Course Description:

Promotes mathematical literacy among students. This course will cover important mathematical ideas and problem solving skills in the context of science, technology, and/or society. Topics may include: logic and critical thinking, Venn Diagrams, problem solving, sets, units of measure, percentages and ratios, counting and probability, statistics, exponential growth and decay, linear and exponential models. Quantitative Reasoning is designed to stimulate interest in and appreciation of mathematics and quantitative reasoning as valuable tools for comprehending the world in which we live. This course does not satisfy the prerequisite of any other math course.

This course is designed for Pre-Nurse & Nurse students only, as puts it emphasis on Nursing related problems. 

Textbooks:

     (A) Using & Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach (7th Edition) by Bennett and Briggs.

     (B) Medical Dosage Calculation, A Dimensional Analysis Approach (11th Edition) by Olsen, Giangrasso, and Shrimpton.

Sections Covered:

• (B) Chapter 1 – Review of Arithmetic for Dosage Calculations
  • Rounding decimal numbers
  • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions (calculator)
• (B) Chapter 3 – Dimensional Analysis
  • Identify some common units of measurement and their abbreviations.
  • Construct unit fractions from equivalences.
  • Convert a quantity expressed with a single unit of measurement to an equivalent quantity with another single unit of measurement.
  • Solve, using Dimensional Analysis, both simple (one-step) and complex (multi-step) problems involving single units of measurement.
  • Convert a quantity expressed as a rate to another rate.
  • Solve, using Dimensional Analysis, both simple (one-step) and complex (multi-step) problems involving rates.
• (B) Chapter 4 – The Household and Metric Systems
  • The Household System.
  • Decimal-Based Systems.
  • The Metric System.
• (B) Chapter 5 – Converting from One System of Measurement to Another
  • Equivalents of Common Units of Measurement.
  • Metric-Household Conversions.
  • Volume Conversions.
  • Weight Conversions.
  • Length Conversions.
• (B) Chapter 6 – Oral Medications
  • Simple (one-step) Problems.
  • Complex (multi-step) Problems.
  • Dosages Based on the Size of the Patient.
• (B) Chapter 8 – Solutions
  • Introduction.
  • Strengths of Solutions Using Explicit Units of Measurement.
  • Strengths of Solutions as Ratios, Fractions, and Percents.
  • Liquid Solutes.
  • Dry Solutes.
  • Determining the Amount of Solute in a Given Amount of Solution.
  • Determining the Amount of Solution that Contains a Given Amount of Solute.
• (A) Chapter 2 - Approaches to Problem Solving 
  • 2C  Problem-Solving Hints
    • Explore a general set of hints for effective problem solving.
  •  + Chapter 1 - Thinking Critically 
• (A) Chapter 4 - Managing Money
  • Review  Powers and Roots
  • 4A  Taking Control of Your Finances
    • Review the basics of personal budgeting.
  • 4B  The Power of Compounding
    • Explore the basic principles of compound interest.
  • 4C  Savings Plans and Investments (Savings Plan Formula, Total and Annual Return, Stocks and Bonds)
    • Calculate the future value of savings plans and study investments in stocks and bonds.
  • 4D  Loan Payments, Credit Cards, and Mortgages
    • Understand the mathematics of loan payments, including those for student loans, credit cards, and mortgages.
  • 4E  Income Taxes
    • Explore the mathematics of income taxes and the political issues that surround them.
• (A) Chapter 5 - Statistical Reasoning
  • 5A  Fundamental of Statistics
    • Understand how statistical studies are conducted, with emphasis on the importance of sampling.
  • 5C Statistical Tables and Graphs
    • Interpret and create basic tables and graphs, including frequency tables, bar graphs, pie charts, histograms, and line charts.
  • 5D Graphics in the Media
    • Interpret and explore common types of media graphics.
  • 5E Correlation and Causality
    • Investigate correlations and learn how to decide whether a correlation is the result of causality.
• (A) Chapter 6 - Putting Statistics to Work
  • 6A Characterizing Data
    • Investigate ways of describing data by their average value – including mean, median, and mode – and their distribution.
  • 6B Measures of Variation
    • Explore common measures of variation, or spread, in a data set: the range, the five-number summary, and the standard deviation.
  • 6C The Normal Distribution
    • Study the characteristics of the normal distribution, or bell-shaped curve, and learn why it is so important.
  • 6D Statistical Inference
    • Explore three crucial ideas used when inferring a conclusion about a population from results for a sample: statistical significance, the margin of error, and hypothesis testing.
• (A) Chapter 7-Probability
  • 7A  Fundamentals of Probability (Theoretical, Frequency, and Subjective Probability, Distributions)
    • Explore basic concepts of probability and learn three methods for determining probabilities: theoretical, relative frequency, and subjective.
  • Review  The Multiplication Principle
  • 7B  Combining Probabilities (And vs Either/Or, At Least Once Rule)
    • Learn basic rules for adding and multiplying probabilities.
  • Review  Factorials
  • 7E  Counting and Probability (Arrangements, Permutations, Combinations)
    • Learn about permutations and combinations and apply them to probability and to exploring coincidences.
• (A) Chapter 8-Exponential Growth and Decay
  • 8A  Growth: Linear vs Exponential
    • Distinguish between linear growth and exponential growth, and explore the remarkable effects of the repeated doublings that characterize exponential growth.
  • 8B  Doubling Time and Half-life (Approximate Doubling Time and Half-life Formula, Exact Formulas)
    • Find and understand the doubling time for exponential growth and the half-life for exponential decay.