MATH 107 - Survey of Mathematics: Sports and Games

Department Syllabus

Description

A liberal arts course for students who will not be scheduling a technical/professional mathematics course. Explores topics in mathematics through the lens of sports, athletic competitions, and games. Introductory modules may include (but not be limited to): number theory, geometry/measurement, algebra, probability, statistics, voting methods, and graph theory.

 For the Legacy General Education curriculum, this course may be taken for general education credit (G2 for non-math and non-science majors). For the Gateway General Education curriculum, this course may be taken for the Quantitative Literacy (QL) label. Only one of Math 100, 102, 107, and 108 may be taken for general education credit.

Prerequisites

MATH 090 with a grade of C- or higher, or MPT 100.

Course Objectives: By the conclusion of this course the successful student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate competence in foundational mathematical skills in reasoning.
  • Demonstrate competence in foundational mathematical skills in number systems.
  • Explain information presented in different mathematical representations (i.e. diagrams, statistical graphs, equations, and words).
  • Convert data and geometric measurements into a variety of mathematical forms (e.g. appropriate statistical graphs, and geometric drawings).
  • Make appropriate and consistent conclusions about a variety of statistical displays, including determining limitations which occur with estimation and modeling and including determining limitations which occur with estimation and modeling.
  • Use mathematics as a tool to analyze a variety of sports, athletic competitions, and games, using quantitative evidence to critique data displays and geometric representations, as appropriate to justify and support conclusions in context of the mathematical application being addressed.
  • Demonstrate recognition of how mathematical ideas are embedded in modern sports, athletic competitions, and games.
  • Make connections among mathematics topics that occur across sports, athletic competitions, and games.

 Assessment

Assessment of student achievement of the course objectives will vary from one instructor to another. Typical tools for evaluating students performance may include: Journal Entries, Problem Sets, a Student Presentation, and a Final Exam.

Use of Technology

The student is required to access required readings on the Course Management System and on an MU Library web page dedicated to the course. Use of a scientific calculator is also required.

 Tentative topics outline for MATH 107:

  1. Unit #1: Mathematical thinking involves inductive and deductive reasoning
    1. Examples of inductive reasoning: Number puzzles
    2. Examples of deductive reasoning: Strategy games & puzzles
    3. Scheduling problems [graph theory]
    4. Game Theory
  2.  Unit #2: Number Theory & Numeration systems in sports & games
    1. Uses of numeration systems
    2. Numerical patterns in various sports
    3. Scoring systems in athletic competitions
    4. Voting systems [e.g. voting for MVP, college football rankings, determination of city to host Olympics, etc.]
  3.  Unit #3: Data Analysis & Probability in sports & games
    1. Data Analysis
      1. Graphs of univariate data set [qualitative & quantitative]
      2. Graphs of bivariate data set [scatterplots]
      3. Measures of center
      4. Measures of position
      5. Measures of spread
    2. Probability
      1. Single-step probability rules
      2. Multiple-step probability rules
      3. Expected value
      4. Approximating experimental probability with simulations
  4. Unit #4: Geometry & Measurement in sports & games
    1. 2D and 3D geometric objects in sports
    2. Units in sports competition [US Customary vs. metric]
    3. Unit conversion in sports

Course Resources

Course resources include chapters from the following:

  • D’Agostino [2020].How to Free Your Inner Mathematician: Notes on Mathematics and Life. Oxford University Press.
  • Winston, [2009]. Mathletics: How Gamblers, Managers and Sports Enthusiasts use Mathe- matics in Basketball, Baseball, and Football. Princeton University Press.
  • Gallian, [2010]. Mathematics and Sports. American Mathematical Society.
  • Millennium Mathematics Project | Maths and https://sport.maths.org/content/
  • Mathematics and Sports https://www.mathgoodies.com/Webquests/sports