MST124

Essential mathematics 1

MST124 Guide
This publication forms part of an Open University module. Details of this and other Open University modules
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First published 2014. Second edition 2017. Third edition 2018. Fourth edition 2019.
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SUP 07723 3
4.1
Contents
Introduction 5

1 Study guide 6
1.1 Introduction to MST124 6
1.2 What to do first 7
1.3 Components of MST124 13
1.4 Assessment 19
1.5 Support for your studies 24
1.6 How to study 26
1.7 Studying MST124 and MST125 together 28
1.8 Learning outcomes 30
1.9 Queries and how to contact the OU 31

2 Technology guide 32
2.1 Computing safely 32
2.2 Applets 33
2.3 Tutorial clips and videos 33
2.4 Practice quizzes and iCMAs 34
2.5 Online forums 37
2.6 Online tutorial rooms 41
2.7 OU Anywhere 41

3 Accessibility guide 41
3.1 Components of MST124 42
3.2 Assessment 44
3.3 Studying MST124 without internet access 44

Appendix: further information 45

Index 46

3
 Introduction

Introduction
Welcome to MST124 Essential mathematics 1. We hope that you will find
studying this module an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Read this introduction and Section 1 of this MST124 Guide before

you start working on the study units.
They contain important information about MST124, including what
you need to do to prepare for studying it, and how it is assessed.

This MST124 Guide contains three main sections.

• Section 1 Study guide: This tells you about the structure of MST124,
what you need to do before and during your study of it, the support
that you can expect to receive, and how you will be assessed.
You should read this section as soon as possible, as it contains activities
that you need to do to ensure that you are ready to begin MST124.
When you have completed this section, you should start studying
Book A as soon as possible, and by the official MST124 start date at the
latest.
• Section 2 Technology guide: This gives detailed information about
the computing and online components of MST124. You may wish to
skim through this section now, and read it in more detail when you need
to do so during your studies.
• Section 3 Accessibility guide: This section is primarily aimed at
those who may have difficulties with one or more elements of MST124
because of a disability, for example.
The MST124 learning materials consist not only of the study texts that are
sent to you, but also other essential components, such as the assignments,
that are delivered through the MST124 website. You can access this
website from your StudentHome page (see the Appendix, on page 45). It
will open about two weeks before the official start date of MST124. The
MST124 website and StudentHome are described in Subsection 1.2.
Keep this MST124 Guide to hand, as you may need to refer to it
throughout your studies.
This MST124 Guide refers to many online sources of further information,
such as websites and online documents. Details of where to find these are
summarised in the Appendix.

5
MST124 Guide

1 Study guide
MST124 Essential mathematics 1 provides a foundation in the essential
mathematical ideas and techniques that underpin the study of
mathematics and mathematical subjects such as physics, engineering and
economics. As well as studying the ideas and techniques, you will see
examples of how they can be applied in a variety of different subject areas.

1.1 Introduction to MST124

MST124 contains twelve study units. The main texts of the units are sent
to you in four printed books, and are also available in electronic form on
the MST124 website. The titles of the units are listed below.
Book A Unit 1 Algebra
Unit 2 Graphs and equations
Unit 3 Functions
Book B Unit 4 Trigonometry
Unit 5 Coordinate geometry and vectors
Unit 6 Differentiation
Book C Unit 7 Differentiation methods and integration
Unit 8 Integration methods
Unit 9 Matrices
Book D Unit 10 Sequences and series
Unit 11 Taylor polynomials (not assessed)
Unit 12 Complex numbers

The units also include online study materials, such as video clips,
interactive practice quizzes, applets (computer demonstrations) and
exercise booklets. More details of these are given in Subsection 1.3.
During your study of MST124 you will develop your abilities to study
mathematics independently, to solve mathematical problems and to
communicate mathematics. You will also learn how to use a computer
algebra system to support your use and investigation of mathematics.
As well as the four main module books, there are three supplementary
texts that are sent to you as printed books: this MST124 Guide, the
Handbook and the Computer algebra guide.
You will be assigned a tutor to support your study of the module.

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 1 Study guide

1.2 What to do first

This section lists and gives details of activities that you should do before
you begin your study of MST124. You should do these activities as soon as
possible, so that you are ready to begin your study on the MST124 start
date at the latest. You can find the start date in the MST124 description
on the Study at the OU website, or from your StudentHome page or the
MST124 website. Remember that details of where to find all the websites
mentioned in this MST124 Guide are given in the Appendix.
Depending on your previous background both in mathematics and as an
OU student, you may need to allow several hours to complete these
activities. You can do some of them only once the MST124 website has
opened, which will be about two weeks before the MST124 start date, so
you may need to leave those until then. To ensure that you don’t forget to
do any of the activities, you could mark the margin of this MST124 Guide
with a tick next to each activity as you complete it.

Check your materials

Check that you have received all the items listed in the Contents checklist
contained in your parcel. You may like to tick off each item as you unpack
it. If anything is missing, follow the instructions on the Contents checklist
to notify the OU, so that replacements can be sent to you.

Organise your study area

Ideally, you should try to study in a place that is away from distractions,
and close to where you can keep all your study materials and the computer
that you will be using for MST124.
You are likely to need the following items each time you study MST124:
• the relevant MST124 book
• a computer with a connection to the internet (for details of computer
requirements, see ‘Check your computer’ later in this subsection)
• paper, pens, pencils, an eraser and a ruler
• a basic scientific calculator (for details of suitable calculators, see ‘Check
your calculator’ later in this subsection)
• the MST124 Handbook (this is described in Subsection 1.3)
• the MST124 Computer algebra guide (again, this is described in
Subsection 1.3).
You should also keep this MST124 Guide to hand.

