Math 106 - Quantitative Reasoning

 
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Reference Information
Instructor: Dr. John C. Kelly
Email: prof@focusware.com
Phone: 703-993-1463
Office Hours:    1:30 – 2:45 Tu/Th, ST 224 Room 263
Text: Mathematics in Life, Society, & the World
Required: Scientific calculator with exponents y exp (x) and e exp (x)
Objectives:
  1. Eliminate math anxiety
  2. Convert word problems to equations
  3. Make informed financial decisions
  4. Summarize and present data for research papers
  5. Effectively interpret data presented in news and business
  6. Amaze yourself with your new math knowledge
Expectations:
  1. Read Text
  2. Do Homework
  3. Attend Class
  4. Take notes
  5. Ask Questions
  6. Keep an open mind
  7. Be Honest
Grading:

Quizzes   15% four quizzes, drop one, no make ups
Tests 45% (three or four)
Project 10%
Final 30% cumulative
Prerequisites:
Chapter 1 should be a review for all students. You will be expected to read and study the material in this chapter on you own. You can obtain extra help from me during my office hours and from the Mathematics Tutoring Center in Johnson Center room 311C. By the third week of class, you should have completed and be comfortable with the following problems:
  • Set 1.1 {7, 8, 11, 12, 23, 24, 27, 28, 35, 36}
  • Set 1.2 {9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22}
  • Set 1.3 {15, 16, 23, 24, 27, 28}
  • Set 1.4 {9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22}
  • Set 1.5 {7, 8, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 41, 42}
  • Set 1.6 {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16}
  • Set 1.7 {5 – 13, 15, 16, 23, 24, 29, 30}

GMU Web Sites:

Project:
A project is required to apply mathematics to some real world application. It is not meant to be a big deal, but to get you to think quantitatively. It should take between 10 and 20 hours depending upon your personal interest in the subject. Check here for project ideas but feel free to come up with your own ideas. Provide a list of all references and web pages used in your project. Don’t procrastinate. You can submit your project to me early for constructive feedback before it is final. The project is not a test. It is a chance to do something fun and interesting with math.