Ivy Tech Community College Sellersburg
Math 123 Quantitative Reasoning
Fall/Winter 2024-2025
Course Title: Quantitative Reasoning
INSTRUCTOR: Keith Groenenboom
CONTACT INFROMATION:
HIGH SCHOOL: Austin High School
CLASS MEETING TIMES: 9:14-9:59 2rd period M-T-W-Th-F
1:41-2:26 6th period M-T-W-Th-F
Location: Room 211 Austin High School
Office Hours: 12:52 – 1:37am M-T-W-Th-F
Course Title: Quantitative Reasoning
Course Number: Math 123
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or a grade of “C” in Math 080.
Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 4
Catalog Description:
Introduces students to the mathematics required for informed citizenship, decision making, reasoning from evidence, working with real world data, and effective communication. Students will solve problems using proportional reasoning, percentages, rates of change, linear and exponential models with applications from statistics and finance
Major Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to define problems clearly, identify relevant information, ask pertinent questions, and support conclusions using persuasive quantitative reasoning. Students will be able to:
- Use and interpret ratios in all their guises: rates/percentages/decimals.
- Use proportional reasoning in context (real world data sets) including estimation, order of magnitude and scientific notation.
- Operate within and between different measurement scales including unit conversion and dimensional analysis.
- Research and select appropriate formulas/strategies to solve real world problems, some of which may be global in nature. Use estimation, check reasonableness of answers, and evaluate precision and accuracy of data.
- Use and interpret percentages in various forms: probability, risk, rates of return, percentiles, and relative frequency.
- Apply and interpret probability concepts such as union, intersection, complement and conditional.
- Develop fundamental financial literacy including annual percentage rates, periodic rates, loans (amortization tables), and retirement (annuities).
- Compute, contrast, and interpret absolute and relative change, including margin of error.
- Explore and interpret rates of change, contrasting linear versus exponential growth (simple versus compound interest).
- Interpret visual representations of data; examine statistical arguments including sampling, correlation and causation.
- Analyze real world data through descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency and dispersion), normal distributions, and z-scores.
- Use algebraic reasoning to explore relationships between variables, including the construction and use of equations to solve problems.
- Summarize mathematical reasoning and defend solutions or predictions using relevant mathematical language, laws and notations appropriately.
- Use computer technology, which may include the Internet, spreadsheets, or computer tutorials/simulations to enhance the course objectives.
Additional Course Learning Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the quantitative skills required to cope with the practical demands of daily life, as well as preparing students for further quantitative coursework which requires a deeper understanding of information presented in mathematical terms.
Critical thinking and problem solving are to be an emphasis, with the application of quantitative skills to real world scenarios requiring reasoning from evidence. These reasoning capabilities are based upon the ability to communicate with numbers effectively, so this will also be a focus. We will use the spreadsheet Excel to help achieve these goals, thus providing students with valuable computer skills in addition to strengthening their quantitative reasoning abilities.
In addition, we value and will focus on the ability to recognize and define problems clearly, ask pertinent questions, identify arguments/issues on all sides, gather relevant facts, appreciate their relevance, perceive as many plausible solutions as possible, exercise good judgment in choosing solutions and use inference/analogy/logic to test the cogency of arguments.
Course Content: Topical areas of study include –
Ratio, proportion
Visual displays of quantitative information
Simple and compound interest, loans and investments
Measurement systems
Probability
Measures of central tendency and dispersion
Normal Distributions
Correlation and causation
Percent and percentiles
Absolute and Relative Change
Variables and Equations
Required Texts or Other Instructional Materials:
Thinking Mathematically Blitzer 6th edition Resource material will be provided to the student in class and via internet.
Supplies:
- Notebook paper
- Pencils and erasers
Note: Calculators may be used on most tasks within this course unless specifically announced by the instructor. Some topics in the course may be more challenging without the use of a scientific calculator. Please ask if you have questions about using a particular calculator. Sharing calculators or using phones/computers as calculators will not be allowed on tests and quizzes
Teaching Methods:
Lecture, group work, discussion.
