Northwest Arkansas Community College
Finite Mathematics 2053
Fall 2014
Instructor
Brant Breeding
Room: Atrium 1
Period: 5
Phone: (479) 841-0850(C)
E-mail: brantb@shilohsaints.org or bbreeding@nwacc.edu
Prerequisites
To demonstrate academic preparedness for placement in Finite Math, 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 or higher on the math portion of the ACT; or a score of 46 - 99 on the College
Algebra section of the COMPASS.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
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. Computer 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
measure 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.
For a more detailed list of problem types, contact the Math Department for a copy of the Departmental
Review Sheet for Finite Mathematics.
Course Description
A survey and applications course in mathematics designed for business, life science, and social science
students. Topics include, but are not limited to: linear programming, financial mathematics, sets,
probability, counting principles, measures of central tendency, measures of variation, and the normal
distribution.
Required Topics
Sections 5.1-5.4, 7.2-7.5, 7.7, 8.1-8.6, 9.1-9.4, 10.1-10.3
Required Materials
Subscription for MyMathLab, www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com
Paper copy of textbook is optional: Finite Mathematics with Applications in the Management, Natural,
and Social Sciences, 11th ed. Lial, Hungerford, Holcomb, Mullins Pearson, 2015
A graphing calculator – preferably a TI-83/84. Note: You can rent a TI-graphing for one semester by
paying the cashier and then bringing your receipt to the Math Department secretary, Jill Witt, in MAT
06. You will need 4 AAA batteries. Please bring your notebook, folder, notes, homework and
calculator to class every day.
Optional Resources
Videotapes (content, graphing calculator, math anxiety, time management) are available for checkout
from the NWACC Library. Free tutoring is available at the Math Café (MAT 10) and at the Learning
Lab. Tutoring schedules are posted at http://faculty.nwacc.edu/llab/LLSched.rtf. The Student Study
Guide is available through the bookstore. Counseling and other support services are available through
the Life Development Center.
Grading Scale
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
Grading
Semester Average Before Final Exam
Quizzes
30% of grade
Tests
50% of grade
Homework / Daily Grades 20% of grade
Semester Final Grade
Semester Average
80% of grade
Comprehensive Final
20% of grade
Homework / Daily Grades
We will cover 2-3 sections of the text per week. You should keep this pace in mind as you are planning
your study time. Homework will not be accepted late. We will drop five homework grades. Overall,
you will be responsible for:
• Reading the text material and working through the text examples before class
• Complete all quizzes and homework
• Completing all chapter tests
• Completing one comprehensive final
Quizzes
Quizzes will typically be over the material from the previous class. A quiz may also include material
from the reading material for the day. If a student is tardy he/she will not be allowed extra time on the
quiz. Very little partial credit will be given. Missed quizzes will not be made up. We will keep the
best ten quizzes.
Tests
Tests will be cumulative. Approximately 80% of the points will come from problems exactly like what
is on the NWACC Departmental Review. The other 20% of the points will be more advanced problems.
Bonus Points
As a general rule, I do not give bonus points.
Failure to Participate
Grades of FP-(failure to participate) will be issued to those students failing to participate in class
activities and failing to officially withdraw from their course(s). Students will be assigned a grade of
"FP" if they do not complete at least 50% of the assigned coursework. Students must demonstrate
participation by submitting assignments, completing quizzes and assignments, and accessing course
functions. Failure to participate in all courses attempted by a student is considered an unofficial
withdrawal and the student may be required to repay all or a portion of the financial aid received for the
semester. Federal regulations mandate that the Financial Aid Office determine the percentage of the
semester the student completed. This calculation will establish the amount of financial aid funds that
must be returned to the Department of Education.
Make-up Policy
Make-up tests will be given only for excused absences and must be taken during the day back in class.
Attendance Policy
You are strongly encouraged to attend every class.
Withdrawal Policy
Consulting with an academic advisor, your instructor, or financial aid can inform your decision. An
official drop/add form must be turned in to the Registrar’s office by 4:00 p.m. November 7, the last day
to withdraw.
Special Services
If you feel you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact the Disability
Resource Center at disability@nwacc.edu or by phone at (479) 619-2660. 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.
