Syllabus– Math 310 B–Winter 2005
Mathematics seems to endow one with something like a new sense.
In N. Rose (ed.) Mathematical Maxims and Minims.
Instructor: Alexandra Nichifor (nichifor@math.washington.edu),
office PDL C-326
Office Hours: Monday 11-12, Wednesday 4:30-5:30, or by appointment.
(Also: Mon 5-6 and in MSC Wed 10:30-11:30, but my 125 students get priority at
these times)
Class Website: www.math.washington.edu/~nichifor/Math310.htm
Welcome to Math
310, Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning. Much of higher mathematics involves
logical reasoning rather than calculation. This course is intended to bridge
the gap between calculus-style classes and higher level courses, by teaching you
how to formulate mathematical arguments in an elementary mathematical setting. It
emphasizes arguments and the writing of proofs, while introducing ideas of
discrete mathematics and forming a foundation for more abstract mathematics.
This class is
very different than the classes which precede it at UW. The accent is no longer
on content and formulas (though you are expected to learn a certain amount of
content too), but rather on solution finding and writing. A great deal of
emphasis will be placed on clarity, precision, and the communication of
mathematics. Methods of proof will be introduced.
The textbook, An Introduction to
Mathematical Reasoning: numbers, sets and functions by Peter J. Eccles is
an important part of the course, and the sections assigned in class should be
read carefully. The author does a good job showing how to construct and present
arguments.
Homework will be assigned weekly. The problems from the text have
full solutions at the back of the book. For your own benefit, you should not read
the solutions until you have discovered and written your own (or until you have
tried for a reasonable amount of time). The graded part of the homework will
consists of problems which are not in the textbook. You are encouraged to
discuss the homework with each other, and hints can be obtained from me on
request. The writing of the solutions must be done individually.
There will be
one in-class midterm exam on Wednesday,
February 2nd, and one final exam on Monday, March 14th, 2:30-4:20.
The grade breakdown is as follows:
Weekly homework 40% (drop lowest 2)
Midterm 20%
Final 30%
Class participation: 10% (presentation 4%)
A tentative schedule is posted on the class website.