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General Mathematics

What is Mathematics?

Mathematics is really all about discovering patterns, understanding why a pattern works, and using a pattern to make predictions. Mathematicians often try to express a pattern using words, numbers, letters, or even pictures.

When it can be shown in a logical manner why a pattern works, then the pattern is called a "theorem," "law," or "formula." A single theorem, law, or formula does not exist in a world by itself. All theorems, laws, and formulas are intricately interconnected. The entire collection of all theorems, laws, and formulas is called the body of mathematics. It is a growing body, where new patterns are discovered every day.

Once a pattern is proven to be a theorem, law, or formula, then it is forever accepted as fact. It can always be relied upon to aid in making correct calculations or accurate predictions. Probability laws can be used to determine an appropriate pay-off in a Las Vegas gambling game; calculus theorems can be used to calculate the lift force on an airplane wing.

At Honolulu Community College, courses in mathematics are divided into the following groups: technical mathematics, algebra, statistics, survey of mathematics, precalculus, and calculus. Please see the college Catalog for a flow chart that visually shows how the courses are sequentially related.

Course Descriptions

Visit the Liberal Arts Syllabus Index for syllabi available online.