Home, 1/20 (last message)

Somehow, it took me a while to write this final update. Chances are, only my eyes will see it. But, inexplicably, you are here, so you can get a few bits of information, like the statistics for exam scores and letter grades. (Be aware that average scores for the final exam are always lower, because none of the students who have an A in the class take it.)

I enjoyed teaching this class and hope you found it tolerable and useful. (For example, the finance section has a direct connection with real life.) Thanks to everyone who engaged in the class and actively participated during homework discussion. You make my job easier!

It's too late to wish you a good winter break, so I hope you have a good spring semester!


Home, 12/1

Exam 4 turned out well - no surprise there, as it is one of the easier ones in this course.

The final exam is scheduled for Monday at 1:30 in our usual classroom. Recall that the final exam is optional - you take it if you wish to try to improve the grade I assigned you. It replaces your weakest exam grade if it is better. If you would like to have more time to study, you can also take the final with one of my other classes on Tuesday at 10:30 or on Thursday at 10:30, but those are in room 301.

The final exam will consist of six pages and will be comprehensive, that is, it covers all the material we had during the semester. The questions will be very much like the questions we had on the four exams, therefore, if you are taking the final, make sure you can do all the problems on the exams we had. Check out a sample final on the scores and docs page, too. Solutions to all our exams and joysheets will be up on Friday to help you study for the exam.

If you need to see me, here is the office hour schedule for finals week:

To attend an office hour on Zoom, send me an email, so I can start the meeting.

Good luck on final exams!


Home, 11/23

Exam 3 turned out well (11 A's!), see statistics on the "scores and docs" page.

On Monday, we will continue discussion of sections 14.1 and 14.2. and look at some homework, starting in section 13.1. Notes for those sections have been posted, and homework has been assigned on MyLab, due on Thursday. One more joysheet will be given out.

On Wednesday, we will have exam 4, covering sections 13.1, 14.1 and 14.2. I will have your overall grade ready by Thursday night, so you can make a decision on whether to come to the final exam, which is on the following Monday.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Home, 11/19

Take a little break after exam 3. Nothing is due as of now.

On Monday, we start discussion of our final sections 13.1, 14.1 and 14.2. Notes for those sections have been posted.


Home, 11/12

Exam 3, covering sections 12.1-12.5 is scheduled for Wednesday. Check out sample exam 3 for some representative problems.

Joysheet 9 has been distributed and is due on Monday. (If I get it from you by Monday night, you will get it back before the exam.) MyLab for section 12.5 has been assigned and is due on Wednesday, but one should do it sooner in order to prepare for this section for the exam. Joysheet 8 closes this evening - complete it if you haven't already!

On Monday, we will discuss some homework from section 12.5 and take any questions you may have ahead of the exam, as well as continue on some new material that will not be on the exam.

Exam 2 turned out pretty well. You can see the class scores and get solutions in the usual place.


Home, 11/5

Joysheet 8 has been distributed and is due on Wednesday, while MyLab for section 12.3 is due on Tuesday.

On Monday, we will discuss some homework from section 12.3 and then continue covering section 12.4. MyLab for section 12.4 has been assigned (due Friday), but it's best to wait until we cover the material before attempting the homework.

Exam 3 is coming week after next, on Wednesday (11/16).


Home, 10/29

After exam 2, take a little rest - but don't forget that MyLabs for sections 12.1 and 12.2 have been assigned and due on Wednesday.

On Monday, we will discuss some homework from sections 12.1 and 12.2 and then cover new material. It's unlikely I will have exam 2 graded by Monday, as I have other things to grade that have been with me for quite a while.


Home, 10/22

Exam 2, covering sections 11.1, 11.4, 11.6, 11.7 and 11.8 is scheduled for Wednesday. Check out sample exam 2 for some representative problems.

On Monday, we will first cover some new material from chapter 12, and then have some time for any questions you may have ahead of exam 2.

Joysheet 7 is due on Monday: if I get it by then, you will get it back before the exam.


Home, 10/14

On Monday, we will finish section 11.8 and then discuss homework for section 11.7, whose MyLab is due on Thursday. Joysheet 6 was handed out in our last class and is due on Wednesday.

As we close chapter 11, an exam will follow soon: week after next, on Wednesday. More details next week.

I finally got around to updating your overall scores on Canvas.


Home, 10/8

Exam 1 turned out decently. You can see the scores on the "scores and docs" page, and solutions will come next week.

On Monday, we will start by discussing homework in section 11.6. If you missed the lecture on Wednesday, the notes are on Canvas/files. MyLab for that section is due on Wednesday. Joysheet 5 is due on Monday.

Uh-oh, I seem to have forgotten to update the main page last week, so you may not have received note on when homework for sections 11.1 and 11.4 were due. Since I see many people have not completed it, I am extending the deadline to Wednesday.

Hope you are enjoying fall break!


Home, 9/23

MyLabs for sections 8.6 and 8.7 are due on Monday (extended deadline), and so is joysheet 4.

