Pacing schedules for Math 1050 and Math 1085:

Note that sections that are highlighted in purple are from the calc book. Those without a highlight are from the preCalculus book (sections that have a P in their label and which are listed first in the Chapter contents tab).

Math 1050:

  • Current schedule is made for 3 class periods of equal length each week. One section is taught as 4 equal sections per week – cover the weekly amount appropriately chopped up.
  • Currently there are three misterms. If the courses were split up, then that would correspond to having a midterm and a final (not comprehensive) in the first course and a midterm in the second course, so students have appropriate chunks of material. Alternatively, one could give weekly quizzes with 1-2 questions and then have a midterm that uses the full class period in week 9, after the trig functions (material of Math 1081). If students do well in this exam, but do not pass the course, they could potentially be advised to take the Math 1081 exit exam and enroll in Math 1085 in the next semester.

Comments on coverage Math 1050:

  • For Chapter 11, define sequences and series (summation notation is important), and point out the difference between explicit and recursive sequences. From Chapters 11.2 and 11.3, define arithmetic and geometric sequences and connect their properties to functions: constant difference – linear function; constant ratio – exponential function. They should know and understand the formulas for the nth term and the formula for the geometric series (finite and infinite). No need to have them compute the nth term from knowing the 7th and 3rd term etc. For the binomial theorem (section 11.5), discuss the pattern that arises from the expansion, and how Pascal’s triangle can be used. Define n! and binomial coefficients and state and apply the binomial theorem. No derivation of the coefficients of the 4the term in an expansion.

Math 1085:

  • I made the schedule for a 3-day a week schedule. 2-day a week schedule adjust accordingly
  • The schedule uses the calc book with some supplements from Mahaffy or my summary notes (highlighted in green)
  • I put assignments of videos into the schedule for the review. It is a common concern that students have taken the algebra course and forgotten most of what they once memorized. So the videos can be used as a review together with a short quiz to make them do the review.

Math 1050 and Math 1085

  • For linear fit, they should do one example in which they compute the formula from scratch (sums of x vals, etc.), but then the emphasis should be on using the linear regression line to do model predictions. They should understand the idea behind the best fit line and you can indicate that later on, they will learn how to find the minimum of a function. For the homework assignments, they should use the online calculator to find the formula of the least squares line.
  • To compute matrix inverses, do not spend too much time on Gauss Jordan. Do an example for 2x2 matrix, but for larger matrices either use Excel or Wolfram Alpha. Likewise with eigenvectors and eigenvalues – most important is that they understand what these tell you about a system. For example, you can use Mathematica demonstration to show the geometric interpretation.