MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF

TECHNOLOGY

STUDENT GUIDE

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Mathematical Sciences

Qualification:
Diploma in Accounting (ECP) 4 years: ACOECP
Diploma in Accounting (3 years): ACODIP

Name of Subject: Business calculations 1

Subject code for ACOECP : BUSC100
Subject code for ACODIP : BUCA101

Name:
Surname:
Student number:

(revised 2024)

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 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Name of Lecturers : Mrs Jo-anne Wyngaardt (Full time – Day group)

Dr A S Mabaso (Part time – Evening group)

Department : Mathematical Sciences

Telephone : 031 907 9317 – Wyngaardt

031 907 7631 – Mabaso

Office room No : C233 (Main campus) – Wyngaardt

Natural Science Building – Dr Mabaso

E-Mail : joanne@mut.ac.za
Asmabaso@mut.ac.za

Secretary : Mr Z S Zwane

Department : Mathematical Sciences

Telephone : 031 819 9443

Email address : zwane.zamani@mut.ac.za

Head of Department : Prof A M Msomi

Department : Mathematical Sciences

Telephone : 031 907 7419

Fax No : N/A

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1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Business calculations one, please make take some time to read through this
document. It gives you some information the Lecturer and the Department of Mathematical
Sciences would like you to know and serves as a guide for students. This subject is offered to
students registered for the Diploma in Accounting. Students registered for ACODIP will have the
code BUCA101 reflecting on their registration documents and students registered for ACOECP
will see BUSC100 reflecting on their registration documents. Please check your registration
documents for the correct code.

Business calculations 1 is offered in the first semester only. Contact time for this module is
three (3) times a week for one and a half hours per lecture. Online classes may be used as an
alternative if problems occur. These contact periods will be used mainly for lectures and tests.

Please liaise with the lecturer assigned to your group if there is a need. The details of the
Lecturers are given in the section above. Students should elect two class representatives to
represent them.

Class representatives should ensure that their details reach the relative Lecturer. Class
representatives should report to the effected Lecturer if a test, meeting, or any other activity that
prevents the class from meeting with the Lecturer.

If any of the information stated above are not reflecting on your registration documents, please
liaise with the staff in the Department of Accounting and Law to have your registration
documents corrected. If the problem is not fixed it affects the marking and recording of your
results and may lead to results not being record. The ownership of the correctness of your
registration is on you the student.

We hope you will find this course interesting and stimulating.

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1.1 Purpose of the student guide
This student guide serves as an instrument for preparation. It will provide you with an overview
of the course and its prescribed syllabus. This course is subdivided into chapters/modules so
that you can plan your time and prepare adequately for lectures and assessment. Moreover, it
will enable you to be systematic in the way you complete the syllabus.

2. COURSE OUTLINE

2.1 Purpose of the subject

The purpose of Business calculations 1 is to equip students with the necessary skills to perform
basic, quick and accurate calculations which is needed in accounting and other subjects in your
programme.

2.3 Prerequisite/s
There are no Prerequisites for students registered for BUCA101. Students who are registered
for BUSC100 must have passed the course Introduction to Business calculations.

2.4 Co-requisite/s
Business calculations 1 has not co-requisites, but is a co-requisite for many of the other
subjects you will do.

2.5 Learning outcomes and Assessment criteria

LEARNING OUTCOME 1: NUMBERS, NUMBER RELATIONS AND SETS

The student is able to:

 distinguish the different kinds of numbers (viz. Natural numbers, whole numbers,
integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers and real numbers.);

 represent numbers in a variety of ways and move flexibly between representations;

 calculate confidently and competently, with and without a calculator, guarding against
becoming over dependent on the calculator;

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  use and explain the definition of sets, subsets, proper subsets and apply the operations
of sets.

 explain the concept of exponents and logarithms;

 apply the properties of exponents and logarithms;

 solve problems related to arithmetic, geometric and other sequences and series;

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 List the sets contained in the real number system.

 Express certain numbers as mixed numbers, decimal fractions, percentage, surd,

improper fractions etc. and in scientific notation form, standard notation form,
exponential form and logarithmic form.

 Express inequalities in interval notation form and vice versa as well as graphically.

 Calculate with a calculator.

 Calculate without the use of a calculator, apply the order of operations (BODMAS).

