Math 100: Investment Syllabus
Topics covered
Math 100: Investment Syllabus
Topics covered
The course aims to relate the concept of interest to real-life situations and environmental issues by stimulating curiosity and critical thinking in students to understand the practical applications of mathematical concepts like interest in everyday scenarios outside the traditional business and financial contexts, hence encouraging them to consider broader implications on environmental and societal levels .
The concept of annuities is introduced in the course by defining simple case annuities and involving students in identifying types of simple interest. Applications are covered through solving problems related to ordinary and exact interest, promissory notes, and understanding the amortization and sinking funds, which are fundamental financial concepts impacted by annuities .
The Math of Investment course employs strategies such as lectures, question and answer methods, exploration, guided discovery, and consolidation practice. These strategies aim to engage students interactively, deepen their understanding of theoretical concepts such as interest and annuities, and develop practical problem-solving skills using tools like investment tables and calculators .
The assessment methods employed in the course include quizzes, journal writing, concept mapping, and exams. These methods are designed to evaluate student understanding by encouraging continuous reflection, application of learned concepts, and practical problem-solving through diverse approaches .
Differentiating between ordinary interest, which assumes a 360-day year, and exact interest, calculated on a 365-day basis, is essential in investment mathematics as these variations can significantly affect the accuracy and outcomes of financial calculations, impacting decisions on loan repayments and investment returns .
Sinking funds are included in the course to help students learn structured financial planning and debt repayment strategies. By understanding how to set aside funds for eliminating debt or replacing assets, students gain insight into long-term investment strategies and fiscal responsibility, crucial for comprehensive financial literacy .
The key objectives of introducing compound interest are to help students define and differentiate it from nominal and elective rates, understand its application in accumulating value over time, and solve practical problems involving various interest calculations. These objectives emphasize understanding dynamic growth of investments .
Calculators and investment tables are crucial tools in the Mathematics of Investment as they aid students in efficiently solving complex problems involving various types of interest, annuities, and valuation calculations. Their use is integral to understanding the practical applications of mathematical concepts to real-world investment scenarios .
Simple interest differs from compound interest in that simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on the principal and the accumulated interest over previous periods. Understanding both is crucial in financial investments as they impact how investments grow over time, affecting decisions on savings and borrowing .
The Math of Investment course integrates values like faith, service, and discipline by aligning educational objectives with personal development goals, promoting a holistic understanding of ethical decision-making in financial contexts, and encouraging students to apply these values in solving real-life problems, fostering responsible and ethical financial practices .



