Math for Inquiring Minds: Course Introduction

This is a course about problem solving with numbers

Many of the decisions we face in modern life require consideration of the numbers underneath the options. For example:

• alternative methods of paying for college
• the data that supports concerns about global climate change
• a cost/benefit analysis for the purchase of a digital camera
• comparisons of wages and cost of living factors in different locales
• whether to lease a car or buy one
• the long term cost of borrowing money
• the meaning of "a confidence level of 95%" in reported poll results
• and so on...

In this course you'll learn about and apply a general process for solving problems with a mathematical bent.

In his 1945 book, How To Solve It, mathematician George Polya defined four stages in the solution of a mathematical problem:

1. First, you have to understand the problem.
2. After understanding, then make a plan.
3. Carry out the plan.
4. Look back on your work. How could it be better?

Using a well-defined problem solving process, and a modern spreadsheet, students taking this course tackle problems using data analysis, visual analysis (charting), and statistical analysis. This course features an extensive set of narrated spreadsheet tutorials that students can watch to learn how a spreadsheet like Microsoft Excel can be used as a problem solving tool.

© 2006, Empire State College