The DRC is located inside the Global Communications Center, on the second floor of the Student
Center. You must give me at least one week’s notice for exam accommodations.
Calculator/Academic Dishonesty Policy
For equality purposes, I reserve the right to clear your calculator of unapproved formulas and programs
before each test. No calculator with a CAS (Computer Algebra System) such as TI-89, TI-92, TIVoyage or comparable graphing utility is allowed in this class. The attempted use of a prohibited
calculator or program is academic dishonesty and will result in a score of 0 with no possibility of
the score being dropped or replaced. Further action will be taken according to the policy on
Academic Dishonesty on pp. 154-155 in the 2006-2007 College Catalog. This also applies to
unauthorized calculator programs, leaving the room and returning during a test, copying from someone
else’s paper, and allowing someone to copy your paper.
Restroom Policy
You will not be allowed to leave the room and return during a test or quiz.
Cell Phone Policy
You may not accept or make calls (or text messages) during any test or quiz. Also, you may not use
your phone, PDA, or similar electronic device for a calculator (or for any other purpose) on any test or
quiz.
FERPA
NWACC is committed to your right to privacy as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act. This means that I can only communicate grades with you in person or on My NWACC
Connection.
Bad Weather Policy
Cancellation of classes will be released to local T.V. and radio. Day classes are announced by 6:00
A.M. and evening classes by 3:00 P.M. Students may also call the student information line at 619-4377
or check NWACC’s homepage at nwacc.edu. If our class is cancelled, we will double up the next class.
Some material may have to be covered independently.
Tentative Schedule
Session #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
50
51
Date
Tue – 8/19
Thu – 8/21
Fri – 8/22
Tue – 8/26
Thu – 8/28
Fri – 8/29
Mon – 9/1
Tue – 9/2
Thu – 9/4
Fri – 9/5
Tue – 9/9
Thu – 9/11
Fri – 9/12
Tue – 9/16
Thu – 9/18
Fri – 9/19
Tue – 9/23
Thu – 9/25
Fri – 9/26
Tue – 9/30
Thu – 10/2
Fri – 10/3
Tue – 10/7
Thu – 10/9
Fri – 10/10
Tue – 10/14
Thu – 10/16
Fri – 10/17
Mon – 10/20
Tue – 10/21
Thu – 10/23
Fri – 10/24
Tue – 10/28
Thu – 10/30
Fri – 10/31
Tue – 11/4
Thu – 11/6
Fri – 11/7
Tue – 11/11
Thu – 11/13
Fri – 11/14
Tue – 11/18
Thu – 11/20
Fri – 11/21
Tue – 11/25
11/26 – 11/30
Tue – 12/2
Thu – 12/4
Fri – 12/5
Tue – 12/9
Thu – 12/11
Fri – 12/12
Tue – 12/16
Section
Course Introduction
5.1
Work on 5.1
5.2
5.3
Work on 5.2 & 5.3
Labor Day – No School
5.4
7.2 w/ review of 7.1
Review for Chapter 5 Test
Chapter 5 Test
7.3
Work on 7.3
7.4
7.5
Work on 7.4 & 7.5
7.7
8.1
Review for Chapter 7 Test
Chapter 7 Test
8.2
Work on 8.2
8.3
8.4
Work on 8.3 & 8.4
8.5
8.6
Homecoming – Review for Chap 8 Test
Parent/Teacher Conferences – No School
Chapter 8 Test
9.1
Work on 9.1
9.2
9.3
Work on 9.2 & 9.3
9.4
10.1
Review for Chapter 9 Test
Chapter 9 Test
10.2
Work on 10.2
10.3
10.4
Work on 10.3 & 10.4
10.5
Thanksgiving Break – No School
Review for Chapter 10 Test
Chapter 10 Test
Review for Final Exam
Review for Final Exam
Review for Final Exam
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
Important Dates
September 2
Last Day to Drop and Receive 100% Refund.
September 9
Last Day to Drop and receive 80% Refund.
September 9
Last Day to Drop and Not Receive "W" on Transcript.
November 7
Last Day to Withdraw with "W" on Transcript with 0% Refund.
December 12
Last Day of Classes.
December 15-20
Final Exams.
For the complete Academic Calendar, go to http://www.nwacc.edu/calendar.php.