Welcome to Tom Roby's Math 4023 homepage! (Spring 1999)


(last updated: 25 May 1999)

Questions or Comments?

Class Information

Coordinates: Lectures meet Tues/Thur. 2:00--3:50 (#10081) in Sci S. 205.

Text: T. Bessarear Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (Houghton Mifflin).

Web resource: http://www.mcs.csuhayward.edu/~troby/4023.html will be my Math 4023 homepage. It will include a copy of the syllabus and list of homework assignments. I will keep this updated throughout the quarter.

Grading: There will be regular homework assignments handed weekly on Thursdays, one midterm exam given in class, and a final. Late homework will generally not be accepted, and no makeup exams will be given, but your two lowest homework scores will be dropped before grades are computed. The breakdown of points is:

Homework Midterm Final
40% 30% 30%


Homework: Homework will be given for each lecture, and all the homework assigned the previous week will be due the following Thursday. Please attempt all the problems by Tuesday, so that you can ask any questions you may have in class then. Except for routine computations, you should always give reasons to support your work and explain what you're doing. Not all the problems will be graded, but only a small subset; most of the ones assigned have answers in the back so you can tell if you're on the right track. This makes it more important that you write your solutions carefully.

Midterm Exam: UPDATE! Tuesday May 11 2:00-3:50 in class. Rearrange your schedule NOW if necessary.

Final Exam: Thursday June 10 2:00-3:50 (in usual classroom) This will cover material from the entire course.

The only way to learn mathematics is by doing it! Complete each assignment to the best of your ability, and get help when you are confused. Come to class prepared with questions. Don't hesitate to seek help from other students. Sometimes the point of view of someone who has just figured something out can be the most helpful.

Content: The concept of a function is basic to all of mathematics. Although elementary students don't encounter the formal notion of a function, examples of functions are everywhere. We will study proportional reasoning, percents, data and chance, and do some modeling using Excel spreadsheets.

Computers: Later on in the course we will spend some time working with computers, specifically the spreadsheet Microsoft Excel. The CSU system has signed a licensing agreement with Microsoft which makes Excel and many other MS programs available to CSUH students, faculty, and staff at nominal cost. Those of you with access to computers at home or work can install Excel there if you don't have it already. It's also available in all the PC computer labs around campus. If you are not yet comfortable with using computers or spreadsheets, you may want to get a head start. There are CBT Systems On-Line Computer-Based Training Courses available. Contact the help desk 885-4357 or send an e-mail message to helpdesk@csuhayward.edu .

Homework Assignments

Homework is due on Thursdays at the beginning of class. Try to start it early so you have the opportunity to ask questions the Tuesday before. I will try to keep a couple of weeks ahead, so those of you who would like to work ahead can.