MATH 098 - Intermediate Algebra

MATH 111-112 is a two quarter, terminal sequence in mathematics, designed to prepare students for the less quantitatively oriented areas of business and economics. Students who plan to enroll in the B.S. program in Economics should take MATH 124-125-126, which is required for admission into that program. MATH 111-112 does not adequately prepare students for MATH 120. To succeed in MATH 120 students need a basic knowledge of elementary high school trigonometry, at topic not covered at all in MATH 111-112.

In MATH 111 students learn to read and interpret graphs and to use linear, quadratic and exponential functions in economics and business applications. The technique of "marginal analysis" is introduced early in the course and used throughout the course. Lectures and quiz sections are designed to prepare students to complete 25 "Worksheets", which constitute the core of the text. In MATH 112 students learn how to apply calculus to problems in business and economics. Again lectures and quiz sections are designed to prepare students to complete 25 Worksheets". MATH 112 also treats the technique of marginal analysis, introduced in MATH 111, but from the viewpoint of calculus.

Because MATH 112 relies so heavily on the material in MATH 111, students should plan to take the sequence in consecutive quarters, either Autumn-Winter or Winter-Spring. MATH 112 is not offered in Autumn Quarter. For the same reason, students who have taken MATH 111 or its equivalent at a community college should also take MATH 112 there.

Registration Requirements for MATH 111

Students may register on-line if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

Registration Requirements for MATH 112

Students may register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

MATH 120 is a course in precalculus. The goal is to prepare students for a course in calculus. The mathematics covered is carefully chosen with this in mind. As a prerequisite, the student should be familiar with the concept of a function and should be very comfortable with algebraic manipulations. The main mathematical topics covered are: rates, functions and graphs (with emphasis on linear and quadratic functions), trig functions, parametric equations, exponential and log functions. Throughout the course, there is a heavy emphasis on problem solving (word problems).

Note: The course is fast paced, and students with minimal algebraic preparation usually have great difficulties. Approximately one third of the course is devoted to trigonometry. Students without any experience at all in trigonometry will be at a disadvantage.

MATH 120 will not count towards Q/SR requirement.
 
 

Registration Requirements for MATH 120

Students may register using the on-line web registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

MATH 124/125/126 is a three-quarter introduction to calculus for students in the physical sciences and engineering. It covers differentiation and integration of functions of one variable, techniques for solving simple first order differential equations, an introduction to sequences and series, and an introduction to several variable calculus.

Special emphasis is placed on the process of translating from words into mathematics. Thus, story problems are at the heart of the course. Mastery of computational fundamentals is essential, but the ability to do routine exercises is not sufficient for success in this sequence.

Many students who have had some calculus in high school and done reasonably well on an Advanced Placement exam nevertheless choose to start out at the University of Washington with Math 124, in order to develop a deeper understanding of how calculus is used. We encourage such a decision, because we feel that it is better to build upon a solid foundation than to rush ahead into a more advanced course without a sure footing in the basic problem-solving skills of calculus.

To do well in Math 124 it is not necessary for students to have had a previous exposure to calculus. What is helpful for them is to have had practice solving word problems in their precalculus courses.

Topics covered in 124/125/126: Differentiation and integration, including such topics as maxima and minima, asymptotes, the mean value theorem, related rates, indeterminate forms, linear approximations and error estimates, the fundamental theorems of calculus, the substitution method, and differential equations, vector and curves in the plane and space, sequences and series, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, linear approximation, and tangent planes.

Registration requirements for MATH 124:

Students will be able to register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

Registration requirements for MATH 125:

Students will be allowed to register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

Registration requirements for MATH 126:

Students will be allowed to register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

MATH 124/5/6 Honors is meant to parallel MATH 124-5-6 but with less emphasis on modeling and more emphasis on mathematical technique. The course is intended for people with the same preparation as those who take 124-5-6, but who are more interested in mathematics per se than the general run of calculus students. It should provide superior preparation for more advanced math courses, and it is therefore appropriate for students who intend to major in the mathematical sciences or in other mathematically oriented disciplines in the hard sciences or engineering. The essential mathematical content of 124-5-6 Honors is pretty much the same as for the sequence 124-5-6. The two sequences should be regarded as equivalent from the point of view of requirements of other departments or prerequisites for other math courses.

