Prerequisites: MATD 0414, MATD 0424, MATD 0444, NCBM 0214, NCBM 0224, or NCBM 0244; with a grade of C or higher. Or a satisfactory score on the TSI Mathematics Assessment or completion of TSI requirements in mathematics. Students who are TSI Complete in Math based on completion of NCBM 0185, NCBM 0142, MATD 0385, MATD 0342 or MATD 0485 are NOT eligible for Math for Business and Economics.

Required Materials 

Calculator: You will need a scientific calculator that handles exponents, logarithms and simple probability and statistics.  Most ACC faculty are familiar with the TI family of calculators. Hence, TI calculators are highly recommended for student use.  Other calculator brands can also be used.  Graphing calculator use may NOT be allowed on some exams.  However, (non-graphing) calculator use will be permitted on exams, but some exam questions will not permit calculator use.

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Making Time to Learn

We learn math by thinking about and working on mathematical problems, which takes time. Practice is crucial in a math course. To ensure that you have adequate time, set aside 8-12 hours per week outside of class time to practice and study for this course.  Ask for help immediately when something isn’t clear.

Note to Students

A steady pace must be maintained throughout the semester in order to complete all required topics in a thorough manner.  Students experiencing a great deal of difficulty in Sections 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1 through 2.3 should review (on their own) Appendices A or should consider taking the corequisite NCBM 0224/MATH 1324. Students who discover difficulty during the first class of the semester should consider changing their registration during late registration to include NCBM 0224.  Students also have access to walk-in tutoring at the Learning Lab.

Getting Help

ACC provides several free resources for students who need help; descriptions and links are below: 

Office hours: Another name for office hours is “student hours.” This is the time your instructor has set aside to answer student questions, so feel free to drop by if you have questions. Office hours may be virtual or on campus; see information above.

Instructional Associates: Instructional Associates specific to the course you are taking are available for tutoring. To make an appointment, go to https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/math-students/meet/list and then click on your course.

Learning Labs: The ACC Learning Labs provide tutoring in math and other subjects. To schedule an appointment, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/learning-lab. This site includes information about in person and virtual tutoring options.

Academic Coaching: Academic coaches offer extra support to students with study strategies; they want to help you learn to be an active participant in your own learning process. For more information or to make an appointment with an academic coach, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/academic-coaching.

ACC Student Services: Services are offered in many areas, including Academic, Financial, Personal, and Technology Support.  For more information, go to https://www.austincc.edu/student-support.

Grades

Grade Components

Tests 1-4: 80%

MyLab Homework: 10%

Handwritten Homework: 10%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

Where can I find my grades?

Grades will be posted in Blackboard. Do NOT use the Blackboard app to determine your grade, as this app computes the grades incorrectly.  I will post the Exam Average, the Written Homework Average, and the Overall Course Average, along with a tentative current letter grade, all in Blackboard.  These grades should be regarded as Approximate, until after the final exam has been graded and final grades have been computed.  If you have any questions about your grade, please email me or see me during office hours.

What will we do in this class?

Tests:

There will be 4 exams, each of which will count 20% of your overall course grade. The fourth exam is NOT a comprehensive exam.  The dates of the exams are noted on the schedule, always on the Thursday of the exam week. All tests will be administered in class. Partial credit is given on exams when the answer is wrong, but the methods used are partially correct.  However, the amount of partial credit given on exams is at the discretion of the instructor.

Homework:

Homework will be assigned every week (on Thursday in Blackboard in the Homework Box) and is due before class the next Thursday.  Instructions on how to access the Blackboard Homework Box will be discussed on the first day of class.

It is vital that students NOT get behind on homework. Make use of tutoring resources and office hours if you have questions about the homework.  You may work in groups on homework, but the homework you submit must represent your own work. Get help when you need it, but first try to do as much of the work on your own as you can.  You need to learn how to set up and solve the problems yourself.  If you don’t, then you will not do well on the tests.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: The lowest three written homework section grades will be dropped for computing the final grade.  No test grades will be dropped or replaced.

Late Homework Policy: Some flexibility for late written homework may be permitted.  However, it is very important that students not get behind in learning the material.  Therefore, late MyLab homework won’t be accepted except under unusual circumstances.  You might want to start working on the homework as soon as possible so you don’t get behind.  Also, be sure to turn in as much homework as you can, even if it is not perfect or completely finished.  Turning in some homework is better than turning in no homework.

