Education: MATH 1000

Week 1 - Chapter II - The Problem-Solving Power of Units - Units can be used to help us understand how to set up and how to solve problems that we encounter. Units are those things which we use to describe what is being measured. Some things we'll be looking at this week include:
  • Converting within standard units, like feet to inches.
  • Using a chain of conversions, like hours to minutes, and then minutes to seconds
  • Understanding and converting square and cubic units
  • Converting currencies
  • Converting between US Customary and Metric units
We will also be outlining a strategy for general problem solving. From Understanding the problem, developing a strategy, revising, carrying it out, checking, and explaining our results, we will create an individualized process by which future problems can be solved.

Homework Set: pg. 92, 27-35 odds, 43, 49, 55, 73, 83. pg. 108, 37-47 odds, 55, 65, 79. pg. 122, 7, 17, 31, 43. These 24 homework problems will be due next week.
Week 2 - Chapter III - Numbers in the Real World - Our world is full of numbers and some of them are difficult to understand. We will be attempting to make these numbers seem more realistic, understandable, and reasonable. As stated in the textbook, many of these numbers also involve uncertainty and can be interpreted different ways. Some of the major topics we'll be covering this week include:
  • Percents, Ratios, and Decimals and their applications (converting, tax, retail, etc.)
  • Percent of Increase or Decrease (Is, Of, & More Than)
  • Scientific Notation and Estimates
  • Significant Digits, Absolute Error, or Relative Error
  • Index Numbers
  • Sources of Error in Data
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class going over homework for the last week and answering any questions. Turn in your homework, and you will receive one point for each problem you completed (24 pts total)

Homework Set: pg 141, 17-23 odd, 45, 55, 65, 77, 83. pg 157, 15, 17, 19, 23, 33, 35. pg 169, 17-27 odd, 49, 55. pg 181, 11 (use current), 29. pg 191, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, or 23 (do only one). There are 24 problems and they are due next Tuesday.
Week 3 - Exam I - 20-Question free-response exam covering important questions from Chapter's 2 and 3. Homework questions from both chapters can be used as a study guide.
Week 3 - Chapter IV - Managing Money - Managing your own finances is a complex task but is an important one. Having a bank acount, a credit card, a check book, loans, a mortgage or rent, plus bills to pay each month! This chapter and our discussions in class should help prepare you for personal financial management, including budgeting, saving, paying taxes and monthly payments, and investing. Some important topics we'll cover include:
  • How much does it cost for some simple indulgences?
  • Simple versus Compound Interest (once, n times, or continuously)
  • Savings Plan Formula (pg. 228) vs Savings Payments
  • Loan Payment Formula (pg. 249) and Loan Comparisons
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class responding to concerns or questions about your exam. There will not be time in class to discuss section 4E on annual income taxes, but the section is important and can be examined on your own!

Homework Set: pg 205, 13, 19, 25, 41. pg 224, 43, 49, 55, 67, 85 (just the end result). pg 244, 29, 31. pg 262, 23, 31, 37.
Week 4 - Chapter V - Statistical Reasoning - This chapter will familiarize you with the fundamentals of statistics, focusing on real-world uses. We'll discuss what a statistical study is, how information is gained from statistical studies, and how to represent the results of a study. We'll also discuss things that may be misleading in statistics, including sample bias, graphs, charts, and causality. Some important topics we'll cover include:
  • Important definitions, such as statistics, population, sample size, etc... (handout will be prepared).
  • Types of studies, including observational studies, experiments, treatments, single- and double-blind studies, surveys, and oppinion polls.
  • Guidelines for evaluating, understanding, and believing a Statistical Study.
  • Frequency Tables, relative and cumulative frequency, qualitative vs quantitative, bar graphs, pie charts, histograms, and line charts.
  • Interpreting and using graphics found in media.
  • Correlation (positive, negative, or no) and Causality
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class going over last week's homework. Come prepared with questions if you have any!

