Math 109 (Mathematical Reasoning) - Fall 2004

Professor: CRISTIAN D. POPESCU -- Lectures: MWF 9:00-9:50am, in WLH 2207
Office Hours: Mo. & We. 10:00 - 11:00am, in AP&M 6256.
Office: AP&M 6256; Phone: 858-534-6297; E-mail: cpopescu@math.ucsd.edu

Teaching Assistant: BARRY SMITH -- Discussion Sections: Th 7-7:50pm (A01) and Th 8-8:50pm (A02), in HSS 2152
Office Hours: T 3:30 - 5:00pm, Th 5:00 - 6:00pm, F 10:00 - 11:00am, in AP&M 6402C
Office: AP&M 6402C; E-mail: bsmith@math.ucsd.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

WHAT IS MATH 109? This course is an introduction to mathematical reasoning. Perhaps the most useful consequence of studying mathematics is an enhanced ability to analyze problems, mathematical or otherwise, logically. In advanced mathematics courses and in mathematics research, this ability is deployed primarily to prove that specific statements are true. The goal of this course is to give the students an understanding of what it means to do mathematics, beyond simply doing calculations. This includes learning what kinds of statements need proof, what constitutes a proof, and how to read and write proofs.

TEXT P. Fletcher and C. W. Patty, Foundations of Higher Mathematics, 3rd ed., (Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. 1996). You are expected to read the text BEFORE each lecture.

EXAMS

Midterm I - Monday, October 18, 9:00am, in WLH 2207. Topics: 1.1 - 1.6, 2.1 - 2.2. Solutions. Score Distribution.
Midterm II - Monday, November 15, 9:00am, in WLH 2207. Topics: 2.3 and 3.1 - 3.5. Solutions. Score Distribution.
Final Exam - Thursday, December 9, 8:00-11:00am. Location: WLH 2207. Topics: 1.1 - 1.6, 2.1 - 2.3, 3.1 - 3.5, 4.1 - 4.5, 5.1 - 5.2. Review session: Mon, Dec. 6, 6:30-7:30pm; HSS1330.
No notes, textbooks, calculators are allowed during exams. No make-up exams will be given. Cheating on an exam results in 0 points for that exam, as well as further disciplinary action.

GRADING POLICY

Midterms 1+2: 20% each; Final Exam: 40%; Homework: 20%. The grading will be done on a curve, the median corresponding to a B-/C+.

IMPORTANT LINKS Schedule and Homework. Click on hw1, hw2, hw3, hw4, hw5, hw6, hw7, hw8, hw9, hw10, hw11 for solutions to selected homework problems (courtesy of Tai Melcher).

GETTING HELP

Help with mathematical problems:

Section: Ask questions in section --- this is one of the main reasons why sections exist.
Office Hours: You are strongly advised to take full advantage of your professor's and ta's office hours.
Classmates: Sometimes a classmate can help. Sometimes you can learn by working out problems together with your classmates.

Help with personal problems which affect your class work:

Talk to the professor or, if appropriate, your college provost.