HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

 

FINITE MATHEMATICS: Math 118 -1                    FALL, 2006

 

INSTRUCTOR; FR. THOMAS, CSC                        1:OO P.M.   MWF                          

 

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION. This course presents the standard topics including:

                                         systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, linear             programming by (1) graphical method; (2) simplex method; (3) Big M method;              (4) dual method.  It also covers sets, counting techniques, and finally probability.

Each student is presumed to have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of Math 101.  The course is intended to satisfy the requirements for a major in liberal arts or in business.

 

2. TEXT:   FINITE MATHEMATICS, 8th ed.  by  Lial, Greenwell,& Ritchey. Published

                 by Addison Wesley,  New York, 2001. This text is required.

 

3. TESTS.  There will be five tests. All tests will be given a percentage grade. These                      five test grades, along with the homework grade, will be averaged for the       final grade.  All tests are timed and can be completed within the class hour if the student knows the material well.  If the student has a learning disability, it will be necessary to get the proper paperwork from Bro. Chris Dreyer, the school counselor. The letter grade for tests and the scale for homework follows below:

 

                    TESTS                                        HOMEWORK SCALE(in points)

 

               100  -   93  =  A                                        236  -   201  =  95%

                 92  -   90  =  A-                                       200  -   189  =  91%

                 89  -   87  =  B+                                      188  -   177  =  89%

                 86  -   83  =  B                                        176  -   165  =  85%

                 82  -   80  =  B-                                       164  -   153  =  81%

                 79  -   76  =  C+                                      152  -   142  =  79%

                 75  -   70  =  C                                        141  -   130  =  75%

                 69  -   65  =  C-                                       129  -   118  =  71%

                 64  -   60  =  D                                        117  -   106  =  69%

                                                                                105  -     94  =  65%

                                                                                  93  -     83  =  61%

 

      If a test is missed because of absence, the student must take the responsibility

      of seeing the instructor to arrange for a retest. The retest must be taken before              returning to class.

4. ABSENCES.  To succeed in a Math course, attendance at every class is necessary

    because a new topic is presented at each class meeting.  Moreover, a hand-in               assignment is due each class.  Absence from a class does not excuse the student

    from handing in the assignment on time.

 

5. HOMEWORK. Homework is assigned daily according to the syllabus. The "hand-in"

    assignments are to be handed in the class following the day assigned. These are

    due on the instructor's desk BEFORE the start of class. Late assignments will

    usually not be accepted after they have been handed back corrected.

 

6. OFFICE HOURS.  My office is in room 178 Vincent Hall. I will normally be available in

    my office after 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. My office

    telephone number is 239-8387. Normally you will have to call me from the phone at

     the door to the faculty office area because the door might be locked after 5:00 P.M.

 

7. FINAL EXAM: The final exam in this class will be given on Monday, Dec 11th   at  

    2:45 p.m. The exam will be given in this classroom.

 

8. WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS.  A student may NOT withdraw from a class by simply     not attending class.  There is a formal policy for withdrawal from a class. A student        who does not formally withdraw from the class will receive a grade of “F”. Consult the     Student Handbook for the proper procedure.  The last day for withdrawal from this         class with a grade of W  is  Oct. 27th  , 2006. After that date, only a grade of  WP

    or WF  can be assigned if a student drops a course.

 

9.  CELL PHONES:   The basic rule for this class is:  CELL PHONES ARE NOT

                                   ALLOWED IN THIS CLASSROOM.  If the student wishes to

                                   “chance it” and bring one in, and it goes off thus disturbing the

                                   teacher and the class, then that cell phone will be confiscated                                         until the end of the semester, at which time it will be returned.

 

10.. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY.  The student should consult the student

       handbook  p. 151.

11.  CLASSROOM CONDUCT: The student should consult the student handbook,

       p. 153.

12. Transferable Skills.  After successfully completing this course, the student will

      be able to:

     

     1. Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

         of whole numbers and fractions. Linear Programming problems concerning

         the allocation of resources in various contexts will give the student ample

         opportunity to develop these skills.

     2. Solve and apply algebraic equations and inequalities.  Particularly in the area

         of solving linear programming problems by the geometric method, students will

         be able to graph and find the solution set of linear inequalities.

     3. Organize, appropriately use, and clearly communicate quantitative information

         using appropriate terminology.  Most of the problems in Finite Math are verbal

         problems.  The student will be able to read the problem, understand the termi-

         nology used in the problem, and set up the problem using mathematical symbols

         in order to solve the problem.