Course News and Homework Information

Check this page periodically for announcements, hints on homework problems, and other information of interest.

Final Exam Results. Once again, the class performed very well. Out of a maximum of 200 points, the mean score was 172 (86%, equivalent to a B+). Median score was 171 (also B+). Scores ranged from 122 to 202, with the following distribution: A: 5 (182 to 202 points); A-: 2 (175, 177 points); B+: 1 (167), B: 4 (162 to 165 points); C+: 1 (155 points); D: 1 (122 points).

Course grades. The mean score was 529 out of 600 points and the median was 530.5 (both are roughly 88%, equivalent to an A- course grade). Distribution of course grades was slightly higher than for the mid-term grades: the median class grade is A-. Individual grades were six A, two A-, four B+, one B and one C. Congratulations for making this a very fine class!

Individual course grades will be sent to the Registrar's grade-receiving server Monday afternoon, May 12, and should be available from PeopleSoft by Monday evening or Tuesday, May 13.

Maple Worksheets. Maple worksheets for the course are available here in HTML format. If Maple is installed on your computer, you can download a file, edit it and run it without the need to come to MSB 203. Latest update (April 14) includes Maple routines for matrices and determinant calculations.

Homework due dates:

Chapter 1, Sections 2.1, 2.2: February 4
Sections 2.3, 2.4 (omitting Problems 17, 21 and 32): February 11
Sections 2.4 (Problems 17, 21 and 32 only), 2.5: February 20.
Sections 2.6, 2.7: February 25
Sections 3.1, 3.2 (except for Problems 15, 19): March 4
Sections 3.2 (15, 19 only), 3.3 (except for Problems 1,3, 7): March 25
Sections 3.3 (1, 3, 7 only) and 3.4 (1, 3, 4, 5, 7 only): April 1
Sections 3.4 (8, 9, 15, 19), 3.5 (1. 5, 7, 9, 11, 17: April 8
Sections 3.5 (21-24, 27, 29, 31) and 3.6: April 15
Section 4.1 (through Exercise 17 only): April 22
Sections 4.1 (22, 23, 25, 28, Extra credit for 29), 4.2: April 29
Sections 4.3, 6.1: May 6

Note: Exercise m listed for Section 4.1 is:
Solve the system of equations Ax = b, where as usual x is the column vector of unknowns, b is the column vector of constants 1, -1, -2 in that order, and A is the 3-by-3 matrix with rows r1 = [2 -3 -1], r2 = [ 1 1 2], and r3 = [ -1 4 3].

Important Reminder for those with Financial Aid. The following message was sent to the instructor by Pamela Kinel of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services:
The Office of Student Financial Aid Services has started sending all continuing students financial aid award notifications to the student's university e-mail.Ê Please remind your students to read their e-mails.Ê They need to print the award letter, complete, sign and return it to the Student Financial Aid Office. Thanks for your help with this new initiative.

What can one do with a major in mathematics?

For a partial answer, link to the CNNfn Story "Working Your Degree"

Go back to Math 221 Home Page.