MAT-144 Syllabus

MAT-144
College Mathematics
Course Syllabus
Version 15.0
College Mathematics
Course Code Type Duration Credit Hours

MAT-144 v:15 Credit Based 49 Days 4.0
.0
Course Description
The course covers mathematics that matter in modern society. Key areas of focus include financial literacy,
numerically-based decision making, growth, scale, and numerical applications. The course applies basic college-level
mathematics to real-life problems and is appropriate for students whose majors do not require college algebra or higher.
Pre-Requisites
None
Co-Requisites
None
MAT-144
C Course Materials
Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers
Description:
Use this link to access the text via MyMathLab.
MyMathLab Course Home
Description:
Students are provided access to MyMathLab for this course. MyMathLab is an external website
where the majority of the assignments in this course are completed. Access to MyMathLab is
provided for assignments and assigned reading through the MyMathLab tab within Course Material.
Please note you are not required to submit assignments completed in MyMathLab to LoudCloud.
Your instructor will update your grades within seven days of the due date of your assignment.
page 1 of 14
MyMathLab Announcements
Description:
MyMathLab Integration Support
Description:
NA
MyMathLab Gradebook
Description:
NA
MyMathLab Browser Check
Description:
NA
MyMathLab Multimedia Library
Description:
MyLab Math Guided Worksheets
Description:
NA
The Math Center
Description:
For additional help with mathematical concepts refer to the Math Center, located in the Student
Success Center.
Math Help Links
Description:
Use the following links as additional resources to help with completing the homework assignments and studying for
exams.
CIA World Factbook
Description:
Use the CIA World Factbook to assist you in completing the projects throughout the course.
page 2 of 14
U.S. Department of State
Description:
Use the U.S. Department of State website to assist you in completing projects throughout the course.
Algebra Review Part 1
Description:
"Algebra Review Part 1" provides a review of properties of real numbers.
Description:
"Algebra Review Part 2" provides a review of linear equations, formulas, percents, inequalities, and absolute value.
Description:
"Algebra Review Part 3" provides a review of graphing linear equations and inequalities, slope of a line, formulas, and
functions.
Description:
"Algebra Review Part 4" provides a review of systems of linear equations.
Description:
"Algebra Review Part 5" provides a review of exponents and polynomials.
T Topic 1: Mathematical Relationships
Description
Objectives:
1. Compute monthly payments and interest cost of loans.

2. Differentiate between types of statistics.
3. Interpret data from different types of graphs.
4. Use descriptive statistics and graphs to solve application problems.
S Study Materials
page 3 of 14
Description:
Read Chapter 1.
T Tasks
Module 1 Homework
Description:
Complete the Module 1 Homework in MyMathLab. You have unlimited attempts to complete the
homework.
Topic 1 DQ 1
Description:
In Chapter 1 of the text (1-13) you will look at calculating a monthly payment for a loan. A simpler
problem is to compute the amount a loan would cost you in one month.
Using information from an internet source, determine the current interest rate a credit card or loan.
Suppose you borrow $1,000 (or spend $1,000) on a credit card. How much will you owe in one
month? 6 months if you pay nothing for 6 months?
Compute the 6 month cost in two ways:
1. Make 6 monthly computations. Enter these as formulas in a spreadsheet. (The goal here is
really getting you to use spreadsheets and formulas for computations.)
2. Use the formula, A= 1000*(1 + r)^(N) where N = the number of periods (6) and r = the periodic
interest rate = APR/12, where APR is the annual percentage rate.
Here are a couple of options to research loans that do not require personal information.
Top10PersonalLoans, Credit Karma.
A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.
Topic 1 DQ 2
Description:
Roll two dice and add the numbers. Roll the dice 40 times and record your results. Find the eight
descriptive statistics in the Chapter 1 for this data set.
T Topic 2: Ratios
Description
page 4 of 14
Objectives:
1. Apply ratios to solve application problems.

2. Solve problems using the properties of the normal distribution.
3. Decide if the normal distribution is an appropriate model for a given data set.
S Study Materials
Description:
Read Chapter 2.
T Tasks
Module 2 Homework
Description:
homework.
Major Assignment 1
Description:
Answer directly on the worksheet.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Review the scoring guide on the first tab of the spreadsheet prior to beginning the
assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Topic 2 DQ 1
Description:
Go to https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html, choose a country, and

find the following rates: Birth, Death, and Net Immigration for the most current year. Use the rates
and the current population to find the number of each category expected for that year - use ratio
tables and be sure to attach them to your answer.
Topic 2 DQ 2
Description:
page 5 of 14
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the mean height of an American male is 69.3
inches and the mean height of an American female is 63.8 inches. The standard deviation for both
genders is 2.7 inches.
Assuming that heights among a single gender are normally distributed. Find the z-score for your
height in inches using the mean of your own gender and then find the percentile at which you fall
among people of your own gender using the percentile table from problem 25 of the Topic 2
Homework.
T Topic 3: Unit conversions
Description
Objectives:
1. Convert units using dimensional analysis.

