MATH 123 Finite Mathematics


Course Description and General Course Information
Math 123 satisfies the Quantative Reasoning Requirement passed by the University Undergraduate Council:

Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses): In today's world, arguments and claims often rely for support on scientific studies and statistical evidence. Students should possess the mathematical and quantitative skills to evaluate such evidence. Furthermore, students should possess the skills both to recognize the quantitative dimension of problems and to use mathematical reasoning to formulate and solve the problem. Finally, students need strong quantitative skills because they are indispensable in managing everyday-life situations.

This requirement may be completed by either (1) taking two math or statistics courses from the list that follows, or (2) taking one math course from the list and one course designated in the undergraduate catalog as having a quantitative component (QR). The course designated as having a quantitative component may be within the student's major or an elective.
Math 113, 115, 117, 123, 125, 141, 142, 147, 148, 151, 152, 202, Stat 201, 207.

Course Description & Purpose: M123 is designed to explore the mathematics of finance and to apply systems of linear equations and inequalities to realistic application problems. A major objective is to provide the student with mathematical methods for solving a variety of problems such as: investment analysis, profit and loss analysis, production scheduling, and resource allocations. A graphing calculator is required for this course.

Prerequisite(s): Satisfactory placement test score, or pass M119 or M130. Prerequisite requirements are strictly enforced. For students who have recently completed Math 119 or Math 130, it is recommended that they take Math 125 before taking Math 123.

Calculators: A graphing calculator is required for this course. The Math Department highly recommends and provides support for the TI-83+ and TI-84+ models. The PIVOT program is required and can be downloaded to your calculator by the Math Tutorial Center staff. While other calculators may be used with your instructor’s permission, instructors and tutorial center staff may not be able to provide help on how to use them. Use of cell phone calculators and calculators with advanced alpha-numeric capabilities, such as the TI-89, is forbidden in this course.

Companion Website: Enhanced WebAssign is used for online homework and as a study aid. The passkey comes packaged with all new texts purchaced through the UT Bookstore or can be purchaced separately. WebAssign will be accessed through Blackboard. WebAssign provides homework assignments with text specific help and 24 hr. tech. support.

Audience: The typical student in Math 123 is majoring in one of the following subjects: business, economics, social science, agriculture, architecture, communications, or human ecology (see the Undergraduate Catalog for details). This course will not satisfy the calculus requirement for students who wish to major in mathematics, physical sciences, engineering or computer science.

Topics Include (but are not limited to):  Simple interest, compound interest, bonds, and annuities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, matrices, linear programming using the Simplex method, game theory, and optimization.

Adding/Changing Sections: Instructors cannot add students to a class. All schedule changes must be made through Circle Park Online.

Note: All students must take the final exam!

Course Coordinator: Cathy Remus (cremus@math.utk.edu)
Mathematics Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
This document was last modified 08/09