Math 147-Section B
Pre-Calculus for Business and Economics
Spring Quarter 2014
Instructor: Rob Judson
Office: Off Campus
Office Hours: 7:00 – 7:45 MW
Email: pjrac@nventure.com
rjudson@tacomacc.edu
Text: Finite Mathematical &Applied Calculus
by Waner & Costenoble 6th Edition
Phone: 253-571-6035 (from 2:20 – 3:30PM)
253-564-6719 (after 3:30PM)
Course Description:
Finite Mathematics will cover many of the pre-calculus topics. These topics include polynomial,
exponential and logarithmic functions, financial concepts, matrices, linear programming, data
exploration and a variety of problem solving applications. Math 147 is the first of a two-quarter
sequence (Math 147 & 148).
Prerequisites:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Math 95 – Intermediate Algebra or its equivalent with a grade of C or higher.
Reading 93 or its equivalent with a grade of C- or higher.
Knowledge of an advanced spreadsheet including graphing.
Students need to have and be able to use a graphing calculator. (Preferably a TI-83, 83+, or 84)
Course Objectives:
As a result of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
1. Use linear and quadratic functions to model data and a variety of situations.
2. See the connection between algebraic and graphical solutions.
3. Represent data through spreadsheets.
4. Use finance concepts to find present and future value of investments using compounded interest.
5. Create an amortization schedule using a spreadsheet.
6. Use matrix algebra and linear programming to solve problems.
7. Write complete and convincing solutions to problems.
8. Learn from reading.
9. Exploring data.
10. Form good study habits as an individual and within a group.
Course Outline:
Homework and In Class Work:
It is important to always remember that understanding mathematics requires daily practice. During
class lectures there will be an opportunity to attempt practice problems. They will serve as a
valuable reference for homework. Homework will consist of more practice and one or two
additional problems that will be turned in for grading. I have two suggestions to help with your
success. First, never give up. Always push yourself to continue work on difficult problems.
Through your own endurance you will become a better math student. Second, form a study group.
If you share your knowledge and tap into others, everyone will come out ahead.
Graded problems will be worth 2 pts each. They will be turned in at the beginning of Monday’s
class and returned on Wednesday. Students must always show all necessary work to obtain
credit. Overall these problems will account for 15% of your grade. Late work will not be
accepted
Testing
There will be three exams and a final exam. These exams will come at the end of chapters 2, 4, and
10. Academic honesty is expected at all times. Dishonesty will result in a zero for that exam. A copy
of the TCC Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty is available in the office of the Dean of Students,
Building 18. Exams will account for 50% of your grade. Your final exam will account for 25% of
your grade.
Projects
Projects will be assigned. Projects can be of varied length and are expected to be done outside of
class. Projects should be done individually, not as a group. Projects will account for 10% of your
grade.
Attendance
Students are expected to be in class each day and will need to sign-in as a record of attendance. The
insight gained from questions, discussions and practice will have a lot to due with each individual’s
success.
General Classroom Policies:
This is a full class and every student has the right to learn without distractions. Therefore I am going to
ask that everyone do their very best at the following:
1. Be on time and prepared to learn. This often means getting to class 5 minutes early.
2. Please turn cell phones off. A cell phone will annoy 30 out of the 31 people in this room
3. There will be limited time for answering questions on homework. If I do not get your questions
answered, you may see me during office hours.
4. I do not accept any late work.
5. There are no retakes on exams. All exams are to be taken in class on the scheduled day unless other
arrangements have been made prior to the exam.
6. Side conversations are a distraction to those around you. Please be respectful towards others by
avoiding these. …….did I mention cell phones?
7. If anyone has a need for special accommodations, please let me know and I will make every effort to
assist you.
Tentative Course schedule:
Date
3/31
4/2
4/7
4/9
4/14
4/16
4/21
4/23
Chap & Section
1.1
1.2
1.3 & 1.4
3.1
No Class
3.2 & 3.3
Project #1 & Review
Exam Chap 1 & 3
Date
4/28
4/30
5/5
5/7
5/12
5/14
5/19
5/21
Chap & Section
4.1 & 4.2
4.3 & 5.1
5.2 Review
Computer Lab
Exam Chap 4 & 5
2.2
2.3 & Project #2
9.1 & 9.2
Date
5/26
5/28
5/2
6/4
6/9
6/11
*This is a tentative schedule and subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.
Chap & Section
Memorial Day
9.3 & 9.4
Review
Exam Chap 2 & 9
Review for Final
Final Exam
Grading:
Weighted averages:
Homework
15%
Exams
50%
Final Exam
25%
Projects
10%
Total
100%
Scale:
A
AB+
B
BC+
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
C
CD+
D
DE
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
55-62
0-54
*I am not fuzzy when it comes to grading. It is my job to teach and the students job to earn the grade. I will do my very best
at teaching. When grading time comes, I will assign the grade that the student earns.
V, W, WI, and I grades are not automatically given for non-attendance.
First ten days:
Withdrawals during the first ten days of instruction may be accomplished in Building 18 and will not
show up on your transcript. You do not need my signature, but I would appreciate knowing your
decision.
From the 11th instructional day to 55th calendar day:
Anyone may withdraw during the first 55 calendar days of the quarter by obtaining my signature on the
appropriate form and working through the registrar's office in building 18.
After that:
After the date established by the registrar a student must have one or more conferences with the
instructor to withdraw. In general, if the student has a grade of C or better at the time of the withdrawal
request, a grade of WI will be given. If the student does not have grade of C or better at the time of the
withdrawal request a grade of E will be given. If you just stop attending class and taking exams, a grade
of E will be generally be given.
Incomplete:
Incomplete grades are not given except under very unusual circumstances, which must be discussed with
me. Typically an incomplete is only given when a student who is doing well in the class misses a small
amount of work (such as the final) due to an emergency.
V grade:
The V grade is given in the case of a student who never attends class, but still appears on the roster or to
a student who has attended class and then quit attending without contacting the instructor.