Grading and Evaluation:
Course grades are available for students by logging into the College’s online student system, Campus Connect, at the following address:
http://cc.ivytech.edu/ Grades will not be distributed by mail.
Methods of Evaluation: Graded elements: | | | Final grade calculation: | Exam 1 15% Exam 2 comprehensive 15% Exam 3 part of final 25% Homework/quizzes. 10% classwork 15% Projects 20% Total 100% | | Grading scale: | 90-100= A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D 0- 59 = F | | |
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ADA STATEMENT:
Austin High School is committed to providing required accommodations for all students with an
Individual Education Plan, or a Section 504 Plan. If a student needs accommodations, they are
required to let Austin High School know if they have an IEP/504 when they enroll. Faculty will
NOT provide accommodations to students who do not submit the proper paper work to Austin
High School. The student’s Teacher of Record will give the classroom instructor an IEP at a
glance at the time of every Annual Case Review. For more information, please contact Madison
Area Special Services Unit directly. Madison Area Educational Special Services Unit
702 Elm Street Madison, IN 47250 Phone: (812) 265-3448 Fax: (812) 265-3459
If you require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor.
If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor immediately. Look for evacuation procedures posted in your classroom.
TITLE IX STATEMENT: Ivy Tech Community College is committed to providing all members of the College community with a learning and work environment free from sexual harassment and assault. Ivy Tech students have options for getting help if they have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment or stalking. This information can be found at
https://www.ivytech.edu/prevent-sexual-violence/index.html. If students write or speak about having survived sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, federal law and Ivy Tech policies require that instructors share this information with the Campus Title IX Coordinator. The Campus Title IX Coordinator will contact students to let them know about accommodations and support services at the College and in the community as well as options for holding accountable the person who harmed them. When contacted, students are not required to speak with the Campus Title IX Coordinator. If students do not want the Title IX Coordinator notified, instead of disclosing this information to their instructor, students can speak confidentially with certain individuals at the College or in the community. A list of these individuals can be found at
https://www.ivytech.edu/prevent-sexual-violence/index.html under Confidential Employees and/or Community Resource
Additional Assignment/Grading Information:
IN-CLASS PROBLEMS/ACTIVITIES
Class time will be spent exploring and investigating mathematics through discussion, lecture, group work and interaction with problem solving activities. Students will deepen their knowledge of the subject matter through in-class activities, therefore attendance and participation is vital.
HOMEWORK
Students will be provided in class homework assignments. Some assignments will require online submission. Homework is due at the beginning of class on the due date unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Absence from class, technical issues, etc. do not excuse late homework. No late homework will be accepted without the instructor’s approval.
QUIZZES
Quizzes will cover both skills and reasoning problems. Quizzes and in-class assignments cannot be made up unless there are special circumstances.
EXAMS
Each test is a pencil/paper exam. Tests will contain a variety of computation and application problems. All answers must show supporting work. Some problems will require written explanations. The final exam will also contain comprehensive material from the entire course.
Exams must be taken on the assigned date. If an emergency occurs that prevents you from taking an exam on the assigned date, you must notify the instructor of this absence and the reason for it, by e-mail or phone before class time, or have documentation proving that the emergency prevented you from contacting the teacher. If these conditions are not met, the examcan be a zero. If approval is given for a makeup exam, it must be completed by a deadline determined by the instructor. You may not make up more than one exam.
PROJECTS
Projects provide an opportunity for students to extend their learning on topics from the course. More details about the requirements for each project will be provided in detail. The responsibility for proof regarding the originality of an assignment rests with the student, not the instructor. It is expected that projects turned in will be original work. Evidence of plagiarism will result in following the college policy for cheating.
TIME EXPECTATIONS
This is a 4-contact hour course. A successful student taking Math 123 during a regular semester will need to invest an average of 2 hours each week for homework, projects, and study for quizzes and exams.
Attendance:
In accordance with college policy, students are expected to attend all classes except in cases of illness or extraordinary personal reasons such as a death in the immediate family (grandparent, parent, child, spouse). Successful students attend class regularly.
