Mathematical Foundations

• email
• print
• share

  Add this page to your favorite site:

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

• Introduction |
• What You Should Know |
• If You Want to Review or Preview |

Introduction

Your course material will often rely on the use of mathematical relationships to represent real-world relationships, so your preparation goal is, first, to be comfortable with that notion. Second, it is often useful (and sometimes necessary) to "do some theory" in order to get to the point at which the application of the theory is clearly understood, allowing you to appreciate insights provided by the analysis. "Doing the theory" may involve an element of abstract thinking that is necessary for success.

A basic knowledge of algebra will be used in many courses, and basic concepts of calculus provide important conceptual foundations. From calculus, you will need an understanding of the basic notions of optimization, rates of change, and areas under curves. Some applications of such concepts are marginal costs (rate of change of total cost), total revenue or probability (represented by areas under curves), and maximizing output subject to a raw material constraint (applying optimization principles). Functional area courses (finance, marketing, and operations) will provide opportunities for applications of the understanding gained in the various tools courses (decisions models, statistics, economics and accounting).

What You Should Know

• Notation (exponents, absolute value, summation notation)
• Functions (notations, graphing, ability to create graphs and to reason from a graph)
• Linear models (interpretations of slope)
• Logarithmic and exponential functions
• Solving systems of equations and inequalities
• Understanding the derivative as slope and as a rate of change
• Using the derivative to find maximum and minimum points
• Understanding the partial derivative as a rate of change

If You Want to Review or Preview

Any of the following are recommended:

Choice 1:

Online Math Preparation  (for admitted students only) – Modules I and II

All incoming students will receive access to Online Math Preparation , a collection of short presentations of math concepts and their applications. It is expected that you will work through the entire Preparation before Orientation. 

Online Math Preparation  is organized around four modules:

• Module I:   Algebra for Managers
• Module II:  Calculus
• Module III: Dealing with Data
• Module IV: Introduction to Math for Finance (Time Value of Money)

OR

Choice 2:
Soft-bound book: Forgotten Calculus, A Refresher Course with Applications to Economics and Business,3rd Edition by B. Bleau, published by Barron's (ISBN 0-7641-1998-2 ). Obtain via www.amazon.com . This workbook starts with an excellent review of algebra with business applications. Read Units 1-8. Also read the beginning of Units 22 and 23. Units 9-11 and 19 give a review of calculus.

Also, download and read Calculus: What is it? What is it for?  by Sloan and Bernstein. This is a brief introduction for people who have never seen calculus Do this reading before you work through Units 9-11.

OR  

Choice 3:
CD-ROM material Quantitative Skills Interactive published by GMAC. This CD-ROM consists of a 16-20 hour review of algebra and calculus with business applications. Six topics are covered: Data Relations, Functions, Systems of Equations, Logarithms, Exponents, and Calculus. Check that your system has the requirements to handle this material. The CD can be ordered at http://www.mba.com/mba/Store .

Also, Calculus: What is it? What is it for?  by Sloan and  Bernstein. Read it before you work on the Calculus section of the CD-ROM.