MA 114-003: Introduction to Finite Mathematics with

Applications
North Carolina State University - Spring 2021

Problem Session via Zoom: Wednesdays 1:55-2:45pm

Instructor Office Hours via Zoom: Mondays & Fridays 1:55-2:45pm
Lecture Assistant Office Hours via Zoom:
(Johnny) Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00-12:30pm
(Shreyas) TBD

1 Important Details

• Instructor: Ms. Toryn Avery

• Lecture Assistants: Johnny Gillings & Shreyas Badanidyoor

• Email: [email protected]

Please be respectful and professional during class and when sending emails. Via email, please
identify yourself and the class clearly. Your subject line should include the course and section
number (MA 114-003 ) as well as the reason for emailing (e.g. HW # 3.1 Problem 2 ). In the
email itself, you should include what you have already attempted to do to resolve the issue
along with your question. If you have a specific question about a homework problem you are
working on, please include and scan or photo of your work.

• Textbook: Finite Mathematics by Waner and Costenoble, 7th edition. The textbook is avail-
able as an electronic-book through WebAssign and the textbook website is available on Moo-
dle. I expect you to read sections of the textbook around the time of lectures. The homework
in WebAssign correlates to the exercises in the textbook.

• WebAssign: Purchase WebAssign Access Code for textbook and homework assignments:
http://webassign.ncsu.edu WebAssign Resources tab −→ textbook. WebAssign Assign-
ments tab −→ homework.

• Moodle: Link to our course Moodle page: https://wolfware.ncsu.edu. Any announce-

ments posted on the Moodle page will also be sent to your NC State email address. Please
check your email notification settings in Moodle to ensure that you receive course announce-
ments, and please check your NC State email often.

2 Course Details
2.1 Course Description.
Elementary matrix algebra including arithmetic operations, inverses, and systems of equations; in-
troduction to linear programming including simplex method; sets and counting techniques, elemen-
 MA 114-003 - Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications - Spring 2021

tary probability including conditional probability; Markov chains; applications in the behavioral,
managerial and biological sciences. Computer use for completion of assignments.

2.2 Structure.
• Lecture videos: The lecture videos for this course were previously recorded by the course
coordinator, Dr. Castle. I expect you to watch the videos posted on Moodle each week prior
to our weekly live problem sessions. The timeline of the posted videos correspond to the
“Tentative Course Schedule” below.

• Problem Sessions: Problem sessions will be held once a week via Zoom on Wednesdays, unless
otherwise specified. Please see Zoom instructions at the end of the syllabus. These
sessions will cover supplementary material to the lecture videos, example exercises based on
content from the lecture, and homework problems. Each session will be recorded and posted
to the course Moodle site. These sessions will be essential to your success in the course. You
will have the chance to ask your own questions regarding lecture videos, homework problems,
and general course material. Breakout rooms will be utilized so that you may work together
in small groups.

• Zoom Expectations: I strongly encourage that everyone has their cameras on, if possible. This
allows me to get to know your faces, as well as gauge class understanding. If I look out on the
class and see heads nodding, that’s great! If I see confused faces, I will revisit the material.
This way, everyone’s confusion is anonymous, yet heard. You will never be penalized for
having your camera off. Also, be mindful when your camera is on. Treat the classroom as a
professional environment. Please be appropriately clothed, refrain from consuming alcoholic
beverages and/or smoking, remain muted unless sharing with the class, etc. I also understand
that sometimes disruptions are out of your control. In these situations, it is expected that
you turn off your video so as not to disrupt class. Help us create a respectful environment
conducive to learning!

• Homework: Once the WebAssign Access Code is purchased, homework is obtained and sub-
mitted online by the posted due dates on the course WebAssign site. Each WebAssign home-
work assignment is due online by 10:00pm on the posted due date. I highly recommend
keeping a written copy of your work for each homework problem. It is important that you
keep up with this work and not save it for the last minute; the system can be finicky, but
more importantly, timely completion will help your understanding. If needed, extensions may
be available, but there may be a small penalty to help motivate you to keep up with your
work in a timely manner. Do note, when calculating your final homework grade, the
total will be taken out of 1100 points (there are 1219.5 total points available in
WebAssign).

