Math 10120: Finite Mathematics
Spring 2015

 

Instructors

Section 01
Instructor: Jennifer Garbett
Office: Hurley, Room 279
Telephone: 574-631-9585
e-mail address: jgarbet1@nd.edu
Office hours: Tues. 10:00-11:00 a.m., Wed. 3:00-4:00 p.m. or by appointment

Section 02
Instructor: Juan Migliore
Office: Hayes-Healy, Room 236
Telephone: 574-631-7345
e-mail address: migliore.1@nd.edu
Office hours: Tue. 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Wed. 2:00-3:00 p.m. or by appointment

Time and place of class:

Section
Time
Days
Location
Instructor
Section 1
2:00-2:50 p.m.
MWF
PASQ 114
Jennifer Garbett
Section 2
12:50 - 1:40 p.m.
MWF
PASQ 114
Juan Migliore

 




Ways to get help:

Please avoid going to the office hours of the instructor that is not yours unless it's absolutely necessary. We prefer that you make an appointment with your instructor.

Textbook and online homework information:

The textbook is "Finite Mathematics, 8th Edition," by Howard L. Rolf. You can either buy the physical textbook (hybrid edition with access to online homework) or you can buy only the access code to the online homework system (and this option includes an electronic copy of the book). You also have choices about how to purchase these. See this link for more information.

On Prof. Pilkington's page you can find Lecture Notes that should cover exactly the same material as the lectures presented in class. These include additional problems, with a link to the solutions, that should be a very valuable reference for you. We recommend that you use these throughout the semester.

Course overview:

This course is about chance and strategy. We explore how the everyday concepts of relative frequency, expectation and strategy can be translated into a mathematical theory. By extracting the general principles behind our logical intuition and developing it with some simple tools of mathematics, we develop the theory of probability and game theory. The results can then be applied to solve problems or analyse situations where we encounter these concepts in many different contexts.

Syllabus

Here is a daily schedule of topics that we will cover.

Daily Homework Schedule

Here is a list of all the homework due this semester. You should refer to this after every class to see what online homework problems are assigned for the new material, as well as when the homework is due. If we are forced to make any changes to this schedule, we will let you know.

Note that all homework is done online. No physical homework will be collected at any time. Notice that the listed due dates all give 2:00 a.m. as the time due. Effectively this means that really they are due the day before the listed day, unless you usually work after midnight. These deadlines are very firm, and very few exceptions will be granted. See below for more information.

The online homework system used in this class is WebAssign. See Prof. Pilkington's page (from last semester!!) for very helpful details about logging on, getting help, etc. There will be a help session on Sunday, January 18, 2:00-4:00 in HAYE 229 to help you get signed up and figure out how to do the homework online.

Examinations, quizzes, homework and grades

There will be three midterm exams, six quizzes, daily homework and a final exam.

How you will be evaluated: Your course grade will be based on your total score out of 600 points, with points allocated as follows:


More on Exams: For each exam we are posting two practice exams and their answers. The answers to the second practice exam will be posted the day before the exam. (All of these are exams given in previous semesters, so ignore the dates.)

Homework Policy

You will find the link to a complete list of electronic homework due dates above. Note ALL DEADLINES ARE AT 2:00 A.M. ON THE DUE DATE. Effectively this means that the homework is due on the previous night with 2 hours grace. The first three electronic homework assignments are due on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 at 2:00 a.m. You are expected to get started on this homework well before that date so that you can iron out any problems you might have with the system on time. If you need help getting started, we will have a help session on Sunday, January 18, as noted above.

The availability and due dates of all homework allow ample time for completion. Submission of homework can be carried out with any internet connection at any time. Therefore late homework will not be accepted. It is expected that you will start your homework well before the time at which it is due and that if you have to be out of town, you will plan ahead appropriately. In the case of extenuating circumstances, you should get a note from the dean of First Year of Studies or your advisor in order to get credit. Poor time management, a lapse of memory about the 2:00 a.m. deadline for online homework, or a prearranged trip off campus, for any event, will not be considered as extenuating circumstances. If your computer is not working please use one of the many computers available on campus. The online system keeps a complete record of the time you spend online and automatically saves your work. If you are having any trouble with the system mysteriously not giving you credit for your work, please print out your completed work as you do your homework and bring it to class, show it to your instructor in person and they will give you credit.

Make-up exams

Please check the exam dates. Do not make travel plans conflicting with any exam date! In the event that you miss an exam, a note from your advisor or a dean from First Year of Studies will be required in order to gain credit for the make-up exam. Please send an e-mail to your instructor as soon as possible if you miss an exam.

Exam Conflicts: Exam conflicts are governed by the undergraduate academic code. According to section 3.2.2.3, students with 3 or more finals in one day, or 4 or more finals in a 24 hour period, may negotiate to change the time of one of these finals. If you intend to request to have the time of your Math 10120 final changed, you must talk to your dean (or the dean's designee) at least one week before the start of the final exam period (see section 3.2.2.4 of the undergraduate academic code). You must also contact your dean to resolve exam conflicts during the semester.

Honor Code

Examinations, quizzes and homework are conducted under the Notre Dame honor code. While discussion in small groups in doing homework is permitted (and strongly encouraged) in this course, the work should be your own. Having someone do your online homework for you is a violation of the honor code. Exams are closed book and are to be done completely by yourself with no help from others.

You will not be allowed to collaborate on exams or quizzes.

Calculators will be allowed for exams.