Registration requirements for MATH 124 Honors:

Students may start the Math 124-5-6 Honors series in Autumn only, with Math 124. Permission is granted only if students have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

MATH 134/5/6 is a sequence for students with a special interest in and a strong aptitude for mathematics. It is open to students who have completed a full year of high school calculus course, and have an AP score of 4 or more, or equivalent.

Students entering Math 134 should know the basic techniques of differentiation and integration; they need not have any background in theoretical mathematics. The most important prerequisite is enthusiasm and talent for mathematics, and a desire to understand concepts rather than just to master problem solving techniques. The Mathematics Adviser in C-36 Padelford will evaluate student's test scores and answer questions concerning the suitability of the Accelerated (Honors) Calculus. Registration for these classes will require entry codes, available from the instructor.

For more information on qualifications, placement tests and advanced placement credit regarding math courses, interested students should contact the Student Services Office, C-36 Padelford Hall, or Undergraduate Advising, 171 Mary Gates Hall.

MATH 144/5/6 is a new calculus sequence developed for students who intend to major in the biological or life sciences. Throughout the course, examples and applications will be selected from these fields. The sequence has already been approved by the undergraduate programs in Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Neurobiology, and Zoology, as an equivalent for their current Math 124/5/6 requirements (see exact lists below.)
MATH 144 is the appropriate entry point for most students. The course begins with an introduction to discrete probability, with examples selected from genetics and bacterial growth. It continues with a study of the functions most often encountered in life science models, especially the exponential and logarithm. The course concludes with an introduction to differentiation and its application to curve sketching.
MATH 145 covers derivatives and integrals, with emphasis on applications and examples from the life sciences. It may be entered directly by students with a strong precalculus preparation (see entry requirements below.) Typical examples include optimal structures of biological organisms, and blood flow through vessels.
MATH 146 covers further applications of the integral, and basic differential equations. Applications include density functions, and the application of calculus to probability and experimental measurement. Differential equations are introduced as a way to model biological phenomena, such as population growth, and are then solved to predict future growth patterns.

Registration requirements for MATH 144:

Students will be allowed to register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

Registration for requirements for Math 145:

Students will be allowed to register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

Registration requirements for MATH 146:

Students will be able to register using the on-line registration system if they have one of the following:
 

Students will have to be registered by an advisor if they have one of the following:
 

The following biological science departments have specified which courses satisfy their current mathematics requirements:

Biology Track I
Will include Math 144/5/6 in current mathematics requirement of MATH 124,5 or QSCI 291, 292.

Biology Track II
Will include both Math 144, 145 or MATH 145, 146 in current mathematics requirement of MATH 124, 125 or QSCI 291, 292 or QSCI 381, 382.

Botany
Will include both 144/5 or 145/6 in current mathematics requirement of MATH 124, 125 or QSCI 291, 292, or QSCI 381, 482.

Microbiology
Will include Math 144/5 in current mathematics requirement of MATH 112 or 124 or QSCI 381 or STAT 311.

Neurobiology
Will include Math 144/5/6 in current mathematics requirement.

Zoology BS and BA
Will include Math 144/5 or 145/6 in current mathematics requirement.

The following departments have specified which courses meet their departmental math requirements:

Psychology

BA - MATH 111 or 112 or 120 or 124 or 144
BS - MATH 111 or 120, plus 112 or 124 or 144

MATH 124/5/6 is the recommended calculus sequence for students in the physical sciences and engineering. MATH 124/5/6 Honors is recommended for students who intend to major in mathematical sciences or who intend to take advanced courses in mathematics. MATH 144/5/6 is intended for students who will major in a biological or life science.

We highly recommend students should stay within one of these three sequences. The content of MATH 124/5/6 is nearly the same as that of MATH 124/5/6 Honors, so switches between these sequences would be possible but not recommended. MATH 144/5/6 is quite different from the other two sequences and switches between MATH 144/5/6 and MATH 124/5/6 should be rare. If such switches from one sequence to another become necessary the following flows could be permitted:

124 --> 145
125 --> 146
145 --> 126
146 --> 126

So, for example, after taking MATH 124 and achieving a grade of 2.0 or higher, a student could be permitted to enroll in MATH 145 (but this is not recommended).
 

Duplicate credit will not be allowed as follows:

124, 124 Honors - Credit not allowed for both courses
125, 125 Honors - Credit not allowed for both courses
126, 126 Honors - Credit not allowed for both courses