Math 125 – Quantitative Literacy
Syllabus for section 8C1 – Summer, 2014
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Website:
Textbook:
Jennifer Strehler
DP 2741
(847) 376-7071
strehler@oakton.edu
http://www.oakton.edu/~strehler
Thinking Mathematically by Blitzer, 5th ed,
MyLabsPlus (not MyMathLab) is required for this section.
Office Hours
Since this is an online class, most of our communication will be online. If you have a question
about a specific problem in the homework, please use the "ask my instructor" link in the
homework software (I get a copy of the problem you're working on this way!)
Prerequisites
MAT 110 with minimum grade of C or appropriate score on the Mathematics Placement Test,
and MAT 080 or geometry proficiency.
Course (catalog) Description
Course focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems. Topics include:
counting techniques and probability, logic, set theory, and mathematics of finance.
Calculators/computers used when appropriate.
Learning Objectives
It is presumed that students will spend a minimum of 8 hours per week in independent study
(reading the text, doing homework, working additional unassigned problems) in order to meet
the following objectives:
A. Apply the problem solving process and develop problem solving strategies for personal
decision-making.
B. Recognize logical equivalence and identify common fallacies.
C. Construct logical arguments.
D. Incorporate applications of the mathematics of finance to everyday life.
E. Apply probability in everyday life.
F. Use the calculator and/or computer to facilitate problem solving.
Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity
and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
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cheating,
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and
procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have
violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be
established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
Course Expectations
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I expect that you will log into MyLabsPlus and work regularly (at least two-three times each
week) toward the successful completion of this course.
I expect that your schedule will allow you to complete all assignments and take the exams and
quizzes when they are scheduled. All exams, quizzes and assignments have firm due dates
and requests for extensions will NOT be granted. The exams will be available in the testing
center the week prior to the exam due date. Quizzes and homework can be completed early.
Academic integrity. All work is expected to be your own.
Ask for help when you need it. The tutoring centers (room 2400 DP in Des Plaines and A135
in Skokie). The tutoring centers are available Monday – Thursday from 8am – 8pm.
A calculator is required for the exams. As such, it is best to practice solving problems in the
method described in the text. Phones and the like may not be used as a calculator during an exam.
Communication
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I will send weekly e-mails to the entire class during the course of the semester. It is your
responsibility to ensure that the e-mail address on file with the registrar is the address to
which you wish to receive course communication.
Please use e-mail as your primary means of communication. I will read and respond to e-mail
at least once a day during the week. The time I check my e-mail is likely to be irregular. If you
send me a message at 8:30 am & I checked my e-mail at 7:30 that morning, I may not get your
message until whenever I check e-mail the next day. I will check e-mail at least once during the
weekend (as defined by Oakton to be Friday – Sunday during the summer).
I am teaching more than one course this term. Make sure you put MAT 125 in the subject line
of your e-mail so that I know which class you are in (and that your e-mail is not spam!)
- Please use complete sentences and avoid textspeak in your e-mail.
Assignments, Quizzes and Exams
All homework, quizzes and exams have firm dates. Extensions will NOT be granted.
Date Due
06/12/14
06/18/14
07/02/14
06/26/14 – 07/03/14
07/16/14
07/29/14
07/23/14 - 07/30/14
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“Getting to know you” assignment due
Chapter 2 homework and quiz due
Chapter 3 homework and quiz due
Exam covering chapters 2 & 3 available
Chapter 8 homework and quiz due
Chapter 11 homework and quiz due
Exam covering chapters 8 & 11 available
Homework will be done through MyLabsPlus and is based on chapters 2, 3, 8 & 11 of the
textbook. Homework must be completed according to the schedule above. Each exam covers
roughly 13 sections of material.
There will be 4 chapter quizzes, which will be administered through MyLabsPlus. Quizzes must
be completed according to the schedule above. In order to take a quiz, you must have completed
all homework for that chapter with a score of at least 70%. If you do not have at least a 70% on
each assignment, you will not be able to take that chapter quiz.
There will be two exams that will be administered at the testing center located on the Des Plaines
campus of Oakton Community College.
 The summer hours of our testing center are:
Mon – Thurs:
8:00 – 8:00
 If you need to take the exam at the Skokie campus, it is your responsibility to inform me
no later than June 19th. If you are not able to take the exams at one of our campuses,
please contact Robin Nash at rnash@oakton.edu in order to make alternative
arrangements as soon as possible. Arrangements must be made with the facility that
will proctor your exam no later than June 19th.
 You will be given 3 hours to complete each of the exams. If you arrive within 3 hours of
the close of the testing center, you will only be allowed to work on the exam until the
testing center closes and no additional time will be given for the exam. The dates that
these exams are available are repeated below.
Grading
Exam 1
Available 06/26/14 – 07/03/14
Exam 2
Available 07/23/14 – 07/30/14
Homework Average
Quiz Average
Course grades will be determined as follows:
90% - 100%
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
Less than 60%
A
B
C
D
F
30%
30%
20%
20%
A grade if "I" (Incomplete) must be formally requested of the instructor by the student and may be
granted only if the student has missed no more than one test for the entire term and the student’s average
is at least 70. The decision to grant the "I" grade will be made by the instructor alone. No incomplete
grades will be given without documented evidence of serious illness or circumstances.
Other Course Information
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to
reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services,
contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All
students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any
essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
Important Dates
June 9
Classes begin for summer 2014 eight-week session
June 19 Last day to submit proof of residency, business service agreements and chargebacks/joint
agreements
June 26 Last day to change to Audit
June 26 Last day to drop and have course dropped from record
July 3
Last day for filing Graduation Petitions
July 7
Independence Day holiday observance, no classes. College open.
July 8
Last day to withdraw with a "W" (no withdrawals after mid-term)
Students will receive a grade in all courses in which they are enrolled after July 8.
July 24
Incomplete (I) grades from spring 2014 semester for which faculty have not submitted final
grades will become an "F" after this date.
Outline of Topics
1. Set theory
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Basic Set Concepts
Subsets
Venn Diagrams and Set Operations
Set Operations and Venn Diagrams with Three Sets
Survey problems
2. Logic
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Statements, Negations, and Quantified Statements
Compound Statements and Connectives
Truth Tables for Negations, Conjunction, and Disjunction
Truth Tables for the Conditional and Biconditonal
Negations of Conditional Statements and De Morgan’s Laws
Arguments and Truth Tables
Arguments and Euler Diagrams
3. Consumer Mathematics and Financial Management
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Percent, Sales Tax, and Income Tax
Simple Interest
Compound Interest
Annuities, Stocks and Bonds
Installment Loans, Mortgages and Credit Cards
4. Counting Methods and Probability Theory
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The Fundamental Counting Principle
Permutations and Combinations
Fundamentals of Probability
Sample Spaces and Tree Diagrams
Events involving “Not” and “Or”; Odds
Events Involving “And”; Conditional Probability
Expected Value