Math 102

Classes: Mon, Wed, Fri; 11:00--11:50. Classes start Mon Aug 27.
Location: Mathematical Sciences Building M315.
Office Hours: Mon, Wed; 2:00--3:00.
Homework: Will be set once a week -- to be handed in the following week.
Exams: The mid-term examinations are (tentatively) scheduled for Friday September 28th and Friday November 9th. The Final will be on December 11th, 10:30 - 12:30 in MSB 117.
Syllabus:

Textbook: PProblem SSSolving, Second Edition; DeFranco-Vinsonhaler.

Outline: The goal of the course is to develop your ability to solve mathematical problems by focusing on effective problem solving strategies -- the so-called PSSSP strategies outlined in the book -- and applying them to many examples. Much of your time in class will be spent working on problems in groups.
Assessment:

Homework assignments will contribute to 50% of your mark. It is important that you hand them in on time.
There will be two mid-sessional exams worth 12.5% each.
There will also be a final exam, which will be worth 12.5%.
The final 12.5% of your mark will come from a project which you will work on in groups in and outside class.

Q-center: Are you struggling in the course? Help is available from the Q-center! (and from me during my office hours, of course).

Homework:

Title	Due	Description
"Automathography"	Wed 5th September	Write an automathography describing your experience with and feelings towards mathematics.
Bean Letter	Fri 7th September	Write a letter to a friend or relative explaining how to win the game "Heap of Beans" on page 4.
Symmetry	Fri 14th September	How many symmetries of an equilateral triangle are there?
Prom Problem	Fri 21st September	Complete the table for Prom Problem on page 31.
Parking Lot	Mon 1st October	How long can you expect to wait when there are 16 spaces?
Forty Thieves	Fri 5th October	How will the forty thieves divide the 100 gold pieces between them?
Should you Switch?	Fri 12th October	Explain why switching improves your odds of winning.
Faculty Debts	Fri 19th October	Explain why the mathematician can tell the amounts of the debts.
Grilled Cheese	Fri 26th October	How fast can you cook the cheese sandwiches?
Grappling with groups	Fri 2nd November	Write a short essay covering the four points on page 88.
Maple Tree	Mon 12th November	Describe a way to estimate the height of the maple tree.
House Hunt	Fri 30th November	Who drinks the vodka? Who owns the pet worms? Page 116.

Back to homepage