Math 106 Quantitative Reasoning Fall 2024
Section: 008: MW 3pm-4:15pm in Enterprise Hall 276
Instructor: Ahsan Chowdhury (achowdh6@[Link])
Office: Exploratory Hall 4223
Textbook: Viewing Life Mathematically 2nd edition by Denley
Student drop in in Exploratory Hall 4223 (check our course frontpage for the most up to date
Hours: hours); or email me (achowdh6@[Link]) for meeting at another time over
zoom or in person.
Course Description
Math 106 meets the Mason Core requirement for Quantitative Reasoning, which coincides with the
name of the course. I hope to facilitate your familiarity with many mathematical concepts, to help you
see the use of mathematics in everyday life, and to help you improve your mathematical literacy. Also,
we will make connections with other disciplines and identify how you can apply strategies from this
course in your other coursework and to real-world applications. You should find that you are able to
make use of these skills throughout your career.
The four learning objectives for this requirement follow:
1. Students are able to interpret quantitative information (i.e., formulas, graphs, tables, models, and
schematics) and draw inferences from them.
2. Given a quantitative problem, students are able to formulate the problem quantitatively and use
appropriate arithmetical, algebraic, and/or statistical methods to solve the problem.
3. Students are able to evaluate logical arguments using quantitative reasoning.
4. Students are able to communicate and present quantitative results effectively.
The course will introduce the following material: Inductive and Deductive Reasoning, Logic, Counting,
Probability, Statistics and Finance.
Needed equipment: Excel, Calculator: You need a calculator for the course with an ex function and
factorial function (!). We are recommending the TI-83/84 (ONLY IF YOU HAVE ONE ALREADY)
or TI-30II. You will also be prompted and encouraged to use excel for some more involved
calculations.
Class Participation/Attendance & Quizzes
Participation in groups & class discussions will contribute to your grade. Attendance will be taken and
kept for Mathematics Department records. Students are responsible for material and announcements
covered in class. Quizzes will be given in class throughout the semester to test that students are
keeping up with material taught.
Classroom Courtesy Statement
You and your classmates are here to learn, and that happens best in an atmosphere of mutual
respect with freedom from distractions and disturbances regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion,
age, disability, sexual orientation, and cultural background. Part of this mutual respect involves letting
me know what pronouns you prefer to go by. For the University's complete statement of diversity,
equity, and inclusion, see [Link]
resources/mason-diversity-statement/.
Homework
Homework problems will be completed via the online learning management system called Hawkes.
Access to the eBook is included with your course fees which includes the online homework system.
YOU DON’T NEED TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON ANY MATERIALS (except a calculator)
FOR THIS CLASS. You may also purchase the printed book from the bookstore, but you should be
fine without it. Each online Hawkes lesson offers three modes:
1. Learn is an interactive presentation of the material found in your textbook and includes
instructional video clips and example problems.
2. Practice gives access to unlimited practice problems, provides error-specific feedback for
common mistakes, hints for all incorrect answers, and includes an interactive Tutor with Step-
by-Step guidance and fully worked out solutions. Note that every question type from Certify
can be found in the Practice mode.
3. Certify is the homework portion of the lesson. After answering the set of questions without
exceeding the available strikes (or lives), you will receive a perfect 100% score for your
homework. If you are not able to Certify in your attempt, you are able to start a new set of
questions over again with no penalty. In the meantime, you may wish to spend more time in
the Practice mode before attempting Certify again. You have unlimited attempts in each lesson
to receive full credit before the due date.
Contact Hawkes with any technical questions, including creating your username and password,
finding your Access Code or license number, or completing your work at 1.800.426.9538 (phone,
available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-10:00pm ET), support@[Link], or 24/7 chat support
([Link]/chat).
Stats & data collection project
You will also be assigned a project that will be worked on periodically throughout the span of the
semester through a series of mini assignments. The project is meant to give you insight into how
statistical studies are conducted and how results from those studies are presented or misrepresented.
In the first part, you will be given a task in small groups, asked to brainstorm and test a way to collect
data for that task, and write a short report on your data collection report for me that highlights the pros
and cons you faced in trying to use your data collection tool. In part 2, I will give each student a
standardized observation protocol based on everyone’s’ insights from part 1, you will collect data
individually over the course of a week, and submit that data as an assignment. I will take all the data
in part 3 and put them into a statistical test. You will be asked to answer some questions in a final
assignment based on the results of the statistical test
Tests
There will be 2 midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam. The dates/times for these are listed
in the schedule below.
You must take tests on the specified date. If you have a verified conflict with the time scheduled for an
exam, contact me as soon as possible. Usually, makeup exams will not be given unless the conditions
in the Make-Up policy are met. Both these situations will be handled on an individual basis.
The final exam is a required class meeting that will not be rescheduled for discretionary reasons,
including conflicts with work schedules, conflicts with classes and exams at other colleges, and travel
plans.
Make-Up Policy
If you have a valid reason for being unable to complete and/or submit an assignment, quiz, or exam at
its scheduled time, you may have the opportunity to make up the assignment. This will occur at my
discretion on an individual basis. If I approve of the make-up work, we will discuss the deadlines for
that assignment. To increase the likelihood that this will occur, you should do the following:
• If you know you will be absent during a specific class meeting, contact me well in advance of that
class meeting.
