You are likely to find this course different from your earlier math courses. Most of the exercises are ``word problems" which force you to think about what you are doing. You will be asked to write up explanations, to provide reasons for your mathematical computations, and to interpret results. Keep in mind that all of the work is designed to help you take ownership of your mathematics and make it meaningful. So cultivate curiosity, ask lots of questions, and experiment!
There is a required lab session each week on Thursday. These labs are an excellent time for you to ask questions about the course material and using your calculator. Working in groups of two or three is strongly encouraged. At least a couple of the labs will involve data collection exercises. Bring your text, calculator, and notes. Some of the questions will require written answers that go beyond simply solving equations and doing routine problems.
Homework reading and practice exercises will be assigned at the beginning of each class. I encourage working in small groups on practice problems. This can be very helpful in understanding the material. In addition, about once a week, there will be an assignment consisting of selected problems to hand in for grading. Unless otherwise stated graded assignments are to be your own work without collaboration. Your work will be due at the beginning of the next class. No late assignments, please. I will put answers On Reserve in a notebook in the Library after the work has been collected for you to consult. (I will also put answers to the labs and the exams there.)
There will be three hour tests and a final exam. The dates are listed in the outline below. Tests will be cumulative but will concentrate on more recent material. It is impossible to construct fair make-up exams in mathematics. For your own protection, my policy is that there are no make-up examinations. If for some extraordinary circumstance you find you are unable to take an exam you should let me know as soon as possible, certainly well before the exam is administered.
Your final grade will be calculated in roughly the following manner: homework 20%, three hour exams 50%, final exam 30%. I reserve the right to take class participation and attendance into account in determining final grades.
Because of the nature of this course, its assignments, and its assessment, your attendance and participation is crucial. Mathematics is learned by regular, sustained, attentive effort over an extended period. Only when such effort has been invested will the concentrated study for an exam have any benefit. Therefore attendance at class and lab are required. Unexcused absences will adversely affect your grade. If you must miss a class or lab for some reason beyond your control, talk to me about it in advance.