Mathematics in Everyday Life (G5089)

Key facts

Details for course being taught in current academic year
Level 1  -  12 credits  -  autumn term

E-learning links

Study Direct: G5089 (09/10)

Resources

Timetable Link

Course description

Course outline

Background: To examine diverse ways in which mathematical ideas and methods arise in everyday existence. Students will use a range of techniques to build and analyse mathematical models. They will gain experience in explaining mathematics in writing and in group discussion.

Illustrative Examples: Working with money: Rule of 72; repayments, annuities, APR; discrete and continuous compounding; present value, discounting; risky v safe investments. Differential equations in (e.g.) radiocarbon dating, cooling of liquids, absorption of light, evaporation of mothballs, escape of water down plugholes, war, epidemics, Lotka-Volterra models. Applications to sport - rugby conversion point, snooker angles, dartboard arrangements, tactics in tennis, advice to shot putters, manufacturing spheres, tournament design, ranking methods. Business applications: ordering stock, scheduling, linear programming, investing, promotions policies. Voting methods and paradoxes: Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem. Simpson’s Paradox, disease testing (false positives etc.) gambling, TV game shows.

Pre-requisite

A Level Mathematics or equivalent

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to:
1. Appreciate the wide relevance of Mathematics
2. Explain the relevance of Mathematics.

Library

Eastway, R and Haigh, J Beating the Odds: The hidden mathematics of sport. Robson Books (2007).
Edwards, A.W.F Cogwheels of the Mind. The story of Venn Diagrams. Johns Hopkins Press (2004).
Haigh, J Taking Chances Winning with probability. OUP (2nd Edition 2003).
Hodge, JK and Klima, RE. The Mathematics of Voting and Elections. American Mathematical Society.
Ladany, S.P and Machol, R.E Optimal Strategies in Sports. North Holland (1977).

Assessments

Resit mode of assessment

Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

Teaching methods

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Contact details

Dr John Haigh

Assess convenor, Convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/maths/profile1117.html