Main Aim(s) of the Unit:

The aims of this unit are to equip students the necessary skills to interpret information, carry out calculation and interpret the results of that information and later, to equip students with some of the analytical skills that are relevant to the study of Business Studies as a whole.

Main Topics of Study:

Using a Calculator:

• Approximations
• Estimation
• Degrees of Accuracy
• The Keys of a Calculator
• Standard Form

Fractions:

• Types of Fraction
• Equivalent Fractions
• Operations Involving Fractions
• The Conversion Between Fractions & Decimal Fractions

Ratio and Proportion:

• Ratio
• Division in a Given Ratio
• Direct Proportion
• Scale Diagrams & Models

Measurement:

• Metric and Imperial Units
• Conversion Between Metric & Imperial Units

Percentages:

• Percentages
• Finding a Percentage of an Amount
• Increasing & Decreasing an Amount by a Given Percentage
• Expressing One Quantity as a Percentage of Another

Wages & Salaries:

• Basic Pay
• Overtime Rates
• Commission
• Piecework
• Deductions from Pay

Travel:

• Foreign Currency
• Time
• Timetables
• Sampling, Surveys,

Questionnaires:

• Surveys
• Censuses
• Samples
• Sampling Methods
• Bias
• Questionnaires
• Pilot Surveys
• Hypothesis Testing

Classification & Tabulation of Data:

• Tabulation
• Classification of Data
• Tally Charts
• Frequency Tables

Statistics on Display:

• Pictorial Representation of Data
• Pictograms
• Bar Charts
• Pie Charts
• Line Graphs
• Frequency Polygons
• Drawing Inferences from Diagrams

Averages & Range:

• The Arithmetic Mean
• The Mode
• The Median
• The Use of Mean, Mode & Median
• The Mean & Median of a Frequency Distribution
• Range

Cumulative Frequency:

• The Cumulative Frequency Curve (or Ogive)
• The Median
• The Interquartile Range
• Percentiles

Probability:

• Introduction
• Probability From Theory and Experiment
• Simple Probabilities
• Simple Laws of Addition
• Possibility Space
• Networks & Decision

Trees:

• Networks
• Decision Trees

Algebra:

• The Basics of Algebra
• Indices
• Brackets
• Common Factors
• Equations
• Harder Equations
• Trial & Improvement
• Flow Diagrams
• Sequences
• Formulae

Graphs:

• Graphs & Curves
• The Interpretation of Graphs
• Graph Plotting
• Conversion Graphs
• Cartesian Coordinates
• Straight Line Graphs
• Gradients & Intercepts

Geometrical Shapes:

• Lines & Angles
• Polygons
• Circles & Angles
• Tessellations
• 2D
• Representation of 3D Objects

Mensuration:

• Perimeters of Polygons
• Area
• The Circumference and Area of a Circle
• Volume
• Time & Travel

Graphs:

• Distance-Time Graphs with Straight Lines
• Distance-Time Graphs with Curves
• Velocity-Time Graphs
• Growth & Decay

Further Algebra:

• Simultaneous Equations
• Inequalities
• Removing Brackets
• Rearranging Formulae

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

At the end of this Unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify appropriate types of quantitative information and their sources.
2. Rationalise and structure that information.
3. Use and analyse information that is presented in numerical form in an appropriate method to extract all relevant trends, patterns and points of importance.
4. Present the results and data informative and attractive manners including in diagrammatic form to clients, partners and business colleagues.

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Learning takes place on a number of levels through lectures, class discussion including problem review and analysis. Formal lectures provide a foundation of information on which the student builds through directed learning and self managed learning outside of the class. The students are actively encouraged to form study groups to discuss course material which fosters a greater depth learning experience.
Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

3 Hour Examination 100%

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

Business Essentials - Business Maths: Study Text, BPP Learning Media

Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)

50 hours Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops
Tutorial support includes feedback on assignments and may vary by college according to local needs and wishes.

50 hours Directed learning
Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading / Group study / Portfolio / Diary etc

100 hours Self managed learning
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time. In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.