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Finite Math at THS
A Variety of Topics in Mathematics |
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Introduction
Welcome to Finite Math at Tipton High School. This website was created to provide you, the student, with 24-7 access to all of the resources that will support your study of Finite Math.
One of the goals of this course is to help students gain an appreciation of mathematics. Mathematics is all around us, and it is something that can be enjoyed by everyone when looked at from the right perspective. Let's start with a video.
Welcome to Finite Math at Tipton High School. This website was created to provide you, the student, with 24-7 access to all of the resources that will support your study of Finite Math.
One of the goals of this course is to help students gain an appreciation of mathematics. Mathematics is all around us, and it is something that can be enjoyed by everyone when looked at from the right perspective. Let's start with a video.
Another goal of this course is to introduce students to a variety of advanced topics in mathematics which will include both Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. It is a course designed for students who want to study mathematics differently than the traditional high school mathematics classroom does. The course is well suited for students who have a desire to undertake higher-level mathematics in college which may or may not include calculus.
-----VIDEO: The Map of Mathematics
The entire field of mathematics summarized in a single map! This video shows how pure mathematics and applied mathematics relate to each other and all of the sub-topics they are made from.
The entire field of mathematics summarized in a single map! This video shows how pure mathematics and applied mathematics relate to each other and all of the sub-topics they are made from.
Finite Math is Made Up of Twelve Strands:
Finite Math will include some traditional lectures, assessments, and homework; however, it will also include a variety of hands-on projects and in-class activities. Students will be introduced to inquiry based learning and will be expected to be active participants in the learning process. Whenever possible, a look at the various mathematics topics found in movies will also be examined within each of the units (where applicable). Each unit will also introduce the founding fathers in each of the branches of mathematics in order to give a brief introduction to the history of mathematics.
How to Succeed in Finite Math
#1 Suggestion: Keep up with the assignments & complete them to the best of your ability.
#2: Remember that the goal of an assignment is to understand the concept - not just to get the assignment done!!!!
#3 Keep Your Materials Organized: Coming to class prepared with all of your required materials will be essential if you want to be successful.
#4 Become as Self-Sufficient as Possible: There are several students and just one teacher. Time is too valuable for you to just wait for help. Learn tenacity - don't just "fold" at the first sign of difficulty!
#5 Become Proficient as Using a Graphing Calculator!!! There are several graphing calculator tutorials available on my YouTube Channel.
#6 Apply 4 Simple Rules:
Contacting Me
Students, if you have any questions, please feel free to seek help early. I am available M, T, W, TH, and F from 7:30am to 8:00am, during 1st Resource, and after school, by appointment.
This invitation also extends to parents and/or guardians, who are encouraged to contract me whenever they have questions or concerns.
Finally, I would like to assure you that I will do my best to create a positive learning environment throughout the school year. Together we can all have a successful year.
Thank you!
Mrs. Cole
- Inductive & Deductive Reasoning - A brief introduction to both Inductive & Deductive Reasoning will include a lab-based activity where the Path of a Billiard Ball will be examined in order to introduce the idea of inductive reasoning followed by an in-depth look at the reasoning used by Sherlock Holmes. Students will also work with Logic Problems, Sudoku Problems, and Two-Minute Mysteries in order to gain experience with deductive reasoning skills.
- Topology - A brief introduction to Topology will include a look at various Topological Figures (a Möebius Strip, a Torus, and a Klein Bottle). The Game of Sprouts and the Game of Brussel Sprouts will be learned & played in order to introduce the Euler Characteristic and Planar Graphs which will lead to map coloring and the Four Color Problem.
- Graph Theory - A brief introduction to Graph Theory will include a look at Euler Paths & Circuits, Hamiltonian Paths & Circuits, Spanning Trees, and Kruskal's Algorithm. An in-depth look at the mathematics found in Good Will Hunting will also be explored.
- Set Theory - An introduction to Unions, Intersections, Complements, Venn Diagrams, and Cardinality.
- Combinatorics - There will be an introduction to the Partition Function and the work that Srinivasa Ramanujan did with G. H. Hardy. A historical look at Ramanujan's life will be examined using the movie The Man Who Knew Infinity. Series, Sequences, Summation, Factorials, Permutations, Combinations, and Pascal's Triangle will also be introduced.
- Probability - A look at Tree Diagrams, the Fundamental Counting Principle, Conditional Probability, and Independent & Dependent Events. A movie 21 and the Numb3rs episode "Double Down" will be use to examine the mathematics behind casino games.
- Cryptography - An introduction to the practice and study of techniques for constructing, analyzing, and breaking codes will be examined through the movie The Imitation Game.
- Statistics - An introduction to Data Handling and representing Categorical & Numerical Data Graphically as well as a look at the Measures of Central Tendency, the Five-Number Summary, Standard Deviation, and Samples vs Populations. The pilot episode of Numb3rs will be used to show that statistics can be used to find the location of a criminal and the odds to winning the lottery.
- Matrices - An introduction to Basic Operations with Matrices on the TI-84 Graphing Calculator will be looked at. A look at Systems of Equations & Inequalities will also be explored using Desmos.
- Number Theory - A brief introduction to Number Theory including Prime & Composite Numbers, Perfect Numbers, Abundant Numbers, and Goldbach's Conjecture.
- Optimization - is a collection of mathematical principles and methods used to solve quantitative problems in many disciplines including physics. A hands-on approach will be utilized with a Roller Coaster Unit and a Paper Airplane Unit so that students can experience optimization when trying to solve a problem. Students will also look at maximizing/minimizing area and perimeter of various shapes by trial and error. A look at Euler's Method from Calculus will also be examined and compared to how it is used in the movie Hidden Figures.
- Game Theory - A brief introduction into Game Theory will include The Nash Equilibrium and the Prisoner's Dilemma along with the movie, A Beautiful Mind, giving some insight in John Nash's life. Finally, a look into the mathematics behind Othello, the Game of Nim, Connect 4, and Cubed Checkers will allow students to implement some basic theories used in Game Theory.
Finite Math will include some traditional lectures, assessments, and homework; however, it will also include a variety of hands-on projects and in-class activities. Students will be introduced to inquiry based learning and will be expected to be active participants in the learning process. Whenever possible, a look at the various mathematics topics found in movies will also be examined within each of the units (where applicable). Each unit will also introduce the founding fathers in each of the branches of mathematics in order to give a brief introduction to the history of mathematics.
How to Succeed in Finite Math
#1 Suggestion: Keep up with the assignments & complete them to the best of your ability.
#2: Remember that the goal of an assignment is to understand the concept - not just to get the assignment done!!!!
#3 Keep Your Materials Organized: Coming to class prepared with all of your required materials will be essential if you want to be successful.
#4 Become as Self-Sufficient as Possible: There are several students and just one teacher. Time is too valuable for you to just wait for help. Learn tenacity - don't just "fold" at the first sign of difficulty!
#5 Become Proficient as Using a Graphing Calculator!!! There are several graphing calculator tutorials available on my YouTube Channel.
#6 Apply 4 Simple Rules:
- Understand, don't memorize!
- Ask why, not how.
- See every problem as a challenge.
- Learn techniques, not results.
Contacting Me
Students, if you have any questions, please feel free to seek help early. I am available M, T, W, TH, and F from 7:30am to 8:00am, during 1st Resource, and after school, by appointment.
This invitation also extends to parents and/or guardians, who are encouraged to contract me whenever they have questions or concerns.
Finally, I would like to assure you that I will do my best to create a positive learning environment throughout the school year. Together we can all have a successful year.
Thank you!
Mrs. Cole
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