MAT 108: Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
Fall 2007

Info | Online resources | Homework | Exams | Syllabus
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Grades will be posted on MyUCDavis. Check regularly for errors. You have 2 weeks after the posting (so essentially 3 weeks after a HW is due) to catch errors and bring them to our attention.
Lectures: MWF 11:00-11:50am, OLSON 106;        crn: 60383
Discussion section: R 11:00-11:50am,  OLSON 106
Instructor: Monica Vazirani, MSB 3224, phone: 752-2218, mjvazirani@ucdavis.edu OR (but only if it is really really urgent, otherwise please use the first address) vazirani@math.ucdavis.edu
In ALL emails, please put "Subject: 108" or I will delete your email without reading it, as suspected spam.
Office hours: Updated Wednesdays 3:20-4:15pm in 3224 MSB.
There will also be "secondary" office hours, in 2 Wellman (right after my calculus class) Mon 3-3:15, Weds 3-3:15, Fri 3-3:40. You are always welcomed to stop by for those. On Weds/Fri I will head over to MSB on leaving Wellman. (Occasionally you can find me in 3224 MSB also Fridays after 3:45pm and Wednesdays 12:35-1:20).
Update Oct 31 (Weds) OH are cancelled. (I will try to resched something earlier in the day or on a different day.)

T.A.: Emi Arima, MSB 2123 earima@math.ucdavis.edu http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~earima/108
Office hours:    Mondays 1:30-2:30pm    Wednesays 9:30-10:30am
Text: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics (6th edition) by Smith, Eggen, and St. Andre.  This should be on reserve in Shield library. (Note, the 6th edition is now available and is what I'll be using. I did not know that when originally designing this webpage. I do not know how different it is from the 5th edition.)
Problem Sets: There will be daily (!) homework assignments, generally posted onlne on Fridays. A subset of these will be collected (due) on Thursday IN SECTION. Special written assignments (that I will look at) may also be due Fridays (sometimes Mondays?) IN CLASS. Or at worst under my office door by 11am. The 108HW.html page will try to clarify exactly what is due when, and what will be collected.

You are encouraged to discuss the homework problems with other students. (You can work together on solving them.) However, the homeworks that you hand in should reflect your own understanding of the material. You are NOT allowed to copy solutions from other students or other sources. Final solutions should always be written up in your own words.
If you do collaborate with students on a problem, please write their names at the end of your homework (collaborators: Alice, Bob, Carol, etc.). No late homeworks will be accepted. Solutions to the problems will be discussed in the discussion section. This is also a good forum to get help with problems and to ask questions!

Some component of HW will involve reading and working problems you do not hand in.   There may be a mid-quarter project.  We may also do some peer grading.
Exams: Midterm -- Nov 2, Friday.

Occasional quizzes in section.

Final exam: Wednesday, December 12 at 6:00 pm in ?? Everson 176
There will be no make-up exams!
Grading: The final grade will be based on: Problem sets (and occasional quizzes) 25%, Midterm 25%, Final 50% (or 25-30-45 if that is more favorable)
Prerequisites: MAT 21B or equiv.
Web: http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~vazirani/F07/108.html

Online resources

under construction

Other textbooks.

suggestions are welcomed.   (of texts or research papers.)
Handouts:
NEW  practice putting together a proof
OLD Handout on quantifiers. On real numbers, and an addendum .   More examples on relations,  mathematical induction,  functions,

Problem sets ,


Midterm!!! is Nov 2

Final Exam: Wednesday, December 12 at 6:00 pm in ?? Everson 176

Content of the lectures:

The class is based primarily on  the text.  See the syllabus.

More about the philosophy of 108:


Mathematics is not a spectator sport!

1.  Writing requirement for the course.                                                    
                                                                                           
The course involves extensive homework assignments throughout.  On average these assignments consist of approximately 15 problems per regular class meeting, and the written solutions typically run three pages or more.  In addition students are given separate writing assignments, in which they are asked to solve a problem and write up a solution very carefully. 
We have quizzes during the discussion sections.  The main emphasis on writing is in the writing assignments and exams, but we consider clarity of exposition and correctness of grammar in the homework and quizzes as well.  Few of the questions in any of these  components are of the short-answer variety, and we emphasize that a complete response to any question consists of a solution, an answer, and a well-written end product.                                                                
                                                                                           
2.  Purpose of the writing assignments.                                                    
                                                                                           
This is a course in reading, doing, and writing mathematics.  In roughly the first two weeks we lay the groundwork in terms of logic, proof types, and some basic set theory.  We then study a collection of topics from different areas of mathematics, some of which have historical significance, some of which will benefit students in later courses, and some of which provide a brief introduction to some important areas.  The  exact topics are not critical, however, as the main thrust of the latter  part of the course is to provide an arena in which students can hone  their proving and writing skills.                                                          
                                                                                           
The main purpose of the writing assignments is to help students understand mathematical exposition and formulate arguments, as well as learn to express themselves clearly.  This includes evaluating hypotheses, making use of axioms and previous  results, devising solution strategies, evaluating the use of different proof types, and using correct logic and grammar.  The requirement that students communicate their results to others in a clear and correct manner is an important component, and while such communication is important in its own right, this requirement that they write well serves the additional important function of helping them clarify their analysis.            
                                    
3.  Feedback.                                                                              
                                                                                           
A reader grades the homework assignments, the reader takes exposition into account as part of the grade.  Equal weight is assigned to mathematical correctness and exposition on each writing assignment.  We grade students on organization of an argument, grammar, spelling, and readability.  Students are encouraged to refine their problem-solving and exposition skills during office hours and the weekly discussion sections.