1. Exam 1 is scheduled for (usual class room and time) Wed. March 1 The exam will cover, from the lectures and textbook: Chapter 1 (§1.1-1.3), Chapter 2 (§2.1-2.5), Writing Guidelines, and Symbolically Write Guidelines. The exam is closed notes and closed book. The exam will not have questions about LaTeX.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Proofs are part of the class so make sure you can write a proof (following the Writing Guidelines). Thus review:
   • the Writing Guidelines along with the List of the WG.
   • the Symbolically Write Guidelines
   • all the proofs we did in lectures
   • the feedback from your proofs on homework.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Come to the exam well rested.

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