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MST124 Guide

Organise your time

All studying takes time and effort, and distance learning also demands a
great deal of organisation and self-discipline. To prepare to study MST124,
you need to have a clear picture of what you are going to do and when.
You need to decide when you will study, and how you will find enough
time each week to stay on schedule. A typical student is likely to need on
average about 9 hours a week to study MST124 and complete any
associated work such as assignment questions and attending tutorials, but
some people may need more time for some topics.
You need to identify times during the week when you can study
productively, and times when you cannot, due to other commitments. You
may have to reduce some of your regular commitments or delegate some
chores to others to make time for study. You may also need to negotiate
with friends and family to ensure that you have enough time for your
studies. If you have not studied for a while, you may find it more effective
to plan several short study sessions rather than a few long ones until you
get into the study habit. For the majority of MST124 you are advised to
work in sessions of at least 1–2 hours at a time where possible.
Being self-disciplined about your use of time is the key to developing good
study habits, and to not getting overwhelmed by the different tasks and
assignment deadlines.
The weeks during which you should be studying each unit are set out in
the study planner on the MST124 website. Most units are allocated two
weeks of study time. The study planner also includes other key dates, such
as the dates by which your assignments must be received (known as
cut-off dates) and the dates of tutorials.

Information for joint MST124 and MST125 students

If you are studying Essential mathematics 2 (MST125) with the same
start date as MST124, then you should not study the MST124 units
on the dates shown on the main MST124 study planner. Instead, you
should follow the MST124 and MST125 joint study planner, which is
available from the MST124 and MST125 websites. This is important
because you will not be prepared to study many of the topics in
MST125 if you have not already studied the related topics in MST124.
The MST124 and MST125 joint study planner ensures that you study
the units of the two modules interleaved in the correct order.
The MST124 assignment cut-off dates shown in the MST124 and
MST125 joint study planner are the same as those shown on the
MST124 study planner.
If you are studying MST124 and MST125 together, then you will need
on average 18 hours study time per week. In the joint study planner,
most units are allocated a single week. In some weeks you will study

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 1 Study guide

an MST124 unit, and in others an MST125 unit. There is more

information on studying MST124 and MST125 together in
Subsection 1.7.

It is important to keep up with the schedule in the study planner as much

as possible, or you could find that you have run out of time to study the
units needed to complete an assignment before it has to be submitted. If
possible, you should try to work ahead of the study planner. Then, if
anything unexpected happens in other areas of your life, which disrupts
your studying, you should be able to catch up fairly quickly.

Once you have access to the appropriate study planner, note the
assignment cut-off dates and then plan your study carefully, taking
account of your other commitments.

You may find it helpful to print the study planner and keep it handy,
perhaps at the front of the folder where you keep your MST124 work, or
pinned up somewhere so you can see it every day. The online MST124
study planner includes a link to a printable version.
The MST124 assignment cut-off dates are also displayed on your
StudentHome page.
The final few weeks in the study planner are mainly reserved for revision in
preparation for the examination. You should prepare your own revision
schedule for these weeks.
There is further advice on organising your study and managing your time
on the Skills for OU Study website.

Check your calculator

You will need a scientific calculator for some of the activities and
assignments in MST124, and for the end-of-module examination. You
should use the same calculator while you are studying MST124 as you
intend to use in the examination, so that you become familiar with it.
A simple calculator is not suitable for MST124 – you need a scientific
calculator, which is one that includes function keys such as sin , cos , tan
and log . Also, a calculator with advanced functionality, such as a
programmable calculator, is not suitable, because it is not permitted in the
examination. A calculator on a computer, mobile phone, tablet or similar
device is not suitable either, again because it is not permitted in the
examination.
More information about which calculators are suitable for MST124, and
permitted in the examination, is given in the MST124 description on the
Study at the OU website, and also on the MST124 website. You should
find these details and check that your calculator is suitable. If you do not

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MST124 Guide

have a suitable calculator, then you should obtain one as soon as possible.
A good option would be one of the basic scientific calculators from the
Casio fx-83 or fx-85 range. These calculators are inexpensive and have
various features that make them easy to use, such as the following.
• Two lines of display, so you can see the calculation that you input and
the answer at the same time, as illustrated below.

Figure 1 A modern two-line calculator display

• Input of calculations in the format that they are written. For example,
you can calculate sin(30◦ ) by inputting sin 3 0 = . On older
calculators you need to input 3 0 sin = .

• Output of some answers as exact values, such as fractions, surds and

multiples of π.
MST124 does not teach calculator skills, as you are expected to acquire
these before studying the module. You might find it useful to have your
calculator manual to hand. Calculator manuals are often available to view
or download from the manufacturer’s website. There is a link in the
‘Assessment’ tab of the MST124 website to a Calculator guide, which
describes how to use calculators from the Casio fx-83 or fx-85 range.

Check your computer

Check that you have access to a personal computer of the required
specification, as detailed in the MST124 description on the Study at the
OU website.
You will need a basic knowledge of how to use your computer. You must
be able to:
• navigate around a standard desktop on a computer
• use the mouse or keyboard to open and work with a document, folder or
program
• create new folders and documents.
You should also check that you have a suitable web browser, and can use it
to access the internet. Suitable browsers include Internet Explorer
version 9 (which was released in 2011), any later version of Internet
Explorer, and the latest versions of Firefox and Chrome.
Some older web browsers, such as Internet Explorer version 8 or earlier,
are too out of date to allow you to access some of the MST124 online
teaching materials, namely the applets (computer demonstrations). If you
are using Internet Explorer version 8 or earlier, then you should download

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 1 Study guide

Firefox or Chrome. (Internet Explorer version 9 will probably be

unsuitable for your computer.) These browsers are free to download and
use. For more information on this issue, see Subsection 2.2.
You will need PDF viewer software installed on your computer, so you can
view the assignment booklets, for example. Most computers have such
software installed already, normally Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader is free
to download and use.
To access many OU websites you need your OU computer username
(OUCU) and password. You will find this information in the letter that
you received when you first registered with the OU.
There is useful advice on using a computer on the Skills for OU Study
website, and in the online OU Computing Guide. In particular, the OU
Computing Guide includes links to the OU Computing Codes of Conduct,
which explain your responsibilities in using OU online resources.
There are further details of how to use your computer for MST124 in
Section 2, Technology guide.

