MTH 104 Section – Liberal Arts Mathematics (3 credit hours)
Fall Semester 2014 – Elgin Community College
I.
Course Information
Meeting Times:
Description:
This course focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life
problems, rather than on routine skills and appreciation. Finance, probability and
statistics, and mathematical modeling are studied in depth, with one additional topic
chosen from the following list: graph theory, logic/set theory, and game theory. The
use of graphing calculators and/or computers is required.
Prerequisites:
Algebra: (1) grade of C or better in MTH 098 or 099; or (2) ACT Math score of 23 or
above or an appropriate placement score; or (3) placement into MTH 098 and a minimum
high school un-weighted GPA of 3.5/4.0 with a grade of C or better in two semesters of
second year high school algebra.
Geometry: (1) grade of C or better in MTH 097; or (2) ACT Math score of 23 or above or
an appropriate placement score; or (3) grade of C or better in two semesters of high
school geometry.
Reading: (1) grade of C or better in RDG 091; or (2) ACT Reading score of 18 or above
or an appropriate placement score.
Textbook:
ECC’s Custom Liberal Arts Mathematics Book (available in ECC bookstore) is required.
It includes the following textbook material (compiled from Bennett & Briggs’ Using and
Understanding Mathematics 6th edition and 4th edition and Blitzer’s Thinking
Mathematically 6th edition):
Unit 1 - Mathematics of Finance:
Unit 2 - Statistics:
Unit 3 - Mathematical Modeling:
Calculators &
Technology:
Learning Outcomes:
Bennett & Briggs 6th edition Chapters 3-4
Bennett & Briggs 6th edition Chapters 5-6
Bennett & Briggs 6th edition Chapters 8-9 and
Blitzer’s 6th edition sections 12.6 and 7.6
Unit 4* - Instructor’s Selection:
Counting & Probability: Bennett & Briggs 6th edition Chapter 7
Logic & Set Theory: Bennett & Briggs 6th edition Chapter 1
Game Theory: Bennett & Briggs 6th edition Chapter 12
Graph Theory: Bennett & Briggs 4th edition Chapter 13
*AS TIME PERMITS
A TI-84 or TI-84+ is required. Additionally, Microsoft Excel will also be used in the
course, which is available on all ECC computers. Cell phone calculators and
calculators capable of symbolic manipulation (e.g. TI-89 or 92) are not allowed.
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Interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and
schematics, and draw inferences from them;
Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and
verbally;
Use arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, and statistical methods to solve problems;
Estimate and check answers to mathematical problems in order to determine
reasonableness, identify alternatives, and select optimal results; and,
Recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models.
As chosen by the instructor as an additional topic, describe and utilize key
concepts from: Graph theory, Game theory, or Logic & Set theory.
II. Instructor Information
Instructor:
E-mail Address:
Office:
Office Hours:
III. Grading Information
Grades:
Labs:
Homework:
Quizzes:
Tests (3 Tests at 15% each):
Final Exam:
10%
10%
15%
45%
20%
Course grades will be assigned by your percentage where the cutoffs for
A / B / C / D are 90% / 80% / 70% / 60%, respectively.
Attendance:
Regular attendance increases your understanding of the material. Attendance will be
taken at the beginning of class, If you arrive late to class, it is your responsibility to
ensure your attendance is noted in the record before you leave. Any student missing
more than four classes is subject to withdrawal from the course. Extreme situations
will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis; therefore, you must
communicate with me regarding any extenuating attendance circumstances. Those
who have multiple tardies will lose attendance points.
Homework:
Success in a math class depends on your ability to successfully complete problems
individually. Being able to “follow along” in class does not mean you will be
successful on quizzes and exams. You need to practice math by completing
problems on your own.
Homework will be completed online at www.mymathlab.com. Every exercise has
“helps” (such as seeing a similar example) available for immediate assistance. You
have unlimited attempts on all homework questions. Each section must be completed
by the due date and time indicated (in “mymathlab”). You may also print the
assignments, so even when you are away from a computer, you can be working on
the homework problems.
Homework grades for a unit will be downloaded on the day of the tests.
Quizzes:
Periodic in-class quizzes will be given.
Make-ups:
There are no make-ups on quizzes. The lowest quiz score will be dropped when
computing your final grade.
Make-ups on tests will be allowed only in extreme circumstances, of which I am
notified in advance.
Academic Honesty:
Discussing homework problems with others is encouraged, but it is presumed that
you do your own work on the assignments, quizzes, and tests and submitting work as
your own which is completed by someone else, or copied or paraphrased from
someone else, is not permitted. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, illegal
collaboration, copying, using materials not permitted on tests, and aiding others on
assessments.