 Solve and simplify exponential and logarithmic problems.

 Solve problems involving sequences and series.

 Apply the definition of sets, subsets, proper subsets and the operations of sets using a
Venn diagram.

LEARNING OUTCOME 2: LINEAR EQUATIONS, LINEAR FUNCTIONS AND

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR FUNCTIONS

The student is able to:

 create a Cartesian coordinate system and plot ordered pairs (points);

 define a function; recognise the relationship between independent and dependent

variables;

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  evaluate functions for given x -values;
 identify, write, find and graph linear functions;

 identify and solve simple and simultaneous linear equations;

solve linear inequalities;

 apply the knowledge of linear functions to business related problems.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 Write linear equations in slope intercept form, i.e. y  mx c .

 Solve first degree/linear equations in one variable.

 Solve and graph linear inequalities in one variable.

 Write set-builder and/or interval notation for the solution set or graph of an inequality.

 Change the subject of the formula.

 Solve systems of linear equations in two variables by demonstrating the use of one of
the three methods (elimination method, substitution method or graphical method).

 Plot points on a Cartesian plane and write the coordinates of the given points in the
correct order.

 Graph linear equations ( y  mx c ) using a table of values.

 Graph linear equations using the y - intercept and slope and using the x  and y 
intercepts.

 Graph horizontal and vertical lines

 Find the slope of a line given two points on the line.

 Find the equation of a line given graphic data: the slope and the y  intercept, the
slope and one point, or two points on the line.

 Determine whether a pair of line is perpendicular, parallel or neither.

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  Find the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to a given line through a point.

 Use and interpret function notation to evaluate functions for given x  values and find
x  values for given function values.
 Find the simple interest using the equation, I  Prt .

 Find the final amount using the formula, A  P rt 1 .

A
 Find the present value using the formula, P  .
( rt  1)

 Determine the simple discount using the formula, simple discount  S  d  t .

 Find the proceeds using the formula, proceeds  S 1  dt

 Find the linear cost model, C ( q ) V c q  Fc .

 Evaluate the total cost of producing a certain number of units, q.

 Determine the rate of depreciation.

 Find the value of the commodity after x amount of years (straight line depreciation).

 Find the linear equation of demand and supply.

 Solve the linear demand equation and linear supply equation simultaneously and
determine the equilibrium price and quantity.

LEARNING OUTCOME 3: PROBABILITY

The student is able to:

 apply basic probability

 construct a probability tree diagram and solve probability problems using a tree diagram;
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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 Construct a probability tree diagram and answer questions related to the probability tree
diagram.

LEARNING OUTCOME 4: LINEAR PROGRAMMING

The student is able to:

 solve linear programming problems by optimizing a function in two variables, subject to

one or more linear constraints, by solving a system of linear equations to find the co-
ordinates of the vertices of the feasible region.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 Define and apply the five steps in linear programming.

 Define the constraints and objective function of a linear programming word problem.

 Draw the graph of all constraints on the same set of axis.

 Determine and locate the optimal point(s) in the feasible region.

LEARNING OUTCOME 5: NUMBER AND OPERATIONS IN CONTEXT

The student is able to:

 use their knowledge of numbers and their relationships to apply to financial problems.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

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  Solve compound interest problems using the appropriate formula and using a calculator.

 Solve effective rate of interest problems using the formula and using a calculator.

 Distinguish between ordinary annuity and annuity due.

 Give real life examples of where ordinary annuity and annuity due is used.

 Calculate future value of an ordinary annuity using tables and using a formula.

 Calculate future value of an annuity due using tables and using a formula.

 Calculate sinking fund payments using a formula.

 Calculate amortization payments using a formula.

LEARNING OUTCOME 6: QUADRATIC EQUATIONS, QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS AND

APPLICATION OF QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

The student is able to:

 recognise, solve a quadratic equation;

 sketch a graph of a quadratic function;

 apply the knowledge of quadratics to applied financial problems, like cost, revenue, profit
etc. and optimizing

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 Recognise a quadratic equation.

 Solve quadratic equation by factoring and using the quadratic formula.

 Use the discriminant to identify the number and type of solutions of a quadratic equation.