Missed Exam Policy: Missing an exam is very serious and should be avoided if possible.  Makeup exams are disruptive and inconvenient to both the student and the instructor.  If you know that you must miss an exam, contact the instructor as early as possible, and no later than 24 hours after the missed exam.  But it is still at the discretion of the instructor to give a makeup exam.  Also, if you miss an exam and notify the instructor, you must pay attention and respond to your ACC email so that you can coordinate with the instructor in case a makeup exam is offered.

Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students. If a student has five or more absences, is consistently disruptive in the classroom, or if compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw the student from the class.  In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances, the student is responsible for communicating with their instructor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their instructor because of class sessions being missed.  “Absence Count” in the gradebook merely records the number of absences and does not affect the final grade.

Participation Policy: Students are expected to be present in the classroom, and to participate actively.  Occasionally, the instructor may call upon students in class to answer questions or to help work problems.

What AI Resources are allowed?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Policy: Generative AI (GAI) is a useful tool for exploration and learning. Use of GAI on unproctored work such as homework and independent learning is permitted, but caution is advised as not to become dependent on it. The purpose of assessments is to demonstrate what students are able to do independently. In this course, GAI includes Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) and any electronic tools that solve problems for students. Violations to GAI use policies are considered scholastic dishonesty and will be handled according to established departmental and college procedures. GAI may not be used on major assessments other than in cases where permissions are explicitly stated.

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3

MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business and Economics (3-3-0). A course in finite mathematics for business students including linear equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, the exponential and logarithmic functions, the mathematics of finance, systems of linear equations and matrices, linear programming, and an introduction to probability.

The Details

First Day Access: To enhance your learning experience and provide affordable access to the right course material, this course is part of an inclusive access model called First Day™. You can easily access the required materials for this course through Blackboard, at a discounted price, and benefit from single sign-on access.  Austin Community College includes the discounted price as a course fee in your registration fees for this course.

It is NOT recommended that you Opt Out, as these materials are required to complete the course. You can choose to Opt Out on the first day of class, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price and access to your materials may be suspended. See your course in Blackboard for details.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn will not be reinstated unless they have completed all coursework, projects, and exams necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class. Reinstatement is up to the instructor’s approval.

Incomplete Grade Policy: Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must be up to date on coursework and have a passing grade, and after the last date to withdraw, have a legitimate reason that prevents course completion. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Communication with Your Instructor: All e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account or math software if applicable, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account or math software when communicating with instructors.  Instructors will respond to student emails within 3 business days, if no response has been received by the student at the end of that time, then the student should send a reminder to the instructor.

Name Change Information: If you want to change how your name appears online at ACC, go to https://www.austincc.edu/admissions/update-student-information/chosen-name.

General College Policies: Policies that apply to all courses at ACC can be found here: https://www.austincc.edu/offices/academic-outcomes-assessment/master-syllabi/college-policies.

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill. 

Textbook: Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences, 14th Edition by Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen, & Stocker. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software)  ISBN: 9780134862576

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced.

Important Dates

Last day for 70% refund: Monday, February 9, 2026

Last day to withdraw: Monday, April 27, 2026

Holidays: Spring Break, March 16-20, 2026

Course Rationale

This course is required in certain degree plans, such as Accounting, Computer Information Systems and Economics. For some students, this is the first half of a two-semester finite mathematics/business calculus sequence. Some students take this course as a general mathematics elective.

Course Objectives

Mathematics for Business and Economics has four main mathematical topics: Linear functions and systems of linear equations and inequalities, counting and probability, functions and algebra review, and finance with the requisite exponentials and logs. The objectives of the course are for students not only to know the mathematics of these concepts, but also to be able to apply the concepts to analyze and interpret information in business and financial application problems.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Identify the basic graphs and properties of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Apply the knowledge of functions to business applications such as simple, compound or continuous compound interest, ordinary annuities, finding the maximum or minimum for quantities which are quadratic functions, and finding break even points.
2. Perform basic operations with matrices, and use matrix methods to solve systems of linear equations. Apply the knowledge of matrices to business problems such as inventory, production, and total cost.
3. Use geometric method to solve linear programming problems. Interpret information as an objective function with constraints, set up the linear programming problem, solve the problem and interpret the result in the context of the problem. 
4. Use basic counting techniques and calculate probabilities, including conditional probabilities. Apply the mathematical knowledge of probability to business problems and interpret the results.

General Education Competencies

1. Critical Thinking – gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information is covered in every SLO. 
2. Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning – applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods is covered in every SLO.
3. Written, Oral and Visual Communication – communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in every SLO.