CHINESE GENERAL HOSPITAL COLLEGES

FIRST SEMESTER, ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: Mathematics in the Modern World

Course Code: Math 121
Course Unit: 3 units
Pre-requisite/s: none

Course Description:

This course deals with nature of mathematics, appreciation of its practical, intellectual and aesthetic
dimensions and application of mathematical tools in daily life.

This course begins with an introduction to the nature of mathematics as an exploration of patterns (in nature
and the environment) and as an application of inductive and deductive reasoning. By exploring these topics,
students are encouraged to go beyond the typical understanding of mathematics as merely a set of formulas
but as a source of aesthetics in patterns of nature and a rich language in itself governed by logic and
reasoning.

The course then proceeds to survey ways in which mathematics provides a tool for understanding and
dealing with various aspect of present day living, such as managing personal finances, understanding the
use of data security and making social choices that incudes apportionment and voting. These aspects will
provide opportunities for actually doing mathematics in a broad range of exercises that bring out the various
dimensions of mathematics as a way of knowing and test the students’ understanding and capacity.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, the students are expected to:

1. Discuss and argue about the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed, represented
and used.
2. Appreciate the nature and uses of mathematics in everyday life.
3. Use different types of reasoning to justify statements and arguments made about mathematics
and mathematical concepts.
4. Discuss the language and symbols of mathematics.
5. Analyze codes used for identification, privacy and security purposes;
6. Use mathematics in other areas such as finance, voting, health and medicine, business,
environment, arts and design and recreation.

Week/Date Course Content Activity/Requirement

1–3 1. Nature of Mathematics Long Test 1

A Study of Patterns Seatwork
Mathematical Language
Mathematical Reasoning

4–6 2. Consumer Mathematics Long Test 2

Simple and Compound Interest Seatwork
Savings, Stocks and Bonds
Loans and Loan Repayment
Credit Cards
Managing Data

7–8 3. Communication Project

Error Detection and Correction Seatwork
Encryption
Authentication

9
Midterm Examination
10 – 11 4. Decision Making Feedback of Midterm
Odds and Chances Seatwork
 Week/Date Course Content Activity/Requirement

Games
Methods of Voting

12 – 14 5. Efficiency Long Test 3

Linear Programming Seatwork
Transportation and Assignment Problem
Shortest Path
Minimal Spanning Tree

15 – 16 6 Math in Nature and Art Long Test 4

Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio Project
Patterns and Isometries
Fractals

17 Final Examination

18 Removal Examination

Course Evaluation:

Midterm Grade/Final Grade

Quizzes --------------------------------------------- 50%
Seatwork, Projects-------------------------------- 15%
Major Exam ---------------------------------------- 35%
Total ------------------------------------------------- 100%

General Average = 50% Midterm Grade + 50% Final Grade

Prescribed Textbook:
Aufmann, R., Lockwood, J., Nation, R., Clegg, D., & Epp, S.S. (2018). Mathematics in the modern world.
856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

References:
Nocon, R.C. & Nocon, E.G. (2016). Essential mathematics for the modern world. 839 Edsa, South
Triangle, Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Rosen, K. H. (2011). Elementary number theory and its application (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education,
Inc.

Swetz, F. J. & Vistro-Yu, C. P. (1999). The history of mathematics. Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights,
Quezon City 1108: Ateneo De Manila University - Office of Research and Publications.

Aufmann, R., Lockwood, J., Nation, R., Clegg, D., & Epp, S.S. (2013). Mathematical excursions (3rd ed.).
California: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning

Don, E. & Lerner, J. (2000). Basic business mathematics (2nd ed.). Chicago: The Mcgraw-Hill Companies

Prepared By: Calvin R. Butron

Date Prepared: September 1, 2020