Math 118: Linear Models and Probability
Sections 2 and 4
Fall Semester 2008
Basic Information
This version posted on: 2008-09-03
Technology Use:
We will be using Microsoft Excel fairly often, and will probably have
on-line homework sets as well. If you don’t have regular access to Excel
and an internet connection for doing the on-line homework, you might
want to find a different section of Math 118.
Course Catalog Entry
Linear models, systems of linear equations, linear regression, probability theory,
probabilistic simulations, decision theory, descriptive statistics; combinatorics and/or
financial models as time permits.
Prerequisites
Placement or at least C in Math 098 or Math 098b or Math 104, Math 105, Math 107,
Math 109, or Math 120.
Math 118 is one of the math courses that fulfils the General Education requirement for
mathematical reasoning, in many cases. It also fulfills prerequisites for courses in Chem,
CompSci, Econ, and Psych, among others. If you are a business major, you will probably
take Decision Sciences DS265: Business Statistics, which has Math 118 as a specific
prerequisite.
Class Logistics
Section
2
4
CRN
13745
13747
Meetings
MWF 9- 9:50
MWF 10-10:50
Room
P-H 207
P-H 203
Final Exam
Mon Dec 15, 9:00
Fri Dec 12, 9:30
Brief calendar:
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Wed, Sept. 3: first day of classes
Thu, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving
Wed, Dec. 10: last day of classes
Wed, Dec. 17: last day of finals
Fri, Dec. 19: deadline for grades 5:00pm
Class meetings will be mostly interactive lectures, with some time to work on problems
in class, and some time to go over problems from the homework. Exams will also be held
during class meetings.
Instructor information
Professor Andrew Ross
Pray-Harrold 515b
andrew.ross@emich.edu
http://people.emich.edu/aross15/
(734) 487-1064, but I strongly prefer e-mail instead of phone contact.
Math department main office: Pray-Harrold 515, (734) 487-1444
Office Hours and other help
Office Hours: MWF 8:30-9:00, 11:00-11:30, 12:30-1:00, 2:00-2:30
I am also happy to make appointments if you cannot come to the general office hours.
Please send me e-mail to arrange an appointment. I am unavailable during the following
times, due to teaching: MWF 9-11, 1-2.
The Mathematics Student Services Center (or "Math Lab") is also here to help you, in
Pray-Harrold 220. Please give them a call at 734-487-0983 to find out their hours.
Another resource on campus is the Holman Learning Center.
Required materials
1. "Finite Mathematics” by Waner and Costenoble, published by Brooks/Cole,
Custom EMU edition. ISBN 978-0-495-44576-0
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Or, the non-custom 4th Edition will work too.
You might be able to squeak by with the 3rd edition, or the EMU custom
3rd edition
2. Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Works spreadsheet is not powerful enough), with the
Solver add-in.
3. Scientific calculator. It does not have to be a graphing calculator. I recommend
the TI-30X-IIS calculator ($15-$20). Cell phone calculators are not allowed on
tests.
The textbook should be available at all the usual bookstores on and around campus. The
library has a page about class textbooks that includes bookstore addresses, and also
information about the student government's Bookswap.
Course Web Page
We will use the WebCT Vista system. You are expected to keep an eye on your scores
using the system, and get extra help if your scores indicate the need.
Optional Materials
1. Probability Notes by Daniel Boyk. See your instructor for a copy.
2. Student Solutions Manual (ISBN: 0534-376274)
In addition, the web site FiniteMath.org, run by the publishers of the textbook, contains
interactive tutorials, review exercises, etc.
Course Content
General Education rationale
MATH 118 is comprised of two components: modeling with linear equations, and a
comprehensive introduction to discrete probability. In both components of the
course, emphasis is placed on applying mathematical models (equations, graphs,
tables of data, and symbolic formulas) to analyze real-world scenarios. For a given
scenario, students will select an appropriate model, analyze the model, draw
conclusions about the real-world scenario, and write their conclusions. The course
emphasizes quantitative reasoning skills which will be useful not only in subsequent
course work, but in responding to the quantitative challenges of life. For these
reasons, MATH 118 will count for the Quantitative Reasoning requirement in the
General Education program Education for Participation in the Global Community.
