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Maths for Science, OU
The Open University’s contribution to the PPLATO
Project will include an electronic version of the course book for the Open
University course ‘Maths for science’. This course was intended for
independent study, thus the resource can be used with minimal guidance from
teaching staff. The electronic version will included indexing and linking. It
could be used by students whose mathematics is generally weak, or as a reference
point for those who discover that their higher level maths skills are limited
because of a lack of knowledge at a lower level. For example, a student who is
struggling to manipulate algebraic fractions could use the resource both as a
summary of the principles involved and as a reference back to arithmetic
fractions. The mathematics in ‘Maths for science’ is generally at a more
elementary level than that in ‘HyperFlap’.
‘Maths for science’ assumes some knowledge of
arithmetic, but other topics, such as the addition and multiplication of
fractions, are taught. Students are introduced to scientific notation,
significant figures and SI units. Algebraic techniques, such as rearranging and
combining equations are taught from first principles and students are also
introduced to the logarithms, radians, trigonometry, the gradient and equation
of straight line graphs, differentiation and some scientific uses of statistics
and probability. Worked examples are provided throughout and detailed solutions
are provided to the questions in the text. The mathematics is all taught in a
scientific context, with a brief explanation of the science involved provided
when necessary. Most of the questions and worked examples have a scientific
flavour.
More information about the Open University course
‘Maths for science’ is available at http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/
A
short demo of the maths for science resource is available for viewing. Maths
for Science chapters 1 to 4.
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