MATH 141
Business Mathematics I
Summer Session II 2015
Instructor: Dr. Rosanna Pearlstein
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:50am-1:00pm,
by appointment.
Office: 245B Blocker
Email: rosanna@math.tamu.edu
Teaching Assistants: Yanbo Li, Jun Sur Park.
E-mail etiquette: Please use good manners in email. Address me as Dr. or Mrs. Pearlstein; sign with your full name
and UIN; include “Math 141” and your section number in the subject, as well as a brief description of the email’s topic.
Web page: Course notes and other materials will be posted on eCampus. Students are expected to check the
eCampus page regularly for useful information and announcements about the class.
Class time and place: Sections 202 and 205: MTWRF 10:00am-11:35am CHEN 106.
MATH 141 web pages: I will post all course materials on eCampus. The Mathematics Department has a web page for
Math 141, http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math141/ , where you will find a Course Description, eHomework (link to
WebAssign login page), Math Help hours and Suggested Homework Problems.
Course Description: Business Mathematics I (3 credits). We will cover linear and quadratic equations and
applications; functions and graphs, systems of linear equations, matrix algebra and applications, linear programming
(graphical method), probability and applications, statistics, basic finance.
Prerequisites: High school algebra I and II and geometry. Credit will not be given for more than one of MATH 141
and MATH 166.
Learning outcomes: This course is focused on quantitative literacy in mathematics found in both business and
everyday life. Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the
material as covered during lectures and demonstrate ability to use these concepts on exams, quizzes and homework. The
students will learn the following concepts and methods:








Logically find relationships among variables to formulate mathematical models for everyday applications,
including business applications, such as cost, revenue, profit, supply and demand.
Understand matrices and their applications, including solving systems of linear equations.
Construct linear programming problems for various applications and solve using graphical techniques, including
finding the optimal point(s) where a company minimizes its cost or maximizes its profit.
Understand set terminology and its relationship to symbolic notation.
Use Venn diagrams to model the relationship between sets and set operations, with applications to real-world
problems.
Understand the principles of counting and probability and apply these concepts to a variety of problems, such as
finding the number of ways or probability of obtaining a particular card hand.
Identify types of random variables and calculate probabilities and statistics for random variables.
Apply the concepts of finance to real-world situations, such as financing a car or a house.
Required materials:

Textbook: Finite Mathematics for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences, 10th Ed., by Tan, Brooks/Cole.
Access to an online copy of this text has been included in your course fees and is in your WebAssign page. If you
prefer to have a paper copy of the text, you may purchase the loose-leaf edition at the book store, but this is
optional.
1


Calculator: A TI-83/84 (Regular, Plus or Silver editions) or TI-Nspire (non-CAS version with a TI-84 faceplate)
graphing calculator is REQUIRED. Other calculators are NOT allowed. You must bring your calculator IN
WORKING CONDITION AND WITH CHARGED BATTERIES to each class and exam. Calculators are
allowed on exams but you must clear and reset the “ALL” memory before each exam. It is considered cheating to
have notes, formulas, or programs in your calculator. You may not share calculators during exams. I will consider
any illegal use of calculators on exams as academic dishonesty and report it to the Aggie Honor Council.
Supplies: For all class days, you will need to bring your printed notes (found on eCampus), your TAMU student
ID, your TI-83/84 graphing calculator, a #2 pencil and an eraser.
Exams: There will be five in-class exams, tentatively scheduled as shown below:
Exam
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
Final Exam
Scheduled Day
Wednesday, July 15th
Wednesday, July 22nd
Wednesday, July 29th
Wednesday, August 5th
Tuesday, August 11th
Scheduled Time
Class time
Class time
Class time
Class time
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Note: You must have a #2 pencil, your TAMU student ID and an approved calculator (no lid and with your name on it)
when taking exams. Please know that I do not carry staplers, calculators, pencils, to the exams.
Grading Policy: Grades will be calculated according to the following tables:
First Best Exam Score
Second Best Exam Score
Third Best Exam Score
Final Exam Score
WebAssign Homework
22%
22%
22%
22%
12%
A
B
C
D
F
90.0%-100%
80.0%-89.9999%
70.0%-79.9999%
60.0%-69.9999%
0.0%-59.9999%
Note: Test grades will not be curved. Due to confidentiality, grades will only be discussed in person.
Grade Changes: At times there might be inaccuracies in the grading of your work. If you feel that this has happened,
you must let the instructor know by the next day of receiving the graded work. If a mistake is confirmed, the grade will
be changed. No grade requests will be considered if not communicated within 24 hours of receiving the graded exam.
Note: All in-class graded activities are no notes, no books and no collaboration with others.
Homework (Graded): All graded homework assignments will be completed online using the WebAssign system.
You can login at: http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/eHomework (which also offers Online Homework Help). The
homework on any section is due on Tuesday, August 11. No request of extensions can be accepted. Please note that the
practice homework is not graded; however it can be very helpful, especially when you are unsure about a problem.
Suggested Homework: A list of suggested homework assignments can be found at the web page:
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math141/141suggested_homework.pdf . There is also a list of the problems with links
to streaming video solutions at http://www.math.tamu.edu/~kilmer/141shw.html, courtesy of Kendra Kilmer. These
problems will not be graded. However, DOING THE SUGGESTED HOMEWORK IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS IN
THIS CLASS!!! One of the most helpful strategies is to form study groups and work on the suggested homework outside
of class. Notice that you should expect to spend at least TWENTYTWO (out of class) HOURS each week studying
for this class. That is, about three hours for each classroom hour.
Late Work and Make Up Policy: You are expected to be present and eager to participate in class every day. Please
do not request makeup exams unless your absence is officially excused by the University. A missed exam will be
accommodated by dropping the lowest exam score. Makeup exams will have a different format and harder questions than
the original exams. Given the generous WebAssign homework deadline, late homework is out of the question.
2
Class Announcements and E-Mail Policy: Important course announcements will be made in class, or sent to your
NEO e-mail account. It is your responsibility to check your NEO email account EVERY DAY and get familiar with the
announcements.
Attendance: Attendance is required in this class. All students are expected to arrive on time and be ready to actively
participate in lecture every day. I STRONGLY suggest that you make every attempt to not miss a single day of lecture.
Falling behind in this course will be extremely detrimental to your grade.
Electronic Device Policy: Please have all cell phones and electronic devices, like laptop computers, in silent mode and
put away during class, unless you must use them to take notes for our class. It is more beneficial to your learning that
notes are taken by pencil and paper.
Class Etiquette: I expect that during class you stay focused on learning the mathematics being taught. You should not
be reading a newspaper or materials from another course, you should refrain from discussion not related to class and you
should not leave class early unless you have cleared it with me first. If I feel you are being disruptive or disrespectful
during class, you may be asked to leave.
Getting Help:





