Math 101/102 Self-Help

IU Home | Directory | News & Events | Site Map | Search

Math Center

Math 101/102 Self-Help

In addition to the tutoring services that the Math Center provides, we also have several self-help resources available in the center.

If you have ever missed a lecture or wished that you could rewind your professor, check out our collection of videotapes. These tapes can be viewed right in the Math Center, or they can be checked out for a period of three weeks.

If you want to work problems on your own, we have several tutorial software programs including “Math Xpert.” These programs are located in the file “Student Applications” on the desktop of all computers in the center. You may also use our computers to access any of the numerous helpful mathematics websites that are available.

The following is a chapter-by-chapter description of which resources apply to your course. Whenever the center is open, you are welcome to use the resources, or if there is a tutor available, you may ask them for their assistance.

Chapter 1 – Fundamentals of Problem Solving
- Websites:
  - http://www.mathstories.com/strategies.htm Outlines problem solving strategies and presents several examples.
Chapter 2 – Sets
- Websites:
  - http://www.geocities.com/basicmathsets/ Contains a tutorial on sets and interactive problems with solutions.
  - http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/vdiagram/ Contains interactive Venn-Diagram problems as well as an explanation of Venn Diagrams.
Chapter 3 – Logic
- Videos:
  - Tape 5 of the Topics in Contemporary Mathematics Series
- Websites:
  - http://www.math.csusb.edu/notes/quizzes/tablequiz/tablepractice.html Provides interactive truth table problems and solutions.
Chapter 4 – Probability
- Websites:
  - http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol6.html - Lessons on probability that end with several exercises.
Chapter 5 – Statistics
- Websites:
  - http://www.purplemath.com/modules/meanmode.htm - Discusses the difference between mean, median, and mode.
  - http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol8.html - Lessons on statistics that end with several exercises.
Chapter 6 – Mathematical Systems
- Websites:
  - http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ClockArithmetic/ Contains an interactive program for doing clock arithmetic as well as an explanation of the process.
Chapter 7 – Systems of Numeration
- Websites:
  - http://www.purplemath.com/modules/numbbase.htm -- Contains a tutorial on alternate number bases and conversion. Interactive problems are also included.
  - http://www.cleavebooks.co.uk/scol/calnumba.htm -- Provides a calculator that converts numbers in base 10 to other bases, and vice versa.
Chapter 8 – Sets of Numbers and Their Structure
- Websites
  - http://www.purplemath.com/modules/lcm_gcf.htm - Discusses least common multiples and greatest common factors.
  - http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol5.html - Lessons on integers including several exercises.
Chapter 9 – An Introduction to Algebra
- Videos:
  - Tapes 2-4 of the Elementary Algebra Series
- Software:
  - Math Xpert Algebra
    - Linear Functions
    - Inequalities – Linear
Chapter 10 – Selected Topics in Algebra
- Software:
  - Math Xpert Algebra
    - Linear Functions
    - Quadratic Functions
Chapter 11 – An Introduction to Geometry
- Websites:
  - http://www.mathleague.com/help/geometry/geometry.htm - Lessons on a variety of geometry topics.
  - http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol1.html - Lessons on perimeter and area that end with several exercises.
  - http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol2.html - Lessons on circumference and area of a circle that end with several exercises.
Chapter 12 – Consumer Mathematics
- Videos:
  - Tape 1 of the Topics in Contemporary Mathematics Series
- Websites:
  - http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol4.html - Lessons on percents and decimals that end with several exercises.
  - http://www.purplemath.com/modules/percents.htm - Discusses converting between decimals, fractions, and percents.
  - http://www.purplemath.com/modules/percentof.htm - Discusses solving word problems involving percents.

In addition, the following websites may be useful throughout the course:

www.purplemath.com/modules - “Practical Algebra Lessons” including common mistakes that are made. There are even lessons on specific types of word problems.
mathleague.com/help/help.htm – Short lessons, illustrated with many examples, on basic math and pre-algebra concepts.
www.mathgoodies.com/lessons - This website provides short interactive lessons on many basic math concepts.
www.rit.edu/~369www/college_programs/packets.html - Several review packets that include lots of practice problems. The topics range from fractions to calculus.
www.shodor.org/interactivate/student.html - Interactive programs and games that illustrate mathematics concepts.
www.algebrahelp.com – Lessons on algebra topics. It also provides the ability to solve certain types of problems, and it has a series of interactive worksheets to test your skills.