Quantitative Reasoning, MTH 123 A VF C

Fall 2016, MWF 8:55-9:45

Dr. Todd Guevin
Tucker Hall 122, 610-917-3948, tgguevin@valleyforge.edu
Office Hours: M-F 11-11:30, TR 12:30 1:30, F 1:30 3:00
Administrative Assistant Gina Stillman, Tucker Hall 109

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course applies mathematics to life skill areas for personal and professional use. The
emphasis is on how to use problem solving skills to answer everyday mathematical questions.
Placement is based on math entrance exam or successful completion of Fundamentals of
Mathematics I and II with a C- or better.

My goal is for you to become confident in your ability to use mathematics in your daily life.

COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. use problem solving strategies to solve real life mathematical problems GESLO 9
assessed by exam questions.
2. apply geometry skills to problem solving
3. apply mathematical skills to personal finance
4. correctly interpret mathematical information used in the media
5. correctly interpret statistical information.
6. explain the fundamental ideas of probability

General Education Student Learning Outcome 9. Quantitative Reasoning Skills-Students will

employ quantitative or symbolic reasoning to evaluate and solve real world problems.

REQUIRED TEXT and MATERIALS

Bennett, J. & Briggs, W. (2011). Using and understanding mathematics: A quantitative
reasoning approach, (5th ed), Boston: Addison Wesley.

The paper text is not required, but access to the MyMathLab web site is required and must be
purchased. Most students prefer to use the electronic text that comes with access to the
MyMathLab web site, because it is less expensive, and easy to use. To buy access to
MyMathLab go to: www.coursecompass.com and follow the directions for registering as a
student. You will need this course identification number for the fall of 2016, which is:
guevin17823.
You may also buy a standalone access code from the college bookstore if you prefer or need
to use a bookstore voucher. If you use this method then a course code is sent to you in the
mail and you can then use the code to register for our section of the class through
www.coursecompass.com using the course identification number mentioned in bold above.

A scientific calculator is also required.

HOMEWORK
Mathematics is best learned by doing! Homework will give you an opportunity to practice what
is taught in the online lectures. Please note the due dates listed on the MyMathLab web site for
homework. The due date is the last date that homework will be accepted for credit, but you can
work in advance if you have a planned absence where you will not have internet access. Most
students complete their work well before the due date to allow for any interruptions to their plans
such as an illness or computer/internet breakdown. In addition if you need to ask questions you
will need to leave several days for us to interact.

DISCUSSION BOARD POSTINGS

Discussing boards are posted in MyMathLab under the discussion board button. Due dates are
listed below in the class schedule below and instructions are posted in the website. In general,
you will research a topic from a newspaper or internet source related to the chapter(s) we are
working on that week and make a posting that will summarize and give an example of how the
article relates to the area of math we are currently studying. You may also have examples from
real life experiences of your own that you may share. Next you will read the other students
postings and reply back to them to ask a question or expand upon their findings. You may also
reply to another students question to you or my questions to you in the discussion area. Your
first posting should be about 300 words and provide a link to the article that you read. Your
second posting responding to another student must be substantial, show good thought process
and be 100 words long. Simply praising another students posting is not evidence of thoughtful
reflection. Please see the rubric below for how to write a thoughtful discussion posting. You
should make your postings on different days to show that you have checked into the discussion
three times (see the rubric at the end of the syllabus). I will also be checking the discussion
board area and will be part of the discussion.

EXAMS
Exam due dates are posted on the schedule below. The exams are taken from the MyMathLab
site. The exams are timed, but you may use your book or notes. You may retake the exam
multiple times as long as you do so before the due date. Only your highest score is counted
toward the grade. Helps from course compass such as the help me solve this are not available
during the exam. Students must complete all work on the exam without assistance except as
noted in the ADA policy below.

ADA Student Statement

It is the policy of University of Valley Forge to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified
individuals with documented disabilities. The College will adhere to all applicable federal, state,
and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations
with regard to affording equal educational opportunities.
It is the students responsibility to contact the Office of Disabilities
(disabilityservices@valleyforge.edu) and to provide documentation of a disability within the first
two weeks of the semester. The Office of Disabilities will assist students and faculty in arranging
appropriate accommodations. This is in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Please note that accommodations are not
retroactive.

GRADING: A standard 10 point grading scale will be used. Grades on MyMathLab

assignments are posed on that site.