Course Instructor: First, if you have a question, do not hesitate to ask before, after, or during class. Second, I
encourage you to attend my office hours to get individual help. You do not need an appointment to come to
regularly scheduled office hours.
Teaching Assistants: Our two teaching assistants will hold afternoon office hours to help you with homework and
questions you may have on the class material.
Past Week in Review Problem Sets and Solutions can be found at several web sites which you can access from
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~rosanna/141/141spring2014wir.html and http://www.math.tamu.edu/~kilmer/
You can work them as part of your preparation for the exams.
Help Sessions: Help sessions are an opportunity for you to ask questions and get help with your homework. The
schedule can be found at http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/helpsessions.html
Calculator Help: Step-by-step written keystroke directions are available at these web sites:
www.math.tamu.edu/~snite/M141CalcVideos.html
Scholastic Dishonesty: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." Please visit the web page
http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor and follow the rules of the Aggie Honor Code. Each student is responsible for turning
in their own unique work. During exams you are not allowed to receive any kind of assistance from anyone. Any instance
of scholastic dishonesty will be handled according to the processes outlined on the Honor Code website at
http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/Processes/reportingandadjudication.html .
Students with Disabilities: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that
provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires
that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of
their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Services for Students
with Disabilities (Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637).
Copyright Policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One copy
(or download from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly
prohibited. Class notes, online material, online homework problems, or handouts, or subsets thereof may NOT be posted
on Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!Answers, YouTube, blogs, wikis, forums, videos, podcasts, or any other social media.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. The instructor reserves the right to make any
changes she considers academically advisable. It is your responsibility to attend class and keep track of the proceedings.
3
Here is a TENTATIVE class schedule,
subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Tuesday, July 7th
Wednesday, July 8th
Thursday, July 9th
Friday, July 10th
Syllabus, 1.3
1.4, 1.Q
2.1, 2.2
2.3, catch up, review
Monday, July 13th
Tuesday, July 14th
Wednesday, July 15th
Thursday, July 16th
Friday, July 17th
2.4, 2.5
3.1, 3.2
Exam 1: 1.3, 1.4, 1.Q, 2.1,
3.3, 6.1
6.2, catch up, review
2.2, 2.3
Monday, July 20th
Tuesday, July 21th
Wednesday, July 22nd
Thursday, July 23th
Friday, July 24th
6.3, 6.4
7.1, 7.2
Exam 2: 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2,
7.3, 7.4
7.5, catch up, review
3.3, 6.1, 6.2
Monday, July 27th
Tuesday, July 28th
Wednesday, July 29th
Thursday, July 30th
Friday, July 31st
7.6, 8.1
8.2, 8.3
Exam 3: 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2,
8.4, 8.5
8.6, catch up, review
7.3, 7.4, 7.5
Monday, August 3rd
Tuesday, August 4th
Wednesday, August 5st
Thursday, August 6th
Friday, August 7rd
5.1, 5.2
5.3, catch up, review
Exam 4: 7.6, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3,
Catch up, review
Catch up, review
8.4, 8.5, 8.6
Monday, August 10th
Tuesday, August 11th
Catch up, review
Final Exam: Cumulative
Good Luck in your studies!
4