Spring 2024
A basic course in the logic of mathematics, the construction of proofs and the writing of proofs. The mathematical content is primarily logic and proofs, set theory, combinatorics, functions and relations, most of which are ubiquitous in any math-related subject. There is considerable focus on writing, in a clear and coherent way.
Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00 -- 2:20pm in Library E4310
Office hours: Additional office hours during final week:
Monday May 6, 10am - 6pm
Tuesday May 7, 10am - 2pm
except for about an hour around noon for lunch
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 -- 3:30pm, or by appoitment in my office (Math 3-114)
MLC: Tuesdays 4:00 -- 5:00pm in Math S-235
Office: Math Tower 3-114
Textbook: An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets and Functions by Peter Eccles
Syllabus: pdf (preliminary, subject to change!)
Grades: 20% homework + 80% midterms (1 short miderm, 1 quiz, and 1 long midterm) and final, check the syllabus for details.
MAT 250: Based on the grades of Midterm 1, some students will be offered an option to move up to MAT 250 (Introduction to Advanced Mathematics). This is a 4-credit alternative to MAT 200. It covers similar materials, but at a more advanced level. The goal of MAT 250 is to better prepare for advanced courses, and it is especially suitable for those aiming for graduate studies in mathematics.
We will use Brightspace and Gradescope (entry code: KKJY7D, please enroll using your Stony Brook email)
Here are some instructional videos for submitting homework on Gradescope: Submit homework on the Gradescope mobile app,
Submit pdfs on the Gradescope website
Please remember to assign each page of your submission to the corresponding problem, otherwise we may not be able to easily find your solutions.
I am typing up my notes for the lectures. These roughly reflect what I have done in class. There might be up to a week's delay in posting these notes, which will be updated as we move along in the course. Caveat: they are not as detailed as the textbook and lack some explanations and elaboration I might have made in class. So they serve as a companion and guide, not a substitute to the textbook and lectures.
Course notes: Part I (Sec 1-5, 7) Last updated: Feb 20.
Part II (Sec 6, 8-9) Last updated: Mar 19.
Part III (Sec 10-14) Last updated: May 5.
Part IV (Sec 22) Last updated: April 30.
Midterm 1, scheduled in class on Feb 8 from 1:27pm to 2:20pm. Your grade in Midterm 1 will be the basis for recommedation into MAT 250.
Practice Midterm 1, Review notes and solutions
Midterm 1 suggested solutions has been posted on Brightspace.
Quiz (40 mins), scheduled in class in class on Feb 29.
Practice Problems, Suggested solutions
Midterm 2 (80 mins), scheduled in class on Apr 18.
Practice Midterm 2, Suggested solutions
Midterm 2 resubmission packet (Due Sunday April 28, please use this template)
Final exam (165 mins), scheduled on May 7, at 2:15-5:00pm, in our classroom.
Practice Final Exam, Suggested solutions
LaTeX is a software system for document preparation, widely used by mathematicians and many other scientists to type their work. To encourage learning this valuable tool, you can earn up to 4% bonus points if you typeset two homework assignments in LaTeX (or up to 2% if you do one). Below are some resources for learning and using LaTeX.
LaTeX resources:
Overleaf Intro to LaTeX, many youtube videos (e.g. here)
Many templates on Overleaf for homework, this blog post about the homework document class
Detexify: a tool to translate handwritten symbols to LaTeX codes
TeXShop (for MacOS), TeXstudio, and of course Overleaf (recommended -- easy to use, online)