MAT 101 – Logic and Set Theory

Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY

Fall 2015, Section: ______ CRN: __________ Prof. Heather Huntington

Days and Times: _________________________
_______________________________________
Text: Logic and Set Theory with Applications,
7th Edition, by Cheifetz, et al. (2015)
Office: C 3083
Phone: (516) 572-7383 ext. 26844
Email: Heather.Huntington@ncc.edu
Website: www.heatherhuntington.com
Facebook: Prof. Huntington
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 11am - 12:15pm and
Fridays, 11am - 12:15pm (or by appointment)

The purpose of this course is to develop your ability to analyze underlying mathematical structure and use
logical reasoning in a variety of situations – including mathematical proof, as well as other contexts, such as
computer circuits and probability. As a student of this course, you will learn to create convincing
arguments, understand mathematical proofs, and the logic which underlies all computer languages.

POLICY AND REQUIREMENTS

Textbook, Notebook and Calculator:

Each student should bring a notebook and textbook to every class. I distribute help sheets and worksheets
throughout the semester, so I recommend a 3-ring binder for this course.

A calculator is not required for this course, although a four function calculator may be helpful towards the
end of the semester for arithmetic operations.

Homework Quizzes and Exams:

Quizzes will be exact questions from the homework and the dates will be announced in class. This allows for
continual feedback from me and should encourage you to complete all of your homework. No make-up
quizzes. Instead, I will use the top 5 quiz grades of 7 quizzes for the quiz average.

There will be two tests and one final exam - all weighted equally. Dates for all of these exams are on the
assignment page. I do not allow make-up exams. In extreme circumstances, if a test is missed with a valid
excuse and proof, we will discuss alternate options.

I will issue a sample test before each test so you can get an idea of what will be on the exam. During the class
before an exam we will have a “review quiz”, which is the sample test, and you will work on this “review quiz”
in a group. I will check that you have attempted the entire sample test in order for you to work in groups of 2
or 3 people. The “review quiz” will be graded during class. This will give you a good idea of the grade you will

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receive on the actual test. The “review quiz” will be very similar to the actual test and is considered one quiz
grade.

Here is a general outline for the course:

Sections 1.1 – 1.8
Test #1
Sections 2.1 - 2.5 and 3.1 - 3.6
Test #2
Sections 5.1 – 5.4 and 6.2 – 6.3
Test #3/ Final Exam
Independent Study Quiz on (your choice):
Section 4.4 or Section 5.5 or Section 6.1

Homework:
There is a homework assignment for every section covered in class. Usually only the odd questions are
assigned because I strongly encourage you to check your answers in the back of the book. Your homework
will be checked with regular homework in-class quizzes, which is without the use of your notebook.

Homework questions will be answered at the beginning of each class. If you have additional questions
from earlier assignments or need extra help, you should:
1. Work together outside of class.
2. Take advantage of my office hours.
3. Seek further assistance, which is available at the Math Learning Center in B130 -- (516) 572-7394.

Class Participation:
Students are encouraged to ask questions, answer questions and help solve examples on the front board.

Attendance:
In order to be successful, a student must attend class. More than 4 absences will produce an automatic
failure in the course. You are responsible for any work or material that is missed when absent. Two late
arrivals or early exits count as one absence. Please make sure you are respectful and quiet if you arrive late
or leave early.

Paper
Choose one of the four options below and respond as a typed paper, which should be 1 – 3 pages, double
spaced, 12 point font with default margins. If the paper is less than one page, there will be a penalty of one
letter grade. I expect the papers to have good grammar and spelling, but I will be mainly focusing on the
content of the paper. There is a Writing Center on campus available in the Bradley Hall Ballroom. You can
call for the drop-in hours or make an appointment with a writing tutor at (516) 572-7195.

1) Describe a few situations when you have applied the content of this course to your life.
2) Describe how the content of this course can apply to your future profession.
3) How can the content of this course be useful to others?

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 4) If you had a magic wand and could change one experience of yours relating to mathematics, what
would you change and why?

Try to think below the surface of the course material for your response. Mathematics generally builds on
one’s critical thinking and problem solving skills. How is this useful in life? When you learn that someone is
good at mathematics, what assumptions do you make and how can this ability be helpful to that person
and others? Answering these questions may help you create the paper.

Late papers will be reduced by one letter grade for each day late. Early papers will be graded and handed
back early so that you may resubmit by the due date to improve your grade. 

