Day 01, MAT115, Fall 2008

Introduction to Mathematics for Liberal Arts

Next Time

Welcome!
3x5 cards: Please fill out the card, indicating
1. Name
2. Hometown
3. Year (Freshman, etc.)
4. Major
5. Working status (If so, where and how much?)
6. What your math background/experience is.
7. Something special about yourself.
Your assignments, for Wednesday:
- Sign your class agreement.
- Read the chapter "Welcome" (pages xi-xiv) and Section 1.1;
  Attempt stories #1, 3, 5, 7, 9 from Section 1.1.
  You may read Section 1.2 (hints), but do not read 1.3 (solutions)!
- We also need you to take an attitude survey about mathematics. You do this on blackboard. Visit our blackboard site, and take the survey by Sunday (under assignments). We won't use Blackboard much, but you're free to use it as you wish.
  You'll repeat this survey at the end of the course, to see if anything changes in your responses. If you complete both ends of this survey, you'll receive a 100% score on a homework.
The syllabus
This particular section of the course would not exist without our textbook, The Heart of Mathematics. It is absolutely essential that you read it! The authors know how most people feel about mathematics, and want to help! They apologize for all the stupid jokes....
Attitude: your best friend, or worst enemy
The plan
Class will be organized around discussions of material, and activities. You must be prepared to contribute! My role will be to present and clarify, but moreover to moderate the discussions, and be a resource.
Another resource will be the Norsemathology wiki: material will be written just for you, and you will be expected to read it there.
The authors claim that our goal is more than just mathematics -- there are "Lessons for life (from our textbook, page 28)" that we should focus on:
1. Just do it.
2. Make mistakes and fail, but never give up.
3. Keep an open mind.
4. Explore the consequences of new ideas.
5. Seek the essential.
6. Understand the issue.
7. Understand simple things deeply.
8. Break a difficult problem into easier ones.
9. Examine issues from several points of view.
10. Look for patterns and similarities.
Let's try a little gambling game... about birthdays.
- We're going to go around and check birthdays (just month and day, not year!)
- What's the chance that two student in this room have the same birthday (month, day)?
- What are the odds? (What are odds?!)
Next time: we'll play some of the "fun and games" our authors feature in chapter 1.

Website maintained by Andy Long. Comments appreciated.