Math 300
Fall 2023
   
Study Suggestions and 
Details for 
Exam 1
 
  
 
 
  
-  
Exam 1 
is scheduled for  (usual class room and time)
 
Wed. October 25 
The exam  will cover concepts
from the lectures, handouts, homework, and textbook: 
  
    - 
   Writing Guidelines  and
 Symbolically Write Guidelines,
 
 -  
  Chapter 1 (§1.1-1.3), Chapter 2 (§2.1-2.5),
 - 
  other math topics (including their definitions) that  we have discussed
  
  (e.g.,  divides, set containment, Cartesian product, division algorithm).
    
The exam is closed notes and closed book. 
 
 -  
  During the exam, electronic devices (e.g.: cell phones, earbuds, smart watches)
  are to be turned off (if possible)  and stored in a closed
  (e.g.: zipped, buttoned) bag (e.g.: backpack,  purse).
  Electronic devices  may not be stored in  personal clothing (e.g., jacket pocket). 
If needed,   store your electronic device(s)  on the front desk during the exam. 
At the request of a student,  I will project   a clock  onto the overhead screen. 
 
-  
During the exam: 
you must put your bags (e.g. backpacks) completely under your desk
(so  I do not trip over it), 
hats may not be worn (except with prior permission, e.g., medical reason), 
 and calculators are not allowed (nor needed). 
  
- Read the instructions.  The question you should be asing yourself is 
did I follow the instructions correctly rather than 
what is the professor asking for. Full credit will be given 
for correctly answering the question asked, with the needed justification 
(e.g., if the answer is "Yes", say "Yes because" and then justify  
your Yes answer). Remember to use complete sentences.
    
 -  
The exam will be a mix of:
 
-  problems you have, and have not,  seen before 
 -  problems of varies difficulty levels (from  easy warm-up problems to  
     challenging problems). 
   
The exam  is a mix of:
 
- fill-in-the-blanks/boxes and multiple choice
 - short answer and/or working problems by hand (for which you need to show  ALL your work),  
 - writing proofs (following the 
Writing
    Guidelines). 
     
The main sources of problems are (either exact or slightly changed) 
 
-  homework (both from Study Guide homework and Exercise  homework)  
 -  examples from class and class group work 
 -  exercises from the book (that were not assigned, this book has lots of good problems) 
 -  the book's examples (including the Progress Checks, 
 for which the answers are in the back of the book) 
 -  inspirations from the above sources
  
Think of math as devoloping  problem solving skills rather than 
regurgitating known facts.
 -  
For an idea of the format of Exam 1, see
Sample Format for Exam 1. 
Please read the instruction on page 1. 
Note there will be  proof problems and 
some (basic, on the easier side) are given. 
Note. 
 
-  The  initial parts of a problem often are used in the
final part where you actually write your proof. This format is often used with
both the easier and harder proof problems.
 -  You need to know how to symbolically write a statement 
(do not forget to quantify). 
 -  
If the proof uses definitions from the sections covered on this test, 
then you need to know the definition. 
 -  If the proof uses new definitions, then you will be given the definition. 
 -  Bonus: 
solution to problem 6 of the Sample Format for Exam 1. 
   
The Thinking Lands are optional. 
 - Proofs are part of the class so make sure you can write a proof (following the Writing Guidelines). 
Thus review:
 -  A good way to study for this exam. 
  
 
-  
Be sure you know all the definitions and results from: 
 
-  class handouts (see the Handouts page) 
 -  class lectures 
 -  the book (the Chapter Summaries should help with this). 
  
 - You should have a working knowleague of the Symbolically Write Guidelines
as well as the Writing Guidelines. 
On the exam, you will not be given these guidelines and you  will be excepted to follow them 
(as we have been doing in class).  So review if needed. 
  
 - Review your Study Guides homework  including the questions you indicated to yourself on them. 
  
 - Review your homework, which includes 
looking at comments made on your graded homework. 
Learn from your mistakes on the homework so that you do not make the same mistake on the exam.
  
 - Review the class handouts and book's chapter summaries. 
  
   
On the topics you are weak, look through the textbook for similar 
  
  -   examples and progess checks
  
 -   exercises (esp. starred ones) 
  
  
and work these examples and exercies. 
 - Work through these 
Practice Problems (A) - (G).    
Problems (H) and (I) will come later.
  
You are highly encouraged to  discuss and work together on these problems.
Our course Piazza page should help with this (let's use Piazza's exam folder). 
   
  -  
Post a note on Piazza saying, e.g., Fred has reserved  TCL 
Study Room 123 for this Monday (7/4) for 7-9pm. 
Let me know if you want to join. 
Link to reserve a TCL Study Room on-line.  
  
 -  
Since the problems will not be collected (and graded),  feel free to share both hints and answers  on Piazza.
 
In Piazza (look at horizontal bar near top), 
the folder  piazza  contains a note about inserting  a (PDF/JPEG) file.
      
Give the Practice Problems a honest serious try before looking at the 
hints/solutions 
for the Practice Problems.   
 -  Come to the exam well rested. 
 
 
 
  
 Findable from  URL:     http://people.math.sc.edu/girardi/w300.html/ 
 
 
  
 
  
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