Due Date: On or before Wednesday, November 18 (Section J1) and Thursday, November 19 (Section NE)

Semester Grade:
Quizzes 30%
Tests (including the Final) 60%
Paper 10%
TOTAL = 100%

Withdrawal Policy:
I will allow a withdrawal from the course at any point in the semester before the final exam. If you would like
to withdraw, you should bring me a drop/ add form. First, be sure to check if withdrawing will affect your
financial aid, scholarship or health benefits.

Behavior:
We all need to be polite and respectful to everyone else in order for us to have an effective learning
environment. Don’t you agree? If any students are disrupting the learning of others, I will begin asking
students to leave the class. If inappropriate behavior persists, I will withdraw students from the course.

Disabilities:
If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out
assigned course work, I urge that you contact the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), Building U.
(516572-7241). The counselors at CSD will review your concerns and determine reasonable
accommodations you are entitled to by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All information and documentation of disability remain confidential.

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 MAT 101 Course Outline
Dr. Huntington, Nassau Community College
Textbook: Logic and Set Theory with Applications, 7th Edition, by Cheifetz, et al. (2015)

Date Assignment
NE J1 Textbook Section (Odd “problems” from that section)
9/1 9/2 1.1 – Introduction to Logic …and an introductory logic riddle. p. 9, #19 - 41 odd

9/3 9/4 1.2 – Connectives and their Truth Tables p. 19, #31 - 59 odd

9/10 9/9 1.3 – Evaluating TF Statements p. 25, #27 – 55 odd

9/15 9/11 HW Quiz (a few exact questions from the assignments) and p. 39, #23 – 37 odd
1.4 – Using Truth Tables
9/17 9/16 1.5 – Equivalences – Part I p. 45, #17 - 53 odd

9/22 9/18 1.6 – Equivalences – Part II p. 55, #39 – 79 odd, and start sample test

9/24 9/25 1.7 – Negations of Compound Statements p. 71, #33 - 93 odd, and finish sample
test
9/29 9/30 Review Group Quiz Study for test

10/1 10/2 Test 1: Chapter 1 Start paper and decide on your

independent study section
10/6 10/7 2.1 – Using Truth Tables for Validity and Counterexamples p. 89, # 9 - 23 odd

10/8 10/9 2.2 – Testing for Validity Using the TF Method – The Direct Approach p. 97, # 27 – 65 odd

10/13 10/14 2.3 – Testing for Validity Using the TF Method -- Equivalences p. 109, #29 - 55 odd

10/15 10/16 2.5 – Testing for Validity Using the TF Method – The Indirect Approach p. 128, #15 – 43 odd
(Optional: 2.4 – Testing for Validity Using the TF Method – Conditional
Conclusions)
10/20 10/21 HW Quiz (a few exact questions from the assignments) and p. 147, #19 – 43 odd
3.1 – Valid Argument Forms – Part I
10/22 10/23 3.2 – Valid Argument Forms – Part II p. 162, #29 - 57 odd

10/27 10/28 3.3 – Valid Argument Forms – Part III p. 176, #29 - 57 odd

10/29 10/30 3.4 – Using Equivalences in Proofs p. 196, #35 - 65 odd, and start sample
test

11/3 11/4 3.6 – Indirect Proofs (Optional: 3.5 – Conditional Proofs) p. 217, #13 - 41 odd, and finish sample
test

11/5 11/6 Review Group Quiz Study for test

11/12 11/10 Test 2: Chapter 2 and 3 Continue working on paper and decide on
your independent study section
11/17 11/13 5.1 – Sets and Notation p. 274, #21 -77 odd

11/19 11/18 Paper Due and p. 288, #45 - 99 odd

5.2 – Connectives and Their Venn Diagrams
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 11/24 11/20 5.3 – Venn Diagrams with Three Sets p. 299, #37 - 87 odd

12/1 11/25 5.4 – Venn Diagrams and Survey Problems p. 313, #9 - 31 odd

12/3 12/2 HW Quiz (a few exact questions from the assignments) and p. 351, #5 - 9 odd
6.2 – Sets and Probability
12/8 12/4 6.3 – Venn Diagrams and Probability p. 361, #41-47 odd, and start sample test

12/10 12/9 Independent Study Quiz (Your Choice: Section 4.4, 5.5 or 6.1) Finish sample test

12/15 12/11 Review Group Quiz Study for test

12/17 12/16 Final Exam Attempt the given Sudoku Game

12/22 12/18 Review Final Exams and Complete Logic Puzzles (like Sudoku) Enjoy the winter holidays! 

MAT 101 Potential Study Group - Contact Information

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