Math 181 - Finite Mathematics

Fall 2010

Instructor: William Abrams

Office: Ruffner 337

Phone: 395-2188

Email: abramswp@longwood.edu

Office Hours: during breaks, immediately after class, or by appt.

Text: No text is required, although you will need access to the CourseCompass page for this course. This can be bought through the bookstore or online. We will discuss Course Compass the first day of class. The book used through the CourseCompass page is Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Science, and Social Sciences, 12th edition, by Barnett, Ziegler, and Byleen (Prentice Hall ). You will need a graphing calculator that can perform matrix operations consistant with a TI-83 or better.

Course Description: A study of discrete mathematical structures with applications primarily to business and economics. Topics will be selected from a review of sets; linear and quadratic functions; solving systems of linear equations using Gauss-Jordan elimination; matrix algebra; solutions of inequalities; linear programming, including the graphical methods and introduction to the simplex method; introductory probability; introduction to calculus; and mathematics of finance. 3 credits.

Grading: There will be three in-class tests, a comprehensive final exam and assorted quizzes, homework, and lab assignments. The three tests will be worth 15% each, the final will be worth 20%, and the remainder will be worth 35%. As should be usual, 90 - 100 is an A, 80 - 89 is a B, 70 - 79 is a C, 60 - 69 is a D, 0 - 59 is an F.

Course Objectives:

  1. The student will learn the matrix operations required to solve systems of equations.
  2. The student will learn the basics of optimizing objective functions using linear programming.
  3. The student will learn the basics of game theory and be able to solve game theoretic problems using linear programming.
  4. The student will learn probability and be able to apply it.

Homework: Homework will be assigned as we finish each section. I will usually give you two days to finish the homework. The homework is on Course Compass. You may get general help from others on homework, but not on the specific problem. You can get lots and lots of help from Course Compass. Be sure to pay attention to when the homework is due, the time as well as the date. You will not be allowed to work on the homework after that.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be assigned irregularly. Unlike the homework that will be tightly timed and you will not have access to any of the help that Course Compass offers. You will generally have a couple of days in which to do them but once you start you will have to finish within a half hour.

Labs: I hope to also irregularly assign labs. Usually these labs will make some use of technology such as Excel, graphing calculators, etc. The labs may be done in groups of up to four students. (If you work in a group, you must turn in one lab with all of your names on it. I suggest, however, that each student keep a copy.)

Attendance: Those students who do not attend class will fail. I am sure that it is possible to miss a lot of class and still pass, but I have been teaching at the college level for over 18 years and I have never seen anyone do it.

Honor Code: Everything that you are to turn in for this class is covered by the Longwood University Honor Code. You may not get help from anyone on tests or quizzes(except, of course, from the instructor). On tests you may only use what you recall and a pencil or pen. On quizzes you may use your book, notes, and calculator. On homework you can ask anyone general question, but not the specific question you are assignedd. The labs may be worked in groups of up to four students. You may not get help on the labs from anyone outside your group. (The instructor will let you know, in advance, if a calculator is allowed.) If you are caught using resources that you are not allowed to use, you will get a zero on the assignment and your name will be turned over to the Longwood University Honor Board.

 

 

Tentative Schedule:

Dates TENTATIVE SECTIONS COVERED
8/23 - 8/27 Linear Equations, 4.1-4.2
8/30-9/3 Gauss Jordan and Basic Matrix Operations, 4.3-4.4
9/6 Labor Day Holiday
9/7-9/10 Inverses and Matrix Equations, 4.5-4.6
9/13-9/17 Leontief Input-Output, Inequalities, 4.7 - 5.2
9/20-9/24 Linear Programming in two variables, 5.3, TEST I
9/27-10/1 Sets and Counting, 7.2, 7.3
10/4-10/8 Permutations, Combination, and Probability, 7.4, 8.1
10/11-10/12 Fall Break
10/13-10/15 Union, Intersection, Complement, Odds, Conditional Probability, 8.2,8.3
10/18-10/22 Random Variables and Markov Chains, 8.5, 9.1
10/25-10/29 Regular and Absorbing Markov Chains, 9.2, 9.3, TEST II
11/1-11/5 Absorbing Markov Chains, Strictly Determined Games, 9.3, 10.1
11/8-11/12 Mixed Strategy Games, Linear Programming and Games 10.2 - 10.3
11/15-11/19 Generalized Linear Programming and Excel
11/22-11/23 Test III
11/24-11/26 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/29-11/3 Generalized Game Theory and Excel
12/10 11:30 - 2 Final Exam