Mathematics has played a major role in world history. It has been used constructively in solving problems, explaining phenomena, and in developing ideas that improve our overall way of life. It has also been used to develop sophisticated weapons and improve our ability to defend our freedom.

The ability to use mathematics will be important to you. The citizen/worker needs to be able to use mathematics to make decisions and test conjectures. These skills do not replace the ability to perform basic arithmetic operations; they are in addition to them. Technology has changed what is expected of employees in the workplace as well as the amount of information available to the citizen/consumer. Employees no longer work in isolation; they work in teams in competition with others around the world. This global market and technologically advanced workplace has caused many changes in the business world. In reaction to the needs of the business world and of the citizen/consumer, the mathematics curriculum has been reformed. No longer are courses designed to upgrade algebraic skills the major requirement for an educated public. In fact, less advanced algebraic skills are needed in many of today's jobs because of technology. Technology allows you to perform calculations, investigate problems, and analyze data very easily. This text is a response to the changes occurring in the workplace and in the world of the consumer/citizen. The content you will study in this course will help you realize the power of mathematics and appreciate the usefulness of mathematics as a tool.

The mathematics needed for solving problems has often been developed by pure mathematicians who study a branch of mathematics building on what has already been proven, but with little thought to how it will ever be used. But sometimes, models are needed to explain physical phenomena or to predict results, so the mathematics was developed especially to solve these problems. In this text, you will investigate how models explain physical phenomena, use models to make predictions, and create models to solve problems. You will still need to learn some new mathematical skills, but they will be within the context of a larger problem.

In this text, you will explore several of the big ideas in mathematics. To be able to explore these ideas, you must have a level of mathematical sophistication that will enable you to use mathematics as a tool. The ideas presented in this text will help you solve real world problems through the development and exploration of mathematical models. The main task is to see how mathematics can be used to

•     explain,
•     predict, or
•     make decisions.

If you have comments regarding what you learn in this course, I would welcome them! You may e-mail me at: rlkimbal@wtcc-gw.wake.tec.nc.us

Robert L Kimball

A lot of your success will depend on both the quantity and the quality of your studying. Most students measure their studying in minutes or by the number of problems they accomplished. That is not always appropriate. Examine your productivity while studying mathematics. Did the problems you worked increase your knowledge and improve your skills at problem solving? Did the time you spent looking over notes and reading the text improve your understanding of a topic? Don't be fooled into thinking that if you can not work the first problem you can quit. That is when you really begin to work; not just harder, but smarter.

Here are some guidelines for success.

1.     Attend class.

   When you begin work you will be expected to go to work everyday. Get in the practice of going to class everyday. Your instructor has been employed to explain the material for you. Often, the class is going to have experiences which can not be duplicated in texts. You will have to be present to be part of that learning experience.

2.     Take good notes.

   Taking notes keeps you attentive and provides a guide to study by.

3.     Read the text.

   Read the text slowly and carefully. Always read a mathematics text with a pencil, paper, and a calculator/computer. As you read and come to an example, cover up the solution and try to work it by yourself using the text if you get frustrated. Read key ideas several times to be sure you understand them before going on.

4.     Do homework daily.

   Find study groups to work with. But, be careful. Study groups often give you a false impression of your abilities if you do not work the problem yourself. The people in study groups who benefit the most are the people who do the explaining. Always be sure you could explain a problem or concept to someone else.

5.     Look over the material for the next day's lesson.

   Get a head start on learning the next day's work.

6.     Do not be afraid to ask questions in class or to see your instructor.

   If you do not get a chance to ask a question in class or can not see your instructor, put the question in your portfolio. You might also try asking your question through e-mail. Get your instructor's address early in the quarter and it will prove beneficial for both of you.

On the first day of class each week turn in your portfolio to the instructor. At the end of the course, your portfolio will be a history of your progress. Problems you place in it should be neat and clearly identified (ie. Section 3.2 - Problem 4). You should obtain some sort of folder in which this work is to be placed. Keep all the work in the folder as you add new work. When the portfolio is turned in, identify the work to be graded by using a paper clip. The portfolio should contain the selected homework for the previous week and your journal entry for the previous week (see below). The portfolio will be returned to you on the next class meeting.

Portfolio Guide

At the end of each week during the quarter write two paragraphs about that week's classes. If for some reason the portfolio is not turned in, there should still be two paragraphs for that week's work.

In the first paragraph include a description of the topics that you covered and the type of problems that were assigned that week. Also include the amount of time (in hours?) you spent doing homework and studying for this class; and, most importantly, include your feelings about the class.

In the second paragraph, answer the following questions:

What did you like best about the class this week?

What did you like least about the class this week?

How is school going for you?

If you could have changed one thing about this week, what would it have been?

Your efforts toward developing a portfolio will be very rewarding. Your instructor is concerned about your progress in the course and about your progress toward your educational goals. Your journal entries will allow you both to get to know one another better.

Selected Homework Assignments

Include the problems marked with a "smiley face" in your Portfolio.