IV.
Miscellaneous
Classroom Behavior:
 Please turn off cell phones, IPODS, etc. while in class. This includes text-messaging.
 Please avoid coming to class late or leaving early. It is both disruptive and
inconsiderate.
 You are expected to be an active participant in class, which includes
- Sitting up, paying attention, and taking notes
- Working on problems individually and with others as instructed
in class, and sharing results with the class
- Asking questions before, during, and after class
All students are expected to comply with the student code of conduct and all other
college procedures as stated in the current college catalog.
Tutoring:
Free and private tutoring is available at the Tutoring Center.
http://elgin.edu/students.aspx?id=688&ekmensel=fb5d653b_12_58_688_13
Special Needs:
ECC welcomes students with disabilities and is committed to supporting them as they
attend college. If a student has a disability (visual, aural, speech,
emotionally/psychiatric, orthopedic, health, or learning), s/he may be entitled to some
accommodation, service, or support. While the college will not compromise or waive
essential skill requirements in any course or degree, students with disabilities may be
supported with accommodations to help meet these requirements.
The laws in affect at college level state that a person does not have to reveal a
disability, but if support is needed, documentation of the disability must be provided. If
none is provided, the college does not have to make any exceptions to standard
procedures.
Procedure for student requesting accommodations:
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http://elgin.edu/aboutus.aspx?id=706
http://elgin.edu/students.aspx?id=690&ekmensel=fb5d653b_12_58_690_5
Veterans:
ECC is Veteran Friendly.
Elgin Community College would like to thank you for your military service! Whether you are
starting college for the first-time or re-entering college, we have services to make your
transition from troop to student a little easier. If you have any questions, or for additional
information please contact Anitra King, Career and Veterans Specialist, at (847) 214-7531
or email: aking@elgin.edu. http://www.elgin.edu/students.aspx?id=8412
School Closing
Information:
The college attempts to determine whether to cancel daytime classes by 5:30 am, for
evening classes by 3:00 pm. Please be aware that while closing information is sent to
subscribing radio and TV stations as quickly as possible, it is at the discretion of each
station when and if it airs the information. Sources for closings related to weather,
power outages or other unforeseen events:
Text Message: Receive a text message – sign up for ECC emergency alerts
Radio: WGN Radio 720 AM; WBBM Radio 780 AM; WLS 94.7 FM, WZSR 105.5 FM
TV: NBC Channel 5; ABC Channel 7, WGN Channel 9; FOX Channel 32,
CLTV Chicago Cable News
Online: www.emergencyclosings.com
V. Schedule (Subject to Change)
Week
Topics
8/18
Introductions
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 3A - Uses and Abuses of Percentages
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 3B - Putting Numbers in Perspective
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 3D - Index Numbers: The CPI and Beyond
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 4A - Taking Control of Your Finances
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 4B - The Power of Compounding
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 4C - Savings Plans and Investments
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 4D - Loan Payments, Credit Cards, and Mortgages
Finance Review
Test 1
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 5A - Fundamentals of Statistics
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 5B - Should You Believe a Statistical Study?
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 5C - Statistical Tables & Graphs
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 5D - Graphics in the Media
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 5E - Correlation and Causality
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 6A&B - Characterizing Data & Measures of Variation
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 6C - The Normal Distribution
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 6D - Statistical Inference
Statistics and Probability Review
Test 2
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 8A - Growth: Linear versus Exponential
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 8B - Doubling Time and Half-Life
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 8C - Real Population Growth
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 9A - Functions: The Building Blocks of Math Models
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 9B - Linear Modeling
Bennett & Briggs 6th ed Sec 9C - Exponential Modeling
Blitzer 6th ed - Secs 12.6 (Scatter Plots & Regression Lines) &
7.6 (Modeling Data: Exponential and Quadratic Functions)
Modeling Review
Test 3
Bennett & Briggs 4th ed Sec 13A - Network Analysis [AS TIME PERMITS]
No Class on Thursday – Thanksgiving
Bennett & Briggs 4th ed Sec 13B - The Traveling Salesman Problem [AS TIME PERMITS]
Bennett & Briggs 4th ed Sec 13C - Scheduling Problems [AS TIME PERMITS]
Review
Final Exam
8/25
9/1
9/8
9/15
9/22
9/29
10/6
10/13
10/20
10/27
11/3
11/10
11/17
11/24
12/1
12/8
Quizzes
/ Tests
*Please note that labs and their due dates will be announced in class.*
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Test 1
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
Test 2
Quiz 6
Quiz 7
Quiz 8
Test 3
Quiz 9
Final