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  Find the vertex, line of symmetry, minimum or maximum values, turning point, x- and y-
intercepts, domain and range of a quadratic function (characteristics of a quadratic
function).

 Graph the parabola and show some of the characteristics of the quadratic function on
the graph.

 Find the quantity of a demand function.

 Find the price value which maximizes the revenue or cost.

 Use the price value to find the maximum revenue or cost.

 Find the total revenue equation when the linear demand function is given.

 Evaluate the total revenue equation given the quantity and price.

 Write the profit function when cost and revenue equations are given.

 Write the average cost function.

 Find the level of production (quantity) that will maximize the profit.

 Find the maximum profit using the quantity that maximizes the profit.

LEARNING OUTCOME 7: DERIVATIVES AND APPLICATIONS ON DERIVATIVES

The student is able to:

 differentiate functions using the differentiation rules;

 apply the rules of derivatives to applied financial problems, like marginal cost, marginal
revenue and marginal profit.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 Differentiate a constant function.

 Differentiate rational functions using the power rule, sum rule, difference rule, product
rule and quotient rule.

 Calculate the marginal cost for a given quantity.

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 Calculate the marginal profit for a given quantity.

 Calculate the marginal revenue for a given quantity.

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LEARNING OUTCOME 8: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

The student is able to

 construct a frequency table;

 measures of central tendency for grouped and ungrouped data.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students should be able to:

 Determine the data range and analytically decide on the number of classes.

 Determine the class width, class limits and tabulate the data values in a
frequency table.
 Demonstrate the relative frequency and cumulative frequency in the
frequency table.

 Compute the mean, median, mode, variance and standard deviation for
ungrouped and grouped data.

 Show the feasible region which satisfies all the constraints.

2.6 Critical cross fields outcomes

After completing the learning opportunity, students should be more able than
previously to:

• Identify and solve problems in such a way as to show that they have made a
responsible choice, based on critical and creative thinking.

• Work effectively with others as members of a team or group.

• Organise and manage their own lives and activities responsibly.

• Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in

the modes of oral and/or written presentation.

• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility

towards the environment and health of others.

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematics as a tool which they

need to use in order to solve problems in the business field.

• Think about and explore different learning strategies.

2.7 Learning and teaching strategies

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Under normal conditions there are 3 contact periods of one and a half hours each per
week. These periods are used mainly for lectures and class tests. Students are
expected to take notes, do the exercises, and complete them before the next lecture.
Students are encouraged to ask questions relating to the work and consult the
lecturer.

Due to the pandemic and/or the universities lack of providing adequate resources,
physical contact time might be restricted, and online classes will be used as an
alternative.

Students may use WhatsApp and email to make appointment with the Lecture, and
WhatsApp or MS teams for consultation if face to face contact is not possible.

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2.8 PROPOSED WORK SCHEME
Business calculations 1 (BUCA118 & ERBC118)
Week Topic Units
1 Descriptive Statistics 1
2 Descriptive Statistics and Set Theory 1&2
3 Set Theory and Ratio, Proportion, Rate and Percentage 2&3
4 Real Numbers and Inequalities 4
5 Coordinate System and Functions 5&6
6 Solving Linear Equations and Linear Inequalities 7
7 Linear Programming 7
8 Linear Cost Model 8
9 Quadratic Equation, Quadratic Functions 9
10 Applications of Quadratic functions 9
11 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions 10
12 Interest and Annuities 11 & 12
13 Derivatives 13

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2.9 Assessment strategies

COURSE MARK

Two major tests and a 3rd assessment will be given during the course of the
semester. The two major tests and 3rd assessment scores will be used in the
calculation of the course mark (CM). Note that a student who obtains a course
mark below 40% will not write the examination.

After the test marks have been captured the lecturer will inform the class to collect
their papers. Students are urged to check their test marks on the student portal to
confirm if they are captured correctly.

If a test mark is not captured correctly, the student should produce the relevant test
script to the lecturer as evidence and this should be done as soon as possible. The
longer you delay the harder it is to fix the problem.

The course mark (CM) is made up of 40% of the major tests and 20% of the 3rd
Assessement. To calculate your course mark you can use the following formula,

CM = 0.4 * (Assessment 1 + Assessment 2) + 0.2*Assessment 3,

Assessment 1 is 1st test % and Assessment 2 is the 2nd test %.