• Quizzes: Each section of course material will have one or more Moodle quizzes associated with
the lecture video material. These quizzes are completely optional and not counted for
a grade, however, it is strongly encouraged that you complete each quiz. These quizzes
will aid in checking your understanding of the material, and you may attempt them as many
times as you like. Also, some quiz questions will likely be used as exam questions, so it is
beneficial to you to understand them.

• Tests: Three online exams will be submitted through our course Moodle site:
 MA 114-003 - Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications - Spring 2021

– Friday, February 19, 2021

– Friday, March 19, 2021
– Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Exams will be hosted via Zoom during our course lecture time, with additional time for
uploading solutions. Students will be required to turn on their video during the Zoom meeting
and adhere to additional guidelines. Information and instructions pertaining to each test will
be announced beforehand.

• Final Exam: Monday, May 10, 2021. The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all
course material. The final exam will follow the same format as the other exams.

2.3 Attendance Policy.

Attendance will taken during each weekly problem session via Moodle. Attendance does not count
as a percentage of your overall grade, however, it is highly encouraged that you attend each problem
session, if possible. You will not be penalized if you are unable to attend a session. Each session will
be recorded and posted to our course Moodle site to accommodate each students’ varying schedules
and needs.

2.4 Grading.
This course will use the following letter grading cutoffs:

A+ 97-100 A 93-96.9 A- 90-92.9

B+ 87-89.9 B 83-86.9 B- 80-82.9
C+ 77-79.9 C 73-76.9 C- 70-72.9
D+ 67-69.9 D 63-66.9 D- 60-62.9
F 0-59

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and Audit grading per University policy. Grades will not be curved.
Your grade depends only on your performance, not on how everyone else in the class performs.
Your final grade will be determined by the following grading scale:

WebAssign Homework 20%

3 Tests 60% (20% each)
Final Exam 20%

2.5 Grading Disputes.

Answer keys for all tests will be posted on Moodle once all exams are graded and returned. If a
grading error is found after looking at the posted answer key, then you should provide a written
explanation of the error, attached with the original test, to Ms. Toryn Avery within 4
class days after the exam was returned. Do not alter the original work. The entire exam may
be re-graded, and the grade is subject to remain the same, increase, or decrease.
 MA 114-003 - Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications - Spring 2021

2.6 Exam Make-up Policy.

If one of the three scheduled exams is missed for any reason, students must notify the instructor
within two days of the exam. Students will be given the option to either make up the exam within
one week of the scheduled exam date or replace the missing exam grade with their final exam
grade. If the instructor is not notified within the specified time, the exam grade will remain a 0.
Make up exams will be scheduled subject to the instructors schedule.

2.7 Tentative Course Schedule.

Date Text Section Topic

Week 1 Sec 3.1 & 4.1 Systems of Two Equations and Two Unknowns
& Matrix Addition and Scalar Multiplication
Week 2 Sec 4.2 & 3.2 Matrix Multiplication
& Using Matrices to Solve Systems of Equations
Week 3 Sec 3.2 & 3.3 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations
Week 4 Sec 4.3 Matrix Inversion
Week 5 Review & Exam 1 Sections 3.1 - 3.3, 4.1 - 4.3
Week 6 Sec 4.5 & 5.1 Input-Output Models & Graphing Linear Inequalities
Week 7 Sec 5.2 Solving Linear Programming Problems Graphically
Week 8 Sec 5.3 & 5.4 The Simplex Method
Week 9 Review & Exam 2 Sections 4.5, 5.1 - 5.4
Week 10 Sec 6.1 & 6.2 Sets and Set Operations & Cardinality
Week 11 Sec 6.3 & 6.4 & 7.1 Decision Algorithms
& Permutations and Combinations & Sample Spaces and Events
Week 12 Sec 7.2 & 7.3 Relative Frequency & Probability and Probability Models
Week 13 Review & Exam 3 Sections 6.1 - 6.4, 7.1 - 7.3
Week 14 Sec 7.4 & 7.5 Probability and Counting Techniques
& Conditional Probability and Independence
Week 15 Sec 7.6 & Final Exam Bayes’ Theorem and Applications & Review for Final Exam

Our tentative schedule represents a flexible agreement. It outlines the topics we will cover and the
order in which we will cover them. The pace of the class depends on student mastery and interests.
Thus, minor changes to the syllabus can occur if we need to slow down or speed up the pace of
instruction. As the semester progresses, modifications to the course syllabus will be available on
the course Moodle page.