Check your mathematical skills

To be ready to study the mathematics in the later units of MST124, you
must be able to work fluently and correctly with basic algebra, graphs,
trigonometry, indices and logarithms. To help you improve your skills in
these areas, Units 1 to 4 of MST124 include large amounts of revision of
these areas, as well as introducing further topics.
If it is some time since you used your basic skills in these areas, and you
have lost familiarity with them, then you should plan to allow extra time
for studying the first few units of MST124, especially Units 1 and 2. You
may need quite a large amount of extra time, depending on the level of
your skills. On the other hand, if you are fairly confident with your basic
skills, then you should be able to work through these units in the usual
amount of study time (about 9 hours per week, on average).
The revision material in Units 1 and 2 covers basic algebra, including
indices, and graphs. You may not need to study all of the revision topics in
these units, but before you skip a topic you should try some of the
activities on it and check your answers, to test your skills. The activities
usually become more challenging towards the end of each topic, so make
sure that you try activities from throughout the topic. Remember too that
even if you have studied a particular topic fairly recently, you will not
necessarily have acquired the ‘at your fingertips’ fluency in working with it
that you will need for MST124. If this is the case, then you will benefit
significantly from working carefully through the topic. In general, you
should make the most of the opportunity that Units 1 and 2 give you to
refine your basic skills, as these skills are so vital for your studies later in
the module.
You should begin studying Unit 1 and then Unit 2 as soon as possible after
you have finished working through this section. You may have already

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MST124 Guide

started work on them, as they are available on the Mathematics and

Statistics induction site. Once you have finished Units 1 and 2, you should
continue working through the other units, as soon as you have access to
them.
If you find that a lot of the material in Units 1 and 2 is difficult, or new to
you, then you should contact your OU Student Support Team as soon as
possible. Details of how to do this are on StudentHome, in the ‘Help
Centre’ section.

Access StudentHome and the MST124 website

Connect to the internet using a web browser, and have a look at your
Open University StudentHome page. (See the Appendix for details of
where to find it.) This page provides access to all the websites that you
need as a student at the OU.
Follow the various links provided on your StudentHome page, and the tabs
across its top, to make sure that you can find the following:
• your individual profile (please check that your contact details recorded
here are correct)
• your study record for MST124 (and any other current modules)
• the extensive range of OU study support resources (such as the Help
Centre and OU Computing Guide)
• The MST124 website (this will open about two weeks before the
MST124 start date)
• your MST124 tutor’s details (these should appear shortly before the
MST124 start date).
The OU Computing Guide contains information on StudentHome,
including a short video demonstrating its features, which you may like to
watch.
Now have a look at the MST124 website, if it is open. This website
provides you with an online ‘home’ for almost everything that relates to
studying MST124.
The main page of the MST124 website features the MST124 study
planner. You can access online items that are part of a study unit, such as
video clips and practice quizzes, by clicking on the relevant link in the
study planner. Many of these items are also available via links to the
different areas, via tabs, across the top of the MST124 website home page.
At the top of the page is a link to the ‘News’ tab. Short summaries of the
most recent news items are also displayed towards the right-hand side of
the module website. Any urgent messages, such as updated information
about assignments or the examination, will be posted here.
The MST124 online forums are available in the ‘Forums’ tab from a link at
the top of the website. These are group discussion areas where you and
other MST124 students can post and read messages. You should check

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that you can access these forums. At least one will open about a week
before the MST124 start date. There are further details about the forums
in Subsection 2.5.
Whichever page of the MST124 website you are viewing, you can always
return to the main page by clicking the link beginning ‘MST124’ at the top
left of the page.

You should visit the MST124 website at least twice a week, to check
for the latest news and information.

Watch the ‘Welcome to MST124’ video

There is a short video on the MST124 website that introduces you to some
of the components of MST124, and shows you what to expect as you work
through the module. You should watch it as soon as is convenient for you.

Install the computer algebra system

As part of your study of MST124 you will learn how to use a computer
algebra system (CAS). This system is described in the MST124 Computer
algebra guide, which is sent to you as a printed book and is also available
in electronic form on the MST124 website. You should work through the
Introduction and Section 1 of the Computer algebra guide as soon as
possible, to install the system on your computer so it is ready for when you
need it. The study units tell you when to use it.

1.3 Components of MST124

The main components of the MST124 learning materials are listed below
(some of them have been mentioned already):
• twelve study texts (one of which is optional and not assessed), in four
printed books
• the Handbook, a printed book
• the Computer algebra guide, a printed book
• applets, available on the website
• tutorial clips and videos, available on the website
• interactive practice quizzes, available on the website
• exercise booklets, printable from the website.
More details about these components are provided below.

Study texts
The twelve main study texts (of which Unit 11 is optional and not
assessed) for MST124 are sent to you in four printed books, and are also
available in electronic form on the MST124 website.

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MST124 Guide

Each study text is structured in a similar way, and consists of a mixture of

explanations of the mathematics, worked examples and activities. The
examples show you how to do the mathematics and how to set out your
working, and the activities ask you to do some mathematics yourself.
As you read through an explanation or example, you should try to make
sure that you understand each step, and how it follows from the previous
steps, without losing track of the overall objective. You should work
through each activity carefully, and try not to skip any activities or
activity parts, because the only effective way to learn mathematics is to
try it for yourself. There are solutions to the activities at the end of each
unit, which you should use to check your answers, or to obtain a hint if
you are stuck. You will probably want to make notes for yourself as you
study. There is further advice on study techniques in Subsection 1.6.
Within each unit, the key facts and strategies are highlighted in green
boxes like the one below, so you can refer to them easily.

Pythagoras’ theorem
For a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to
the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

You will also see blue boxes like the one below, which describe some of the
rich history of mathematics, or contain other interesting items.