• If you miss a class meeting due to sudden illness or an emergency situation, contact me as soon as
possible.
Grading
The following percentages will be used in grading:
• 18% Homework (Hawkes)
• 2% Syllabus quiz
• 6% Statistics project
• 10% In class quizzes
• 10% Class work, attendance, & participation
• 36% Midterm exams (2 Tests, 18% each)
• 18% Final exam
A 90% will be an A / A-, 80% will be a B / B-, 70% will be a C / C-, 60% a D. +/- Added according to
the class grade distribution.
Specific grading disputes for non-automated assignments should be brought to my attention within
one week of return of the assignment. Appeals outside of this timeframe will not be considered.
Additional Resources/Student Services
The Math Tutoring Center is located in the Johnson Center Room 344. Help is available on a walk-in
basis. For hours of operation see
[Link]
center-hours-and
• Keep Learning, Learning Services [Link]
• Counseling and Psychological Services [Link]
• University Libraries [Link]
• Other student support services posted on The Stearns Center website:
[Link]
on-campus/
Further policies: Further policy on academics standards, FERPA, etc across GMU courses can be
found here: [Link]
Honor System
You are expected to follow the GMU standards of academic integrity found in the link above
No collaboration is allowed on quizzes or tests. Any indication that you have worked together, used
someone else’s ideas, copied, or allowed fellow student to copy your work is a violation of the GMU
Honor Code.
Some of the behaviors that will be considered cheating are:
• Communicating with another person during an assessment
• Copying material from another person from any assignment being graded
• Allowing another person to copy from any assignment being graded
• Use of unauthorized assistance on any assignment being graded
• Use of unauthorized notes or books during an assessment
• Providing or receiving a copy of a quiz or exam used in the course
• Use of a cell phone during an assessment
Disability Statement
If you have a learning or physical difference that may affect your academic work, please see me and
contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474, [Link] . All accommodations
must be arranged through ODS. Please submit your accommodation sheet under the
Accommodations tab on the left side of our course page.
Course Schedule (Tentative)
Unit/Week TOPIC/READINGS ASSIGNMENTS DUE/Notes
(Monday-
Sunday)
Week 1 1.2 Estimating Syllabus Quiz due by the end of the
8/25 4.1 Proportions, Percentages, and Ratios week
4.2 Using Percentages HW due according to deadline in
Hawkes
Week 2 4.3 Rates, Unit Rates, and Rates of Change Possible Quiz during class
9/1 4.4 Using Rates for Dimensional Analysis & HW due according to deadline in
4.5 Proportionality (briefly) Hawkes
Week 3 flexible/catch up/get ahead Possible Quiz during class
9/8 5.1 Linear Equations and Functions HW due according to deadline in
Hawkes
Week 4 5.2 Linear Modeling Possible Quiz during class
9/15 5.7 Exponential Functions HW due according to deadline in
Hawkes
Week 5 6.1 Understanding Interest Possible Quiz during class
9/22 6.2 Saving and Investing HW due according to deadline in
Hawkes
Week 6 Introduce statistics project & 11.1 Statistical HW due according to deadline in
9/29 Studies Hawkes
Flexible/catch up/test review & practice
Test 1
Note: Last day to withdraw w/tuition
reimbursement (9/26)
Week 7 6.3 Borrowing Money Possible Quiz during class
10/6 6.5 Budgeting HW due according to deadline in
Hawkes
Week 8 Fall break Possible Quiz during class
10/13 7.4 The Metric System HW due according to deadline in
7.5 Converting between the US Customary Hawkes
System and the Metric System
Flexible/Get Ahead (possibly start next section)
Week 9 13.1 Voting Possible Quiz during class
10/20 13.4 weighted voting & 13.3 Apportionment HW due according to deadline in
(time permitting, or shifted to a flexible day) Hawkes
Week 10 10.1 Introduction to Probability Possible Quiz during class
10/27 10.2 Counting Outcomes HW due according to deadline in
10.3 Probability of Single Events
Unit/Week TOPIC/READINGS ASSIGNMENTS DUE/Notes
(Monday-
Sunday)
Hawkes
Week 11 Continue statistics project: data collection HW due according to deadline in
11/3 Flexible/catch up/test review & practice Hawkes
Test 2
Week 12 Flexible/catch up Possible Quiz during class
11/10 HW due according to deadline in
10.4 Addition/Multiplication Rules of Probability Hawkes
& 10.6 Expected Value (time permitting)
Week 13 11.1 Statistical Studies/flexible Possible Quiz during class
11/17 HW due according to deadline in
11.2 Displaying Data Hawkes
Week 14 flexible/catch up/get ahead & Thanksgiving Possible Quiz during class
11/24 Break HW due according to deadline in
Hawkes
Week 15 11.3 Describing and Analyzing Data Possible Quiz during class
12/1 HW due according to deadline in
11.4 The Normal Distribution Hawkes
Flexible/Catch up days, & Final Exam
review/practice
Week 16 Monday: last day of classes
Final exam
week Tuesday Reading day review session
Location: same as our normal class
Final Exam time according to university
schedule for:
008: Monday, 12/16, 1:30pm-4:15pm