Communicating ideas and group work are an integral part of this class, so attendance is required to receive a passing grade. Any student who has decided to not complete the course should withdraw him/herself from the course.
Students who miss class are responsible for making up the work missed. Contact your instructor. Make arrangements to copy notes from a classmate. Stay on track with the syllabus. Utilize tutoring resources and/or instructor help as needed.
Late Work/Missing Work/Absent Students/ Make-Up Policy:
When assignments are given a due date will be announced. If the work is not turned in on time the student’s name will be placed in a dedicated spot on the chalkboard. Students will be given two days to complete the work or will be assigned to ICU per Austin High School Rules. Maximum credit earned for an ICU assignment is 70% of the earned grade. Each day an assignment is late will reduce the points earned by 10% with a maximum of 50% reduction for completed work. If missing work is not complete within the ICU’s time period, a zero will be recorded for that assignment and no further make-up work will be assigned.
FINAL WITHDRAWAL DATE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR WITHDRAWAL:
You may withdraw from the Dual Credit Class by notifying Mrs. Lee at least two weeks prior to the drop date. Mrs. Lee will contact your parents and guide you through the process. When your withdrawal is complete, you will receive written confirmation from Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg. The last day to withdraw from this course is September 29, 2021. If you wish to withdrawal from MATH123 Quantitative Reasoning, it is your responsibility and not the instructor’s responsibility.
Academic Honesty Statement:
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value intellectual integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate academic integrity undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational achievement and will result in Academic consequences ranging from failure on an assignment up to termination from the college.
Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior.
While collaboration is encouraged in this course, all graded material turned in for this course should contain the student’s own work and thoughts.
Conduct:
DISCUSSION ETIQUETTE: The design of this course will often require students to participate in classroom discussions. Students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Listen actively – Respect your instructor and other students when they are speaking. Ask for clarification if you are confused.
- Remember that the goal of this course is to use quantitative reasoning. Make sure that your statements are based on facts and not opinions.
- Do not be afraid to respectfully challenge one another by asking questions, but refrain from personal attacks -- focus on ideas.
- The goal is not to agree -- it is to gain a deeper understanding.
- Participate to the fullest of your ability -- community growth depends on the inclusion of every individual voice.
Electronic Devices in Class: Cell phones and other electronic devices (laptops, music devices, etc.) should be turned off or on vibrate, or used only as allowed by the instructor. Texting, using social media, or accessing the internet during class time will not be tolerated. Any use of cell phones during a quiz or test is strictly prohibited. Any student who violates this policy will earn a zero on the quiz or test.
Behavior: No student will behave in a manner that is unacceptable in a learning environment or that endangers or infringes on the rights and/or safety of him/her or other students, visitors, staff or faculty. If misconduct warrants an immediate suspension from the institutional setting for the remainder of the instructional period, the instructor may do so without a prior hearing. If the student does not voluntarily leave the institutional setting, campus official(s) and/or campus security officers may remove the student from that setting upon oral request by the instructor.
If you are unruly or disruptive in class, or if you are verbally or physically abusive to your instructor or your fellow students in class, you will lose all class work points for that class meeting, and you will lose all quiz or test points available during that class meeting.
If you establish a pattern of unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior (as judged by your Instructor and the Math program chair) you will be required to meet with the Student Support and Development Advisor to learn appropriate classroom behavior. If you continue to fail to behave appropriately in class, you will not be allowed to attend class. You may fail or be withdrawn from the course, depending on the time in the semester.
Taping: Students must gain permission from the instructor before you can tape any portion of the class.
Student Success Center: The Student Success Center is located in room B15E (next to the Internet Café) and provides free tutoring services to students for a variety of subjects. Fall and Spring hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00am-8:00pm and Friday 8:00am-4:00pm, and Summer hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00am-6:00pm and Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. By-Appointment tutoring and Ivy Prep tutoring are other services provided by the Student Success Center. The schedules are posted on the bulletin board outside the Student Success Center and can be found at
https://sites.google.com/site/studentsuccesscenterwebpage/. For more information, contact Tiffany Thieneman, Student Success Center Coordinator, at 812-246-3301 ext. 4204 or
[email protected].
