Mathematical Methods for Business (Math 103) Fall 2008

                                                     

Syllabus

 

Instructor: Tigan Mkrtchyan

Office: SN 110

Email: tmkrtchy@uci.edu

Webpage: http://www.csun.edu/~tm856866/

Office hours: TBA

Math tutoring lab:

SH 276 TBA

BH 416 TBA

 

 

Description: 

Catalog: Prerequisites: Passing score on or exemption from the Entry Level Mathematics Examination (ELM), or credit in Math 093 and a passing score on the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT).  Concepts and applications of algebra and calculus to business.  Topics include functions, systems of equations, matrices, the derivative and business-related topics in calculus. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills; Mathematics).

 

Measurable Course Objectives. Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

  1. i.        Compute with Linear, quadratic, rational functions.  Including solving equations involving such functions.
  2. ii.       Prepare a well-scaled graph of a one-variable function, e.g. find the equation of a linear function from two ordered pairs, graph a quadratic function, or graph (3x+5)/(2x-3).
  3. iii.     Use functions as models for business application problems.
  4. iv.     Compute with simple interest, compound interest, and continuously compounded interest models. This must include evaluating exponential functions and being able to solve equations with exponential expressions using logarithms
  5. v.       Find the derivative of a polynomial function and evaluate marginal revenue/cost/profit for a revenue/cost/profit function
  6. vi.     Explain verbally and in writing why maximum profit is realized when marginal revenue equals marginal costs.
  7. vii.    Use derivatives to find local maximum and local minimum points
  8. viii.  Solve a system of linear equations using algebraic methods, and use them in business applications.
  9. ix.     Understand basic Matrix operations and use them in business applications.

 

Text: College Mathematics for Business, economics, life sciences and social sciences.

By Barnett, Ziegler, and Byleen custom publish.

Sections to be covered:

1.1-1.2              Linear Equations & Graphs and Lines.

2.1                    Functions.

2.2                    Elementary functions: Graphs and Transformations.

2.3                    Quadratic Functions (also has  Polynomial and rational functions.  We only cover rational functions of the form (ax+b)/(cx+d))

3.1, 3.2             Simple, compound leading to continuously compound interest

2.4,2.5              Exponential and Logarithmic functions (logs only to solve exponential expressions)

10.1-5               Limits, continuity, derivative; sum, constant and “power” rules,

10.7                  Marginal cost, marginal revenue and marginal profit, applications

12.5                  Absolute max/min

12.6                  Marginal analysis: Max profit when marginal revenue equals marginal cost (especially graph on page 717)

11.3                  product and quotient rules

11.4                  “generalized power rule” ONLY

11.7                  Elasticity

4.1-4.4              Solving systems of equations and matrices (at least this far)

 

Grading:       

·         Homework:  On line.  Due every day at midnight. The lowest 3 will be dropped and the average of the remaining grades will be your accumulated homework grade.

·         Three in class exams:(3 of them).  These will be coordinated across all sections of math103.

·         No make-ups without a confirmed medical or emergency excuse.

At the end of the semester, you will have ONE accumulated homework & quiz grade and THREE exam grades.  The best 3 of these 4 grades will EACH count for 20% of your final grade; the lowest will count for 10% of your final grade.  

 

Schedule:  There is a schedule for this class posted on the web.  It lists an approximation of the order in which we will cover the material.  The dates for the midterms and the final exam are fixed.  Exceptions must be cleared at least one week in advance with the instructor.

 

Homework: Most assignments will be done with webwork. To log in into WeBWorK, go to https://webwork.csun.edu/ . Your username is your CSUN email minus the "@csun.edu" part. For instance, if your CSUN email is john.p.doe.37@csun.edu, then your username is john.p.doe.37. Your password is your nine digit student ID number (if yours is not nine digits then add zeros at the beginning to make it 9 digits). The system is very easy to use, but you may want to read this short introduction to WeBWorK.  To find this go to: https://webwork.csun.edu/  and click on “First Steps for Students” in the upper left corner. I recommend that you print out a hardcopy of your homework and work together in groups of about three people who are all of your own level.  However, you must turn in your own work online.  You should spend about 6 hours outside of class working on this class.  

 

 

GE-SLO’s (General Education Student Learning Outcomes): 

  1. Represent, understand, and explain mathematical information symbolically, graphically, numerically, and verbally; 
  2. Develop mathematical models of real-world situations and explain the assumptions and limitations of those models; 
  3. Use models to make predictions/draw conclusions/check whether results are reasonable/find optimal results; using technology when necessary and appropriate;
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of mathematical reasoning including the ability to prove simple results and/or make statistical inferences

 

Assessment of GE-SLO’s (General Education Student Learning Outcomes): 

SLO 1 -3 will be assessed through traditional testing and the common final exam and webwork assignments.

SLO 4 will be assessed by students’ performance on at least one exam.