Math 301, Introduction to Proof, Fall 2022

HW due Wed Aug 31st

  1. Each group write up your strategy for Subdivvy and bring a copy to class.

  2. Individually: write a paragraph or so describing what differences you noticed between your written solution to the word problems we did in class on the first day, and your explanation of your solution to your partner. Why do you think I asked you to do this particular Classwork exercise?

HW due Wed Sep 7th

  1. Read: the syllabus, the introduction and Sections 1.1 and 1.2. Do the explorations and the GYHDs as you go (you don’t need to hand these in).

  2. p16 Q1, 2, 5

  3. Writing exercise: What do you think will be the differences between this course and other math courses you’ve had? What do you think will be the most enjoyable aspect? What are you worried about?

HW Due Mon Sep 12

  1. Read: Sections 1.3 and 2.1. Do the explorations and the GYHDs as you go (you don’t need to hand these in).

HW Due Wed Sep 14

  1. p37 Q2, 3, 5, 8

  2. p53 Q2, 5

  3. Writing exercise: Have you been keeping up with your nightly reading assignments? If so, have you found it helpful to read the book ahead of time, and then have us spend class time getting deeper into the material by clarifying ideas and working examples? If not, why not? Do you feel you can understand most of what the book has to say? Do you spend at least a minute or two thinking about the Explorations and the GYHD’s as you go?

HW Due Mon Sep 19

  1. Read: Sections 2.2 and 2.3. Do the explorations and the GYHDs as you go (you don’t need to hand these in).

HW Due Wed Sep 21

  1. p53 Q6, 8

  2. p65 Q1, 2, 5acegikmo

  3. Writing exercise: How do you plan to study for the upcoming exam? When will you begin studying, and how many hours do you plan to invest? Will you study alone or with other students? What specific sorts of things will you do to study?

HW Due Wed Sep 28

  1. Read: Sections 2.4. Do the explorations and the GYHDs as you go (you don’t need to hand these in).

HW Due Thu Sep 29

  1. p71 Q1, 2

  2. p80 Q4, 8

HW Due Wed Oct 12

  1. Read Section 3.1

HW Due Wed Oct 19

  1. p80 Q9ace

  2. p104 Q2, 3, 4, 6, 7

  3. Writing exercise: Are you happy with your grade on this exam? What do you feel you did right in preparing for this exam? What do you feel you did wrong in your preparations? What do you think you could do for this next exam in order to be better prepared? Are you willing to do those things?

HW Due Mon Oct 24

  1. Read Section 3.2

HW Due Wed Oct 26

  1. p124 Q7, 8, 9, 11

  2. Writing exercise: Why haven’t you come to office hours (if you haven’t)? Is there anything I can do to increase the chances that you’ll come to office hours?

HW Due Mon Oct 31

  1. Read Section 4.1

HW Due Wed Nov 2

  1. p126 Q18bc, Q19ab (just for 18bc), 20ad, 22degh

  2. Functions fun pack 2b, 3a

HW Due Mon Nov 7

  1. Read Section 4.2

HW Due Wed Nov 9

  1. p167 Q2, 3cde, 5, 11abc

  2. On a separate sheet of paper, write out detailed proofs of 2a and 3b from the functions fun pack.

  3. Writing exercise: Write a few paragraphs using your answers to the following questions as your starting point (don’t just write a list of answers to the questions): How do you write a proof? How do you decide where you should start? How do you know what you are supposed to show? How do you know when your proof is done? What role do definitions play in proof writing? Why do we use quantifiers in mathematical statements? What role do they play in deciding how to structure your proofs?

HW Due Mon Nov 28

  1. Read Section 5.1

HW Due Wed Nov 30

  1. p196 Q4, 10, 14b, 18abc.

  2. On a separate sheet of paper, write out detailed proofs of p196 7ab.

  3. Writing exercise: What learning and studying techniques have you found most effective? What do you intend to do between now and the final? What would you like to do in class?

HW Due Mon Dec 5

  1. Read Section 6.1

HW Due Wed Dec 7

  1. Functions fun pack Q4, sample final Q5, 14, 19

  2. Resubmit any outstanding resubmissions.

  3. Writing exercise: What advice would you give future students taking this class? What advice would you give future instructors of this class? Indicate clearly whether I may (anonymously) share this advice with future students and instructors.