Community Resources
Students sometimes feel overwhelmed or could benefit from talking to someone else. Students may also need other forms of assistance that are outside the direct mission of the college. To provide some assistance and support, college officials have assembled a list of community resources that may help students in their personal lives. A list of these resources may be obtained at any college reception area, from most instructors and staff or via campus connect. Another good source is the Indiana 2-1-1 line that is a free phone call from any telephone in the state.
Course Evaluations:
Course evaluations by students may be conducted at the end of the course using the College’s “Course Evaluation” form.
Emergency Procedures:
Please note emergency evacuation procedures posted in the classroom.
Copyright:
Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must ensure that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or other proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at Ivy Tech Community College contain nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous, and do not constitute any violation of any right of privacy.
Right of Revision: tentative schedule of content
NOTE: This syllabus and the information contained within it are subject to change
Week | TOPICS tentative assignments | |
8/5 | Syllabus What is QR? | UNIT 1-CH1 |
8/12 | 2. Ratios | UNIT 1- CH2 |
8/19 | 3. Scientific Notation Per Capita, Proportions | UNIT 1- CH 3 |
8/26 | 4. Applications Per Capita, Proportions | UNIT 1- CH 4 |
9/2 | 5. Working with Percentages Excel: Inserting Charts | UNIT 1- CH 4 |
9/9 | 6. Descriptive Statistics Excel: Using Excel Functions | UNIT 1- CH 5 |
9/16 | 6. Weighted Average Excel: Entering formulas | UNIT 1- CH 6 |
9/23 | WRAP UP UNIT 1 | UNIT 1- CH 6 |
9/30 | REVIEW AND UNIT 1 EXAM | UNIT 1 |
10/7 | 7. Absolute, Relative Change, Percent Change | UNIT 2 -CH 7 |
10/14 | 8. Scatterplots and Linear Models | UNIT 2 -CH 8 |
10/21 | 9. Exponential modeling | UNIT 2 -CH 9 |
10/28 | 10. Credit Cards : Interest on Credit Cards | UNIT 2 -CH 10 |
11/4 | 10. Credit Cards : Interest on Credit Cards | UNIT 2 -CH 10 |
11/11 | 11. Loans | UNIT 2 -CH 11 |
11/18 | 12. Retirement and Savings Plans | UNIT 2 -CH 12 |
11/25 | 12. Retirement and Savings Plans | UNIT 2 -CH 12 |
12/2 | WRAP UP UNIT 2 | UNIT 2 |
12/9 | REVIEW AND UNIT 2 EXAM | UNIT 2 |
| Christmas break | |
| SEMESTER 2 | |
1/6 | 13. Measurement conversions and rates | UNIT 3 -CH 13 |
1/13 | 14. Applications of Conversions and Rates | UNIT 3- CH 14 |
1/20 | 14. Applications of Conversions and Rates | UNIT 3- CH 14 |
1/27 | 15. The Normal Distribution : Standard Deviation | UNIT 3 –CH 15 |
2/3 | 16. Probability / Risk - False Positives | UNIT 3 –CH 16 |
2/11 | 16. Probability / Risk - False Positives | UNIT 3 –CH 16 |
2/17 | 16. Probability / Risk - False Positives | UNIT 3 –CH 16 |
2/17 | 17. Polls and margin of error | UNIT 3 –CH 17 |
2/24 | 17. Polls and Margin of Error | UNIT 3 –CH 17 |
3/3 | 17. Polls and margin of error | UNIT 3 –CH 17 |
3/10 | WRAP UP UNIT 3 | |
3/17 | REVIEW and UNIT 3 Exam | UNIT 3 |
| Spring Break | |
3/31 | Final Review | UNIT 3 |
4/7 | Final Exam | |
4/14 | Additional New state high school curriculum | |
4/21 | Additional New state high school curriculum | |
4/28 | Additional New state high school curriculum | |
5/5 | Additional New state high school curriculum | |
5/12 | HS Final Exam (Course Comprehensive Exam) | |
5/19 | Senior Week | |