A student who does not show up to any assessment will receive a zero mark for that
assessment.

EXAMINATION

The examination will cover all the topics discussed in the lectures and will be written
at the end of the semester. The duration of examination paper is three hours
consisting of 100 marks. A moderator is appointed to ensure that a fair paper of
satisfactory standard is set and that scripts are marked fairly.

The examination results are released by the examination office and any queries
regarding examinations should be directed to the examination office.

FINAL MARK

The final mark (FM) is made up of 40% of the course mark (CM) and 60% of the
examination mark (EM). The following formula is used:

FM = (0.4*CM) + (0.6*EM)

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EXAMINATION RESULT

A candidate passes if their CM is at least 40% and their FM is at least 50% (i.e. 50%
or more).

A candidate fails if their:

CM is below 40% ( in which case examination entry is refused), or

EM is below 40% (even if their FM is at least 50%), or

FM is below 50%.

SYMBOLS

FA : Fail, did not write examination because CM < 40%.

F : Fail.

F9 : Fail, qualifies for a supplementary examination.

FR : Fail

FX : Fail, absent from examination.

P : Pass.

PD : Pass with distinction

SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS

Rule: G.22.2.b

Note as from June 2006 session the supplementary examinations will be

written immediately after the normal examinations.

i. A supplementary examination is an extension of the ordinary

examination and provides certain students with a further opportunity to
be re-examined at the next available scheduled examination session.

ii. A supplementary examination will be grated for a subject:

- if the final mark obtained is between 40% and 49%, or

- if a course mark is obtained and the subject is the only

outstanding course for the qualification.

iii. A person who fails or misses the supplementary examinations shall

repeat the entire subject.

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 iv. No supplementary examinations shall be granted for continuous
evaluation subjects. A student who fails such an examination must
repeat the entire subject.

v. A maximum final mark of 50% will be awarded should a student pass

a supplementary examination.

3 CLASS RULES

3.1. Attendance of classes

Should a student need to consult a lecturer outside of lectures they should make an
appointment with the lecturer in advance. Consultations may be conducted via e-
mails, WhatsApp or MS teams should the student have questions or would like a
more direct explanation. If a student e-mails or WhatsApp there lecturer please state
in the message, your name, which department you are from, which course you are
doing and then your question.

It is compulsory for students to attend ALL lectures. If it is impossible to obtain prior

leave of absence, the reason for absence must be communicated to the relevant
lecturer as soon as possible. A medical certificate or other satisfactory proof is
required for absence from tests. (Rule G.21)

The university rule G16 (General regulations for students) states that a student will
not be allowed to register for subject combinations which will result in time-table
clashes.

Should a student who is registered for this course find themselves having
clashes, please de-register one of the modules that is clashing. If the student
continues to attend other classes which clashes with Business calculations
they should accept responsibility which comes with their decision, should a
student obtain the undesirable result. This rule mainly affects students who are
repeating the module.

Rule G22.1.2. … Students are required to attend at least 80% of lectures in order to
qualify for examination admission. …

3.2.1 Late submission penalties

No late submissions will be accepted, and a zero mark will be award to the
outstanding assessments.

3.3 Absenteeism when assessments are done.

Please make an appointment to see the Lecturer prior to the assessment date.
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Failure to do so will result in a zero mark.

3.4 Usage of cell phones/tablets during lectures

Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the lecture periods. No phone
calls, photos, videos or any sort of recording should be used during the lecture
periods unless permission is given by the Lecturer.

3.5 Plagiarism
Students who copy will be awarded zero marks and NO second opportunity will be
given.

4 RECOMMENDED READINGS/BOOKS
1. BASSON, J. et al., 2005. X-kit undergraduate, Maths for business. Cape
Town, Pearson Maskew Miller Longman.

2. Brechner, R., 2009. Contemporary mathematics for business and

consumers. 5th ed. Mason OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

3. Stewart, J., 1999. Calculus. 4th ed. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole.

3. Willemse, I., 2004. Statistical Methods for Business and Basic

Calculations. 2nd ed. Lansdown : Juta Academic.

4. Washington, A. J., 2010. Basic Technical Mathematics with Calculus

SI Version. 9th ed. Toronto: Pearson Canada.

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