Very important notice
This course does not automatically count as a QR course for every student who takes
it. If you plan to count this course for your QR requirement, it is essential that you
check with an advisor to see if it will count for you before taking the course. It is
your responsibility to check and follow the rules. No exceptions can be made. For
more information go to www.emich.edu/gened
Outline/schedule
Here is an approximate schedule for how long we will spend on each chapter. Be sure to
keep updated with the actual schedule as the course goes along. (number of class hours in
parentheses. 3 class hours=1 week)
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Ch. 1: Functions and Linear Models, sections 3,4,5 (4)
Sigma Notation (1?)
Ch. 2: Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices (4)
Ch. 4: Linear Programming, sections 1,2 (4)
Ch. 6: Sets and Counting, sections 1,2,3 (4)
Ch. 7: Probability, sections 1,2,3,5,6,7 (15)
Ch. 8: Random Variables and Statistics, sections 1,3,4 (5)
Tests, review, and slack (6)
Grading Policies
Attendance
Regular attendance is strongly recommended. There will be material presented in class
that is not in the textbook, yet will be required on the exams. Similarly, there are things in
the textbook that are might not be covered in class, but are still required on the homework
and exams. If you must miss a class, arrange to get a copy of the notes from someone,
and arrange for someone to ask your questions for you.
My lectures and discussions mostly use the chalkboard. I do not usually have
PowerPoint-like presentations, and thus cannot hand out copies of slides.
Homework
There is a good chance that we will have on-line homework. You will log in to a web
site, and it will ask you questions that you then compute the answers to and type in your
final answer.
Some homework will be assigned but not collected--you should check your answers in
the back of the book, and ask questions about problems you have. Even if homework is
not collected, you are responsible for learning it--it will be on the tests!
Exams
There will be three in-class exams, roughly after chapters 2 and 6, and in the middle of 7.
Dates will be announced soon. The final will be comprehensive, with a special emphasis
on the material not covered by previous exams.
You might be assigned seats while exams are in progress. No extra time will be given for
late arrivals to exams. During the exam, all electronic equipment other than a calculator
should be put away. You will not be allowed to use your cell phone as a calculator.
Do not purchase your Winter break airline tickets to depart before the final exam. Be sure
to allow enough time to get to the airport, etc. You will not be allowed to "take the exam
early because you have already purchased a non-refundable airline ticket". See above for
the final exam schedules.
Overall Grades
No scores will be dropped, unless a valid medical excuse with evidence is given. In the
unfortunate event of a medical need, the appropriate grade or grades will be dropped
entirely, rather than giving a make-up. You are highly encouraged to still complete the
relevant assignments or exams and consult with me during office hours to ensure you
know the material.
Your final score will be computed as follows:
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20 percent for each of the 3 exams,
20 percent for the final exam, and
20 percent for all of the homework together.
Once final scores are computed, a curve will be applied.
General Caveat
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus throughout the
semester. Notification will be given in class or by e-mail or both. If you miss class, it is
your responsibility to find out about syllabus and schedule changes, especially the dates
and times of exams.
Approximate Schedule
This will probably change as we go through the semester. However, exam dates
will not change.
