MATH 220, Sections 201/202: Mathematical Proof

Announcements

The final exam will be on Friday, April 15 from 3:30-6:00 pm at the following location (you must go to the classroom of the section in which you are registered):

All you need to bring is your student ID and something to write with. Remember that there will be no makeup exam. The final exam will cover all of the material from the course, with a slight emphasis on the material learned since the second midterm.

For the final exam, all the paper you need will be provided for you. No notes, books, calculators, or other aids are allowed; please do not bring cell phones, pagers, alarm watches, or anything else that would make noise during the midterm. You may wish to ensure that you are familiar with UBC's Academic Regulations pertaining to misconduct during exams.

A few study questions for the final exam have been posted (their solutions appear in the same file).

Office hours for the week of the final exam:

The solutions to Homework #9 have been posted.

Reading assigned

  • for Friday, January 7: “Preface for the Student” and pages 2-6
  • for Monday, January 10: pages 25-34
  • for Friday, January 14: pages 35-39
  • for Monday, January 17: solutions to Homework #1
  • for Friday, January 21: pages 39-44
  • for Monday, January 24: pages 6-15
  • for Friday, January 28: pages 50-57
  • for Wednesday, Feburary 9: pages 58-71
  • for Friday, Feburary 11: pages 80-87
  • for Monday, Feburary 21: pages 87-94
  • for Friday, Feburary 25: the statement and proof of Theorem 13.27 on page 266
  • for Wednesday, March 2: pages 256-263
  • for Friday, March 4: pages 264-267
  • for Friday, March 11: pages 271-275
  • for Monday, March 14: pages 276-279
  • for Friday, March 18: pages 279-284
  • for Monday, March 21: pages 284-287
  • for Monday, April 4: pages 293-302
  • To download

    Homework Assignments Solutions to Homeworks Miscellaneous Handouts
    Homework #1 Solutions #1 Study Questions for Midterm 1
    Homework #2 Solutions #2 Solutions to Study Questions 1
    Homework #3 Solutions #3 Solutions to Midterm 1
    Homework #4 Solutions #4 Study Questions for Midterm 2
    Homework #5 Solutions #5 Solutions to Study Questions 2
    Homework #6 Solutions #6 Solutions to Midterm 2
    Homework #7 Solutions #7 Study Questions for Final
    Homework #8 Solutions #8
    Homework #9 Solutions #9

    The following note on proofs gives some helpful advice as to what exactly is expected from you when you write proofs for this course.

    Course Information

    When: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 1:00–1:50 pm
    Where:
    Section 201: Leonard S. Klinck (LSK, also known as CSCI), Room 460
    Section 202: Buchanan (BUCH), D Wing, Room D238
    Textbook: D'Angelo and West, Mathematical Thinking: Problem-solving and proofs (Prentice Hall), 2nd edition
    Prerequisites: A passing mark in one of MATH 121 or MATH 200; or a mark of 64% or higher in one of MATH 101, MATH 103, or MATH 105.

    Section 201 202
    Instructor Prof. Rick Kenyon Prof. Greg Martin
    Office MATH 229B MATH 212
    Email kenyon@math.ubc.ca gerg@math.ubc.ca
    Phone (604) 827-3031 (604) 822-4371
    Office hours Tuesdays 10:00 am-12:00 noon and Wednesdays 2:00-2:50 pm Tuesdays 10:00-11:30 am and Fridays 2:00-2:50 pm

    Description: The purpose of this course is to give students familiarity and facility with writing logically sound and easy-to-follow proofs. Many upper-level mathematics courses, not to mention the actual practice of doing mathematics, require the students to write proofs as part of their learning process. Most interesting mathematical topics require an understanding of general phenomena rather than simply applying known formulas; the only way to understand what is and is not generally true is to examine and construct complete logical arguments.

    In this course, we will learn the fundamental logical components of mathematical statements and structures of valid proofs. We will then use various topics as realms in which to practice proof composition, namely the theory of sets, the real numbers, and limits of sequences and series.

    Use of the web: All homework assignments and other course materials will be posted on this course web page. After the first day, no handouts will be distributed in class. You may access the course web page on any public terminal at UBC or via your own internet connection. Accounts for the Mathematics department undergraduate computer lab (located in the MSRC building) will be given to any enrolled student who requests one; please email or visit the instructor to request an account.

    All documents will be posted in PDF format and can be read with the free Acrobat reader. You may download the free Acrobat reader at no cost by following the link.

    Evaluation: There will be two midterm exams and one final exam, as well as weekly homework assignments. The course mark will be computed as follows:

    You are required to be present at all examinations. No makeup tests will be given. Non-attendance at an exam will result in a mark of zero being recorded. Unavoidable, documented medical emergencies are the only exception to this policy.

    Homework will be assigned on Wednesdays and due the following Wednesday in class. Late homework will not be accepted. To account for forgetfulness or unforseen circumstances, each student's lowest homework score will be dropped. Missed homework will not be excused beyond this point, except for documented medical reasons.

    Students are allowed to consult one another concerning the homework problems, but your submitted solutions must be written by you in your own words. If two students submit virtually identical answers to a question, both can be found guilty of plagiarism.