Business Mathematics
1:40 TTh Daily Log

Math 129-01
Spring 2019
week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9,
week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14, week 15, week 16

Items in bold were taken for a grade. The abbreviation ANN stands for announcement. The abbreviation MML stands for MyMathLab. Underlined items are clickable; click and then print out the handout.
Date
Activities
January 15
ANN: You will see two assignments in MML that are due this upcoming Tuesday. They are "MML Interface Homework" which will cover the MML interface including how to enter answers, and "Section 5.1 Homework" will cover the material we cover Thursday in class. You may also have "Section 5.2 Homework" due then. The syllabus will explain how we will usually have MML due the Tuesday after the week we finish the notes in class. In class, we introduced ourselves to each other and talked over some bits from the syllabus and class policies. I also handed out a handout with information from the math tutoring center.
January 17
ANN: There is no school Monday, Jan. 21 so be aware that the campus is closed that day. You may want to work ahead if you need to come to campus to do the homework. ANN: You will see two assignments in MML that are due this upcoming Tuesday, Jan. 22. They are "MML Interface Homework" and "Section 5.1 Homework". In class, I demonstrated how to find the Daily Log (where you are now) on www.stlmath.com. I also did a fair amount of demonstrating around MML to show you various MML resources and capabilities. In class, we worked through the notes for 5.1. This included a mention that there is a lot of terminology in the book and you may want to skim the section before doing the homework. I will not be writing definitions on the board that we do not need for the lesson. However, there are a lot of details in the book you may want to skim. For examples to help with the homework, we did numbers 4, 10, and 17 from the book.
January 22
ANN: Remember that the MML homework is due tonight, midnight. In class, we covered the notes for 5.2, which mostly entailed us doing numbers 6-10 together. We then covered the notes for 5.3, which mostly entailed us doing number 14 together. I handed out a bank reconciliation form to be used in class. I also handed out extra copies to be used, if needed, on the homework. There was some confusion in class about due dates for the MML homework. So, to be clear, the MML homework that is due today is from section 1.1 that was covered last week (and the MML Interface homework). The MML homework for sections 5.2 and 5.3 should be done as soon as you can but is not due until next Tuesday. The general rule of thumb is that a section's MML homework will be due the Tuesday after the week we cover the section in class. That will give you some leeway in doing the homework.
January 24
[January 25 is the last day for a full refund.] We almost covered all of the notes for 6.1. For class examples, we completed numbers 4, 14, 18, 22, and 38. We will do one more example next time (number 33). Since we did not completely finish the notes as I wanted, the MML Section 6.1 Homework due date is postponed 'til the following Tuesday (Feb. 5). However, if you have time this weekend, you can get through most or all of the 6.1 homework since we have done the vast majority of the examples. Of course, also remember that MML homework for sections 5.2 and 5.3 are due next Tuesday.
January 29
ANN: I reminded students of the "Ask My Instructor" option under "Question Help" in MML homework. It's a great way to ask me a homework question without waiting all the way to the next class or office hours. In class, we covered the last example, number 33, for section 6.1 notes. We then went on to discuss the notes for 6.2. For that section, we summarized the section and discussed numbers 2, 6, and 12. We will do more examples but they will wait 'til Thursday. You should, if you have time, work on MML homework for 6.1 and even some 6.2 can be done after today.
January 31
To finish up the notes for 6.2, we worked through numbers 17, 22, 24, and 28. We then went on to work on the notes for 6.3. We summarized the section and completed number 10 for section 6.3. We reviewed finding percents before we did those 6.3 examples. Since we are not done with 6.3 notes, I will postpone that MML homework. However, you may want to try some of it. I will bet some people will do fine on it. You will notice that MML homework for 6.1 and 6.2 are due next Tuesday.
February 5
ANN: Exam 1 will cover chapters 5-7. It is set for Tues., Feb. 19. We will meet in MA 308 for a 75-minute MML exam. Notice that MML homework for sections 7.3 and 7.4 are due Mon., Feb. 18 so you do it before the exam. Also, you will see a Chapter Review Homework assignment for each chapter to help you study for that exam. In class, we completed numbers 16 and 25 for 6.3 notes. We then went on to start the notes for 6.4. For section 6.4, we introduced the section and then covered number 12 (I handed out Book pages 229-230 for Wage Bracket Method for withholding federal taxes) for the wage bracket method of withholding taxes. We then covered the percentage method for withholding federal taxes. For that, I handed out the worksheet Reading tax tables: Percentage method for withholding from which we learned the method from pages 1-5. I told students to complete the four practice problems at the end of this worksheet and it will be collected next class. Next time, I will wrap up the section by talking briefly through some other assorted homework problems.
