Math 1324: Mathematics for Business and Economics

Spring 2003

Prerequisites:	Please make sure you have the necessary prerequisites for this course. That means you need a C or better in an Intermediate Algebra (or an equivalent) course, current knowledge of high school Algebra I and II, or an acceptable grade on placement tests. (Warning: The TASP, SAT I, and ACT tests are not really meant to be placement tests. We suggest you use the COMPASS tests offered here for placement.) If I feel you are not prepared for this course, I may choose to withdraw you. If you have any questions about your preparation for the course, please come and talk to me about it.
Grading:	There will be 3 or 4 exams and a comprehensive final during the term, each of which will count equally towards your grade. The tests will comprise 85% of your grade. There may also be a few extra projects on math applications assigned during the semester as well. The remaining 15% of your grade will be based on your homework assignments and any extra projects. You may earn bonus points on each test, except for the final test, by correcting all errors and submitting them to me within one week of receiving the graded test back. If you submit these corrections for every test that you make less than a 90, then I will replace your lowest test grade with the average of that grade and your grade on the final exam. If you take any test late for any reason, there will be a penalty of 10 points off your test grade. However, no late tests will be allowed after I hand the graded tests back in class. If you miss a test, you must try to take it during this ?late? period. If you miss this deadline as well, I may consider allowing you to hand in corrections on all tests and replace all or part of the missed test with your grade on the final, but only in the case of serious illness or emergency. This is solely at my discretion. Otherwise, you will receive a 0 on the test. All tests and assignments must be turned in on or before the last class meeting. Grades will be assigned as follows:
	A	90% or better and a grade of at least 75 on the final	D	60% - 69%
	B	80% - 89% and a grade of at least 65 on the final	F	below 60%
	C	70% - 79% and a grade of at least 55 on the final
	W	Withdrawn by student or instructor prior to last withdrawal date on school calendar
	I	Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must have taken all tests, be passing, and after the last date to withdraw, have a personal tragedy occur which prevents course completion.
Homework:	You should bring your homework to class every day. It will be collected regularly and graded. There may also be in-class assignments collected for a grade (as part of your homework grade). There will be a penalty on late homework. Homework that is more than two weeks late might not receive any credit.
Other Important Stuff
Withdrawal:	It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences (4) but makes no commitment to do this for the student. (If you decide to stop coming, you had best make sure that you drop the course. While I MIGHT do this, it is YOUR responsibility. If you fail to do so, you could receive an F on your permanent record.) After the withdrawal deadline, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal. If you are withdrawn by mistake, I will only consider reinstating you if you have taken all necessary tests, are current in your homework, and have not missed an excessive number of classes. The withdrawal deadline for Spring 2003 is April 21, 2003.
Attendance:	Attendance is required in this course. It is extremely important for you to attend class regularly. Although I may not take regular attendance, I MAY drop you from the course for excessive absences, although I make no commitment to do so.
Classroom behavior:	Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook page 32 or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook
Class participation:	All students are expected to actively participate in this class. This can include asking relevant questions in class, participating in class discussions and other in-class activities, helping other students, coming to office hours with questions, and doing other things that contribute to the class.
Keeping up:	Please, try to keep up with the homework and with the lecture in class. There just isn't much time to catch up. This means you have to be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to do the homework and to study.
Ask questions:	Please, please, please, if you don't understand something, or you aren't clear about something, or if you think I (or the book) have made a mistake (it has been known to happen), or if you have any other questions, please ask. Don't let confusion accumulate. If you don't want to ask in class, come to my office hours (or call me) and ask. It is much easier to ask a question now than to miss it on the test. I expect all students to participate in class discussions and other activities. Trust me, you will get much more out of the class if you become actively involved in it.
Always show your work:	It is much more important that you understand the processes involved in solving problems than that you just give me the right answer. If I see from your work that you understand what you are doing, I will usually give partial credit for a problem, even if you made a mistake somewhere along the line. If you don't show your work (unless I believe you could reasonably do it in your head), I may not give you full credit, even if the answer is right. If you can really do something in your head, that's great, but when in doubt, write it down. It is also very important that you write what you mean. I will correct your notation the first few times, but I will start counting it wrong if you continue to write things incorrectly. In addition, please write clearly and legibly. If I can't read it, I won't grade it.
Scholastic Dishonesty:	Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework. Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty which the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an F in the course. ACC's policy can be found in the Student Handbook page 33 or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook.

MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business and Economics
Spring 2003

COURSE DESCRIPTION

MATH 1324 MATHEMATICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS (3-3-0) A course in finite mathematics for business students including sets, basic algebraic properties, linear equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, the exponential and logarithmic functions, the mathematics of finance, systems of linear equations and matrices, linear inequalities and linear programming, the simplex method, and an introduction to probability. Prerequisites: MATD 0390 or satisfactory score on the ACC Assessment Test. Credit can be earned for only one of MATH 1324 or BUA 2103. (MTH 1643)

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS

Text: Finite Mathematics, by Barnett, Ziegler, and Byleen 9th ed. (Prentice-Hall)

Calculator: Students need either a scientific or business calculator that handles exponents, logarithms and simple probability and statistics. If you cannot purchase one, they are available from the library. Graphing calculators are fine, but their use may be restricted on the graphing test.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY: This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

COURSE RATIONALE: This course is required in certain degree plans, such as Accounting, Computer Information Systems and Economics. For some students, this is the first half of a two-semester finite mathematics/business calculus sequence. This is also a preparation course prior to taking two semesters of business calculus, although the preferred preparation for two semesters of business calculus is MATH 1314. Finally, some students take this course as a general mathematics elective.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR: Please note: schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class. Sections 5.4, 7.1, and 7.2 are optional and may be added to the syllabus if time permits.

16-Week Semester
1	1.1-1.2
2	1.3-1.4
3	2.1-2.2
4	2.3, Test 1
5	3.1-3.2
6	3.3-3.4
7	4.1-4.3
8	4.4, Test 2
9	4.5-4.7
10	5.1-5.2
11	5.3, 6.1-6.2
12	Test 3, 6.3-6.4
13	6.4-6.5
14	6.6-6.7
15	7.3-7.5
16	7.6, Final Exam

TESTING CENTER POLICY: ACC Testing Center policies can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/. Deadlines for all tests will be announced in class. Any tests taken after the announced deadline are considered late.

STUDENT SERVICES: The web address for student services is: http://www3.austincc.edu/evpcss/rss/Default.htm. The ACC student handbook can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook.

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES: The web address is: http://www3.austincc.edu/evpcss/newsemester/ , then click on ?Campus Based Student Support Overview?.

Course-Specific Support Services

Sometimes sections of MATH 0161 MATH FOR BUS & ECO LAB (1-0-2) are offered. The lab is designed for students currently registered in Math for Business and Economics, MATH 1324. It offers individualized and group setting to provide additional practice and explanation. This course is not for college-level credit. Repeatable up to two credit hours. Students should check the course schedule for possible offerings of the lab class.

ACC main campuses have Learning Labs which offer free first-come first-serve tutoring in mathematics courses, but not all tutors can help with this class. Check in advance . The locations, contact information and hours of availability of the Learning Labs are posted at: http://www2.austincc.edu/rvslab/labhours.htm

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.

Statement on Academic Freedom: Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks.

Time required and outside help: To do homework and study requires two or three times as much time outside of class as the time you spend in class in order to succeed in this course. Free tutoring is available in the Learning Labs (see above) and your instructor has office hours and can give some extra help, of course.

Additional information about ACC's mathematics curriculum and faculty is available on the Internet at http://www.austincc.edu/math/

Common Course Objectives for MATH 1324

Mathematics for Business and Economics has five main mathematical topics: functions, matrices, linear programming, probability and statistics. The objectives of the course are for students not only to know the mathematics of these concepts, but also to be able to apply the concepts to analyze and interpret information in business and financial application problems.

1. Identify the basic graphs and properties of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Apply the knowledge of functions to business applications such as simple, compound or continuous compound interest, ordinary annuities, finding the maximum or minimum for quantities which are quadratic functions, and finding break even points.

2. Perform basic operations with matrices, and use matrix methods to solve systems of linear equations. Apply the knowledge of matrices to business problems such as inventory, production, and total cost.

3. Use geometric method to solve linear programming problems. Interpret information as an objective function with constraints, set up the linear programming problem, solve the problem and interpret the result in the context of the problem.

4. Use basic counting techniques and calculate probabilities, including conditional probabilities. Apply the mathematical knowledge of probability to business problems and interpret the results.

5. Calculate measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion. Apply the mathematical skills to problems in various business settings and interpret the results.

Prerequisite Study Sheet for

MATH 1324 Math for Business and Economics

MATH 1324 deals with how to apply the techniques of algebra to problems arising in business. To learn about these applications, it is necessary that you recall how to use the basic algebraic techniques you have already learned. We realize that you may have forgotten some of this algebra, but you must review and relearn it very quickly in MATH 1324. It is briefly explained in the first two chapters of the book, but we cover that rather quickly--much too quickly to provide you with a thorough review unless you remember most of it before you start the course.

The following problems provide a quick review of this algebra. The answers are listed at the end. If you find that you cannot do at least 12 of them right now, you need to do one of two things before you attempt to take MATH 1324.

1. Get an algebra book and review these topics.

2. If you are unable (or don't have time) to learn these topics by reviewing on your own, you need to take 1 or 2 algebra courses to refresh your algebra skills. The appropriate courses at ACC are Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) or Elementary and Intermediate Algebra (MATH 0370 and MATD 0390).