Picture of the cover of the 11th edition:
Picture of the cover of the 12th edition:
Materials List for MTH 151-152
The text was created by its author.
Unless otherwise attributed all other materials used in the course, including the forms, qa's, queries, DVDs and other components of the course, were created by David A. Smith, Virginia Highlands Community College, hereafter referred to as "the instructor".
The text is Mathematical Ideas, Expanded Edition, latest edition by Miller and Heeren. The bookstore version contains access codes for some useful publisher support. Most students, however, do not report that they make use of publisher support. The ISBN of the 12th edition is 9780321693815.
It is possible to use an earlier edition of the text. The ISBN of the 11th edition text is 0-326-36146-6.
Picture of the cover of the 11th edition:
Picture of the cover of the 12th edition:
Course Videos
The text is supported by video lecture notes on the topics that most often give students difficulty.
These videos are now posted online through YouTube. The link is on the menu bar of your homepage, and on both your Assignments Page and Brief Assignments Page near the top of each page. It is also included below for your immediate convenience:
If you don't have a fast Internet connection it is recommended that you purchase USB flash memory devices containing the video content formerly on the DVD's. These devices will be made available, at your request, by the VHCC bookstore. The cost will be that of the device itself (you may choose either an 8 GB device, which is sufficient for the video content, or a 16 or even a 32 GB device at a moderately higher prices, in case you have a use for the extra storage) plus a $5 service charge. You may call the bookstore to ask for the price of the device. (The person you talk to might not yet know about the video files, so the price they give you will not include the $5 service charge). Current prices, as of January 2015, are about $10 for 8 GB and $15 for 16 GB, but this could be subject to change at any time.
To request this option email the instructor with your mailing address and the size of the device on which you want the files copied.
Playing the videos
Nearly any Windows computer will be equipped to play the videos. Computers running other operating systems might not be so equipped.
If your computer is not equipped to play these videos, there are a number of free players that will do so. It is up to you to decide which one best meets your needs.
When I ask for recommendations, the one player that is almost universally recommended is the VLC Player. If you search for VLC player you will easily be able to find and evaluate it. The current website is http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ ; however the site could well change without my being aware of it, so if the link doesn't work do the search.
To contact the VHCC bookstore call 276-739-2400 and ask for the bookstore.
Required calculator
A calculator is not required for a lot of the material in this course. However a calculator will sometimes come in handy.
The only calculator permitted on tests will be the Casio fx-260. This is the same calculator that is legal for the SAT. This calculator is inexpensive, and is available through the VHCC bookstore as well as online.
You can use any calculator you wish when you do your homework, but your instructor's best advice is to use it very sparingly and when you do, use the calculator that is permitted on the tests.
