Mathematics for the Social Sciences I

Required Textbook:

Finite Mathematics & Applied Calculus by Waner and Costenoble, 4th Edition.

The nine-chapter single edition is for Math 1320 only . The fourteen-chapter combined
edition is for students that will take both Math 1320 and Math 2301.

Required Technology:

MS Excel and a WebAs sign account .

STEP 1:
You must get an access code by either
Purchasing a new textbook, or
Purchasing an access code on the WebAssign website.

STEP 2: Sign up with our WebAssign course key.
When first signing onto WebAssign, click on the red “Log In” button on the left hand
side of the page. Then click “I have a Class Key.” Enter this key: utep 7201 1965.

STEP 3: Fol low the log -in instructions to create your own user id and password.
For future log ins, use your user id and password.

It is important that you remember this information so you can log in for the remainder
of the class.

General Information About the Course:
Math 1320 is a precalculus course for liberal arts, business, and other non-science

majors. The topics covered include:

* Linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions;

* Systems of linear equations ;

* Matrix algebra;

* The mathematics of finance;

* The algebra of sets ; and

* Probability.

Students will learn mathematical concepts and methods used in management,
social science, and business. Students will develop the view that mathematics is
an evolving discipline that is interrelated with human culture. Students will also
understand the connections of mathematics to other disciplines.

Course Objectives

1. Linear Functions:

* Calculate the slope of a line; graph a line ; find the equation of a line.

* Use linear concepts in a business context (e.g.: supply/demand and break-even
analysis).

* Understand the concept of linear regression and use MS Excel to apply it to real -
world data to make predictions.

2. Nonlinear Functions:

* Calculate the difference quotient using a nonlinear function.

* Read information from graphs and sketch graphs of nonlinear functions.

* Identify the vertex of a parabola as the maximum or minimum of a quadratic
formula and apply this concept to real-world problems (e.g.: maximize the profit
and minimize the cost).

* Solve exponential and logarithmic equations.

* Construct exponential models in application problems (e.g.: radioactive decay and
bacteria population growth).

* Understand the concept of quadratic and exponential regression and use MS Excel to
apply it to real-world data to make predictions.

3. Linear Systems of Equations:

* Use substitution and elimination to solve systems with two variables and two
equations .

* Use the method of Gaussian elimination to solve systems with three variables and
three equations by hand.

* Use technology (MS Excel or graphing calculators) to solve systems.

* Solve real-world problems involving systems of equations.

4. Financial Mathematics

* Solve applications problems using simple interest and compound interest.

* Find the present value of or payments made on an annuity or loan.

* Find the future value of or payments made into a sinking fund.

* Use technology to solve financial math problems.

5. Sets and Ope rations

* Find the union, intersection, complement, and Cartesian product of sets. Also, find
the cardinality of these if they are finite.

* Draw Venn diagrams from real-world data.

* Do application-based problems involving: the addition principle , the multiplication
principle, permutations, and combinations.

6. Probability

* Identify the sample space of an experiment.

* Understand the properties of a probability distribution .

* Be able to solve probability (including conditional probability) problems.

Course Activities/Assignments:

Exams. We will have three mid-semester exams as well as a comprehensive final
exam. The dates of the exams are on the course calendar and the final will be given
Thursday, December 10th from 4:00 pm until 6:45 pm. The date and time of the final
exam cannot, and will not, be changed for any reason. The three midterm exams will
combine to be worth 40% of your overall course grade and the final will be worth
25% of your course grade.

Homework.
Homework will count for the remaining 35% of your overall course grade.

Grading Policy:
All homework will be graded on webassign and so will be graded immediately. You will
have deadlines for your homework but will have three attempts at each assignment. Once
a deadline has passed you will no longer be able to access that homework. Do not miss
your deadlines.

MATH 1320 CALENDAR
(Subject to change)