Mathematics for Measurement
MATH 1333
Mary Parker and Hunter Ellinger
ISBN MATH133304
http://www.austincc.edu/mparker/mfm_v04/
Copyright 2001-2008
See discussion of allowed uses at
http://www.austincc.edu/mparker/mfm_v04/copyright.htm
Mathematics for Measurement by Mary Parker and Hunter Ellinger, Version 04
pages
8
Topic A. Solving Equations and Evaluating Expressions
8
Topic B. Formulas - Computing and Graphing
16
Topic C. Using a Spreadsheet
16
Topic D. Approximate Numbers, Part I. Communicating Precision of Approximate
Numbers
6
Topic E. Using a Calculator
18
Topic F. Angles and Construction of Diagrams
14
Topic G . Linear Equations – Algebra and Spreadsheets
12
Topic H. Linear Formulas - Word Problems
6
Topic I. Approximate Numbers, Part II. Propagation of Errors when Computing with
Rounded Numbers
18
Topic J. Measurement Data Sets
16
Topic K. Modeling, Part I. Linear and Quadratic Models
10
Topic L. Trigonometry, Part I. Tangent Ratio in Right Triangles
12
Topic M. Trigonometry, Part II. Ratios and Relationships in Right Triangles
10
8
Topic N. Approximate Numbers, Part III. Communicating the Result of Computations
Supplement Topic N2. Significant Digits
6
Topic O. Approximate Numbers, Part IV. Input Sensitivity – Graphs
16
Topic P. Modeling, Part II. Exponential Models and Model Comparison Techniques
10
Topic Q. Trigonometry, Part III. Sine and Cosine Formulas on Larger Intervals
6
8
Topic R. Trigonometry, Part IV. Solving General Triangles
Supplement Topic R2: The Ambiguous Case
16
Topic S. Modeling, Part III. Automated Fitting of Models, Comparative Goodness of Fit,
and Outliers
12
Topic T. Approximate Numbers, Part V. Sensitivity of a Formula to Errors in Input Values
12
Topic U. Modeling, Part IV. Power Functions and Using Logarithmic Graphs
6
Topic V. Trigonometry, Part VI. More Applications and Spreadsheet
14
Topic W. Modeling, Part V. Additional Useful Modeling Formulas
12
Topic X. Approximate Numbers, Part VII. Reducing Noise by Averaging Multiple
Measurements: A Mathematical Formula
12
Topic Y. Modeling, Part VI. Combining Modeling Formulas
10
Topic Z1. Approximate Numbers, PartVII. Computing with One Approximate Input Value
– the Empirical Method
Topic Z2. Approximate Numbers, Part VIII. Computing with Multiple Approximate
Values – the Empirical Method.
10
7
Topic ZA: Approximate Numbers, Part VIII. Error propagation with multiple input values mathematical formulas
Organizing your course materials
Students who succeeded in this course in past semesters organized their materials and work so
that they could easily find examples to study for each test. That included examples in the printed course
materials, examples worked in class, and exercises that they had worked themselves.
In order to encourage you to succeed, you are required to organize your work as described below.
Part of your homework grade will be based on your notebook being organized in this fashion, and your
bringing it to class every day.
Notebook: Purchase two 1 ½ looseleaf notebooks to put these materials in. Bring one notebook to class
with the current materials (about 6 to 10 topics) in it each day. Put the rest of the topics in the other
notebook and keep them at home.
Dividers: Purchase one set of 26 dividers labeled with the alphabet. Use those to separate the individual
topics in these materials. Purchase another set of three to five dividers to use to organize your daily work
in this course. Keep these in the front of the notebook you bring to class each day.
Organize your homework: Put some pieces of looseleaf paper in your notebook BEHIND EACH TOPIC.
Do the homework problems for that topic on those pages and keep them there until time to turn in
homework after a test. Your homework must be organized by topic rather than by date assigned.
Organize your class notes: Most days in class, you will receive a handout with a list of topics we
discuss in class and problems we work. Keep those in your notebook, and keep the notes that you take
during class each day right behind that day’s handout in your notebook.
Organize the quizzes and tests that are returned to you: Include either a folder or a large manila
envelope in your notebook so that you can put returned papers in it.
Tools needed:
 Graph paper (preferably the kind with fairly large squares rather than tiny squares)
 Device to punch holes in paper so that you can put your computer output in your notebook. The
kind you can buy for about $1 is adequate.
 Scientific calculator with trig functions. Most students have one at home already. Bring it. If
you don’t, then wait to buy one until you have been to class several times and see the
possibilities. I recommend one with a two-line display rather than a one-line display. These cost
approximately $10 to $15.
 Drawing kit with compass, protractor, ruler, right triangle. Costs $3-$8 at an office supply store.
(Students have indicated that a metal compass is more satisfactory than the plastic compass
included in the less-expensive kits.)
 Some way of saving computer files you create. This might be a flash drive, or you can call up
your email on the computer at school and email it to yourself, or you can save it in Blackboard for
yourself.
 Access to some spreadsheet computer software to use for homework. You can use Microsoft
Excel in the Learning Lab. I believe you can also use Open Office Calc in the Learning Lab.
Open Office is free, and very good. <http://www.openoffice.org/>