Homework Set: pg 308, 17, 31, 49. pg 318, 13, 17, 19, 29, 33, 37, 41. pg 332, 15, 17, 21, 25, 27, 29, 37-45 (odd, chose one, not C). pg 346, 13, 25. pg 364, 13, 15, 27, 33, 41. (24 Total Problems)
Week 5 - Exam II - 20-Question free-response exam covering important questions from Chapter's 4 and 5. Homework questions from both chapters can be used as a study guide.
Week 5 - Chapter VI - Putting Statistics to Work - This week is strange, what with Homecoming festivities going on. We will take the statistics that we studied last week and we'll focus on some of the simpler statistical calculations. We'll have to keep thigs short tonight, since it's just so busy. You've earned it with your great scores from your first two exams... Some important topics we'll cover include:
  • Mean, Median, and Mode (pg 372)
  • Graphical Symmetry vs Skewness
  • Variation, Range, and Quartiles (pg 383)
  • Standard Deviation (pg 386)
  • Standard z-score (pg 395)
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class going over last week's exam.

Homework Set: pg 379, 13, 15. pg 389, 15, 17. pg 398, 21-27 odd. (8 problems)
Week 6 - Chapter VII - Probability: Living with the Odds. - This week we will discuss probability! Our entire lives are full of choices and decisions, and each brings with it a probability of outcomes. Some probabilities are simple and others more complex. We will look at the role of probability in our lives and how practical it can be. Some important topics we'll cover include:
  • Simple, Theoretical, and Empirical Probabilities, and finding odds.
  • Independent and Dependent events.
  • Compound Probabilities.
  • Either / Or / At Least Once.
  • The Law of Large Numbers & the Gambler's Fallacy.
  • Factorials, Repetition, Permutatons, Combinations.
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class going over homework from last week.

Homework Set: pg 426, 13, 21, 23, 39, 51, 57, 61. pg 436, 15, 19, 23, 29, 31, 35, 45. pg 446, 23, 27. pg 466, 17, 23, 29, 32, 33, 35. (22 problems)
Week 7 - Exam III - 20-Question free-response exam covering important questions from Chapter's 6 and 7. Homework questions from both chapters can be used as a study guide.
Week 7 - Chapter VIII - Exponential Astonishment. - This week we will discuss exponential growth and decay as well as the differences between exponential and linear relationships. We'll examine population growth, radioactive decay, depletion of natural resources, and other real-world applications of exponential and logarithmic equations. Some important topics we'll cover include:
  • Linear vs Exponential Relationships (pg 473)
  • Doubling Time (pg 481)
  • Exponential Decay and Half-Life (pg 484-485)
  • Population Growth (pg 492-493)
  • Earthquake Magnitudes (pg 501)
  • Loudness of Sound and the Decibel (pg 502)
  • The pH Scale and Acidity (pg 504)
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class going over the exam from last week and discussing the last few weeks of the course.

Homework Set: pg 479, 9, 11, 13. pg 488, 25, 39, 43, 51. pg 498, 23, 27. pg 506, 9, 11, 21, 25. (13 Problems)
Week 8 - Chapter IX - Mathematical Modeling. - This week we will discuss mathematical modeling and functions. Mathematical modeling is a way to represent something from the real world in a mathematical equation. Some important topics we'll cover include:
  • Functions as Input-Output devices.
  • Variables, Independent and Dependent.
  • Domain and Range.
  • Rate of Change, Slope, and Linear Functions.
  • Review of Exponential Functions.
We will also spend some time at the beginning of class going over the homework from last week. You will receive your take-home Exam 4 at the end of the lecture. For those of you who do not get your Exam 4 due to missing class, please email me and a copy will be sent to you.

Homework Set: pg 520, 9, 11, 21, 27(a/b). pg 532, 11(a/b), 15(a/b), 17, 21, 23. pg 546, 27. (10 problems, 20 points total)

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