‘Mathematics is the gate and key of the sciences. . . . Neglect of

mathematics works injury to all knowledge, since he who is ignorant
of it cannot know the other sciences or the things of this world. And
what is worse, men who are thus ignorant are unable to perceive their
own ignorance and so do not seek a remedy.’
Roger Bacon (c.1267), translated by Robert Bell Burke (1928) in
The Opus Majus of Roger Bacon, Part 4, Chapter 1, Oxford
University Press, p. 116.

At some points in the unit texts you will notice one of the three icons
shown in the margin.
The first icon appears next to some activities. It indicates that you need to
use the computer algebra system (CAS) in the activity, as directed. Some
of these activities involve working through substantial sections of the
Computer algebra guide.
The second icon appears next to some activities and also next to a few
diagrams. It represents the internet, and indicates the use of an applet,
which is available on the MST124 website. Where the icon appears next to
an activity, it indicates that you need to use an applet to investigate a
mathematical concept in the activity, as directed. Where it appears next

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 1 Study guide

to a diagram, it indicates that an interactive version of the diagram is

available as an applet.
The third icon appears next to many worked examples, and occasionally
next to a piece of text. It represents a ‘play’ button. Where the icon
appears next to a worked example, it indicates that the example has an
associated tutorial clip, a short video in which a tutor explains the worked
example. Where it appears elsewhere, it indicates a piece of text that has
an associated short video, other than a tutorial clip.
These components of MST124 are explained in more detail later in this
subsection.
Some units have additional associated material on the MST124 website,
such as more detailed or alternative explanations of certain topics. Each
such piece of material is individually mentioned in the units.
The MST124 materials have been carefully checked, but occasionally
updates are needed or errors are discovered. The necessary corrections,
which are known as errata, are provided on the MST124 website. You
should check the errata as soon as possible, and correct your printed
materials.

MST124 Handbook
The MST124 Handbook is a printed book that is sent to you. Like all the
printed materials, it is also available in electronic form on the MST124
website.
The Handbook should be your constant study companion. It summarises
the key ideas, techniques and formulas in each unit. You can also annotate
it with your own notes. You should use it throughout your studies, so you
become familiar with its layout.
You are allowed to take your Handbook (the copy that was sent to you),
with your added annotations, into the end-of-module examination.
There are restrictions on the sorts of annotations that are permitted on the
copy of the Handbook that you take into the examination. You can write
notes on the pages in pencil or pen, but you may not include additional
pages, replace pages or add sticky notes or index tabs. These restrictions
are formally set out in the Examination Arrangements booklet, which will
be made available to you shortly before the examination.
It is a good idea to initially use pencil or sticky notes for your annotations,
until you are confident about which annotations are the most useful. You
must check that you have removed all sticky notes before the examination.
Although you can take the Handbook into the examination, you should still
aim to learn as much of the module material as you can. You should find
that you start to remember it as you practise the mathematics and look up
items in the Handbook. Re-reading parts of the units will also help. The
more you can remember, the easier and quicker you will find it to study
the MST124 materials, do the assignment and examination questions, and
study further modules with mathematical content.

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MST124 Guide

If you are studying Essential mathematics 2 (MST125) at the same time

as MST124, then you should discard your MST124 Handbook and instead
use the MST125 Handbook. It contains all the information in the
MST124 Handbook, as well as summaries of the MST125 material. You can
take the MST125 Handbook, in place of the MST124 Handbook, into the
MST124 examination.

MST124 Computer algebra guide

The MST124 Computer algebra guide teaches you about the computer
algebra system (CAS) used in MST124.
At some points in the units you are directed to work through sections of
the Computer algebra guide. You do not need to read sections of the
Computer algebra guide until you are directed to do so.
You should also find that the Computer algebra guide is useful for
reference when you do activities that ask you to use the CAS to do some
mathematics. In particular, for each such activity the Computer algebra
guide contains details of how to use the CAS for the mathematics in the
activity, for you to look at if you get stuck or need a hint.
Each point in a unit where you are asked to use the CAS is indicated by
an icon in the margin of the text, as shown here.

Applets
Many of the MST124 units include small interactive computer applications,
known as applets, which are designed to enhance your understanding of
mathematical ideas. For example, the applet shown in Figure 2 allows you
to investigate how the graphs of the sine and cosine functions arise.

Figure 2 An applet

Most of the applets are used in activities that ask you to investigate
mathematical concepts. A few applets are interactive versions of diagrams
in the units. Each applet includes on-screen instructions.

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 1 Study guide

Each point in the unit where you are asked or invited to use an applet is
indicated by an icon in the margin of the text, as shown here. You can
access the applets from the MST124 website, and you can also download
them to use offline. There are further details about using the applets in
Subsection 2.2.

Tutorial clips and videos

Many of the worked examples in the units have an associated tutorial clip.
This is a short audio-visual presentation of the worked example. In it you
will see a tutor work through the example, as they would in a tutorial,
explaining each step as they go. Figure 3 shows a still image of a tutorial
clip.

Figure 3 A tutorial clip

You can watch a tutorial clip instead of, or as well as, reading through the
associated example in the unit. They are particularly helpful for
complicated techniques and tricky topics. Most tutorial clips run for
between 1 and 15 minutes. Worked examples that have associated tutorial
clips are indicated by a play button icon in the margin, as shown here.
MST124 also includes a small number of videos that are not tutorial clips.
These give additional background information on certain topics. They are
mentioned individually in the units, at points indicated by the play button
icon.

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MST124 Guide

You can access the tutorial clips and videos from the MST124 website, and
you can also download them to view offline. There are further details
about using them in Subsection 2.3.

Practice quizzes
Each study unit has an associated interactive practice quiz, which helps
you consolidate your learning by trying out your skills and knowledge. It is
usually most effective to try the practice quiz as you come towards the end
of studying the unit. The practice quizzes also provide a good way for you
to revise topics in preparation for the examination. Figure 4 shows an
example of a practice quiz question.

