FM Syllabus MW 9:30 a.m. F11 O’Brien
FM 9th ed. Lial
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
MATH 2053 Finite Mathematics MW 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. SC 335 Line number: 11948
Dr. Teresa O’Brien
Course:
Instructor:
Office: SC 349 Work Phone: 479-986-6917 Fax: 479-986-6928 Home Phone: 479-936-7419
E-mail: tobrien@nwacc.edu
Website: http://faculty.nwacc.edu/tobrien
Office Hours:
MW: 9 – 9:30 a.m.; 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; 2:35 – 3:00 p.m.;
TTh: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; in Math Center: 9 – 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 – 3 p.m.
F: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; in Math Center: 9 – 11 a.m.
** In the subject line of all e-mails you send me, please include info to help me identify you. **
For example: Ellen Bertram Finite Math MW 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Math Dept. Secretary:
Jill Witt
SC 351
479-986-6900
jwitt@nwacc.edu
Placement Info:
To demonstrate academic preparedness for placement in Finite Mathematics, all students must verify
that they have met one of the following placement criteria: a grade of “C” or better in College
Algebra (MATH 1204); a score of 24 – 28 on the math portion of the ACT; or a score of 46 – 99 on
the College Algebra section of the COMPASS.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of Finite Mathematics, a student should be able to do the following.
Other skills may also be required.
1.
Set up and solve standard linear programming problems graphically and by using the Simplex Method.
2.
Set up and solve nonstandard linear programming problems.
3.
Calculate future values, present values, interest rates, interest amounts, numbers of years, and numbers of
compounding periods using simple and compound interest formulas.
4.
Calculate the effective rate corresponding to a nominal interest rate & vice versa; and compare investments
or accounts.
5.
Calculate interest rates, interest amounts, principal amounts, payments, present values, and future values of
ordinary annuities, annuities due, and sinking funds.
6.
Find the payment amount for an amortized loan, the portion of a loan payment that is interest and the portion that
is principal; the remaining balance, the sum of all payments, and the total amount of interest paid.
7.
Perform set operations; draw, interpret, and apply Venn diagrams.
8.
Use basic counting techniques including the multiplication principle, permutations, and combinations to count and
to find probabilities..
9.
Compute conditional probabilities, probabilities of independent events, and binomial probabilities; calculate odds
and expected values; and apply Bayes’ Theorem.
10.
Organize data; create frequency & probability distributions and histograms; and compute measures of central
tendency and variation.
11.
Find the percentage of area under a normal curve; find z-scores; and find probabilities using the standard normal
curve.
12.
Solve application problems using the skills listed in objectives 1 through 11.
Required Materials:
Finite Mathematics, 9th ed. Lial, Greenwell, and Ritchey. Pearson/Addison Wesley. 2008.
Sections 3.1 – 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1 – 5.3, 7.1 – 7.6, 8.1 – 8.5, 9.1 – 9.4
A folder or 3-ring binder to keep your homework, notes, and other papers neat & organized.
A scientific or graphing calculator (preferably a TI-82, TI-83, or TI-84).
TI-89s, TI-92s, and comparable calculators may not be used in Finite Math.
Note: You can rent a TI-82 for one semester by paying $15 to the cashier and then bringing your
receipt to the Math Department secretary, Jill Witt, in SC 351. You will need 4 AAA batteries.
Please bring your textbook, folder, notes, homework, and calculator to class every day.
Additional Resources:
Homework assignments, exam reviews, and other resources prepared by Dr. O’Brien are available
online at http://faculty.nwacc.edu/tobrien. Videotapes / DVDs (graphing calculator, math anxiety, time
management) are available for check-out from the NWACC Library. An interactive tutorial is available
at the Academic Success Center (ASC). Free tutoring is available at the Academic Success Center,
the Math Café, and the Math Center. Tutoring schedules are posted on the ASC website. Counseling
& other support services are available through the Learner Success Center. Resources available
through Pearson Addison-Wesley and / or the NWACC bookstore include: Student’s Solutions Manual,
1
FM Syllabus MW 9:30 a.m. F11 O’Brien
FM 9th ed. Lial
Graphing Calculator and Excel Spreadsheet Manual, and MathXL Tutorials on CD.
