This unit is an alternative to MATH130 Mathematics IE for students with a standard secondary-school background in mathematics who need additional mathematical skills for areas such as economics, finance, biology and chemistry. It omits certain topics in MATH130 which would be of little relevance to the subject areas mentioned above and instead develops the practical applications of the remaining topics.
Topics include basic algebra, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, quadratic equations, arithmetic and geometric progressions (with applications to investment and loan repayments), recurrence equations, simple probability, the basic arithmetic of matrices. Differentiation and its applications to optimisation problems, integration (with linear substitution only), simple numerical methods for solving equations and estimating definite integrals, exponential growth and decay.
Note that MATH123 is not a prerequisite for MATH135 Mathematics IA, a unit needed for further studies in mathematics and also for some computing and statistics units. Students who may need to study MATH135 should enrol in MATH130 instead of MATH123.
