Course Syllabus for Numerical Mathematics

Course Description:
This course covers the basic arithmetic of whole numbers, exponents and roots , the order
of operations, fractions, decimals, percents, ratio and proportion, measurement and units,
integers, geometry, simple statistics and includes applications that use those topics.
Students will learn to work for part of the course without the use of a calculator.
3 (non-degree) credits Prerequisite: Placement test

Course Objectives
Students will achieve objectives with an asterisk * without the use of a calculator.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

*1. Use whole numbers in the four basic arithmetic operations (+, –, x, /).
*2. Use exponents and the order of operations .
*3. Use fractions in the four basic arithmetic operations.
*4. Use decimals in the four basic operations and round them.
*5. Calculate square roots of perfect squares and estimate square roots of decimals.
*6. Find ratios and solve proportions.
7. Calculate percents and solve the three kinds of percent problems.
8. Perform simple financial calculations, such as unit cost, discounts, balance.
9. Calculate simple interest and percents of increase/decrease and profit/loss.
10. Make and understand graphs and tables of data.
11. Make a histogram and find the mean, median and mode of sets of data.
12. Make measurements using the metric and U.S. systems and perform unit conversions
within and between the systems.
*13. Perform the four basic operations with integers and rational numbers.
14. Perform geometric calculations using angles, perimeter, area and volume.

Course Requirements
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, do the homework
assigned each day for the next class, complete graded worksheets, take tests and be active
participants in the class.

Student Evaluation and Testing
Student evaluation may include in-class or take-home testing,
class attendance, participation in class, graded worksheet assignments and notebook of
lecture notes and daily homework assignments. Your instructor will make clear his or her
grading system with an example in class.

Required Text, Tools, and/or Supplies:
BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS by Lial, Salzman and Hestwood, 7^th edition,
Addison-Wesley, 2006, packaged with Student Solutions Manual, and
MyMathLab (Student Access Code)
Scientific Calculator (for later in the course and further math courses)

Non-discrimination and Disability Statements:
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and
employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798.

If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable
access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the disability
services coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be reached at 741-5629.
(TTD 207-741-5667) Further information about services for students with disabilities and the
accommodation process is available upon request at this number.

Student Course Evaluation:
Students may evaluate the course online and anonymously by going to “Resources for Current
Students” at the SMCC homepage and selecting “Evaluate Your Courses.” The online course
evaluation is available to students two weeks prior to the end date of the course. Students cannot
see a course grade online until the online course evaluation is completed.

Topical Outline of Instruction:

WHOLE NUMBERS Chapter 1 (1.1 – 1.10)
Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Exponents, square roots and the order of operations
Calculating square roots of perfect squares

MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING FRACTIONS Chapter 2 (2.1 – 2.8)
Writing and reducing fractions and mixed numbers
Prime numbers and prime factorization
Multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING FRACTIONS Chapter 3 (3.1 – 3.5)
Least common multiples
Adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers
Order relations and the

DECIMALS Chapter 4 (4.1 – 4.6)
Place value and rounding
Four operations with decimals
Converting fractions and decimals
Estimating square roots of whole numbers and decimals

RATIO AND PROPORTION Chapter 5 (5.1 – 5.5)
Ratios and rates
Unit rates and unit price comparisons
Writing and solving proportions

PERCENTS Chapter 6 (6.1 – 6.7)
Writing percents, decimals and fractions
Solving the three kinds of percent problems
Applications of percents: sales tax, commissions,
percent increase/decrease
Simple interest calculations

UNITS AND CONVERSIONS Chapter 7 (7.1 – 7.5)
Using the metric and U.S. customary systems
Conversions

INTEGERS ( Signed Numbers ) Chapter 9 (9.1 – 9.4)
Four operations with integers
Order relation with integers
Order of operations with integers

GEOMETRY Chapter 8 (8.1 – 8.9)
Lines, angles and degrees
Perimeter, area and volume
Pythagorean Theorem
Similar triangles

SIMPLE STATISTICS Chapter 10 (10.1 – 10.4)
Reading and making graphs of data
Mean, median and mode of data
Simple probabilities of coins, cards, etc. (optional)