21-127 Concepts of Mathematics

Summer I 2018

Instructor: Shaun Allison Time: MTWRF 1:30 – 2:50

Email: sallison @ cmu . edu Place: SH 220

Course Page:
1. http://math.cmu.edu/~sallison/concepts18/index.html

2. Canvas (used only for grades)

Office Hours: 3:00pm-4:00pm in WEH 6207

References:
• (Main) An infinite descent into pure mathematics by Clive Newstead
https://infinitedescent.xyz/

• (Optional) Mathematical Thinking, Problem Solving and Proofs by J.P. DAngelo and D.B.
West
Course Description: Mathematics is more than just crunching numbers and solving integrals. Math-
ematics is a language used to communicate abstract and technical ideas concisely and unambiguously.
Mathematics is in fact the only way to talk about certain ideas, and this holds in more cases than we may
realize.
In the first three weeks of the course, we will cover the basic concepts, notation, and proof techniques,
as well as functions, sets, and relations, which will serve as a foundation for the second half of the course.
In the fourth week, we will apply what we learned to the field of combinatorics, also known as counting. In
the fifth week, we will explore the basics of number theory. Finally, in the last week we will briefly cover
the real numbers and use some tools to understand the nature of infinite sets.
There are no prerequisites to this course, and only the most basic mathematical background (basic
algebra and arithmetic) is assumed.

Objectives: At the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Understand and use mathematical definitions,

• Communicate mathematical concepts and arguments clearly,

• Identify the components of a mathematical proof, and understand when it is or is not logically sound.

Statement on Course Textbook: In this course we will be using An infinite descent into pure
mathematics by Clive Newstead as our main reference, which can be found for free here: https://
infinitedescent.xyz/. This textbook is still being written, and has some incomplete parts. At times,
we will deviate from the textbook on notation and content. I encourage everyone to follow along in the
textbook, and I will give recommended reading for each lecture. However I must emphasize that the official
reference for this course will be your notes from lecture, and you will be responsible for exactly what we
cover in lecture, regardless of what is in the textbook.

Discussion Session: On May 25, June 1, June 15 and June 22, we will have a discussion session, where
the class will split into groups and work on a list of problems. I will walk around the room and check in

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on peaple and will be available for any questions. The discussion session will give you the opportunity to
practice problems and communicate your ideas with your peers. It is essential to practice both written and
oral communication, so there will be a grade for participation. There will also be a short (10 min) quiz at
the end of each session, which will usually be a variant of one of the problems that you discussed. If we fall
behind, the discussion sessions may be shortened or replaced with lectures.

Homework: Homework will be due on Wednesday and Friday, except for Fridays when there is an exam.
Homework is due in the beginning of lecture the day that it is due. Late homework will not be accepted.
In other iterations of this course, students are often expected to type up at least some of their homework
assignments with LATEX. I have decided to not make it an official requirement (the less time we have to sit in
front of a screen, the better). However, I encourage you to type up your solutions at least once. LATEXis very
useful for technical writing, and can, for example, be used to produce very professional-looking resumes.
The course textbook is a great resource if you decide to take this opportunity to learn LATEX. I am also
happy to help during office hours.
Whether you decide to type your solutions or hand-write them, you will need to explain your solutions in
a legible manner. Homework must also be neatly stapled and submitted according to the guidelines outlined
in the homework handout.
When working on homework assignments, you are allowed (even encouraged) to work with your class-
mates. However, you should try to solve the problems by yourself before you meet. Also, you must not
take any written material away from your collaborations, and you must write up your solutions on your
own.
The grading policy for individual homeworks will be written on the homework handout. Your total
homework grade will be computed as the average of all of your homework grades. Your lowest homework
grade will be dropped.

Exams: There will be two exams: a midterm and a final exam. If you have a very serious, well-documented,
and compelling reason to miss an exam, let me know as soon as you can. Otherwise, make-up exams will
not be offered.
It is normal for students to struggle the first time they are introduced to proof-based mathematics, and
a solid foundation in the material covered in the first half of the course is essential to succeed in the second
half of the course. So, a re-test will be offered for the midterm. If you took the midterm and decide to take
the re-test, your new midterm grade will be computed using the following formula:

max{Original Midterm Grade, min{75%, Midterm Re-test Grade}}.

In other words, if you scored less than a 75% on the midterm, you can take the re-test to improve your
score to a maximum of 75%. If you scored more than a 75% on the midterm, you are free to take the re-test
but your score will not be changed. Also note: you will only be allowed to take the re-test if you took the
midterm. We will not be able to offer a re-take for the final exam.

Grading Policy: Participation and quizzes (10%), Homework (30%), Midterm Exam (30%), Final Exam
(30%).
The letter grade cutoffs are as follows: 90-100 is an A, 80-89 is a B, 70-79 is a C, 60-69 is a D, and
anything less than 60 is an R. The grade cutoffs may be lowered, but will not be raised.

Important Dates:
First Day of Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, May 21
Memorial Day (no class) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, May 28
Midterm Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Friday, June 8 (in lecture)
Midterm Exam Retest . . . . . . . . . . . Thursday, June 14 (7:30am - 8:50am)
Drop Deadline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, June 18
Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, June 29 (in lecture)

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It is important to make sure you are free for the retest, even if you don’t know yet if you will want to take
it.

Class Policy:

• Attendance is required in lecture. I do not plan to take attendance (outside of the discussion sessions),
but I reserve the right to start taking attendance at any time and incorporate it into the “Participation
and Quizzes” segment of everyone’s grade.

• Since we need to cover a lot of material in only six weeks, it is important that everyone arrives on
time so lecture can begin without interruption.

• Distracting devices such as laptops and cellphones are not allowed. If you believe that you need to
use a device during lecture (for example, to take notes) please talk to me first.

• Calculators will not be helpful in this course, and are prohibited during exams and quizzes, as well as
any other electronic devices.

• Visual and audio recordings (including pictures) are not allowed in lecture.

• Note-taking will not be allowed while discussing the homework in office hours.

Academic Integrity: Any acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, etc. will be dealt
with according to University Policy. Examples of violation include searching the web (or inside a text-
book) for solutions, copying part of another students assignment or showing your assignment to another
student. Please see the “Homework” section of this Syllabus to see guidelines on how to complete homework
assignments in an academically honest manner. Please speak to me if you have any questions about this.

Accomodations: It is very important to me that my methods of instruction and assessment are fair to
everyone enrolled in the course. To this end, please ensure that I’m aware of any accommodations that need
to be made ahead of time. To ensure fairness, I will need some kind of supporting documentation from the
CMU Office of Disability Resources, in order to grant accommodations on assessments.

Take Care of Yourself:

Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and
alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope
with stress.
All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are many helpful
resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for
help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is often helpful.
If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety
or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) is
here to help: call 412-268-2922 and visit their website at www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Consider reaching out
to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help getting connected to the support that can help.

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