February 7
I collected Reading tax tables: Percentage method for withholding. To wrap up section 6.4, I talked briefly through some other assorted homework problems. We then covered the notes for 7.1. I handed out Invoice Abbreviations to give you a reference sheet for the many abbreviations needed you may encounter in this section. For section 7.1, we introduced the section and covered many examples. We went over examples for a single discount as well as a series discount, although they were not numbered exercises from the book. The examples were, however, similar to examples 1 and 2 from the book (page 249). We then covered the idea of "net cost equivalent" with the help of the worksheet Net Cost Equivalents of Series Discounts. In addition, we did number 40 from the book as an example. I asked that students complete the worksheet and turn it in next class. We went over some definitions but had to stop. Next time, we will complete number 49 from the book and, to wrap up section 7.1, talk briefly through some other assorted homework problems. Since we have not finished the notes entirely, I postponed the 7.1 MML due date. However, we have done the vast majority of it so you should be successful if you decide to work on the MML homework. In fact, I would suggest you do some of it.
February 12
ANN: Exam 1 will cover chapters 5-7. It is set for Tues., Feb. 19. We will meet in MA 308 for a 75-minute MML exam. Notice that MML homework for sections 7.1-7.4 are due Mon., Feb. 18 so you do it before the exam. Also, you will see a Chapter Review Homework assignment for each chapter to help you study for that exam. Also, and this is new, you are allowed a 3x5 notecard for any notes you like. You can use the front and back of this card. If you do not have a card, just cut a piece of paper to size. Making a good notecard will help lots so take some time on it. Include any formulas or information you do not think you will remember. In class, I collected Net Cost Equivalents of Series Discounts. We finished the notes for 7.1, doing #49 and then briefly talking through other types you see on the homework. We then covered the notes for 7.2. For this section, I introduced the section and then we did problems 12 and 20 from page 259. We then started the notes for 7.3, which started with an introduction including the shorthand notation the section will use. We defined "final discount date" and "net payment date" and foreshadowed the types of problems that we will encounter. We did not get to any specific examples but will next time.
February 14
ANN: Exam 1 will cover chapters 5-7. It is set for Tues., Feb. 19. We will meet in MA 308 for a 75-minute MML exam. Notice that MML homework for sections 7.1-7.4 are due Mon., Feb. 18 so you do it before the exam. Also, you will see a Chapter Review Homework assignment for each chapter to help you study for that exam. Also, and this is new, you are allowed a 3x5 notecard for any notes you like. You can use the front and back of this card. If you do not have a card, just cut a piece of paper to size. Making a good notecard will help lots so take some time on it. Include any formulas or information you do not think you will remember. In class, we finished the notes for 7.3 and then covered the notes for 7.4. For section 7.3, this meant we did numbers 4, 12, and 20. For section 7.4, we defined the terms EOM, ROG, and ex. and completed numbers 2, 8, and 6, in that order. We did not get to a last planned example which explores the idea of partial payments. So that topic will be pulled from the homework and not show up on the exam.
February 19
Class cancelled due to teacher illness. Our exam is postponed to Thursday, Feb. 21. Sorry for the trouble.
February 21
We took Exam 1. If you need to make it up, read the syllabus. Look for an email from me as well.
February 26
In class, we covered the notes for 8.1. I defined terms and introduced the section. We then went over numbers 4, 14, 22, and 24. We went on to start the notes for section 8.2. I was only able to introduce the section so we will continue next time.
February 28
We finished the notes for 8.2 by covering numbers 6, 12, 16, and 24. We then started the notes for 8.3 by introducing the section and copying into our notes the diagrams on page 299 at the bottom. We will look at corresponding formulas next time and continue with the section's examples.
March 5
ANN: Tues., March 19 is a strict deadline for all work (paper or MML) collected in weeks 1-8. I will not accept late papers from section 9.1 or earlier after that date. In class, we finished the section 8.3 notes. We wrote down the formulas from the top of page 300 which go along with the diagrams from page 299. We then completed numbers 10 and 20 as examples. We then went on to start the notes for section 8.4. We went over some terminology from the section and did numbers 2 and 7 as examples. We started to write down the various methods of tracking inventory. We will continue next time.
