Math 109 (Mathematical Reasoning) - Fall 2005

Professor: CRISTIAN D. POPESCU -- Lectures: MWF 9:00-9:50am, in CSB 004.
Office Hour Schedule: Mo. & We. 11:00 - 12:00am, in AP&M 6256.
Office: AP&M 6256; Phone: 858-534-6297; E-mail: cpopescu@math.ucsd.edu

Teaching Assistant: CALEB EMMONS -- Discussion Sections: Th 7-7:50pm (A01) and Th 8-8:50pm (A02), in CENTER 205.
Office Hours: MW 3-4:30pm and by appointment, in AP&M 5018.
Office: AP&M 5018; E-mail: cemmons@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 17, 9:00am, in CSB 004. Topics: 1.1 - 1.6, 2.1 - 2.2. Midterm 1 - Solutions.
Midterm II - Monday, November 14, 9:00am, in CSB 004. Topics: 2.3 and 3.1 - 3.5. Midterm II.
Final Exam - Wednesday, December 7, 8:00-11:00am, in CSB 004. Topics: 1.1 - 1.6, 2.1 - 2.3, 3.1 - 3.5, 4.1 - 4.5. Sample Final Exam I. Sample Final Exam II.
No notes, textbooks, calculators are allowed during exams. No make-up exams will be given. Cheating on an exam results in zero points for that exam, as well as further disciplinary action. Please read the following ACADEMIC INTEGRITY GUIDELINES.

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.