BU320 - Business Calculus
Business
George E. Thibodeaux, MBA, ARM E-Mail - Vita
I. Course Description: Business Calculus for Business Students
There are fundamental differences in mathematics from the view of linear algebra and calculus.
Algebra is said to be "discrete" in that it is composed of distinct parts. Calculus on the other
hand is "continuous" or proceeding in an unbroken stream of possible outcomes. As a simple
example, with $X at the local fast food restaurant you can buy one, two or any distinct number
of hamburgers. Having purchased your hamburgers, you can, however, eat one, one and a half, two
and seven eighths or any continuous array of numbers of hamburgers.
This course will begin with a review of algebraic functions and progress to the continuous
calculus approach. We will employ both traditional mathematical approaches and student-generated
projects to enhance learning. Real world data will be used to teach methods of problem solving
in the continually changing business environment. We will develop decision models using
derivatives, graphs, continuous probability distribution, integration, and other methods in order
to understand the meaning of the variables in our models. The overall objective is to teach the
student to formulate a problem, develop the approach to address the condition, define variables,
collect data, apply the solutions approach, and validate the conclusion.
II. Course Objective
At the conclusion of this course the student should be comfortable with the following concepts:
A. Developing the fundamentals of the problem solving process
B. Mathematical modeling and formulation of verbal descriptions
C. Linear function models
D. Average and percentage rate of change
E. Derivative notation and interpretation
F. Derivative, chain, and product rules
G. Analysis of graphs and slope graphs
H. Optimization
I. Post optimality analysis
J. Testing of critical point, concavity, and points of Inflection
K. Approximating area under the curve
L. Variable limits of integration
Mathematical Connections, A Modeling Approach to Business Calculus (Preliminary edition);
Johnson-Pollack, Bruce and Borchardt, Audrey F.; ISBN #: 0135763983
IV. Grading and Course Logistics
Weekly Assignments = 20%
Course Project = 20%
Mid Term Exam (Chapters 1&2) = 30%
Final Exam - Non cumulative (Chapters 3&4) = 30%
A = 100 - 90%
B = 90 - 80%
C = 80 - 70%
D = 70 - 60%
F = 60% - Below
Assignments must be completed on a weekly basis. Please submit weekly assignments via email by
Sunday evening of each week. Late assignments will affect your grade.
The course study should take 10 weeks to complete, but must be completed within 12 weeks of an
agreed starting date.
The instructor may be contacted by e-mail with any questions or concerns. If person to person
conversation is necessary, the student should e-mail the instructor with a time and phone number
where the student can be reached.
Academic honestly is highly valued at Canyon College. A student must present the product of his
or her own original work.
V. Weekly Course Outline (This is the optimal course time frame which works well to kept
the student motivated toward completion. However, I do realize that you have chosen Canyon
College because you have active professional and social lives outside of school. Exception to the
optimal time frame must be discussed with the instructor and will be considered on a case by case
basis.)
Week 1 Chapter 1, Sections 1-3, Problem Solving, Functions, and Models Also, read Appendix B, Student-Generated Projects p. 547-553
Weekly Assignment:
Exercises for Section 1.1, p. 38-40, Questions: 1,2,13, and 14
Exercises for Section 1.2, p. 66-67, Questions: 1,2,5, and 6
Exercises for Section 1.3, p. 99-102, Questions: 2,3,15, and 16
Week 2 Chapter 1, Sections 4-5, Problem Solving, Functions, and Models
Weekly Assignment:
Submit for approval a project topic that would be of interest to you to develop for
presentation in the format suggested in Appendix B.
Exercises for Section 1.4, p. 125-127, Questions: 2,3,11, and 12
Exercises for Section 1.5, p. 147-149, Questions: 2,3,7, and 8