March 7
ANN: Tues., March 19 is a strict deadline for all work (paper or MML) collected in weeks 1-8. I will not accept late papers from section 8.4 or earlier after that date. In class, we finished the section 8.4 notes. We continued to write down the definitions of the various methods of tracking inventory. We then completed numbers 12 and 23 as examples.
March 19
[March 11-15: No school; Spring Break] [March 18 is strict deadline for all late work from weeks 1-8.] We covered the notes for 9.1. For that section, I introduced the topic of simple interest and we went over the formulas. We completed numbers 2, 10, 6, and 24 as examples. We discussed banker's interest versus exact interest and a table, given on page 327 of the book, that helps you count days between any two dates. For this, I handed out The Number of Each of the Days of the Year to be used as a reference. It is the same as the table given in your book on page 327. We started the notes for 9.2. We looked at how the simple interest formula from the last section (I = PRT) could be solved for P, T, or R. We talked through how the formulas for T are figured since T is in years and we may have to convert to days or months. We then did number 4 as a starter example. We will continue next time.
March 21
We continued our notes for section 9.2, doing numbers 8, 18, and 28. I handed out Simple Interest: Finding Principal, Rate, and Time to be done for Tuesday. We then started the notes for 9.3. We introduced the section and wrote down some important formulas and terminology. We then completed numbers 4, 16, and 18 for section 9.3.
March 26
ANN: Exam 2 over chapters 8, 9, and 10 is set for Tuesday, April 9. We will meet in MA 308 and you allowed a 3x5 notecard to write any notes you want (front and back). In class, I collected Simple Interest: Finding Principal, Rate, and Time. We finished the notes for 9.3 by doing number 20 using the formula on page 344. We followed that up by a discussion of the effective rate, doing number 28 as an example. We finished the section by doing number 30 as an example for treasury bills. We started the notes for 9.4 by writing down the section's introduction. We then completed number 10 as an example of discounting a simple interest note. We will continue next time.
March 28
ANN: Exam 2 over chapters 8, 9, and 10 is set for Tuesday, April 9. We will meet in MA 308 and you are allowed a 3x5 notecard to write any notes you want (front and back). There will be some MML due dates curtailed from the usual Tuesday to Monday, midnight so that all homework is done before you come take the exam. Also, remember that you will have the Chapter Reviews too. In class, we finished the notes for 9.4 by doing number 20 and then looking at how to find the effective interest rate for that type of problem. It was not necessarily asked for in number 20 but may be asked for elsewhere. We then went on to start the notes for 10.1. We introduced the section by comparing compound interest with the simple interest we have been using in chapter 9. We then completed a problem (technically number 11) where we found the simple interest for an account and then found the compound interest, step-by-step as you see in examples 1 and 2 in the book's reading. The purpose of this was so that we could get a good understanding of the process before we use a formula that we will be given next time.
April 2
ANN: Exam 2 over chapters 8, 9, and 10 is set for Tuesday, April 9. We will meet in MA 308 and you are allowed a 3x5 notecard to write any notes you want (front and back). There will be some MML due dates curtailed from the usual Tuesday to Monday, midnight so that all homework is done before you come take the exam. Also, remember that you will have the Chapter Reviews too. In class, we finished the notes for 10.1 by defining two new variables (i and n) that we will use and then writing down the formula given on page 376 for compound interest. We did number 11 as an example of the formula, comparing the answers to what we got when we did the problem last time step-by-step. I went over what it means to compound monthly, quarterly, semiannually, and annually. We then completed numbers 4 and 7 as examples. I did hand out Compound Interest Table: Maturity Value for $1 in Principal to be used as a reference. We used the table for number 7 as the instructions told us to use the table. We then started the notes for 10.2 by writing down the section's details and information about the two tables (pages 385 and 387) in this section. I handed out Compound Interest Tables: Values for (1 + i)^n for Various Rates, Times, Compounded Daily which are simply these tables to be used as a reference. We then did numbers 6 and 8 as examples, noticing how we use the tables for all values of (1 + i)^n needed.
April 4
ANN: Exam 2 over chapters 8, 9, and 10 is set for Tuesday, April 9. We will meet in MA 308 and you are allowed a 3x5 notecard to write any notes you want (front and back). There will be some MML due dates curtailed from the usual Tuesday to Monday, midnight so that all homework is done before you come take the exam. Also, remember that you will have the Chapter Reviews too. In class, we finished the notes for 10.2 by defining inflation a bit and then doing number 23. We then wrapped up section 10.2 by working on a worksheet called Banking application: Savings account with multiple withdrawals. In fact, the first two pages of this worksheet is a completed problem to be used as an example outside of class. We, as a class, completed number 1 on this worksheet. I leave number 2 for you and I will collect it Tuesday. We then completed the notes for 10.3. For this section, we summarized the section including its main formula and table. We then completed numbers 4 and 14 as examples. I handed out Compound Interest Table: Present Value of a Dollar Table which is similar to the table on page 395 to be used as a reference.