2. Explain how standard deviation and margin of error relate to statistical surveys.
3. Compute empirical probability of an event.
S Study Materials
Description:
Read Chapter 3.
T Tasks
Module 3 Homework
Description:
homework.
Quiz 1
Description:
Complete Quiz 1 in MyMathLab. Quiz 1 covers material from Chapters 1-3.
Topic 3 DQ 1
page 6 of 14
Description:
Choose one country that you might like to visit. Select a duration for your trip between two and six weeks, and then
choose a number of participants between 5 and 10 people. Suppose one goal of your group is to speak to every adult
citizen in the country. How many citizens must each missionary need to talk to per day, per hour, and per second to
speak to every adult citizen in that country? Is that goal reasonable?
Topic 3 DQ 2
Description:
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the mean height of an American male is 69.3 inches and the mean
height of an American female is 63.8 inches. The standard deviation for both genders is 2.7 inches.
According to Chebyshev’s Theorem 75% of the data for your gender lies between what two heights?
If height is assumed to be normal, what percentage of the data lies between those same two heights?
Look in the Guided Worksheets on page 49 for more information.
T Topic 4: Percentages in the Real World
Description
Objectives:
1. Convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages.

2. Determine percent increase or decrease.
3. Solve application problems involving percent.
S Study Materials
Description:
Read Chapter 4.
T Tasks
Module 4 Homework
Description:
page 7 of 14
Complete the Module 4 Homework in MyMathLab. You will have unlimited attempts to complete the
homework.
Major Assignment 2
Description:
Answer directly on the worksheet.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Review the scoring guide on the first tab of the spreadsheet prior to beginning the
assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Please note that the Confidence Interval Explanation document is provided for reference and assistance with Major
Assignment 2.
Topic 4 DQ 1
Description:
Define what a percent is? Write your height in inches. Suppose it increases by 15%, what would your new height be?
Now suppose your increased height decreases by 15% after the 15% increase; what is your new height?
Topic 4 DQ 2
Description:
Many students take online courses because they are more convenient for their schedules. What are some of the tradeoffs
for taking an online course in a subject such as math? What tools are you using to overcome these challenges?
T Topic 5: Linear Models
Description
Objectives:
1. Solve linear equations.

2. Use spreadsheet applications.
S Study Materials
Description:
Read Chapter 5.
page 8 of 14
T Tasks
Module 5 Homework
Description:
homework.
Quiz 2
Description:
Complete Quiz 2 in MyMathLab. Quiz 2 covers material from Chapters 4 and 5.
Topic 5 DQ 1
Description:
Select one of the options below and create a linear equation to represent the monthly bill for each Plan A and Plan B, you
will have two equations, one for each plan. Find the common number of minutes at which both Plan A and Plan B cost
the same amount. This number of minutes is called the break-even point. Which plan costs more before the break-even
point and which cost more after the break-even point.
Option 1: Plan A $39.99 for 200 min and $1.25 for each min after. Plan B $29.99 for 200 min and $1.50 for each min
after.
Option 2: Plan A $25.75 plus $.75 per min. Plan B $20.99 plus $1.00 per min
Option 3: Plan A $39.99 plus $1.25 per min. Plan B $25.99 plus $1.75 per min
Option 4: Plan A $45.99 for 400 min and $.50 for each min after. Plan B $49.99 for 400 min and $.40 for each min after
Topic 5 DQ 2
Description:
In Chapter 1 of the text we looked at calculating a monthly payment for a loan. A related formula is to calculate the
amount accruing when regular payments are made into an interest bearing account - often called the Savings Plan
formula.
(A is the accrued amount after t years of making regular payments, PMT, into an account at interest rate, r%,
compounded n times each year.)
A(t) = PMT·((1 + r/N)N·t - 1)/(r/N)

= PMT*((1 + r/N)^(N*t) - 1)/(r/N)
The second version is essentially in the form used in Excel
Suppose you want to buy a car and have decided that you can save $100 a month. Using information from an internet
source, determine the current interest rate on savings accounts and use the information to answer the following:
1. How much money will you have saved in two year’s time?
2. How much will be interest?
3. Why wouldn’t a linear model work here?
Here is one option to research accounts that does not require personal information: NerdWallet
page 9 of 14
T Topic 6: Exponential Models
Description
Objectives:
1. Solve exponential equations.