Figure 4 A practice quiz question

Your marks for a practice quiz do not count towards the your final result
for MST124. Your tutor has access to the marks that you obtain, the
questions that you are asked and the answers that you give, though there
is no expectation that they will look at these.
Whenever you work on a practice quiz, you should have your calculator,
the Handbook, paper, and a pen or pencil with you, since for most
questions you will need to do some working. You may also find it helpful
to have the relevant study text to hand.
You can do each practice quiz as many times as you like. The questions
will usually be different each time, and different from the questions that
other students are given.
You can attempt each question up to three times. After each attempt, you
will receive immediate computer-generated feedback on your answer, and a
reference to the relevant part of the study materials. Your marks for the
question decrease with each incorrect attempt.
If you want to discuss the details of a practice quiz question with your
tutor, you will need to tell them the details of the question.
You can access the practice quizzes from the MST124 website. There are
further details about using them in Subsection 2.4.

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Exercise booklets
Each study unit also has an exercise booklet, which contains additional
questions and their solutions for you to use to consolidate your learning.
As with the practice quizzes, usually the most effective time to try the
questions in an exercise booklet is as you come towards the end of
studying the unit. The exercise booklets also provide a good way for you
to revise topics in preparation for the examination. They are available
from the MST124 website.

1.4 Assessment
Assessment and feedback are essential parts of learning. You need
constructive feedback to enable you to improve your performance in future
work.
The activities in the units, the practice quizzes and the exercise booklets
all give you opportunities for self-assessment, to help you check your
understanding and reinforce your learning.
In addition to these, there are three types of formal assessment that count
towards your final result for MST124. These are tutor-marked assignments
(TMAs), interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) and the
end-of-module examination.
The TMAs and iCMAs will be made available on the MST124 website at
appropriate times during your studies – they will not all be available at the
beginning of MST124. The dates by which you must submit these
assignments, known as cut-off dates, are given in the MST124 study
planner and also on your StudentHome page. You should note these
important dates now, if you have not already done so.

You must access the TMAs and iCMAs from the MST124 website.
You will not be sent paper copies of assignments.

Most students find it best to start working on the assignment questions for
each unit fairly soon after studying the unit. It is usually not a good idea
to defer starting work on an assignment until close to the cut-off date.
This is because you may need time to revise some topics or contact your
tutor with questions, and you are unlikely to produce your best work if you
are under time pressure. Also, something unexpected might happen near
the cut-off date, so you should allow some contingency time.
The Open University’s general rules and regulations about submitting
assignments and sitting examinations are described in the Assessment
Handbook , which is available from your StudentHome page.
Details about the TMAs, iCMAs and end-of-module examination are given
below, followed by information about how your overall final result is
calculated.

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Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)

There are four assignments for which you must send written answers to
your tutor. These assignments are known as tutor-marked
assignments, or TMAs. Your tutor will mark your answers, and provide
you with feedback on them.
Before you start work on the first TMA, you must read the document
‘Instructions for preparing and submitting TMAs’, which is available from
the MST124 website.
Table 1 sets out which units are assessed in which TMAs.
Table 1 Units covered in TMAs

TMA Units covered

TMA 01 1, 2
TMA 02 3, 4, 5, 6
TMA 03 7, 8
TMA 04 9, 10, 12

The TMAs will be available to download from the MST124 website,

although they may not all be available at the start of the module. You are
advised to print out each TMA, to make it easier to work on over a period
of time.
The cut-off date for each TMA is the last date on which your tutor will
accept your work for marking, unless there are reasons why you should be
allowed an extension to the deadline. If you are concerned about meeting a
TMA deadline, then you should contact your tutor well before the cut-off
date. An extension for the final TMA (TMA 04) is not normally allowed.
The TMAs assess not just your mathematical abilities, but also your
ability to communicate written mathematics. Some marks, known as good
mathematical communication (GMC) marks, are allocated for this. Unit 1
includes guidance on writing mathematics well, and the solutions to the
activities and examples given in the units are examples of well-written
mathematics.
The feedback on your TMA that your tutor provides will usually indicate
what you have done well, point out any misunderstandings and errors, and
make suggestions for improving your future work. This feedback is an
important part of the learning process. You should read it carefully and act
on it to improve your work in later assignments and in the examination.

Interactive computer-marked assignments

There are four assignments for which you must input your answers online.
These assignments are known as interactive computer-marked
assignments, or iCMAs. They are similar to the practice quizzes, but
your marks for them count towards your final result.

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It is strongly recommended that you work through the practice quiz

for each unit, so that you are well prepared for the iCMA questions
and familiar with the correct way to input your answers.

Table 2 sets out which units are assessed in which iCMAs.

Table 2 Units covered in iCMAs

iCMA Units covered

iCMA 41 1
iCMA 42 2, 3, 4
iCMA 43 5, 6, 7
iCMA 44 8, 9, 10, 12

The iCMAs will be available from the MST124 website, although may not
all be available at the start of the module. As with the practice quiz
questions, whenever you work on iCMA questions, you should have your
calculator, the Handbook, paper, and a pen or pencil with you. You may
also want to refer to the relevant study texts.
Before you start work on each iCMA, you should read the instructions at
the beginning of it. You will be required to confirm that the answers that
you submit for the iCMA are all your own work.
Each iCMA will be available for you to work on for several weeks. You do
not have to complete all the questions in an iCMA in one session; you can
answer a few questions at a time, in any order. Your answers will be
automatically saved whenever you move to a different question. You can
return to any question and change your answers, at any time before you
submit the iCMA.
To submit an iCMA, you click its ‘Submit all and finish’ button. You must
submit each iCMA before 23:59 (UK time) on its cut-off date, even if you
have not answered all the questions. If you do not submit the iCMA by
23:59 on the cut-off date, but you have answered at least one question,
then you will have an additional seven days to submit the iCMA. During
this time you will not be able to answer any further questions, nor change
any existing answers.
No extensions to iCMA deadlines are permitted under any circumstances.
Please note the following important points.

• You can submit each iCMA only once (by clicking the ‘Submit all
and finish’ button). So take care not to submit the iCMA until you
are satisfied with your answers to all the questions.
• For your answers to an iCMA to count towards your final result,
you must submit the iCMA.

