El Camino College - Division of Mathematical Sciences

Math 120
Nature of Mathematics
3 units; 3 hours lecture

Catalog Description Course Objectives and Methods of Evaluation
Outline of Subject Matter Planned Instructional Activities

Grading Method: Letter

Associate Degree Credit --- Transfers to CSU and Transfers to UC

Prerequisite: Mathematics 70 with a minimum grade of C or qualification by testing (El Camino College Mathematics Placement Test) and assessment.

Catalog Description:
This course is surveys general ideas and concepts of mathematics including alternate and ancient numbering systems, inductive and deductive reasoning, geometries, probability, statistics and mathematics of finance.
Note: This course meets the CSU general education requirement for mathematics and quantitative reasoning.
Note: Mathematics 120 was formerly numbered Mathematics 11.

Course Objectives and Methods of Evaluation:

  1. Course objectives (list the major objectives stated as student outcomes in behaviorally measurable terms.)
    1. Compare numbers in ancient and alternate numbering systems.
    2. Explain the difference between Euclidean, Riemannian and Lobachevskian geometries.
    3. Construct and use a truth table in support of deductive reasoning.
    4. Calculate simple and compound interest and apply to problems involving loans and annuities.
    5. Calculate permutations, combinations, probabilities and expected value.
    6. Construct a frequency distribution and calculate the mean, median, mode and standard deviation of ungrouped and grouped data.
    7. Calculate probabilities and solve other problems using normal distribution tables.
  1. Methods of Evaluation - Associate Degree Credit Course
    1. Substantial writing assignments are inappropriate for this degree applicable course because:
      1. The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
    2. Computational or non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
      1. Exam
      2. Quizzes
      3. Homework Problems

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Outline of Subject Matter
 

Approximate Time

Major Topic

6 hours

I. Numeration

  1. Ancient Systems
  2. Systems with other bases
  3. Types of numbers

7.5 hours

II. Geometry and Art

  1. Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry
  2. Golden ratios and Rectangles
  3. Perspective
  4. Tessellations and Fractals

7.5 hours

III. Logic

  1. Sets and Venn diagrams
  2. Inductive and Deductive reasoning
  3. Truth tables
  4. Flow charts

6 hours

IV.  Mathematics of Finance

  1. Simple interest
  2. Compound interest
  3. Annuities
  4. Loans

7.5 hours

V. Probability

  1. Probability and Odds
  2. Basic Counting Law
  3. Permutations and Combinations
  4. Expected Value
7.5 hours

V. Statistics

  1. Displaying Data
  2. Measures of central Tendency
  3. Measures of Dispersion
  4. Normal Distribution
  5. Margin of Error
6 hours

V. Instructor Option - One of the following:

  1. Modeling with Algebra
  2. Trigonometry and applications
  3. Calculating Devices and Computers

  6 hours

Examinations

Total:

54 Hours

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Planned Instructional Activities:

Lecture, discussion, individual assistance, calculator activities

Entrance Skills and Knowledge:

List the required skills and/or knowledge without which a student would be highly unlikely to receive a grade of A, B, C, or Credit (or for Health and Safety, would endanger self or others) in the Target Course.

  1. Carry out numerical operations and manipulate expressions, including expressions with rational and negative exponents.
  2. Solve Linear and Quadratic Equations at the Intermediate Algebra level.
  3. Set up and solve application problems at the Intermediate Algebra level.
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Source of information: Course Outline of Record dated February, 1999



 Last Updated On: 4/20/06