Homework 50%
Discussion Board Postings 20%
Exams 30%

A+ 97-100 A 93-96 A- 90-92

B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72
D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62
F 0-59

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. View the recorded lectures on MyMathLab to get an overview of the material. These can
be found in the multimedia library button on MyMathLab.
2. Read the electronic text also found in MyMathLab
3. Do the homework and use the help me solve this button if you have trouble on a
problem.
4. Make your postings to the discussion board (check in each week) and reply to at least one
other student before the due date.
5. Post the class schedule were you will see it every day and plan a regular time complete
homework and make your discussion board postings.
6. Allow extra time to study during exam week.
 Class Schedule
(Complete all Homework, Discussion Boards and
Exams listed in each row by the due date listed in that row)

Topic Homework Discussion Board Exam Due

Date
Register for MyMathLab and MyMathLab 9/11
complete orientation for Orientation
MyMathLab homework
2A: The Problem-Solving Power of 2A, 2B First posting to 9/11
Units; Discussion Board 1
2B: Standardized Units;
2C: Problem-Solving Guidelines & 2C, 10A Second + 1 9/18
Hints 10A: Fundamentals of Posting(s) to
Geometry Discussion Board 1
3A: Uses & Abuses of 3A, 3B First posting to 9/25
Percentages Discussion Board 2
3B: Putting Numbers in
Perspective
3D: Index Numbers 3D, 3E Second + 2 10/2
3E: How Numbers Deceive Posting(s) to
Discussion Board 2
4A: Taking Control of Your 4A, 4B First posting to 10/9
Finances Discussion Board 3
4B: The Power of Compounding;
4C: Savings Plans & Investments 4C, 4D Second + 3 10/16
4D: Loan Payments, Credit Cards, Posting(s) to
& Mortgages Discussion Board 3
5A: Fundamentals of Statistics 5A, 5B First posting to 10/23
5B: Should You Believe a Discussion Board 4
Statistical Study?

5C: Statistical Tables & Graphs 5C, 5D 10/30

5D: Graphics in the Media
5E Second + 4 11/6
5E: Correlation & Causality Posting(s) to
Discussion Board 4
7A: Fundamentals of Probability; 7A, 7B First posting to 11/13
7B: Combining Probabilities Discussion Board 5
7C: The Law of Large Numbers 7C Second + 11/20
Posting(s) to
Discussion Board 5
5 12/4

Please note the due dates are the last day to submit work, not the recommended day
to submit work. You should work in advance of the due dates listed because you are
likely to have illness, computer trouble or other issues if you leave the work to the
day before it is due. I have made the due dates for homework assignments the same
as the exams but you should start the homework a week before the date listed.
 Discussion Board Rubric

Grade Quality 20% Frequency Date Timing Length

20% 20% 20% 20%
Excellent Very well developed, Makes Postings All posts of Contains
introduces new ideas. Ties three posts occur on the forum at least
article or personal experience per three occur the
to concepts being studied. discussion different before the number of
Avoids repeating others board. days. due dates words
points of view. Shows strong of the specified
evidence of understanding discussion in the
and applying course material. board. discussion
Provides link to article. question.
Good Developed ideas, application Makes two Postings All posts of One
of course material is clear. posts per occur on the forum postings
Provides link to article discussion two occur is shorter
board. different before the than
days due dates specified
of the
discussion
board.
Poor Poorly developed ideas, no Makes one Postings All posts of Two
substantive addition to post per all occur the forum postings
discussion discussion on the occur are
board. same before the shorter
day. due dates than
of the specified
discussion
board.
Inadequate No participation No No Posts occur No
participati participa after the participati
on tion due date. on

Discussion Topics for Discussion Boards

Board
1 Discussion postings should be made on one of the topics covered in:
2A: The Problem-Solving Power of Units;
2B: Standardized Units;
2C: Problem-Solving Guidelines & Hints 10A: Fundamentals of Geometry
2 Discussion postings should be made on one of the topics covered in:
3A: Uses & Abuses of Percentages
3B: Putting Numbers in Perspective
3D: Index Numbers
3E: How Numbers Deceive
3 Discussion postings should be made on one of the topics covered in:
4A: The Power of Compounding;
4B: Savings Plans & Investments
4C: Loan Payments, Credit Cards, & Mortgages
4D: Income Taxes
4 Discussion postings should be made on one of the topics covered in:
5A: Fundamentals of Statistics
5B: Should You Believe a Statistical Study?
 5C: Statistical Tables & Graphs
5D: Graphics in the Media
5E: Correlation & Causality
5 Discussion postings should be made on one of the topics covered in:
7A: Fundamentals of Probability;
7B: Combining Probabilities;
7C: The Law of Large Numbers