MA121F: Introduction to Mathematical Proofs (Spring 2020)

Jan. 15, 2020
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Calendar Description

An introduction to proofs and to mathematical writing. Methods of proof, such as direct proofs, proofs by contradiction, contrapositive proofs, counterexamples and mathematical induction. Examples of proofs will be illustrated using sets, functions and elementary number theory. Use of precise mathematical language will be emphasized.

Exclusions

MA120.

Instructor 

Ping Zhang (DPhil)
Office: LH3065 (Lazaridis Hall)
Office Hours: Tuesdays 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.; Thursdays: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. with Zoom Meetings on MyLS or by appointment. The Zoom meeting details are posted on MyLS.
E: pzhang@wlu.ca
T: x4902

Lab Coordinator

Erica Marshall
Office: LH3072 (Lazaridis Hall)
E: emarshall@wlu.ca
T: x3284

Lectures

Important course information will all be posted on MyLearningSpace. Students are expected to visit https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca regularly for updates and/or announcements of supplementary lecture and lab material, and information on WeBWorK, quizzes, tests and exam.

Textbook

The course package is available in the Laurier bookstore: B. Secord, S.J. Stack, D.C. Vaughan and T. Balfour: Logic and Algebra, 3rd Edition.

Calculators

No calculator is allowed on the midterm tests and the final examination.

MyLearningSpace

Materials related to this course and the full course outline will be posted on the MA121 MyLearningSpace website. You are responsible for checking here on a regular basis for important announcements.

Evaluation

A final mark out of 100 will be calculated as follows:

  • WeBWorK Assignments: 10%
  • Labs (Tutorial and written quizzes): 15%
  • Midterm Tests (20% of the higher mark + 10% of the lower): 30%
  • Test 1 - Friday, June 19, 2020, 2:00 - 3:20 p.m.
  • Test 2 - Friday, July 17, 2020, 2:00. - 13:20 p.m.
  • Final Examination (2.5 hours; exact date, time and location to be announced): 45%

To be eligible to pass this course, a student must score at least 40% on the final examination. The final mark will be reported as a letter grade in accordance with the conversion table of the current undergraduate calendar.

This document is a summary of the course outline for MA121 and is provided for the convenience of students.