1. Mathematics, Human Services, & Fitness, Wellness, and Sport Division
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
MTH 096A – Mathematical Literacy for College Students
PCS Code – 1.4
IAI: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Mathematical Literacy for College Students is a one semester course for non-math and non-science
majors integrating numeracy, proportional reasoning, algebraic reasoning, and functions. Students will
develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a
variety of contexts. Throughout the course, college success content will be integrated with
mathematical topics. Credit earned does not count toward any degree, nor does it transfer. Upon
successful completion of the course, students may take MTH 115, MTH 220, or MTH 096S.
Prerequisite: MTH 088 and MTH 089, or equivalent, with grades of C or higher in both or appropriate
placement score.
CREDIT:
6
LECTURE:
6
LAB:
0
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course addresses the following student learning outcome(s). The student will be able to:
X
X
X
Communicate effectively.
Integrate technology into all fields of knowledge and expression.
Demonstrate competency in critical thinking.
Respect and work effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Demonstrate the behaviors of ethical and socially responsible citizens.
Demonstrate personal wellness.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
Apply the concepts of numeracy in multiple contexts.
2.
Recognize proportional relationships and use proportional reasoning to solve problems.
3.
Use the language of algebra to write relationships involving variables, interpret those
relationships, and solve problems.

2. 4.
5.
Interpret and move flexibly between multiple formats including graphs, tables, equations, and
words.
Develop the ability to think critically and solve problems in a variety of contexts using the tools
of mathematics including technology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES DETAILS
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Numeracy
1. Demonstrate operation sense and the effects of common operations on numbers in words and
symbols.
2. Demonstrate competency in the use of magnitude in the contexts of place values, fractions, and
numbers written in scientific notation.
3. Use estimation skills.
4. Apply quantitative reasoning to solve problems involving quantities or rates.
5. Demonstrate measurement sense.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the mathematical properties and uses of different types of
mathematical summaries of data.
7. Read, interpret, and make decisions based upon data from line graphs, bar graphs, and charts.
Proportional reasoning
8. Recognize proportional relationships from verbal and numeric representations.
9. Compare proportional relationships represented in different ways.
10. Apply quantitative reasoning strategies to solve real-world problems with proportional
relationships.
Algebraic reasoning
11. Understand various uses of variables to represent quantities or attributes.
12. Describe the effect that changes in variable values have in an algebraic relationship.
13. Construct and solve equations or inequalities to represent relationships involving one or more
unknown or variable quantities to solve problems.
Functions
14. Translate problems from a variety of contexts into a mathematical representation and vice versa.
15. Describe the behavior of common types of functions using words, algebraic symbols, graphs, and
tables.
16. Identify the reasonableness of a linear model for given data and consider alternative models.
17. Identify important characteristics of functions in various representations.
18. Use appropriate terms and units to describe rate of change.
19. Understand that abstract mathematical models used to characterize real-world scenarios or
physical relationships are not always exact and may be subject to error from many sources.

3. Mathematical success
20. Develop the ability to use mathematical skills in diverse scenarios and contexts.
21. Use technology appropriately including calculators and computers.
22. Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing ideas, patterns, and principles.
23. Demonstrate flexibility with mathematics through various contexts, modes of technology, and
presentations of information (tables, graphs, words, equations).
24. Demonstrate and explain skills needed in studying for and taking tests.
COURSE TOPIC OUTLINE
I. Numeracy
Arithmetic operations of whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, and percents
Magnitude and scientific notation
Estimation - knowing how and when to estimate results, to solve problems and to detect errors
Problems involving quantities or rates
Measurement
Data interpretation and measures of central tendency
Line graphs, bar graphs, and charts
Measures of central tendency
Calculator (hand-held and online) skills
II. Proportional Reasoning
Proportional relationships from verbal and numeric representations
Comparing proportional relationships
Applying quantitative reasoning strategies to solve real-world problems involving proportionality
Using similarity to solve applications
Using dimensional analysis to convert units of measure
Writing and solving proportions
III. Algebraic Reasoning
Uses of variables
Effects of variables on other variables in the algebraic relationship
Constructing and using equations or inequalities
Writing and interpreting compound inequalities in one variable
Writing and simplifying algebraic expressions by using the distributive property, combining like
terms, and/or factoring the GCF
The Pythagorean Theorem

4. IV. Functions
Translating problems into a mathematical representation and vice versa including linear,
exponential, and quadratic functions
Behavior of common types of functions using expressions, graphs, and tables
Identifying linear models
Characteristics of functions including slope, points, intercepts, inputs and outputs
Using appropriate terms and units to describe rate of change
Understand mathematical models
Applying formulas to solve problems related to perimeter, area, and volume
Order of operations
Solving a formula for one of its variables
Interpreting slope as a rate of change
Writing and solving systems of linear equations in two variables
Determining solutions for linear inequalities
Use of Excel
METHODS OF STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Students will be evaluated using a variety of methods including examinations and written
assignments, group work, web based assignments or quizzes.
REQUIRED READINGS (AND SUPPLIES)
Almy/Foes, Math Lit, Pearson Publishing, latest edition
MyMathLab access code
Scientific Calculator—TI-30XII recommended
RECOMMENDED READINGS (AND SUPPLIES)
None
DATE PREPARED AND SUBMITTED
This syllabus was developed by Kathleen Almy and prepared by the Mathematics Department of
the Math, Human Services, and FWS Division, September 13, 2010.
REVIEW DATES
Updated January 2013