SHAW UNIVERSITY

MAT 110 – Basic Mathematics, Fall 2008   

COURSE OUTLINE  

General Description
This is a University Core Course in Mathematics taken by Freshmen. In this course, the student learns the operations in arithmetic and algebra in the context of applications to problem solving. Topics on critical thinking skills, systems of numeration, number theory, graphs, and systems of linear equations are covered in this course, which trains the students in critical and analytical thinking. This course is the first of a three- sequence study in college mathematics.

Student Learning Outcomes
After completing this course successfully, the students would have acquired the following:

Chapter 1: 1.1 – 1.3
Use deductive and inductive reasoning to solve problems.
Produce counterexamples to show that a conjecture is wrong.
Use estimation techniques to check if the answer to problem is “reasonable”.
Solve word problems using Polya’s problem-solving procedures.

Chapter 4: 4.1 – 4.4
Express counting numbers in Egyptian, Babylonian, and Roman numerals and express them in the decimal notation.
List the distinguishing characteristics of systems of numeration that are additive or positional.
Write numerals in decimal notation (base 10) in the expanded form.
Convert a numeral in any base other than 10 to a base 10 numeral by using the expanded form.
Convert between binary, octal and hexadecimal systems.
Identify systems of numeration other than base 10 which we encounter in everyday life.
Add, subtract, and multiply in base 2

Chapter 5: 5.1 – 5.8
Determine if a set is closed with respect to a binary operation.
Identify commutative and associative properties of a given binary operation and use distributive property to simplify multiplication. (For example 74  101 = 74(100 + 1)).
Determine if a natural number ( >1) is prime or composite.
Determine if a number is divisible by 2, 3, or 5 by inspection.
Write the prime factorization of a given number.
Find the G.C.D. and L.C.M. of a given set of numbers.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide integers and rational numbers.
Express a terminating or a non-terminating repeating decimal as a quotient of two integers.
Use rules of exponents and Scientific notation to express very large or very small numbers.
Identify an irrational number as a non-terminating and non-repeating number.
Find a rational and irrational number between two given rational numbers.
Perform the basic algebraic operations with radicals.
Classify sequences (arithmetic, geometric, and Fibonacci) and the sum of numbers which are in these sequences.

Chapter 6: 6.1 – 6.7
Understand the use of variables in algebra, and simplify and evaluate expressions.
Solve one variable linear equations algebraically.
Solve one variable inequalities algebraically and graphically.
Solve for a specified variable from a given formula.

Chapter 7: 7.1 –7.2
Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables by substitution method, addition method, and graphically.
Solve systems of linear inequalities graphically.
Apply the technique of linear programming to solve optimization problems.

Topic Outline:
Chapter 1: Critical Thinking Skills : Inductive reasoning - Estimation - Problem Solving (Sections 1.1 to 1.3), (NCATE 5.6, 5.12).

Chapter 4: Systems of Numeration : Additive and multiplicative systems of numeration - Place-value or Positional - value numeration systems - Other bases - Computation in other bases. (Sections 4.1 to 4.4), (NCATE 5.1, 5.2).

Chapter 5: Number Theory and the Real Number System: Number Theory - The Integers - The Rational numbers - The Irrational numbers and the Real Number System - Real Numbers and their properties - Rules of exponents and Scientific notation - Arithmetic and Geometric sequences - Fibonacci sequence. (Sections 5.1 to 5.8), (NCATE 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7).

Chapter 6: Algebra, Graphs, and Functions: Order of operations - Linear equations in one variable - Formulas - Applications of Linear equations in one variable - Linear inequalities - Graphing linear equations - Linear inequalities in two variables (Sections 6.1 – 6.7), (NCATE 5.7, 5.11)

Chapter 7: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities –
Systems of linear equations- Solving systems of equations by the substitution and addition method. (Sections 7.1 – 7.2), (NCATE 5.8)

Grading
Attendance, Quiz/Homework   30% of final grade
Tests                                     40% of final grade
Comprehensive final               30% of final grade

Attendance Policy
Students who miss classes are responsible for subject matter covered, any announcements made regarding quiz, test or any other relevant matter, during their absence.
More than 3 (if class meets 3 times a week ) or 2 (if class meets 2 times a week ) unexcused absences may result in failure in the course. You are responsible to find out or know about any announcements or the subject matter covered, during your absence.

Student Classroom Decorum Expectations
To enhance the learning atmosphere of the classroom, students are expected to dress and behave in a fashion conducive to learning in the classroom. More specifically, students will refrain from disruptive classroom behavior (i. e., talking to classmates, disrespectful responses to teacher instructions; swearing; wearing clothes that impede academic learning such as but not limited to, wearing body-revealing clothing and excessively baggy pants; hats/caps, and/or headdress.  Students will turn off telephones prior to entering the classroom.

Students who exhibit the behaviors described above, or similar behaviors will be immediately dismissed from class at the third documented offense. The student will be readmitted to class only following a decision by the department chair. The student may appeal the decision of the department chair to the Dean of the College offering the course, and, subsequently, to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then to the President of Shaw University. The decision of the President will be final. Failure to follow the procedures herein outlined will result in termination of the appeal, and revert to the decision of the department chair.

Each behavior construed by the teacher/professor as noncontributive to learning will be recorded, properly documented, and appropriately reported to the student and to the chair of the academic department offering the course. The report will be in written form with a copy provided to both the student and the department chair. The faculty member should retain a copy for his/her own records.

Additional student behavior codes may be found in Student Affairs.