ECON 1078-002
Mathematical Tools
for Economists I
Fall 2003
Syllabus and Tentative Outline
Instructor:
Karuna Wiwattanakantang Lecture
Time: MWF 12.00-12.50
Office:
Econ
401 Classroom:
HLMS199
Office
Hours: MW
E-mail:
wiwattak@colorado.edu
(the best way to get in touch with me)
Website:
http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~wiwattak/econ1078.html
Class
time: August
25 –
Course
description:
This
course provides an introduction to fundamental mathematic and statistic tools,
which are essential to understand economic theories. It is the first course in
a two-course sequence. We will start with a review of some basic algebraic
operations, functions and graphs. Next we will cover financial mathematics,
matrices, and linear programming. Finally a basic probability theory will be
presented.
Materials:
Required: Essentials
of College Mathematics, 3 rd edition,
by Raymond A.
Barnett and Michael R. Ziegler.
Optional: Student
Solutions Manual for
Essentials
of College Mathematics, 3rd edition.
A
scientific calculator is required for this course. Although no particular model
is required, the ones that can handle the calculation of net present value,
annuity, and future value will be quite helpful for this class.
Homework:
The best way to learn
mathematics is to do problem sets and familiarize yourself
with math tools needed to solve them.
Homework is accounted for 10% of total grade. Homework will be due in
class and no late homework assignments will be accepted. Solutions will be
posted on the course website. You are encouraged to work together, but your
answer must be turned in individually to get credit for your homework. Some
class time will be set aside to go over homework.
Grading:
Your
course grades will be determined as followings:
Homework 10 points
Midterm Exam 1 25 points
Midterm Exam 2 25 points
Midterm Exam 3 25 points
Final 40
points
There
will be three midterm exams and a compulsory
cumulative final exam. There will be
absolutely no make-ups. The Final cannot be replaced with any other exam
under any circumstances. Only two midterm exams will be counted toward your
final grade; the midterm exam with the lowest score will be dropped. Your grade will be assigned based on
the following scale:
|
Average
Points |
94-100 |
90-93 |
87-89 |
84-86 |
80-83 |
77-79 |
|
Grade |
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
|
Average
Points |
74-76 |
70-73 |
67-69 |
64-66 |
60-63 |
0-59 |
|
Grade |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
D- |
F |
Tentative
schedule for midterm exams and final exam is following:
Midterm1:
Midterm2:
Midterm3:
Final exam: December 15, 2003 : 1.30-4.00 p.m.
Tentative time schedule and course
outline
|
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Homework Due |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
08/25 08/27 |
1-1 Sets 1-2 Algebra and real
numbers |
|
|
|
08/29 |
1-3 Basic operations on
polynomials |
HW1 |
|
2 |
09/01 |
Labor Day ( No class) |
|
|
|
09/03 |
1-4 Factoring polynomials |
|
|
|
09/05 |
1-5 Basic operations on
rational expressions |
HW2 |
|
3 |
09/08 |
1-6 Integer exponents and
square root radicals |
|
|
|
09/10 |
1-7 Rational exponents and
radicals |
|
|
|
09/12 |
2-1 Linear equations and
inequalities in one variables |
HW3 |
|
4 |
09/15 |
2-2 Quadratic equations |
|
|
|
09/17 |
2-3 Cartesian coordinate
system and straight lines |
|
|
|
09/19 |
2-4 Functions |
HW4 |
|
5 |
09/22 |
2-5 Linear and quadratic
functions |
|
|
|
09/24 |
Review |
HW5 |
|
|
09/26 |
Midterm
Exam 1 |
|
|
6 |
09/29 |
3-1 Exponential functions |
|
|
|
10/01 |
3-2 The exponential
function with base e |
|
|
|
10/03 |
Fall Break ( no class) |
|
|
7 |
10/06 |
3-3 Logarithmic function |
HW6 |
|
|
10/08 |
4-1 Simple interest |
|
|
|
10/10 |
4-2 Compound interest |
|
|
8 |
10/13 |
4-3 Future value of an
annuity : sinking funds |
HW7 |
|
|
10/15 |
4-4 Present value of an
annuity: amortization |
|
|
|
10/17 |
Review |
HW8 |
|
9 |
10/20 |
Midterm
Exam 2 |
|
|
|
10/22 |
5-1 Systems of linear
equations in two variables |
|
|
|
10/24 |
5-2 Systems of linear
equations and augmented matrices |
|
|
10 |
10/27 |
5-3 Gauss-Jordan
Elimination |
HW9 |
|
|
10/29 |
5-4 Matrices-Addition and
Multiplication by a number |
|
|
|
10/31 |
5-5 Matrix multiplication |
|
|
11 |
11/03 |
5-6 Inverse of a square
matrix |
HW10 |
|
|
11/05 |
5-7 Matrix equations and
systems of linear equations |
|
|
|
11/07 |
6-1 Systems of linear
inequalities in two variables |
|
|
12 |
11/10 |
6-2 Linear programming in
two dimensions |
|
|
|
11/12 |
Review |
HW11 |
|
|
11/14 |
Midterm
Exam 3 |
|
|
13 |
11/17 |
7-1 Basic counting
principles |
|
|
|
11/19-11/21 |
7-2 Permutations and
Combinations |
|
|
14 |
11/24 |
7-3 Sample spaces and
events |
HW12 |
|
|
11/26 |
7-4 Empirical probability |
|
|
|
11/28 |
Thanksgiving ( No class) |
|
|
15 |
12/01 |
7-5 Random variable,
probability distribution, and Expectation |
|
|
|
12/03 |
Review |
HW13 |
|
|
12/05 |
Review |
|
|
16 |
12/08 |
Review |
|
University Policies
The Economics Department
will make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. For more
information, see the web page of the Office of Disability Services, www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices
We will make reasonable
accommodations for students who have conflicts between religious observance
dates and course examinations or assignments. Please talk to me at the
beginning of the semester, if you think you may require such accommodation. For
university policies on this and on other things, see www.colorado.edu/policies/index.html.
For university policies on
cheating and plagiarism, and the university honor code, see www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/