Saint Gregory’s University Syllabus
Fall Semester, 2000
Math 1473 - Math for Critical Thinking
Instructor: Paul A. Buckelew, M.A., Instructor

Course Description
Designed to provide students with the basic skills for critical evaluation of quantitative arguments, including logic, critical appraisal of graphs and tables, use of simple applied mathematical models, and introduction to elementary statistics. (From SGU 1999-2000 Catalog)

Mission Statement
The main goal of this course is to create a positive attitude toward mathematics. Mathematics is not an endless procession of dull manipulations, theorems and proofs, and irrelevant topics. The purpose of the course is not to present the technical details needed to proceed to the next course, but to give insight as to what mathematics is, what it attempts to accomplish, and how mathematicians think.

Instructor Information

Objectives: The student will be able to:

    1. modular systems – in exploring properties of number systems
    2. prime numbers and some of their uses
    3. sequences and series
    4. Fibonacci sequences and the Golden Ratio
    5. Graph theory – through the Seven Bridges of Konigsberg
    6. Fractals, chaos and topology
    7. Spreadsheets in looking at statistical data
    8. Non-Euclidean Geometry's and their origins

Textbook and other supplies necessary for the course
K. Smith, The Nature of Mathematics. 8th ed., Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole, 1998
A scientific calculator and a notebook

Course Requirements

Attendance
Attendance is required. I will take roll each day. If you are not present for any part of class an absence will be recorded. You are allowed 3 absences. If I were you I would save these in case you get sick and are unable to come to class. If you have 3 absences or less at the end of the semester I will replace your lowest quiz with a perfect score.

Homework
Homework assigned will be due the next time class meets unless otherwise stated. Homework is considered late when it is not handed in at the beginning of class. Late papers will not be accepted unless you have made prior arrangements with me. However, I will drop your three lowest homework grades.

Classwork
You will be graded on your class participation. I will give everyone an opportunity to answer/ask questions throughout the semester. Classwork can not be made up. However, if you would like an explanation of what has taken place in class, feel free to ask.

Quizzes & Tests
If you miss a quiz you can not make it up. However, I will drop your lowest two scores. You will not be able to makeup your Test unless you have a signed doctors note. However, if you take a test you may retake it to improve your grade. I will take the average of your tests. For example if you get a 50% on

Test 1 and retake it and get 60% and retake it again and get 95% your new Test 1 grade will be 70%.

Projects
You will be required to participate in a group project with 2 to 4 people. If for some reason you are unable to participate in a group please tell me and we can make some other arrangements.

Grading
There will be pre and post course questionnaires designed to assess what the student's ideas and perception of mathematics was and what it has become.

Homework 10%
Classwork 10%
Quizzes 15%
Project 15%
Tests 20%
Final 30%

Grading Scale: A 90%; B 80%; C 70%; D 60%

Academic Dishonesty
Academic policies including plagiarism, ADA accommodations, withdrawal, etc. will be adhered to as in the university catalog and student handbook.

Instructional Methods

Schedule

Date

 

Section

Topic

Homework

Due

W

8/23

 

1.1

Problem Solving

Pg15;2,3,7,10-12,14-17,24,25,27,39,40,42

 

F

8/25

Q

1.2

Sets

Pg31;2,4,5,6-26/2,31-37/2,41-43,51-53,63

 

M

8/28

 

1.3

Ind. & Dep. Reasoning

Pg43;1,3,5,12,14,24,35,36,38-41,47,53,54,58

 

W

8/30

 

1.4

Exponents

Pg62;2,3,9-12,17-31/2,57-63

 

F

9/1

Q

2.1

Logic

Pg84;8-23,36-40,61

 

W

9/6

 

2.2

Conditionals

Pg94;3-7,26-31,33,37,39-41,62

 

F

9/8

Q

2.3

Biconditionals

Pg102;2-6,10,12,23,25-29,35-37,39-45/2

 

M

9/11

 

2.4

Proof

Pg112;2,10-28,61,62

 

W

9/13

 

2.5

Tautologies

Pg122;2-5,9

 

F

9/15

 

Test 1

Chapter 1 & 2

 

 

M

9/18

 

4.1,4.2

Primes

Pg190;16-34/2,35,37-43,47-49

 

W

9/20

 

4.3,4.4

Int. & Rats.

Pg229;1,3,8-14/2,17,18,22-25,38-41,48,62

 

F

9/22

Q

4.5

Irrats. & Pythag.

Pg239;7,9-35/2(part a only),38-46,57

 

M

9/25

 

4.6

Properties of Real No.

Pg253;2,7,8,9a-29a/2,31-40,53-62

 

W

9/27

 

4.7

Modular Arithmetic

Pg264;13-17,29-36,38-40,53-58

 

F

9/29

Q

5.1

Polynomials

Pg288;9-31/2,44-46,51

 

M

10/2

 

5.2

Factoring

Pg295;3-36/3,53-59

 

W

10/4

 

5.3

Spreadsheets

Pg305;44-63,69-71

 

F

10/6

Q

5.4

Equations

Pg315;10-23,24-45/3,54-57

 

M

10/9

 

5.5,5.6

Problems

Pg332;9-22,28-32

 

W

10/11

 

5.7

Proportions

Pg343;5-12,17-20(a),29-67/2

 

F

10/13

Q

5.8

More problems

Pg354;3-6,13,21,25,26,29,30,32,33

 

M

10/16

 

 

Review

 

 

W

10/18

 

Test 2

Chapter 4 & 5

 

 

M

10/23

 

6.1

Interest

Pg389;5-20,31-39/2,47-52

 

W

10/25

 

6.2

Installments

Pg400;6-9,36-43,57-59,74

 

F

10/27

Q

6.3

Sequences

Pg415;3-20,30-35,50-52

 

M

10/30

 

6.4

Series

Pg427;6-18/3,20,22,24,25,28,31,34,39,41-50

 

W

11/1

 

6.5,6.6

Annuities & Loans

Pg437;48,49: Pg444;42,43,46,47,50,51

 

F

11/3

Q

7.1,7.2

Geometry

Pg467;1,4,6,30-41: Pg478;27-43/2,44-51

 

M

11/6

 

7.3,7.4

Triangles

Pg485;2-18/2,26-33,38,39: Pg494;24-57/3

 

W

11/8

 

7.5

Golden Rectangle

Pg503;5-8,13-17,35,36

 

F

11/10

Q

7.6

Graph Theory

Pg511;1-22,32,33,35-39

 

M

11/13

 

7.7

Topology & Fractals

Pg522;3,7,8,9,10,16

 

W

11/15

 

7.8

Non-Euclidean Geometry

Pg532;10,11

 

F

11/17

 

Test 3

Chapter 6 & 7

 

 

M

11/20

 

8.1,8.2

Measurement

Pg559;16-26/2,30-33,39-63/3: Pg573;5-17/2,27-54/3,64,65

 

W

11/22

 

8.3,8.4

Volume

Pg585;7-35/2,43-53/2: Pg595;6-48/3

 

M

11/27

 

9.1

Probability

Pg617;2-33,38-46,61-66

 

W

11/29

 

9.2

Expectation

Pg628;6-17,21,22

 

F

12/1

Q

9.4

Formulas

6a-22a,25-32,37,38

 

M

12/4

 

10.1

Graphs

Pg699;4,13,14,26-31,36-39,57

 

W

12/6

Q

10.2

Descriptive Statistics

Pg717;6,7,11-23/2,25-35/2,44,52

 

F

12/8

 

 

Review

 

 

This schedule is tentative at best and therefore the instructor may modify it when necessary.

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