Math 270: Managerial Mathematics
Spring 2003, 4 credits, MWRF 10:00-10:50, MC 406
Instructor: Rich Maresh, Assoc. Prof. and Chair, Dept. of Mathematics
Office: MC 522 Hours: MWF 9-10, WR 12-1
Phone: 796-3655 (office), 526-4988 (home) Email: rjmaresh@viterbo.edu
Final Exam: Monday, 5 May 2003, 3:00-5:00 pm
Catalog Course Description: Several topics applicable to the study of business are covered. In particular, the course considers systems of linear equations and linear programming, the mathematics of finance, and an introduction to the elementary calculus topics. Emphasis in the course is on applications.
Prerequisite: acceptable score on placement exam or a grade of C or higher in Math 110.
Text: Essentials of College Mathematics (Third Ed.), by Barnett and Ziegler (Macmillan, 1995)
Course Goals:
1. Students will learn mathematical concepts that apply to business (as determined by the business school).
2. Students will learn how to apply mathematics to various types of business-related problems.
3. Students will improve their problem solving skills.
4. Students will improve their mathematical reasoning skills.
5. Students will improve their ability to communicate, primarily in writing, mathematical ideas.
Course Procedures:
Mathematics is not a spectator sport.” My primary suggestion to you is that you consider learning as something you DO, not something that is done to you. Regardless of how clearly I present the material there is no way you are going to understand the concepts and be able to do the problems unless you take it upon yourself to study the text, to do the homework “religiously”, and to prepare for exams efficiently.
Homework. At the heart of learning mathematics is the regular effort to solve problems. At least as important as regular attendance is the regular doing of homework. These assignments are for practice and will not be formally calculated into your grade, but this is where the real learning takes place. I plan to spend some time at the beginning of each class period taking a look at the homework from the previous day’s work. The old adage that a university student should spend “two hours outside of class for each hour in class” is not always taken seriously, but I want to suggest that it is with that attitude that you should approach this course, if you hope to be successful.
Depending on the strength of your algebra background, you may be able to get by one somewhat less time, but you should make sure you CAN do the problems, even if you do not actually do all of them. I have assigned odd numbered problems so that you can check the answer in the back of the book to see if you did it correctly.
I have no problem with study groups – in fact, I think much good can come from working on problems with colleagues – but I do want you to make sure that you are not relying on your classmates to the extent that you are not really learning to do the problems yourself. This will hurt you very much at exam times.
Attendance: The office of the academic vice-president requires us to report when a student has “stopped attending” a class – the Federal Government wants the information for financial aid purposes – so I will be keeping tabs on your attendance. I do not formally use your attendance record in computing your grade, although your grade will no doubt be affected by spotty attendance.
Group Problem Sets: I will on occasion give you a few problems to work on in a group. As I mentioned in the homework section, I do think there is a place for working in groups, especially for certain topics in the course. There is not enough class time to use this “lab” approach extensively, but you can expect to see it every so often.
Blackboard: I will enroll you all in Blackboard and will use it for several things – I will keep a copy of the syllabus there, and will occasionally use it to give you website links or practice problems. Because we will meet four times each week I don’t think it will be quite as useful as if we met more infrequently.
Calculus Project: Toward the end of the course, when we are working in the calculus unit, you will be given a take-home “project” related to the material. This will come due Friday, 2 May 2003, and will be worth 40 points.
Grading Procedure: I will use a pretty typical 90-80-70-60 grading scale: 90% of possible points for an “A”, 80% for a “B”, 70% for a “C”, and 60% for a “D”. Over the entire semester there should be at least 800 possible points, probably a bit more, so that no one performance, even the final exam, will weigh too heavily in your grade.
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations for this class, please see me and/or Wayne Wojciechowski, the campus ADA coordinator (MC 320, 796-3085), within ten days to discuss your needs.
I want to include taking exams in the learning center under this category; you will need a written request from Wayne Wojciechowski before I will allow you to take exams there. I do not have a problem with the concept, but I want to make sure there is really a valid reason.