Exam 1, covering sections 8.1-8.7, is scheduled for Wednesday. Check out sample exam 1 on the "scores and docs" page for a good guide on what it will look like, although not all problems will be the same. Test yourself by taking the exam on your own in 50 minutes (we will have the entire class time, however). If you are having trouble with some things, come to see me for office hours.


Home, 9/16

MyLab for section 8.5 is due tonight. Joysheets 3 and 4 were distributed in class and are due on Wednesday, 9/21 and Monday, 9/26. If you didn't get them in class, find them at the link above or on the "scores and docs" page.

We are planning an exam over chapter 8 for Wednesday, 9/28, the week after next. Check out sample exam 1 on the "scores and docs" page to get an idea what it may look like.

I returned joysheet 2 to you yesterday (look on Canvas). If you did not do as well as you hoped, try harder on the next joysheets, and see me for office hours when you have questions.

Some joysheet 2 submissions only had final answers with little to no work shown. Here are two reasons why this is bad:


Home, 9/9

MyLab for section 8.4 is due tonight. No joysheet was assigned during this short week.

On Monday, we will continue discussion of section 8.5 and onward, with some homework discussion on Wednesday.


Home, 9/2

We have finished section 8.4, and will discuss its homework on Wednesday (and Tuesday for section C). It is due on MyLab on Thursday. In general, in order not to get into a time crunch, I recommend you start looking at the homework as soon as we finish the relevant section and attempt the online homework before we discuss it in class. That way, you will know if you have questions on it when we discuss it and can seek additional help before it is due, and not the very day it is due.

Joysheet 2 was distributed and is due on Sunday. Even if you did not get it in class, you can always find it on this webpage and on Canvas/assignments/Jx.

Have a good long weekend!


Home, 8/26

We have finished sections 8.2 and 8.3, and will discuss homework from those sections on Monday. Afterwards, we move on to section 8.4.

Homework has already been assigned on MyLab for sections 8.2 and 8.3, and is due on Wednesday..

Joysheet 1 was due on Thursday, but if you have not submitted it, you can still do so until Monday. Expect another joysheet next week.

Tutoring information for the Ross Center has been updated on the "free tutoring" page.


Home, 8/19

We will discuss homework from section 8.1 on Monday. This section is assigned on the online homework system MyLab and is due on Wednesday, along with an orientation section.

MyLab is showing only one person as signed up. This means most of you have not yet set up your e-textbook and online homework (this is done together, in one step). Please make an effort to do so this weekend (instructions in previous message, below). See me on Monday, say, before class, if you are encountering trouble with this.

Our first joysheet is due on Thursday. If you did not get it this week, find it on this webpage. (In case anyone is wondering, joysheets are the only written work being turned in — all the other homework is online.)

Tutoring information for the Ross Center has been updated on the "free tutoring" page.


Home, 8/15

Welcome to the course! Look around to familiarize yourself with the layout of these webpages. To get to other pages, click on the links in the menu (or drop-down, if viewing on a smartphone). The most often-used pages are in the first line of the menu (or the first several choices of the drop-down). "Scores and docs," for example, has all the documents for the course.

This page is for both sections, -05 and -C05. Anything written here applies to both sections unless specifically stated.

Your first exercise is to find the syllabus on these pages and read it. The items there that are typically of greatest interest to students are from "Homework" to "Make-ups."

These pages will get more content as information becomes available. Check back often: useful information is provided in the "home" section (which you are reading), typically updated weekly. For now, here is some information on the textbook, online homework, Canvas and assignment submission procedures.

Textbook and online homework: In this course, you have signed up for "Inclusive Access," which automatically bills you for access to the online homework system and includes the e-book. You can access these materials by following the instructions here. (On Canvas, look under "Modules" to find Pearson materials.)

Canvas: will mainly be the repository of class notes, your grades, and a place to upload worksheets. Information about the course and weekly messages will be posted to this website (also accessible from Canvas). (Why bother with the website outside of Canvas? Two reasons: it's easier to make updates to it, and it stays public, something I value, and you may grow to as well, as a service to future students of this same course.)

Assignments and exams: For increased convenience of assignment submission and return, all written assignments will be submitted and returned on Canvas. Exams will be taken in person.

Assignment submission: is through Canvas as PDF files only, to facilitate easier grading and return.

Important: try to reduce the size of the files you are uploading: If you are scanning, resolution of 100dpi has been good enough for exam solutions, so it should be adequate for your assignments. (Resulting smaller files are quicker to upload and download).

If you don't have a scanner, take pictures with your phone. Make it nice: lay the assignment sheet on a flat surface with good lighting. Use a lower resolution setting for the camera, to reduce final file size. Then use an app to bundle the pictures into a PDF. Some phones have native support for this, for others you can download a free app. Here are some that have been recommended to me: default notes app on the iPhone, Adobe Scan, Tiny Scanner, CamScanner, Notebloc.