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You are strongly advised to attempt all of the questions in an iCMA, and
to resist the temptation to guess answers, unless you are very short of time.
Once you submit an iCMA, you will receive computer-generated feedback
on your answers. You can read the feedback again later by revisiting the
iCMA. It will be available at least until the end of the module. Your
official score for the iCMA will be displayed on your StudentHome page
soon after the cut-off date.
Your iCMA questions will not be exactly the same as those of other
students, but they will be of the same level of difficulty. As with the
practice quizzes, your tutor has access to your iCMA marks, the questions
that you were asked and the answers that you gave, but there is no
expectation that they will look at these. If you want to query an issue
about a particular iCMA question with your tutor, then you will need to
tell them the details of the question.
There are further details on iCMAs in Subsection 2.4.

End-of-module examination
Details of the format of the end-module examination are provided in the
‘Assessment’ tab of the MST124 website, along with a specimen
examination paper, with sample solutions.
A document entitled ‘How to prepare for and succeed in examinations in
mathematics and statistics’ is available from the same area of the MST124
website.
You should read all of these important documents carefully, well before the
end of the module. However, it is a good idea to use the specimen
examination paper to practise completing the paper, unseen, in the
allotted time, so you might prefer not to look at it, or to only skim it, until
you are ready to do this. You should make sure that you are familiar with
the format of the paper, and the method for recording your answers, before
you sit the real examination.
Details of the date, time and venue of the examination will be provided on
your StudentHome page, a few months before the end of the module.
You should begin revising the module material in preparation for the
examination as soon as you have finished the final unit. Helpful ways to
revise can include reading the Handbook, reading the notes that you have
made, re-reading parts of the units that you have forgotten, making
summary notes, reading the feedback from your tutor, doing the practice
quizzes and exercise booklets, and perhaps re-doing some of the activities
in the units. The most important part of your revision is to practise doing
questions similar to those that you can expect to be in the examination.
Towards the end of your period of revision you should practise doing the
specimen paper in the allotted time. There is more advice in the ‘How to
prepare for and succeed in examinations in mathematics and statistics’
document, which is available from the MST124 website.

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Your overall final result

Your overall score for the module will be calculated as 0.2 × your
continuous assessment score + 0.8 × your examination. Your continuous
assessment score is the weighted average of your TMA and iCMA scores.
To pass the module you will usually need to achieve an overall score of at
least 40%, and in addition achieve at least 40% on the examination.
The contribution of each assessment score to the overall score is given in
Table 3.
Table 3 Overall score

Assessment Units covered Contribution to overall score

TMA 01 1, 2 1.8%
TMA 02 3, 4, 5, 6 4.4%
TMA 03 7, 8 4.4%
TMA 04 9, 10, 12 4.4%
iCMA 41 1 0.4%
iCMA 42 2, 3, 4 1.4%
iCMA 43 5, 6, 7 1.6%
iCMA 44 8, 9, 10, 12 1.6%
Examination 1–10, 12 80%

Based on your overall score you will be awarded one of the following
results:
• Pass 1 / Distinction
• Pass 2
• Pass 3
• Pass 4 / Pass
• Fail
Normally, for a Pass 4 result you must achieve an overall score of at least
40%, and at least 40% on the examination.
Normally, for a Pass 3 result you must achieve an overall score of at
least 55%, and at least 40% on the examination.
For more details on how your overall result is calculated, see the
Assessment Handbook.

Your assessment record

Your assessment record, which you can find on your StudentHome page,
lists your scores for the assignments to date. From your assessment record
you can also access the Assessment Calculator, which helps you determine
how you are progressing with your assignment scores. Your TMA and
iCMA marks are also shown under ‘Assessment’ on the MST124 website.

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MST124 Guide

Plagiarism
The purpose of the MST124 assignments is to assess your understanding of
the material taught, and your ability to apply it. This can be done only if
the work that you submit is entirely your own.
Plagiarism is copying someone else’s work without acknowledgement. It is
a disciplinary offence and is taken very seriously by the University. You
must work on each TMA and iCMA question on your own.
Note that in MST124 and in most other mathematics modules it is
acceptable (and in fact often sensible) for you to copy the format of, and
the words in, the examples and activities in the units. This is not
considered to be plagiarism, as the mathematics in your work will be
different from the mathematics in the unit. What you must not copy is
someone else’s solution to all or part of an assignment question.
You can find more advice on plagiarism in mathematics under the
‘Developing good academic practice’ link in the ‘Assessment’ tab of the
MST124 website. There is more general information on plagiarism in the
Assessment Handbook. There is also a section on plagiarism on the OU
Library’s ‘Being digital’ website.

You must not post any assignment questions, or answers to them, on

any internet sites or social networks, or advertise them for sale, as this
constitutes a breach of copyright and/or the promotion of plagiarism.

Special circumstances
If at any stage you are having difficulty in completing an assignment, or if
you anticipate that you will have problems in the examination, then your
first step should be to contact your tutor to discuss what to do.
However, if serious circumstances beyond your control arise, which prevent
you from submitting a TMA or iCMA, or result in your having to submit a
TMA or iCMA that is incomplete or otherwise well below your usual
standard, or affect your performance in the examination, then you should
consider reporting these circumstances to the University, so that the
MST124 module result panel can take them into account when it
determines your overall result. For information about the sorts of
circumstances that will be taken into account, how they will be taken into
account, and how to report them, see the Assessment Handbook.

1.5 Support for your studies

You are not alone when studying MST124. Support is available from your
tutor and other students, through face-to-face or online tutorials, and via
the MST124 website, as explained below.

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If you experience difficulties that are not directly related to the content of
MST124, then you should contact your Student Support Team – see your
StudentHome page for details.

