Course Description
A deep examination of topics in mathematics that are relevant for elementary school teaching. Probability, number theory, algebra and functions, including ratio and proportion. Posing and modifying problems.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students receiving graduate credit must work additional problems and must write several essays about relationships among course material or topics. For example, some essays could describe how a collection of problems are related and discuss fundamental ideas underlying all the problems.
Athena Title
Algebra and Problem Solving
Prerequisite
MATH(EMAT) 5002/7002
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- To strengthen and deepen knowledge and understanding of probability, elementary number theory and algebra, and how they are used to solve a wide variety of problems
- To strengthen the understanding of and the ability to explain why various procedures and formulas in mathematics work
- To strengthen the ability to communicate clearly about mathematics, both orally and in writing
- To promote the exploration and explanation of mathematical phenomena
- To show that many problems can be solved in a variety of ways
- To learn to pose and modify mathematical problems
Topical Outline
- Probability: Understanding and calculating probability, including conditional probability; Combinations and Pascal's triangle; Expected value
- Number Theory: Greatest common divisor and least common multiple; Prime numbers; Divisibility tests; Decimal representations of rational and irrational numbers; Irrationality of the square root of 2
- Algebra and functions, including ratio and proportion as part of the study of linear functions; Applications of ratio and proportion, such as adjusting for inflation with the Consumer Price Index
- The course will emphasize solving a wide range of problems as well as posing and modifying problems; Computer technology will be used