2. Compare linear and exponential growth.
3. Calculate simple interest.
4. Apply statistics to solve problems.
S Study Materials
CIA World Factbook
Description:
Choose one country from the list provided in the Course Materials that you would consider going to for your mission
trip. Research the country using The World Factbook found on the Central Intelligence Agency website.
U.S. Department of State
Description:
Use the U.S. Department of State website to assist you with your mission trip project.
Description:
Read Chapter 6-7.
T Tasks
Module 6 Homework
Description:
homework.
Major Assignment 3
page 10 of 14
Description:
Refer to Major Assignment 3 attachments (Major Assignment 3, Major Assignment 3 Details, and Country
List).
Research the country using The World Factbook found on the Central Intelligence Agency website at
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/, other resources such as the U.S. Department of
State website at https://www.state.gov/travel/, and the GCU Library.
Include three or more scholarly resources, including the textbook and The World Factbook.
Use the Country List to help you complete Major Assignment 3.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guides and Templates, located
in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with
the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles
for assistance.
Topic 6 DQ 1
Description:
Use the digits of your birthday as the amount of your initial investment (i.e., 6/25 is $625), calculate the value of this
investment after 10 years at 3.5% APR for interest compounded yearly, quarterly, monthly, and daily. What do you
notice?
Topic 6 DQ 2
Description:
Using the average inflation rates from: http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/historical-inflation-rates/ use the

geometric mean to find the average percent change in inflation for the past 5 years.
T Topic 7: Personal Finance
Description
Objectives:
1. Find the interest, the balance due, and the minimum monthly payment for loans.
S Study Materials
Description:
page 11 of 14
Read Chapter 9.
T Tasks
Module 7 Homework
Description:
homework.
Quiz 3
Description:
Complete Quiz 3 in MyMathLab. Quiz 3 covers material from Chapters 6, 7 and 9.
Topic 7 DQ 1
Description:
What are the four major categories of securities? How are they evaluated?
Topic 7 DQ 2
Description:
What are your favorite and least favorite experiences in this class so far? When responding, please refrain from using
names and sharing comments that are inappropriate for the discussion forum.
Grade Scale
Final Grade Column
Letter Grade GPA Value Minimum (%) Maximum (%)
A 4.0 93.0 100.0
A- 3.7 90.0 92.99
B+ 3.3 87.0 89.99
B 3.0 83.0 86.99
page 12 of 14
B- 2.7 80.0 82.99
C+ 2.3 77.0 79.99
C 2.0 70.0 76.99
D 1.0 60.0 69.99
F 0.0 0.02 59.99
I 0.0 0.0 0.01
Grade Categories
Assignments (%) Points Percentile
Major Assignment 3 250.0 --
Module 4 Homework 20.0 --
Quiz 2 50.0 --
Quiz 3 50.0 --
Quiz 1 50.0 --
Discussion Question (%) Points Percentile
Topic 5 DQ 1 5.0 --
Topic 4 DQ 1 5.0 --
Topic 6 DQ 1 5.0 --
Topic 1 DQ 1 5.0 --
Topic 2 DQ 1 5.0 --
Topic 5 DQ 2 5.0 --
Topic 3 DQ 2 5.0 --
Topic 6 DQ 2 5.0 --
Topic 3 DQ 1 5.0 --
page 13 of 14
Topic 7 DQ 1 5.0 --
Topic 7 DQ 2 5.0 --
Topic 2 DQ 2 5.0 --
Topic 1 DQ 2 5.0 --
Topic 4 DQ 2 5.0 --
Participation (%) Points Percentile
20.0 --
20.0 --
20.0 --
20.0 --
20.0 --
20.0 --
20.0 --
Class Effective Start: Nov 18, 2019
page 14 of 14

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MAT-144

Course Code Type Duration Credit Hours

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Use this link to access the text via MyMathLab.

MyMathLab Course Home

MyMathLab Integration Support

MyLab Math Guided Worksheets

Math Help Links

CIA World Factbook

Algebra Review Part 1

"Algebra Review Part 1" provides a review of properties of real numbers.

Algebra Review Part 2

Algebra Review Part 3

Algebra Review Part 4

"Algebra Review Part 4" provides a review of systems of linear equations.

Algebra Review Part 5

"Algebra Review Part 5" provides a review of exponents and polynomials.

T Topic 1: Mathematical Relationships

1. Compute monthly payments and interest cost of loans.

Compute the 6 month cost in two ways:

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

1. Apply ratios to solve application problems.

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Answer directly on the worksheet.

Go to https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html, choose a country, and

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

T Topic 3: Unit conversions

1. Convert units using dimensional analysis.

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Complete Quiz 1 in MyMathLab. Quiz 1 covers material from Chapters 1-3.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

Look in the Guided Worksheets on page 49 for more information.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

T Topic 4: Percentages in the Real World

1. Convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Answer directly on the worksheet.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

T Topic 5: Linear Models

1. Solve linear equations.

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Complete Quiz 2 in MyMathLab. Quiz 2 covers material from Chapters 4 and 5.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

A(t) = PMT·((1 + r/N)N·t - 1)/(r/N)

T Topic 6: Exponential Models

1. Solve exponential equations.

CIA World Factbook

U.S. Department of State

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Read Chapter 6-7.

Use the Country List to help you complete Major Assignment 3.

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

Using the average inflation rates from: http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/historical-inflation-rates/ use the

A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is required for this DQ.

T Topic 7: Personal Finance

Thinking Quantitatively: Communicating with Numbers

Complete Quiz 3 in MyMathLab. Quiz 3 covers material from Chapters 6, 7 and 9.

Final Grade Column

Letter Grade GPA Value Minimum (%) Maximum (%)

A 4.0 93.0 100.0

A- 3.7 90.0 92.99