Support from your tutor

You will be assigned a tutor (also known as an associate lecturer or AL)
for MST124. Your tutor’s details will appear on your StudentHome page
shortly before the MST124 start date. You will be one of about twenty
students in a tutor group.
Your tutor will probably contact you during the first few weeks
of MST124. Alternatively, you may like to make the first contact, by
sending an email. Your tutor will be delighted to hear from you. You may
like to tell them a little about your previous mathematical studies, or why
you decided to study MST124.
Your tutor is there to help you with any mathematical problems that you
encounter, and he or she can also provide advice on other matters related
to your progress, such as study skills, how to write mathematics well and
what to do if you are worried about completing a part of the module in
time. Your tutor will also mark your TMAs, and provide feedback on them
to help you improve your work.
All tutors offer face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials or a mixture of both.
There is a link to the room for online tutorials in the ‘Tutorials’ tab of the
MST124 website and further details about using it are given in
Subsection 2.6.
Although tutorials are optional, you are encouraged to attend them if you
possibly can. Seeing a tutor explain ideas and techniques in their own way,
with the opportunity for you to ask questions, will usually improve your
understanding and consolidate your learning. Tutorials also provide an
excellent way for you to sort out any mathematical problems that you
have, improve your preparation for the assignments and the examination,
and get to know a tutor and other students.
Shortly after the tutorial timetables have been decided, you will have
access to the tutorial booking system via the ‘Tutorials’ tab. Click on the
‘Your tutorials and study events’ link. From here, you can choose which
tutorials you would like to attend.
OU tutors are extremely dedicated people who want to help you with your
studies, so don’t hesitate to contact your tutor for help or advice. Your
tutor will tell you when and how it is best to contact them. Some tutors
will give preferred times to be called by phone. Your tutor will usually
read and respond to OU email at least twice a week, when not on leave.
Please have reasonable expectations of your tutor: tutors want to help you,
but most work for the OU for only a small proportion of their time.

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Support from other students

You have access to online forums where you can discuss MST124 with
other students. You and the other students can use these forums to help
each other, by asking and answering questions, and by suggesting study
tips. Trying to explain an idea to someone is often an excellent way of
improving your own understanding. You should also find it interesting and
reassuring just to see how other students are getting on with MST124.
You can use the forums to discuss all aspects of MST124, and other issues
related to your studies, but you must not discuss answers to TMA or
iCMA questions. Please do not state your assignment scores in the forums,
as students who did worse than you may be discouraged, or think you are
boasting. It is fine to say that you are pleased or disappointed with your
score.
The forums are monitored by one or two MST124 tutors, who will
intervene if inappropriate or incorrect messages are posted. Please always
communicate on the forums in a reasonable manner, to help maintain
them as a friendly, supportive environment where everyone can participate
without fear of being ridiculed, abused or upset.
In your use of the forums you are expected to abide by the OU Computing
Codes of Conduct (available via the OU Computing Guide). On the rare
occasions that a person’s behaviour becomes unacceptable, the University
will exclude that person from the University network.
For information on how to access and use the online forums, see
Subsection 2.5.

Support from the OU Library

As a registered student you can access the wide range of online resources
provided through the OU Library’s subscriptions. See the ‘Library
resources’ link in the ‘Resources’ tab on the MST124 website for links to
some resources that may be helpful. If you need help with any of these
resources, then you should contact the Library Helpdesk by phone, email
or webchat. The contact details are on the OU Library website.

1.6 How to study

This subsection suggests some ways of studying that may help you succeed
with MST124. Different people have different approaches to study, and
what works best for you may be different from the suggestions here.

How to read a unit

You will gain most benefit from your study if you engage with the text as
you read it. You should study the text with a pen or pencil, and paper, to
hand, making your own notes as you go along. As mentioned earlier, you
should try to make sure that you understand each step of an explanation
or an example, and how it follows from the previous steps. You might like
to try to anticipate what the next line of an example might be. You should

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attempt each activity in the unit, writing out your solution and perhaps
annotating it with brief notes about anything that you first got wrong but
then corrected, or found difficult but then resolved. Writing out your
solutions will give you useful practice in writing mathematics, and you can
refer to them when you do assignment questions and when you revise for
the examination.
The secret of good note-taking is to achieve a sensible balance between
length and detail, so that you note the important facts and not too much
unimportant detail. It is sometimes not easy to decide what is important,
but most people will want to make notes about new definitions, new
symbols and notation, and important theorems and techniques. Your notes
might include lists, worked examples and diagrams. You might find it
helpful to annotate the unit texts themselves.
Try to organise your solutions to activities and your other notes in a way
that makes it easy to refer to them later. For example, you might use a
ring binder or a notebook.
Don’t forget that the practice quizzes and exercise booklets provide
additional practice in the techniques in each unit.

How to approach a mathematical problem

Throughout MST124 you will need to solve mathematical problems, both
in the activities in the units and in assignment questions. Here are some
suggestions of how to approach these.
When you are faced with a written question or problem to solve, you
should first read it carefully, making sure that you understand exactly
what is required. You may find it helpful to underline or highlight some
parts. It is important that you get to grips with the question in two ways:
first, absorb the information given, and, second, find out what the question
is really asking. This way of analysing a question can be summarised by
the following questions.
• What do I know?
• What do I want?
Your solution should link these.
Try to decide not only what you know from the question itself, but also
which of the facts and techniques that you already know might help with
the problem. If the problem is about a practical situation, then you have
to start by translating it into a mathematical form. It might help to draw
a diagram or a graph, or use a formula that you know, or all of these.
When you consider what you want, you should first decide whether you
have to find an answer or show that something is true. If you do not take
the time to do these things, then you may end up not really answering the
question, or may get unnecessarily stuck.
If you’re not sure how to solve the problem, try to find similar examples
and activities in the module texts, if possible. Use these for ideas, but
think carefully about how your problem differs from the ones in the text.

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MST124 Guide

Once you have some ideas for a solution, try to write out your thinking as
clearly as possible, so that you can easily understand each step and why it
follows from earlier steps. You may find that leaving the problem for a
while and then coming back to it helps you to see things more clearly. If
you do this, then make sure that you have written down what you have
done so far.
When you have found a solution, you should check your answer, ideally by
using a different method. Also, check that your answer makes sense in the
context of the problem.
When you write out your solution to a TMA question, remember that you
are trying to communicate with your tutor. There is guidance on how to
communicate mathematics in Unit 1, and in each MST124 TMA some
marks are allocated for how well you have done this. Remember that the
solutions to the examples and activities in the study texts are examples of
good mathematical communication, and can be a useful guide to what and
how much to write.