Class#
Date
0
9/1/2008 Labor Day
1
9/3/2008 First day of class
2
9/5/2008 Ch 1.3
3
4
5
9/8/2008 Ch 1.4
9/10/2008 Ch 1.5
9/12/2008 Sigma notation
6
7
8
9/15/2008 Ch 2
9/17/2008 Ch 2
9/19/2008 Ch 2
9
10
11
9/22/2008 Ch 2
9/24/2008 Ch 2, review
9/26/2008 Exam 1
12
13
14
9/29/2008 Ch 4.1
10/1/2008 Ch 4.1
10/3/2008 Ch 4.1
15 10/6/2008 Ch 4.2
16 10/8/2008 Ch 4.2
17 10/10/2008 Ch 4.2
18 10/13/2008 Ch 4.2
19 10/15/2008 Ch 6.1
20 10/17/2008 Ch 6.2
21 10/20/2008 Ch 6.3
22 10/22/2008 review
23 10/24/2008 Exam 2
24 10/27/2008 Ch 7.1
25 10/29/2008 Ch 7.1
26 10/31/2008 Ch 7.2
27
28
29
11/3/2008 Ch 7.2
11/5/2008 Ch 7.3
11/7/2008 Ch 7.3
30 11/10/2008 Ch 7.4
31 11/12/2008 Ch 7.5
32 11/14/2008 Exam 3
33 11/17/2008 Ch 7.6
34 11/19/2008 Ch 7.6
35 11/21/2008 Ch 7.7
36 11/24/2008 Ch 7.7
day before Thanksgiving; no
37 11/26/2008 class
day after Thanksgiving; no
38 11/28/2008 class
39
12/1/2008 Ch 8.1
40
41
12/3/2008 Ch 8.3
12/5/2008 Ch 8.3
42 12/8/2008 Ch 8.4
43 12/10/2008 last day of classes
12/12/2008 Sec. 4 (10am) final, 9:30am
12/15/2008 Sec. 2 (9am) final, 9:00am
12/17/2008 last day of finals
12/19/2008 Grade deadline (5pm)
Standard University Policies
Religious Holy Days
I support students' right to observe religious holidays without penalty. To the best of my
ability, I will schedule exams to not conflict with major religions' holidays. Students are
to provide advance notice to the instructor in order to make up work, including
examinations that they miss as a result of their absence from class due to observance of
religious holidays. If satisfactory arrangements cannot be made, the student may appeal
to the head of the department.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating and/or plagiarism, will not be
tolerated in this class. Penalties for an act of academic dishonesty may range from
receiving a failing grade for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the
entire course. In addition, you may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Services
for discipline that can result in either a suspension or permanent dismissal. The Student
Conduct Code contains detailed definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty, but
if you are not sure about whether something you’re doing would be considered academic
dishonesty, consult with the instructor.
Classroom Behavior
Students are expected to abide by the Student Conduct Code and assist in creating an
environment that is conducive to learning and protects the rights of all members of the
University community. Incivility and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may
result in a request to leave class and referral to the Office of Student Judicial Services
(SJS) for discipline. Examples of inappropriate classroom conduct include repeatedly
arriving late to class, using a cellular telephone, or talking while others are speaking. You
may access the Code online at www.emich.edu/sjs.
Students with Disabilities Office
Eastern Michigan University has a tradition of providing access to education for students
with disabilities that began long before the enactment of federal or state law governing
accommodation. To see an outline of the accommodation information for faculty and
students provided by the Students With Disabilities Office (SWD, formerly known as the
Access Service Office), visit the SWD homepage: http://www.emich.edu/disabilities/
Important Notice for Foreign Students
By regulations of the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System),
students who hold an F or J visa should be aware of the following (revised from the
common outline written by Deborah DeLaski-Smith, Associate Dean for Student Affairs,
March 2003):
To avoid being out of status, it is the student's responsibility to report within 10 days to
the Office of International Students (OIS), 229 King Hall, the following information:
o changes of the student's or dependent's legal name or address;
o changes in academic status (full or part-time enrollment);
o change of the date of program completion, program/major change, level change
(undergraduate to graduate);
o change in funding source (employment or graduate assistant position);
o probation or disciplinary action leading to suspension due to conviction of a
crime.
Effective January 1, 2003, EMU has 21 days from the date of the reported event to
inform the U.S. Government - Bureau of Border Security (formerly known as the
Immigration and Naturalization Service - name changed March 2003). OIS enters the
data into a real-time database and new documents or I-20's are then issued to the student.
Remember that dropping or withdrawing from course(s) may put a student below fulltime enrollment. Before a drop/withdrawal change is made that reduces enrollment below
full-time status, the student must receive permission from the OIS. If the student plans to
transfer to another university, this process must begin before the end of his/her last
semester at EMU, contact the Office of International Students.
Noncompliance could result in actions leading up to fine, arrest, or deportation per the
U.S Government.
For more information, please visit the OIS homepage:
dsa.emich.edu/ois/index.html
In particular, see the pages regarding visa issues and SEVIS.