Mathematical Methods for Business



Mathematical Methods for Business

Math 103, Spring 2008

Melody Rashidian

• Text: College Mathematics, for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences. By Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen; 2nd custom edition published for CSUN)

• Office hours: F 11:00-12:45p.m. in EH 400 or by appointment.

• Email: mr31841@csun.edu

About Math 103:

Catalog: Prerequisites: Passing score on or exemption from the Entry level Mathematics Examination (ELM), or credit in Math 093 and a passing score on the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT). This course includes concepts and applications of algebra and calculus to business. Topics include functions, systems of equations, matrices, the derivative and business-related topics in calculus. Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

I) Compute with linear, quadratic, rational functions.

II) Graph a one-variable function.

III) Find the equation of a linear function from two ordered pairs.

IV) Compute with simple interest, compound interest, and continuously compounded

interest models

V) Evaluate exponential functions and solving equations with exponential expressions using logarithms.

VI) Find the derivative of a polynomial functions and evaluate marginal

revenue/cost/profit for a revenue/cons/profit function.

VII) Explain verbally and in writing why maximum profit is realized when marginal

revenue equals margin costs.

VIII) Use derivatives to find local maximum and local minimum points.

IX) Solve a system of linear equations using algebraic methods.

X) Understand basic Matrix operations and use then in business application.

Sections to be covered from the textbook:

2. Linear Equations and Graphs and lines.

1. Functions.

2. Elementary functions: graphs and transformations.

3. Quadratic Functions (also has polynomial and rational functions. We only cover rational functions of the form (ax + b) /( cx+ d ))

2. Simple, compound leading to continuously compound interest

5. Exponential and logarithmic functions (logs only to solve exponential expressions)

5. Limits, continuity, derivative, sum, constant and “power” rules.

7. Marginal cost, marginal revenue and marginal profit, applications

5. Absolute max/min

6. Marginal analysis: Max profit when marginal revenue equals marginal cost (especially graph on page 717)

3. Product and quotient rules

4. “generalized power rule” ONLY

7. Elasticity

4. Solving systems of equations and matrices (at least this far)

Course Work:

• Homework: On line. Due every day at midnight. Approx. 30 grades. The lowest 3 will be dropped and the average of the remaining grades will by your accumulated homework grade.

• Three in class exams. (No make-ups without a confirmed medical or emergency excuse.) Feb 15th , March 14th, and April 11th.

• Four in 103lab quizzes.

At the end of the semester, you will have ONE homework and quiz

grade and three exam grades. The best of these 4 grades will each count for 20%

of your final grade; the lowest will count for 10% of your final grade.

• Final: Saturday May 10th 11:30 am –1:30 pm. It will be a common final for all sections of math 103. The final exam will count for 30% of your final grade in the course.

• There will be no calculators allowed on your exams, quizzes, or final.

Tutoring: There are two tutoring centers opened to math 103 students,

1. Math tutoring lab: SH 274, M-F 9:00 am - 5:30 pm

2. BH 416 TBA

Homework: Most assignments will be done with web work. To log in into WeBWork, go to .Your username is your CSUN email minus the “@csun.edu”part. For instance, if your CSUN email is jhon.p.doe.37@csu.edu, then your username in john.p.doe.37. Your password is your nine digit student ID number(if yours in not nine digits then add zeros at the beginning to make it 9 digits). The system is very easy to use, but you may want to read this short introduction to WeBWork. To find this go to: and click on “first Steps for Students” in the upper left corner. I recommend that you print out a hardcopy of your homework and work together in groups of about three people who are all of your own level. However, you must turn in your own work online. You should spend about 6 hours outside of class working on calculus.

Course Material: In-class exercises (found online at

You can click on lecture notes, for the day’s lecture.

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