School of Computing, Information and

Mathematical Sciences

MA102: Mathematics for Science

Week 1: Lecture 1

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

 Course Assessments

Weekly Quizzes: 7%
Weekly Homework Activities: 7%
Weekly Glossary Activities: 3%
Online tests: 18%
Assignments: 10%
Final Exam: 55%

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

Definition of Mathematics
• Definition 1: The study of the measurement, relationships,
and properties of quantities and sets, using
numbers and symbols. Arithmetic, algebra,
geometry, and calculus are branches of
mathematics.
• Definition 2: Mathematics is the classification of all possible
problems and the means appropriate to their
solutions.
• Definition 3: Mathematics is the classification and study of all
possible patterns. This definition illustrates the
abstractness of mathematics.
• Definition 4: Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) referred to
mathematics as "the Queen of the Sciences"

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

 Why do we need Mathematics?

Forecast population size Forecast global trends

Understand and predict the spread of diseases

Mathematics is like a library, which

is used by scientists and engineers
of diverse fields in search for
solutions to their problems.ds in
search for solutions to their problems.

Understand the world of finances Missile attack and 3D simulations

Describe interactions of species Model and control navigation systems

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015 Design and develop computer games

 5 Main Branches of Mathematics:

Arithmetic:
• is the science of numbers.
• It deals with calculation and manipulation of numbers such as
integers, rational numbers or complex numbers under addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Arithmetic is performed according to an order of operations.
Example:
2 + 3 × 4 = 2 + ( 3 × 4) = 2 + 12 = 14

Algebra:
• A branch of mathematics in which arithmetical operations and
relationships are generalized by using alphabetic symbols to
represent unknown numbers or members of specified sets of
numbers.
Example:
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3 and 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1
SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015
Geometry:
• is defined as the study of points, lines, angles, shapes,
their relationships, and their properties. It's tied up with
various coordinate systems.
Example:

Trigonometry:
• is defined as the study of the relationships between the
angles and sides of a triangle, and the deduction of certain
components of the triangle when others are known.
Example: 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015
Calculus:
• The branch of mathematics that deals with limits and the
differentiation and integration of functions of one or more
variables
• involves the study of physical properties of the universe
such as the motion of cars, planets and molecules.

Example:
d
dx

sin x  x 

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015
 Straight Line

1) Linear equations in Two Variables

• The equations
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1, 2𝑝 − 4𝑞 = 8, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3, 𝑢 = 3 − 2𝑣
are all linear equations in two variables (there are no
powers other than 1).

• The entries 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦) are called

the coordinates.

• 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1 and 𝑢 = 3 − 2𝑣 are both of the form

SUBJECT=EXPRESSION IN ONE OTHER VARIABLE

• other linear equations in two variables can be rearranged

into
SP MA102 this
Semester form.
1, 2015
 Recall that if A,B,C are constants with A and B
not both zero, then the graph of the equation:
Ax  By  C General solution

is a straight line in the 𝑥𝑦-plane.

E.g 6𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 1 is a straight line with

𝐴 = 6, 𝐵 = −2 and 𝐶 = 1.

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

 Intercepts
The 𝑥-intercept is the point at which the graph crosses the 𝑥-axis;
The 𝑦-intercept is the point at which the graph crosses the 𝑦-axis.

Example 1.
Find the intercepts of the equation 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 6, graph the equation.

Solution:
Step 1. To find the 𝑥-intercept, we let 𝑦 = 0 in the equation and
proceed to solve for 𝑥:

2x  3y  6
2 x  3(0)  6
2x  6
x3
The x  intercept is (3, 0)
SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015
 Step 2: To find the 𝑦-intercept, we let 𝑥=0 in the equation
and solve for 𝑦
2x  3y  6
2(0)  3 y  6
3y  6
y2
The y  intercept is (0, 2).

Since the equation is a linear equation, its graph is a line.

We use the two intercepts (3,0) and (0,2) to graph it.

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

 𝑦

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 6
3
(0,2)
𝑦 −intercept

1 (3,0)

1 3 5 𝑥

𝑥-intercept

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

 Example 2: Graph thr equation: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5.

Solution:
Step 1. To find the 𝑥-intercept, we let 𝑦 = 0 in the
equation and proceed to solve for 𝑥:
0  2x  5
2 x  5
5
x
2
 5 
The x  intercept is  - , 0  .
 2 
Step 2: To find the 𝑦-intercept, we let 𝑥 = 0 in the
equation and solve for 𝑦

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

 y  2(0)  5
y  05
y5
The y -intercept is (0,5).

For reassurance we’ll find a third point. We let x=10. Then

y  2x  5
 2(10)  5
 25
so (10,25) is a point on the graph.

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015
 AA linear equation in one or two variables can be
represented as a straight line in the plane.

AGiven any two points in the plane, we can draw a

unique straight line through them.

SP MA102 Semester 1, 2015