The Addison-Wesley Math Tutor Center is accessible by telephone, fax, e-mail, and the internet at
http://www.aw-bc.com/tutorcenter/math.html. The InterAct Math Tutorial Web Site is located at
www.interactmath.com. If you purchased MyMathLab, either bundled with your text or separately,
you can access a wide variety of resources by going to http://students.pearsoned.com and using your
student access code to enroll in o'brien82526.
Grading:
Attendance / Participation
Sum of ten best 12 point homework checks = HC Total
Two 120 point comprehensive exams
One 120 point comprehensive final exam
20 points
120 points
240 points
120 points
500 points
Grade Replacement:
If it will improve your overall course grade, I will replace your lowest exam
grade OR your HC Total grade with your grade on the Final Exam.
Grading scale:
A = 450-510; B = 400-449; C = 350-399; D = 300-349; F = 0-299
My Expectations:
I expect you to bring your notes, homework, textbook, graphing calculator, paper and pencil to
every class; to read the text and work through examples before class; to attend every class for the
full 1 hour and 15 minutes; to actively participate in class; to take notes; to ask and answer questions;
to review & summarize your notes within 24 hours of each class; to complete all assigned homework,
including cycle-back problems; to study 2 to 3 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in
class; to use all the resources available to you when you need help; to properly prepare for exams by
working every problem on the review sheet and reviewing the text and your notes; and to take
responsibility for your learning by doing all that you can to be successful with this class.
Rights and
Responsibilities:
Every person in this class (whether a student, a teacher, or a visitor) has the right to be treated
courteously and respectfully. Every person has the right to ask questions or to make comments
without being put down or made to feel stupid. Every person has the right to say I don’t understand
and to ask for help. Every person has the right to feel relaxed and capable and to be successful.
In turn, every person has the responsibility to treat others with kindness, consideration, and respect
and to do his/her assigned tasks diligently and to the best of his/her ability. Rude, disruptive behavior
is not acceptable and will be dealt with according to college policy as stated in the catalog.
Attendance / Participation:
Regular attendance and participation in class is crucial to your success in this course and as such
is mandatory. Missing class, coming to class late, leaving class early, coming to class unprepared,
and/or not participating in class activities will result in a loss of attendance / participation points.
Homework Checks:
Once a week I will collect your homework from the previous week. Some weeks I may grade your
support work on a few problems; some weeks I may grade your answers only on a subset of problems;
and some weeks I may look at how many of the assigned problems you have attempted & / or completed.
Each homework check (HC) is worth 12 points. The sum of your best ten homework checks will be
your HC Total which is equivalent in point value to an exam.
Any homework turned in late will be worth a maximum of 6 points (half credit).
Exams:
All exams are comprehensive and each is worth 120 points.
Make-up Policy:
Make-up exams will be given only in dire circumstances and by prior arrangement. If you do not
take an exam, your grade on the Final will be used as your score for the missed exam. If you have to
miss class on the day of a homework check, you should either turn your homework in early, have
someone slide it under my office door, e-mail it to me, or fax it to me. Homework turned in late will
be worth a maximum of half credit.
Extra Credit Points:
You may earn a maximum of 10 extra credit points by doing a combination of the following.
An individual essay, interview, or art project is worth, at most, 5 points.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
meeting with me for ~15 minutes (2 points)
forming a study group and keep a log of who attends and for how long (1 pt per meeting)
working extra credit problems posted on my website or discussed in class (1 pt per problem)
interviewing someone about how s/he uses math at work
writing an essay on some aspect of math history or an application of math
creating a math-related mobile, poster, or other decoration
keeping a math journal about your experiences in this class & submitting it once every 3 weeks
All written projects must be 300 words minimum, typed or neatly printed.
Grading Criteria: Depth; Length; Content; your Opinion; References; Grammar &
Spelling. All extra credit must be turned in by Friday December 9.
2
FM Syllabus MW 9:30 a.m. F11 O’Brien
FM 9th ed. Lial
Withdrawal
Policy:
If at some point in the semester you are having difficulty and you are thinking about dropping this
course, I would strongly urge you to see me first. I will do everything that I can to help you. If in
the end you do decide to withdraw, you must fill out the appropriate form from the registrar. Not
attending class is not the same as withdrawing. To officially withdraw and avoid an “F” on your
transcript, you must fill out a drop slip. The deadline for dropping is Friday November 4.
