Syllabus for Finite Mathematics

dates of major exams (see the Schedule for dates of quizzes):

schedule of the term -- syllabus / contents of the distributed class notes
(Modifications may be made for tornado alerts, outages of electricity, etc.)

survey of the course
terms “fair coin”, “fair die”, “pair of fair dice”
terms “elementary event”, “the universe”, “an event”
meaning of “and”, “or”, and “not”
practical meaning of probability and the pursuit of a rigorous definition
pair-of-dice diagrams
introduction to probability, including conditional probability
very simple calculator use
terms “plus”, “sum”, “minus”, “times”, “product”, “square of”, “square root of”
test your intuition : birthday paradox
some basic problems relating to the first meeting (Everyone should do these.)
some more problems (Most people need more practice than the above problems afford.)
two sample quiz Q01’s for after you’ve studied the material
(The sample quizzes should be taken after you have learned all that you intend to learn.
The sample quizzes help you practice what you have already learned. Take them under test
conditions -- closed book and notes, calculator at hand, no peeking at the solutions, ten
uninterrupted minutes.

--- --- --- meeting 2:

Tue, 18-Jan, and Wed, 19-Jan <Mon is Day>

AND, OR, NOT; intersection, union, complement
Venn diagrams for counting
tree diagrams for counting
counting using rules involving AND
counting using rules involving OR
what “dealing a hand from a standard deck” means
precedence in expressions : PEMDAS
quiz Q01 relating to material of meeting 1 (the last ten minutes of class)
some basic problems relating to this meeting (minimal practice for at home)
some more problems (more practice)
sample quiz Q02 for after you have finished your homework on this material

permutations and combinations
more on calculator use
five percent of a dollar is $ .05 is a nickle; 50 % is .50 is a half.
the multiplication law of probability for dealing with AND
tree diagram for probability
the addition law of probability for dealing with OR
Venn diagrams for probability
the subtraction law of probability for dealing with NOT
the division law form of the multiplication law
independence
test your intuition : true positive with a rare disease
quiz Q02 on the material of meetings 1 and 2 (mostly 2). last 10 minutes of class.
some basic problems relating to this meeting (minimal practice for at home)
some more problems (more practice)
sample quiz Q03 which is mostly on today’s meeting

binomial probability
expected value, population mean
quiz Q03. last 10 minutes of class.
some basic problems relating to this meeting (minimal practice for at home)
some more problems (more practice)
sample quiz Q04 which is mostly on today’s meeting

decision theory
probability problems requiring more thinking
test your intuition: non-transitive dice
quiz Q04. last 10 minutes of class.
some basic problems relating to this meeting (minimal practice for at home)
some more problems (more practice)
sample quiz Q05 which is mostly on today’s meeting

other ways of describing probabilities -- 1/6 is 1 out of 6 is 5:1 against is 1:5 for
Bayes’ theorem
quiz Q05. last 10 minutes of class.
some basic problems relating to this meeting (minimal practice for at home)
some more problems (more practice)
sample quiz Q06 which is mostly on today’s meeting

(You have seen all the material of the first exam (M1) and should have done your homework on Bayes’ Theorem by this meeting. After today’s meeting, you should
let yourself get really on top of this material we’ve done so far. You should be ready to take M1 next meeting even though it is not until meeting 10.)
using the WebCT site for our course
contents of the current CHANCE NEWSLETTER
how you will give a report from the CHANCE NEWSLETTER archives
various other internet sites of interest
another look at decision theory
quiz Q06. last 10 minutes of class.
practice problems from the first six meetings.
first practice M1
(Give yourself the first practice M1 under test conditions -- 75 minutes, closed book and notes, no peeking at solutions, no interruptions. When finished, look and the solution sheet. If you like you can grade yourself and see what you would have made had this been the real thing. This practice test will be turned in at the start of M1 and earns a hundred points as a take-home quiz grade (Q07) even if you just sign your name. (This is to avoid the waste of time of some people copying from the solution sheet to the test.))

use of the spreadsheet Excel
simulation of probability experiments
hodgepodge of problems
second practice M1
(You might want to give yourself the second practice M1. Really try to get a good night’s rest before each major exam.)

group work for M1
(I will copy various problems to distribute. You will break into groups of two or three or maybe four and work on the problems. I’ll walk around and look over your shoulders and help with sticking points. From time to time, some of you will present solutions. Many students like group work -- give it a try. There are many reasons for group work -- one is that is how you are expected to work in the real world. Another is that those who understand the material strengthen their understanding while providing help to those that do not understand; and those that do not understand receive more individual attention. If this really is not your cup of tea, you don’t have to come to this meeting; however, it would be good to give it a shot.)

M1 = full period closed book and notes first major exam. <---------------------------
(If you use additional paper, scrap or otherwise, turn it in with your exam.
You can leave when you are finished. Borrow my calculator if yours dies.)