This course intends to help students develop skills necessary for
success in Introduction to Mathematical Modeling.
Athena Title
Essentials of Math Modeling
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will develop and understand transferable math modeling skills necessary for success in Introduction to Mathematical Modeling and beyond.
By the end of this course, students will use graphing calculators to solve, graph and analyze functions.
By the end of this course, students will understand functions and be able to use and interpret function notation.
By the end of this course, students will create and use linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions to solve real world problems.
By the end of this course, students will analyze and interpret real world data by choosing the appropriate functional model.
Topical Outline
Functions definitions
Domain and range
Functions defined by tables, graphs, and formulas
Average rate of change
Increasing and decreasing functions
Modeling with linear functions
Constant rate of change and linear growth
Equations of lines
Linear functions
Fitting linear models to data
Modeling growth with quadratic functions
Quadratic functions, graphs, maxima and minima, and applications
Fitting quadratic models to data
Modeling with exponential and logarithmic functions
Percent increase and decrease
Simple interest
Exponential functions and their graphs
Natural growth and decline
Fitting exponential models to data
Continued/compound interest
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
