MAT 108 Finite Mathematics
Section 2 (1715)
SB 311 WF 9:25-10:40
Instructor : Dr. Brian Travers
Office : Sullivan Building 308B
Phone Number : 978.542.6339
Email : [email protected]
Webpage : http://btravers.weebly.com
Office Hours : TRF 11:00-12:00, W 2:00-4:00
or by appointment
Required text: Finite Math : A Business Approach, 2nd edition by Dr. Brian Travers and Prof.
James Lampes.
Textbook can be found at http://btravers.weebly.com/textbook.html
Calculator: A graphing calculator with matrix and statistics capabilities is required. A TI-83 or
TI-84 is recommended.
Overview: We will be discussing the concepts of linear functions and inequalities, linear programming, the Simplex method, statistics and financial mathematics. We will be utilizing the calculator
to do applications of these concepts as well as learning why they work conceptually and doing them
by hand.
Grading: There will be 2 in-class exams. The first will tentatively be on Friday, October 4th and
the second tentatively on Friday, November 1st . Each exam will count for 25%. The final exam
will be on Friday, December 13th at 11:00 AM. The final exam is worth 30%. The remaining 20%
will be from quizzes.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz in random classes that we do not have an exam. The quiz will be
based on the material in the sections covered the previous class(es).
Homework: Homework will not be collected but it is expected that you do all of the problems.The
only way to be sure you understand something mathematical is by practice. The point of the
homework is to practice the concepts we discuss in class. It does no good to go through the
motions so use the homework as a tool to make sure you understand the material. Quiz and
exam questions will be of the same type as the homework problems, so use this knowledge to your
advantage.
Attendance Policy: You are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping
up with all that goes on in the course, whether you are present or not. If you are going to miss a
class, I expect an email or a call to my office before class begins. If you contact me ahead of time
(other than unexpected situations that can be verified) then the absence will be excused. If you
do not contact me ahead of time then the absence will be unexcused. If you have an unexcused
absence on the day of an exam, you will receive a zero for that grade. All unverified “excused”
absences after the second one will be considered unexcused. For each unexcused absence, your final
grade will be docked in the following manner:
No. of Absences Total Points Lost
1
1
2
1+2=3
3
1+2+3=6
and so forth
University Policy Statement: Salem State University is committed to providing equal access
to the educational experience to all students in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Salem State University is committed to providing
students with disabilities with a living and learning experience at the university which assures
them equal access to all facilities of the University, which makes all reasonable academic aids and
adjustments for their disabilities and provides them with maximum independence and the full
range of participation in all areas of university life. All students with disabilities should
identify themselves and provide requested and appropriate written documentation
to the Coordinator, Office for Students with Disabilities, (978)542-6217, as soon as
possible after acceptance.
In the event of a university declared critical emergency, Salem State University reserves the right
to alter this course plan. Students should refer to www.salemstate.edu for further information and
updates. The course attendance policy stays in effect until there is a university declared critical
emergency. In the event of an emergency, please refer to the alternative educational plans for this
course located at http://btravers.weebly.com. Students should review the plans and gather all
required materials before an emergency is declared.
Goals and Objectives
Global Goals
This course is intended to provide students with:
• the ability to think abstractly and think critically.
• an exposure to a variety of problem solving techniques.
• an exposure to some fundamental concepts of business.
• experience using technology to solve problems.
• the ability to apply the concepts and techniques discussed to practical situations.
Instructional Objectives
By the end of the semester, you should be able to :
• Discuss and apply linear equations and inequalities to real-life situations.1
• Graph these inequalities and equations.1
• Discuss when to use linear programming and when to use the simplex method, and how to
apply these techniques. 1
• Use matrices to solve linear systems.
2
• Apply basic techniques of statistics to find the mean and median and to represent data.3
• Approximate data sets using least squares and linear regression.3
1
Assessed through exam 1, final exam and quizzes
Assessed through exam 2, final exam and quizzes
1
Assessed final exam and quizzes
2
Miscellaneous
• I do not give makeup quizzes. If you are going to miss a class, I want to know as soon as
possible. If you either call my office or send me an email BEFORE the class begins, then
I will grade you out of one less quiz at the end of the semester. If you do not contact me
beforehand, then you get a zero on the quiz.
• I expect you to do all of the homework problems. If you are having trouble, you can come to
me for help or you can go to the Math Lab (Sullivan Building 306).
• Believe it or not, it is actually helpful to read the textbook. If you read the material, it
will reinforce the topics covered in class. It is more beneficial, in my experience, to read the
section before we cover it so that you know where you have questions ahead of time.
• Make-up exams are given only if you have an unforeseen situation that arises the can be
verified or if arrangements are made before the exam is to take place.
• Please turn off the ringers on all cell phones and pagers before 1coming to class.