Catalog Description

MATH 130 FINITE MATHEMATICS (4-0-4)(Area III). Systems of linear equations and inequalities, elementary matrix algebra, introduction to linear programming, elementary discrete probability and statistics. Emphasis on applications to business, economics, and social sciences. MATH 130 cannot be taken for credit after any of MATH 301, MATH 360, or MATH 361. PREREQ: MATH 025 or satisfactory placement score.

Prerequisites

The purpose of this prerequisite is to steer students with very little chance of succeeding in MATH 130 into a preparatory class.

Jurisdiction

This course is controlled by a departmental committee. All sections use the same text and cover approximately the same material.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should:

1. Be able to explain the geometry of linear equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and systems of linear inequalities in two and three variables.
2. Be able to carry out the Gauss-Jordan algorithm on systems of linear equations.
3. Be able to use matrix algebra through the inverse to solve appropriate elementary problems.
4. Be able to explain what linear programming is and to identify a few specific areas where linear programming has been successfully employed.
5. Be able to model small real world problems which translate almost directly into linear programming problems.
6. (Optional) Be able to carry out the simplex method on small linear programming problems of standard form.
7. Be able to combine basic probability theory through Bayes' Law with elementary counting principles including permutations and combinations to solve elementary probability problems.
8. Be able to explain the idea of a random variable and be able to solve elementary problems involving the expected value and variance of discrete random variables.

Progress toward the attainment of these objectives and advancement in the core goals in the areas of critical thinking, problem solving, communication, breadth of knowledge, and intellectual perspective are mutually enhancing.

Assessment of Learning Objectives

The extent to which a student achieves the learning objectives is judged by his or her performance on homework, quizzes, and exams.

Topics and Approximate Timeline

The following table is based on a typical semester schedule-60 class meetings of 50 minutes each. The actual amount of time spent on each topic will vary slightly from semester to semester and instructor to instructor.

Text

Applied Finite Mathematics;, Tan, S.T.; sixth edition; Brooks/Cole, 1999

Format, Student Activities, and Grades

Class meetings are occupied with lectures, questions, and discussion. Some instructors have the students work together in small groups. For most instructors, homework is important and graded. The grading scheme is determined by the instructor and usually depends on homework, quizzes, and exams including a comprehensive final exam. M 130 draws only slightly on algebra.

lower these cut-offs if warranted.