April 9
I collected Banking application: Savings account with multiple withdrawals. We took Exam 2. Read the syllabus if you need to make it up.
April 11
We covered the notes for 12.1. We started by previewing the two methods they use to find the balance on a credit card, the unpaid balance method and the average daily balance method. We then completed numbers 2, 6, and 18 as examples. We then started the notes for 12.3, getting mostly through the introduction of the section. We defined terms and looked at the box on page 467 which drew a distinction between APR and the stated rate on some loans. We will continue next time.
April 16
We continued the notes for 12.2 by copying the box on page 468 in the book to our notes. This gave us some basic formulas. We then practiced those formulas by completing number 28. Part d of this problem asked us to "use the table to find the APR". This involved the table on page 470 and instructions on page 469. I gave out a similar table to that given in your book called Annual Percentage Rate Table for Monthly Payment Plans. You can use this but you may need to use the one given to you in MML for certain problems. We then completed number 24 that practices, in part b, using the table again but also introduces a method to estimate the APR using the formula given on page 468 (part a). We then started the notes for 12.3, first by introducing the section's ideas and copying the United States Rule box from page 475. We then started the big example of the section, number 6. We, in fact, only got through performing steps 1-3 (referring to page 475 box) for the first partial payment and will continue from there next time.
April 18
We continued the notes for 12.3, finishing number 6 and then doing numbers 10 and 24 for examples of the Rule of 78. We then started the notes for 12.4, introducing the section and doing number 8 as our first example.
April 23
[Monday, April 22 is the last day to drop and receive a W instead of a D or F.] ANN: Exam 3 will cover 12.1-12.5, 13.1, and 13.2 and will be held Tuesday, May 7. We will meet in MA 308. You are allowed a 3x5 notecard for notes. Some MML due dates will be curtailed. If we do take the exam then, that will be the last day we meet. We do not have a comprehensive final in the class. In class, we finished the 12.4 notes by discussing the Loan Payoff Table on page 485. We did number 10 as an example for the table. We then completed number 22 as an example of how to make an amortization table. We then started the notes for 12.5, first looking at the Real Estate Amortization Table on page 490. For that, we did number 4 as an example.
April 25
We continued the notes for 12.5 by completing number 18 as an example of making a repayment schedule. We discussed escrow accounts with number 12 as our example. I did hand out extra copies of the Real Estate Amortization Table given last time. We then went on to start the notes for 13.1, property taxes. We quickly defined some terminology and then completed numbers 4 and 28 as examples. We looked at the various ways they present tax rates and practiced by converting among them. We will continue next time.
April 30
ANN: All late paper or MML work is due by Tues., May 7. ANN: Exam 3 will cover 12.1-12.5, 13.1, and 13.2 and will be held Tuesday, May 7. We will meet in MA 308. You are allowed a 3x5 notecard for notes. Some MML due dates will be curtailed. That will be the last day we meet. We do not have a comprehensive final in the class. In class, we finished the notes for section 13.1, completing number 14 and then discussing how to find the property tax rate from the city or county's perspective. We completed number 12 as an example. I handed out Finding Property Tax Amounts with Various Rates to be done for Thursday. We then started the notes for 13.2. We started by defining adjusted gross income, taxable income, and personal income tax. We completed numbers 4 and 14 as examples. We will continue next time. I handed out Standard Deductions and Personal Exemptions and 2016 Tax Rate Schedule (Personal Income) as references.
May 2
ANN: All late paper or MML work is due by Tues., May 7. ANN: Exam 3 will cover 12.1-12.5, 13.1, and 13.2 and will be held Tuesday, May 7. We will meet in MA 308. You are allowed a 3x5 notecard for notes. Some MML due dates will be curtailed. That will be the last day we meet. We do not have a comprehensive final in the class. In class, I collected Finding Property Tax Amounts with Various Rates and we finished the notes for section 13.2 by doing numbers 28 and 22. We then completed the worksheet Ricko’s Personal Income Tax. It was collected.
May 7
ANN: Today is the last day for any late work. In class, we took Exam 3.
May 9
Class reserved for testing in case of cancellation on May 7. See syllabus.