MATH 126: Business Calculus (GE)
Prerequisites: Either: 1) a C or better in MATH 125, or 2) a passing score on a placement exam approved by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Credit Hours: (3) Three Lecture Hours
An introduction to calculus with particular emphasis on applications in business and
economics. Topics include functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, exponential
functions and logarithms, anti-derivatives and the integral.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. Students
who have received credit for MATH 171 or 151 may not also receive credit for MATH 126.
Detailed Description of Course
The course will cover the following topics:
•Precalculus review as needed
•Functions and their graphs
•Limits and continuity
•Derivatives of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions
•Techniques of differentiation
-Product Rule
-Quotient Rule
-Chain Rule
•Antidifferentiation and the indefinite integral
•Area under a curve and the definite integral
•The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
•Applications of Calculus
-Marginal cost, marginal revenue and marginal profit
-Elasticity of demand
-Applied optimization problems
-Exponential functions and their derivatives
-Consumer and producer surplus
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Most instructors will use the lecture method; some may require students to work together in small groups. Calculators and computers will be used both inside and outside class. In all sections students will be expected to work problems assigned as homework.
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students with a major in the College of Business and Economics are expected to develop
and improve their skills in mathematics.
Students will be able to use the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning to conceptualize and solve problems.
Students will be able to:
a. interpret relationships among numeric, symbolic, and graphical information
as applied to the real world;
b. solve problems using numeric, symbolic, and graphical information
Assessment Measures
Graded tasks may include homework, quizzes and written exams; they may also include group projects and written or oral class participation.
Other Course Information
MATH 126 is designed for students who need some calculus but who do not need trigonometry or the more thorough study of calculus in MATH 171. Students who have credit for MATH 126 and wish to pursue a deeper study of calculus are encouraged to contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for permission to enroll in MATH 169 Calculus I with Integrated Precalculus II.
Review and Approval Date
June 20, 2015
March 01, 2021