Math 270 Schedule, Spring 2003
Jan 13 Algebra Review p 57, Chapter (1) Review
Jan 15 Algebra Review p 123, Chapter (2) Review
Jan 16 Lab #1
Jan 17 Algebra Quiz (50 Points)
Jan 20 <3.1> Exponential Functions p 135 #1-25 odd, 35, 43-55 odd
Jan 22 <3.2> Exponential Functions with Base e p 142 #1, 3, 9, 13, 17, 21-27 odd
Jan 23 <3.3> Logarithmic Functions p 155 #1-27 odd, 37, 47, 59, 61, 75, 77, 93
Jan 24 <4.2> Compound Interest p 180 #1-17 odd, 21, 25, 29-41 odd
Jan 27 Lab #2
Jan 29 <4.3> Future Value of an Annuity p 189 #1-23 odd
Jan 30 <4.4> Present Value of an Annuity p 201 #1-23 odd, 27
Jan 31 Lab #3
Feb 3 Group Practice Exam #1 (25 points)
Feb 5 EXAM #1 (100 points)
Feb 6 <5.1> Systems of Linear Equations p 222 #1-21 odd, 31, 37, 43
Feb 7 <5.2> Systems of Equations and Matrices p 233 #13-25 odd, 39
Feb 10 <5.3> Gauss-Jordan Elimination p 243 #1-25 odd, 33, 47
Feb 12 Lab #4
Feb 13 <5.4> Matrices Addition, Scalar Multiplication p 252 #1-19 odd, 23-29 odd, 37
Feb 14 <5.5> Matrix Multiplication p 260 #1-29 odd, 39, 45
Feb 17 <5.6> Inverse of Square Matrices p 273 #1, 3, 9, 13, 17, 21, 27, 45
Feb 19 <5.7> Matrix Equations and Systems of Equations p 282 #1-17 odd, 21, 31
Feb 20 Lab #5
Feb 21 <6.1> Systems of Linear Inequalities p 305 #1, 3, 13-29 odd, 35, 43
Feb 24 <6.2> Linear Programming in Two Variables p 320 #1-11 odd, 17, 27
Feb 26 <6.3> Geometric Introduction to the Simplex Method p 334 #1, 3, 5
Feb 27 <6.4> The Simplex Method p 352 #1, 3, 9, 13, 15, 31, 33
Feb 28 <6.4> Simplex Method
Mar 3 Lab #6
Mar 5 Review …
Mar 6 Group Practice Exam #2 (25 points)
Mar 7 EXAM #2 (100 points)
Mar 8-16 --- S P R I N G B R E A K ---
Mar 17 <9.1> Limits and Continuity p 502 #1-33 odd, 45, 63, 65
Mar 19 <9.2> Computation of Limits p 517 #1-43 odd, 59, 69, 73, 89
Mar 20 <9.3> The Derivative p 534 #1-9 odd, 15-25 odd, 35, 41
Mar 21 <9.4> Derivative Formulas: The Power Rule p 547 #1-41 odd, 45, 49, 55, 67, 69
Mar 24 Lab #7
Mar 26 <9.5> Derivative Formulas: Product and Quotient Rules p 557 #1-25 odd, 31, 33, 43, 49, 51
Mar 27 <9.6> The Chain Rule p 565 #1-31 odd, 37, 43, 49, 59, 61
Mar 28 <9.7> Marginal Analysis p 574 #1-13 odd, 17
Mar 31 Lab #8
Apr 2 <10.1> Derivatives and Graphs p 600 #1-23 odd, 35, 57
Apr 3 <10.2> Second Derivates and Graphs p 614 #1-11 odd, 15, 23-29 odd, 37, 39, 45, 53, 61
Apr 4 <10.4> Optimization: Maxima and Minima p 649 #1, 11, 15-29 odd
Apr 7 <10.5> Continuous Compound Interest p 660 #9, 13-23 odd
Apr 9 <10.6> Derivatives of Log and Exponential Functions p 672 #1-19 odd, 33-39 odd, 55-59 odd
Apr 10 <10.7> General Form of the Chain Rule p 683 #1-45 odd
Apr 11 Lab #9
Apr 14 Group Practice Exam #3 (25 points)
Apr 16 EXAM #3 (100 points)
Apr 17 – 21 -- E A S T E R B R E A K --
Apr 23 <11.1> Antiderivatives and Indefinite Integrals p 704 #1-39 odd, 49, 51, 75
Apr 24 <11.2> Integration by Substitution Method p 717 #1-35 odd
Apr 25 <11.3> Definite Integrals p 728 #1-21 odd, 43, 47, 51
Apr 28 <11.4> Area and the Definite Integral p 741 #1-15 odd, 39, 45
Apr 30 <11.6> Consumers’ and Producers’ Surplus p 766 #1-7 odd
May 1 Lab #10
May 2 Group Practice Final Exam (25 points)
May 5 FINAL EXAM 3:00-5:00 p.m. (125 points)