MAT 200 - Logic, Language and Proof

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: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:25- 5:45pm in Lgt Engr Lab 152

Office hours: Mondays 3-4pm, Wednesdays 1-2pm, or by appointment.
MLC office hour: Tuesdays 7-8pm via Zoom.
I will be in my office 1-4pm on Monday Dec 5, 1-3pm on Tuesday Dec 6, and 1-2:30 + 4-8pm on Wednesday Dec 7

Office: Math Tower 3-114

Textbook: An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets and Functions by Peter Eccles

Syllabus: pdf

Grades: 20% homework + 80% midterms (2) and final, check the syllabus for details.

We will use Brightspace and Gradescope (entry code: 7GD8P3)

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)

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)
Part II (Sec 6-9)
Part II.5 (Sec 22: Partitions and equivalence relations)
Part III (Sec 10-14)
Part IV (Selected topics)

Midterm 1, scheduled in class on Sept 28, 2022.
Practice Exam 1, Practice Exam 2 (key).

Midterm 2, scheduled in class on Nov 9, 2022.
Practice Exam 2 (key), Practice problems by topic (key).

Final Exam, scheduled 8:30-11:00pm on Wed Dec 7, 2022.
Practice Final Exam (key), Final for a past iteration of the same class