3 Miscellaneous
3.1 Course Continuity
In the event that the synchronous elements of this course are completely disrupted due to COVID-
19, extra content will be provided through additional pre-recorded practice problems, ungraded
Moodle quizzes, and ongoing additional digital instructor and TA support (email, forum participa-
tion, Zoom, etc.).
 MA 114-003 - Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications - Spring 2021

3.2 Community Standards Related to COVID-19

We are all responsible for protecting ourselves and our community. Please see the community
standards (released on 7/28/20) and RUL 04.21.01 – Personal Safety Requirements Related to
COVID-19.

3.3 Disability Services.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to
take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Disability Resource
Office at Holmes Hall, Suite 304, 2751 Cates Avenue, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653. For more
information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see http:
//policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-01.

3.4 Code of Student Conduct.

This will be upheld, and documentation will be submitted to the Office of Student Conduct for
students who violate University regulations on academic integrity. Your name or signature on
any test, assignment, or other online submission indicates your adherence to the NC State Honor
Pledge: “I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment.” See http:
//policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01 for a detailed explanation of academic honesty.

3.5 Non-Discrimination Policy.

NC State provides equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts, and prohibits all forms of
unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation that are based upon a persons race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation,
or veteran status. NC State’s policies and regulations covering discrimination, harassment, and
retaliation may be accessed at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05. Any person
who feels that he or she has been the subject of prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity.

3.6 Diversity and Inclusivity.

Diversity and inclusivity are important to the success of our students at NC State. Everyone who
comes to NC State enriches us through their varied perspectives, knowledge, and backgrounds. Our
classroom is one in which every student is respected and feels heard.

In an effort to affirm and respect the identities of transgender students in the classroom and beyond,
please contact me if you wish to be referred to using a name and/or pronouns other than those
listed in the student directory.

3.7 Basic Needs Security

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing or has other severe adverse
experiences and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to no-
tify the professor, if you are comfortable doing so. Alternatively, you can contact the Divi-
sion of Academic and Student Affairs to learn more about the Pack Essentials program, https:
//dasa.ncsu.edu/pack-essentials/.
 MA 114-003 - Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications - Spring 2021

3.8 Supporting Fellow Students in Distress.

As members of the NC State Wolfpack community, we each share a personal responsibility to
express concern for one another and to ensure that this classroom (as well as the campus as a
whole) remains a healthy and safe environment for learning. Occasionally, you may come across a
classmate whose personal behavior concerns or worries you, either for your classmates well-being,
for your well-being, or for the well-being of others. When this is the case, I would encourage
you to report the behavior on the link located on NC States Students of Concern website https:
//prevention.dasa.ncsu.edu/nc-state-cares/about/.

4 Zoom Instructions
4.1 Downloading Zoom
• You can access your NCSU Zoom account here (use your NCSU login): https://ncsu.zoom.
us.

• The first time any user runs Zoom, they will be prompted to download the program if it has
not already been downloaded.

• If you would like to manually download it, you can use the link below (the download will
start immediately):
https://zoom.us/client/latest/Zoom.pkg

• If you download the Zoom app or click on the Zoom program on your computer, you may
need to Sign In. To do this effectively, click “Sign In” with Google and then use your NCSU
unity ID login.

4.2 Joining a Zoom Meeting:

• In general, it is very easy to join a Zoom meeting, and I would recommend starting and
joining meetings through the Meeting link on Moodle rather than by opening the program
and signing in.

• To join a Zoom meeting, either class or office hours,

– Click “Class Zoom Meeting” or “Ms. Toryn Avery’s Office Hours”

– Click “Join link” or “Start Meeting”
– When asked “Do you want to allow this page to open “zoom.us”? Click Allow. (The
program may need to download at this point.) You should now be in the meeting.

• I recommend that you use computer audio and mute yourself whenever you are not speaking.

• It is requested, not required, that everyone has their cameras turned on.

• If you prefer, you can also type questions/concerns/comments in the chat window.