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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Science : Mathematics

618-161 Introductory Mathematics A

Note:

Students who have completed VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent will not be permitted to enrol in this subject: such students should enrol in one of 618-121 or 141. Credit cannot be obtained for 618-161 if any of 618-190 (1995 Handbook), 618-100 (1995 Handbook), 618-101 (1995 Handbook), 618-102 (1995 Handbook), 618-151 (1995 Handbook) 618-111, 618-112, 618-121, 618-122, 618-141, 618-142, 618-162, 618-200 or 618-211 has already been passed.

Credit Points:

12.5

Coordinator:

Dr F R Barrington

Timetable:

Semester 1

Contact:

39 lectures (three a week), 13 x 1-hour tutorials and 39 hours problem solving

Objectives:

On completion of this subject, students should:

Comprehend:

  • elementary rules for manipulating matrices;

  • the representation of a smooth function of one variable as an infinite series;

  • concepts of basic functions of one and two variables.

Have developed:

  • manipulative skills in the use of matrices and standard functions;

  • the skills to find derivatives of functions of one and two variables, and functions compounded from them;

  • an ability to apply these skills to word problems in bioscience and finance.

Appreciate:

  • the sequential conceptual structure of the mathematics of functions;

  • the value of of mathematical techniques in life science and business.

Content:

Matrices: row operations, systems of linear equations, graphical and matrix methods for linear programming; problems in bioscience and finance. Calculus: functions of one variable; product, quotient and chain rules for differentiation; applications; partial derivatives; maxima and minima; least-squares and other curve-fitting algorithms; simple differential equations; Taylor series; numerical solution of algebraic and differential equations; applications in life science and business.

Assessment:

Up to 26 pages of written project and assignment work, up to three hours of end-of-semester written examination and class tests totalling not more than 1.5 hours.
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Science : Mathematics 
Status:                   OFFICIAL 1997
Last Modified:            Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.