BUSINESS MATH POFT 1321

Office Administration Department

Ms. Roni Cook, Instructor

Revised Fall 2009

Office: Room 8315, Phone 223-5841

E-mail address: vcook@austincc.edu

Web page:  www.austincc.edu/ronicook 

 

Class Hours             Mondays, Wednesdays 12:35 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Office Hours:           www.austincc.edu/ronicook

Prerequisite:            Successful completion of MATD 0330 or score 33 on ACC Compass math.

Quizzes:                    Given weekly, 20% of overall grade

Quizzes cannot be made up.  However, your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Tests:                20% each, 60% of overall grade

Tests administered by instructor: Note card and calculator allowed.  If you have to make up a test in the flex lab (EVC room 8321), prior arrangements must be made and a late penalty will be assigned.  It is much better to take the test at assigned times in class.

Final ExamA final exam worth 20% of overall grade will be given over all chapters and concepts covered.

ACC Course Description from Catalog

POFT 1321 BUSINESS MATH (3-3-0). Instruction in the fundamentals of business mathematics including analytical and problem-solving skills for critical thinking in business applications. Skills: R Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed MATD 0330 or score 33 on ACC Compass math. ( ) Course Type: W

Course DescriptionStudents will be instructed in the fundamentals of business math including analytical and problem-solving skills for critical thinking in business applications.  Students will observe an introductory lecture over chapter problems and then work together with a partner in class or individually on these problems.  Assignments will be completed before the next class session.  Quizzes will be given to assess your knowledge so that you will know what additional practice you will need before test time.

Course Goals: See chapter performance goals on Business Math Assignment and Schedule

·         To provide college students with reinforcement of mathematical computations.

·         Challenge the student to understand how to process and interpret information to arrive at logical conclusions to common business math applications.

·         Develop proficiency in the application of procedures to solve business math problems.

·         Understand the important role math plays in all facets of the business world.

Instructional Materials:

CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS MATHEMATICS FOR COLLEGES by Deitz and Southam, 15th edition

Your own personal calculator can be used to find solutions or you may use the Windows calculator accessory

Evaluation:

Chapter quizzes       20%

Unit Tests (3)            60%

Final Exam               20%

Grade Scale:

A         Excellent                   90 - 100%

B         Above Average       80 - 89%

C         Satisfactory             70 - 79%

D         Passing                     60 - 69%

 

Math Web Sites

 

Students may visit web sites for additional knowledge of business math applications.

The chapter topics (and websites) include:


Weights and Measurements

Decimals

Fractions

Banking

Payroll

Federal Income Taxes

Sales and other taxes

Percents in Business

Commissions

Discounts

Markup

Simple Interest

Notes and Interest Variables

Borrowing by Business

Charges for Credit

Business and Personal Insurance

International Business

Currency exchange

Metric conversion

Math in Employment Tests


 


Why is knowledge of Business Math Important?

 

·         Everyone in today’s business world should have working knowledge and business math skills which include international business concepts

·         Workers must know the concepts behind formulas used in spreadsheet programs in order to work productively

·         Students with basic business math skills and knowledge are a valuable part of any office team as shown by the use of business math problems many employment tests

 

Good luck in the semester ahead.  Be sure to maintain good communication with your fellow students and instructor.  This will help you succeed in this class and in your present or future office environment.

 

What should I do if I need additional help?

 

The ACC Learning Lab at Eastview campus has a Business Math for Colleges textbook.  You may set up a time to work with a tutor with problems.  You may ask for help in class or find a study buddy.  You may also ask the instructor to work through problems on the board or individually.

 

How can I use the book more effectively?

 

·         Internet chapter openers (related career info.)

·         Learning objectives

·         Concept Checks (self-check)

·         Bottom Line Review (self-test)

·         Business Examples and Problems

·         Self-check Review Problems

·         Step-by-Step format for solving WORD problems

·         Illustrated step-by-step solutions (use for note cards)

·         Directed Assignments (to work assignments in part, rather than whole chapter)

·         End-of-chapter assignments (Be sure to read notes for omissions)

·         Appendix A—answers to odd-numbered problems

·         Appendix B—answers to self-check review problems

·         Glossary of business terms used

·         Student CD to accompany new textbooks

According to the publisher, BUSINESS MATH FOR COLLEGES, 15th Edition uses a practical, skill-building approach to help prepare you for a career in business. Step-by-step development of concepts, numerous practice exercises, and real-world application of techniques show you how what you learn in the classroom will be applied on the job. The text progresses from the most basic to more complex business math topics. The accompanying CD-ROM includes tutorials, video clips, and more to help you gain confidence in mathematics and prepare for your next exam.

OPTIONAL AIDS--Business Math Student CD Overview

Topic Review Video

These short videos cover 12 major mathematics concepts (including fractions, percents, discounts and markups, and creating graphs) and apply them to a series of practical business problems. To view these videos, you will need QuickTime® Player.



Tutorial Software

Even more problems are available to help students master the mathematical skills they need. The software, prepared by Keith E. Weidkamp of Sierra College and Leland E. Mansuetti, provides students with an opportunity to work math problems on the computer, giving them mathematics and computer practice at the same time. The Tutorial Software is available for Windows only.

Interactive Study Center Features (optional)

Once you select a chapter, use the Interactive Study Center links to access the following features:

Chapter Opener: The chapter openers feature real companies along with links to their Internet addresses.

CyberConnections: These features enhance the text coverage with real-world math-related issues to show how mathematics is woven through our daily lives.

Internet Margin Notes: Web links are provided to sites that offer more help with chapter topics, or provide added information showing the relationships between business and mathematics.

Visit the Web: You may visit these listed sites for additional information about the topics covered in the chapter, for more depth, or simply to see how chapter topics are applied in the real world.

Interactive Quizzes: Test your understanding of a chapter's concepts by taking an interactive quiz. Each quiz contains multiple-choice and true-false questions like those found on a typical exam.