MATH 102Q - Problem Solving |
Instructor: Ben Salisbury |
Section 001: MWF 1pm in MSB 315 |
Section 002: MWF 12pm in MSB 311 |
Course Description: An introduction to the techniques used by mathematicians to solve problems. Skills such as Externalization (pictures and charts), Visualization (associated mental images), Simplification, Trial and Error, and Lateral Thinking learned through the study of mathematical problems. Problems drawn from combinatorics, probability, optimization, cryptology, graph theory, and fractals. Students will be encouraged to work cooperatively and to think independently.
You can find a copy of the syllabus here.
Group Member Evaluations.
Part |
Due |
Team Performance Agreement |
10/31 |
Plan of Attack |
11/5 |
Inform me of your group's presentation method |
11/30 |
Your write up for the project will be due on the date to the right regardless of when your group is presenting. The write up will consist of all your results and how you found them: whether you found something on the internet, or used some detailed intricate method, I want to know. You should also include whether or not your Plan of Attack was followed accordingly or not. It should be no less than 1 page and must be typed and done neatly! I will deduct points for sloppiness and tardiness! |
12/3 |
The final exam for both sections will be on Tuesday, December 11 from 10:30am to 12:30pm in CLAS 110.
Here are the results from the Math Survey on the first day of class: Math Survey
Some notes about the Fibonacci sequence.
Some sample Grilled Cheese solutions.
| Assignment 1 | Your Automathography. Some quotes posted here. |
Due 8/29 |
| Assignment 2 | Describe a winning strategy for the Heap of Beans game. | Due 9/5 |
| Assignment 3 | Do the Symmetry project on page 130 of the book. Find the symmetries of an equilateral triangle. | Due 9/12 |
| Assignment 4 | The Prom Problem. | Due 9/19 |
| Assignment 5 | Parking Lot. | Due 9/26 |
| Assignment 6 | Forty Thieves. | Due 10/5 |
| Assignment 7 | Should you switch? Explain why switching improves your odds. Note that probability and odds are not the same thing! Also show the odds and strategy for four doors, five doors, multiple doors. | Due 10/12 |
| Assignment 8 | Facutly Debts on page 60. | Due 10/17 |
| Assignment 9 | Grilled Cheese on page 115. | Due 10/24 |
| Assignment 10 | Grappling with Groups on page 114 | Due 10/31 |
| Assignment 11 | Maple Tree | Due 11/9 |
| Assignment 12 | House Hunt | Due 11/14 |
| Assignment 13 | Weights on page 135. Part 1 is the actual assignment, but I will accept parts 2 and 3 for bonus points (added to this HW). Each bonus part will be out of 3, so you could earn up to 16/10 on this assignment. | Due 12/7 |
| Links | ||