MATH 34The Mathematics of Money
This course will provide students with the mathematical background and quantitative skills needed to make sound financial decisions. This course introduces personal finance topics including simple interest, simple discount, compound interest, annuities, investments, retirement plans, inflation, depreciation, taxes, credit cards, mortgages, and car leasing. Students will learn how to use linear equations, exponential and logarithmic equations, and arithmetic and geometric sequences to solve real world financial problems. Students will answer questions such as, What is the most they can afford to pay for a car? How much do they need to invest in their 401(k) account each month to retire comfortably? What credit card is the best option? In a society where consumers are presented with a vast array of financial products and providers, students are enabled to evaluate options and make informed, strategic decisions. This course may be used by students from non-technical majors to satisfy 3 credits of their General Education Quantification (GQ) requirement. This course does not serve as a prerequisite for any mathematics courses and should be treated as a terminal course.
Prerequisites
From the catalog: “MATH 4 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement exam”
General education
Quantification (GQ)
Where it sits in degree plans
Suggested plans most often put it in Year 1 · Fall (2 programs).
One of the options in (1)
- Sustainability, Society, and Environmental Geography, B.A.