Math 300
Spring 2023
Study Suggestions
and
Details
for
Final Exam



  1. The final exam is Wednesday April 26 from 12:30pm-3:00pm (usual class room). The exam will cover:
    Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4.
    Chapter 1-3 are in class. Chapter 4 is take home. The in class part is closed notes and closed book. The exam will not have questions about LaTeX.
  2. A good way to study for this exam.
    • Work through these Jam Session Problems. Recall this class is a transition to higher mathematics, where you learn how to approach problems (loosely speaking, the thinking lands). The problems for this Jam Session are meant to sharpen your thinking lands rather than to be representative of basic topic. Give each problem a good shot before looking at Hints to Jam Session Problems
    • Review the Exam 2 suggested study problems from section 3.6.
    • Review Work through Practice Problems (A) - (G) from Exaam 1. Also now do problems (H) and (I). Give the Practice Problems a honest serious try before looking at the hints/solutions for the Practice Problems.
    • Review your progress checks (ER's, Study Guides, group work, etc.), 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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 quizzes/homework and Exercise Sets homework)
    • examples from class
    • 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 developing problem solving skills rather than regurgitating known facts.
  5. Proofs are a large part of the exam so be able to write a proof (following the Writing Guidelines).
  6. The focus of the exam will be proofs. The format of proof problems will be similar previous exams.
    • The initial parts of a problem often are used in the final part where you actually write your proof.
    • You need to know how to symbolically write a statement (do not forget to quantify).
    • If the proof uses definitions from covered in class, then you need to know the definition.
    • If the proof uses new definitions, then you will be given the definition.
    The Thinking Lands are optional.
  7. 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.
  8. 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).
  9. Come to the exam well rested.



Findable from URL:    http://people.math.sc.edu/girardi/w300.html/