Disability Services:
If you feel you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact the
Disability Resource Center (SC 114) at disability@nwacc.edu or by phone at 479-986-4076.
Additionally, if you have a medical condition that may result in an emergency situation during class
or you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, you should also contact
the DRC. The DRC coordinates reasonable accommodations for students who have documented
disabilities. Once your registration with that office is complete, you should contact me privately to
discuss your specific needs.
Bad Weather Policy:
On days when the weather is bad, you may call the Student Information Line at 619-4377 or visit
the NWACC website at http://www.nwacc.edu to find out if classes are canceled. Announcements
are usually posted by 6 to 6:30 a.m. for day classes and by 3 to 3:30 p.m. for evening classes. If
classes are not canceled and / or the College opens late, if we can meet for at least half the period,
our class will meet. If you feel the journey to class could put you in peril, you will not be penalized if
you choose not to attend. However, it is your responsibility to make up what you missed.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act:
NWACC is committed to your right to privacy as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA). This means I can only communicate with you about your grade in person or
via your NWACC e-mail account.
Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarism, cheating, and any other form of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to
college policy as stated in the catalog.
Additional Policies:
Cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and similar devices should be on silent mode during class.
During class, your attention should be focused on learning and you should not use your calculator,
laptop, cell phone, or other electronic devices to play games, surf the internet, listen to music, or for
any other non-class related activities.
You should not make calls, receive calls, nor send or receive text messages during class unless
you are on-call for work or you have a family emergency.
You may not use a cell phone or similar device for any purpose during an exam. This is a
departmental policy.
You may not leave the classroom during an exam. This is also a departmental policy.
Important Dates:
August 29
September 5
September 6
September 6
November 4
November 4
November 23 - 26
December 9
December 10 - 16
December 20
December 22
Last Day to Drop and Receive 100% Refund.
Labor Day Holiday
Last Day to Drop and Receive 80% Refund.
Last Day to Drop and Not Receive "W" on Transcript.
Last Day to Withdraw with "W" on Transcript with 0% Refund.
Last Day to Change Schedule (Withdraw) on the Web with 0% Refund.
Thanksgiving Break for Faculty and Students. Service offices close at 4:30 p.m. 11/23.
Last Day of Classes.
Final Exams.
Grades due to Registrar by 12:00 Noon.
Grades available to students online.
For the complete Academic Calendar for Fall 2011, go to https://www.nwacc.edu/web/nwacc/calendar.php.
3
FM Syllabus MW 9:30 a.m. F11 O’Brien
FM 9th ed. Lial
Tentative Schedule:
Date
Section to be Overviewed
Homework
Mon Aug 22
Course Intro, 3.1
A1
Weds Aug 24
3.1
A1
Mon Aug 29
3.2
A2
Weds Aug 31
3.3
A3
Mon Sept 5
Labor Day Holiday
Weds Sept 7
4.1
A4
Mon Sept 12
4.2
A5
Weds Sept 14
4.4
A6
Mon Sept 19
5.1
A7
Weds Sept 21
5.2
A8
Mon Sept 26
5.3
A9
Weds Sept 28
Catch-up / Review
Mon Oct 3
Exam 1
Weds Oct 5
7.1
A10
Mon Oct 10
7.2
A11
Weds Oct 12
7.3
A12
Mon Oct 17
7.4
A13
Weds Oct 19
7.5
A14
Mon Oct 24
7.6
A15
Weds Oct 26
Catch-up / Review
Mon Oct 31
Exam 2
Weds Nov 2
8.1
A16
Mon Nov 7
8.2
A17
Weds Nov 9
8.3
A18
Mon Nov 14
8.4
A19
Weds Nov 16
8.5
A20
Mon Nov 21
9.1
A21
Nov 23 – Nov 27
Thanksgiving Break
Mon Nov 28
9.2
A22
Weds Nov 30
9.3
A23
Mon Dec 5
9.4
A24
Weds Dec 7
Catch-up / Review
Weds Dec 14
Final Exam 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
*******************************************************************************************************
Homework Checks (12 points each; You can drop your lowest three HC scores.)
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
HC Total (120 points; sum of best ten HC):
____________________
Exams (120 points each)
____________________ ____________________
Final Exam (120 points)
____________________
Attendance (Record days you are absent, come late or leave early, are inattentive or don’t participate.)
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________
4