MATH 1001 - Winter 2012


Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students

This is the page where I post material related to the MATH 1001 course I am teaching in WINTER 2012.

 

  • Office hours: Monday 11:30-12:30, Wednesday 11:30-12:30, Friday 11:30-12:30
  • Office: 251 Chase building (on the 2.5th floor - you need to take the stairs at the South end of the building.)
  • If you want to come to my office at a different time please email me:tkenney@mathstat.dal.ca
  • Midterm Exam: Monday 13th February, in class.
  • Textbook: None
  • Here are links to various sources the we have discussed, and others that discuss the same ideas
  • Final Exam: Thursday 19th April 12:00-15:00, Dalplex.
  • Handouts

    Course Handout

    Notes on Branches of Mathematics

    These are some rough notes on various areas of mathematics. They're not as finished as I'd like, but I hope they will prove helpful summaries of what I said in the lectures.

    Algebra

    Analysis

    Geometry

    Logic and Set Theory

    Combinatorics

    Number Theory

    Probability and Statistics

    Essay topics

    December

    Here is a detailed explanation of the essays and project to be completed, with suggestions for what could be included. The topics for later essays may be changed. In this case, submissions based on the original titles will still be accepted, but may require more research on your part.

    Choose one essay for each submission date:

    Essays for Wednesday 1st February
  • Is Mathematics an Art Form?
  • The Beauty of Mathematics and the Mathematics of Beauty
  • Essays for Wednesday 15th February
  • What is the Role of Mathematics?
  • What Would Life be Like Without Mathematics?
  • Essays for Wednesday 29th February
  • What is Mathematics?
  • A Vision for Mathematics Education
  • Essays for Wednesday 14th March
  • An Overview of Modern Mathematics
  • The History of ...
  • Fun problems

    One of the topics of this course is the intellectual joy derived from mathematical problems. To give you a taste of this experience, I include a few example problems. These are not for credit, but I hope you will find the experience worthwhile, and helpful to your understanding of the issues in the course. Take as much or as little time as you like on them.

    The problems are in no particular order, and vary a little in difficulty. Feel free to attempt whichever problems seem interesting, or whichever you think you have a better chance of approaching. The problems cover a variety of areas, but should all be accessible with just school-level mathematics.

    Feel free to work together, or ask me for hints or advice, or to check your solutions.

    Problems