What to do when you are stuck

Getting stuck with mathematics sometimes is inevitable – it happens to us
all. You might get stuck when trying to understand something in a unit, or
when trying to do an activity or an assignment question. When you are
stuck, it is often worth spending a few minutes trying to resolve it yourself
– if you can, then you are likely to learn from the process, and you should
remember what you have learned more easily in future. It may help to
look back at the material that led up to that point, and make sure that
you fully understand it. If are trying to do an activity or assignment
question, then try looking back at the relevant unit, or your notes, to find
a similar example, if you have not done so already. Think also about
whether any of the facts and techniques that you learned earlier in your
mathematical studies might be helpful. Sometimes it can help to take a
break, and come back refreshed. Sometimes it is useful to discuss the issue
with someone – the act of explaining exactly why you are stuck can be
enough to help you resolve the problem.
You should not spend a large amount of time puzzling over a particular
point without making progress, however. Many difficulties can be resolved
rapidly with help from your tutor or other students, leaving you more time
to get on with the rest of the unit or assignment. Subsection 1.5 tells you
how to obtain such help, and other support, from your tutor and other
students.

1.7 Studying MST124 and MST125

together
If you are not studying MST125 within the next year, then you can skip
this subsection. Otherwise, read either the information headed ‘MST124

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and MST125 starting at the same time’, or the information headed

‘MST124 and MST125 starting a few months apart’, according to your
plans.

MST124 and MST125 starting at the same time

Beginning your studies of MST124 and MST125 (Essential mathematics 2 )
at the same time is recommended only if you are already very confident
with algebra, graphs, trigonometry, indices and logarithms, and you also
have plenty of time for studying.
If you have chosen to begin your studies of MST124 and MST125 at the
same time, then you should find that you can get through the revision
material in Units 1 and 2 of MST124 fairly quickly, as it should mostly be
very familiar to you. If you find that this is not the case, then you should
contact your Student Support Team as soon as possible, to discuss what to
do. For example, you may be able to defer your study of MST125 to a
later start date.
As mentioned in Subsection 1.2, if you are beginning your studies of
MST124 and MST125 at the same time, then you should not study the
MST124 units on the dates shown on the main MST124 study planner.
Instead you should follow the MST124 and MST125 joint study planner,
which is available from the MST124 and MST125 websites.
The joint study calendar directs you to study some of the MST124 units
earlier than the dates shown on the main MST124 study calendar, and to
study some of the MST125 units later than the dates shown on the main
MST125 study calendar. This is so that you are prepared to study topics
in MST125 for which you need to know material in MST124.
This means that you will be ready to complete some of the MST124
assignments earlier than students studying MST124 without MST125.

It is particularly important for you to aim to complete each MST124

TMA and iCMA within a few days of finishing the last unit covered in
the TMA or iCMA, even if the cut-off date is later.

This is because the assignments are part of the learning process – they
help you to consolidate your learning. Also, if you do not do this, then you
may find that you have a lot of assignment work to complete for the two
modules at around the same time.
Make sure that you do not forget to submit each TMA that you have
completed early. Unfortunately, even if you submit a TMA early, you will
not receive your marked work back early, as the University does not return
marked TMAs until after the cut-off date.
You can submit each iCMA as soon as you have completed it. You will
then immediately receive computer-generated feedback on your work.

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Because you will be working ahead of some other students on MST124 for
some parts of the module, some MST124 tutorials may cover topics at a
later time than is ideal for you. Similarly some MST125 tutorials may
cover topics at an earlier time than is ideal for you. So you will need to
rely a little more on your own independent study than students studying
the two modules separately.
Note that the joint study calendar directs you to omit Unit 1 of MST125.
This is because the content of this unit is revision of some of the material
in MST124.

MST124 and MST125 starting a few months apart

If you have chosen to study MST125 with a start date a few months later
than the MST124 start date, then you should be able to study both
modules in the same way as students studying them completely separately.
The only difference is that, like students studying the two modules starting
at the same time, normally you should not study Unit 1 of MST125, which
revises some of the material in MST124. There is more advice on this in
the MST125 Guide. You should also take particular note of the assignment
cut-off dates, as they may occur at around the same times for the two
modules. Make sure that you plan enough time to complete each
assignment.

1.8 Learning outcomes

Every Open University module has a set of learning outcomes. These
are statements of what a student is expected to know, understand and be
able to do at the end of the module. The overall learning outcomes for
MST124 are as follows. Some of the words may not mean much to you at
this stage, but you should understand them all after you have completed
the module. More detailed learning outcomes are given at the end of each
unit.

Learning outcomes for MST124

Knowledge and understanding
• Understand and use the main ideas and techniques of basic calculus,
including the differentiation and integration of a variety of functions,
standard rules for differentiation and integration, the relationships
between calculus and the graphs of functions, and the representations of
functions as Taylor series, although Unit 11 Taylor polynomials is not
formally assessed.
• Understand and work with the basic ideas of vectors, in two or three
dimensions, and matrices.
• Understand and work with trigonometric identities, simple sequences
and series, the binomial theorem, complex numbers and algebraic
representations of circles.

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Cognitive skills
• Choose and use appropriate strategies for problem solving, in both
practical and abstract contexts.
• Use moderately complicated mathematical techniques.
• Understand texts involving moderately complicated mathematics.
Key skills
• Work fluently and accurately with basic algebra (including algebraic
fractions and indices), trigonometry, graphs, exponentials and
logarithms.
• Communicate mathematics effectively in writing.
• Use a computer algebra system.
• Study independently.
Practical skills
• Think logically about problems and apply relevant techniques, including
use of a computer, to a variety of situations.
• Work on tasks independently, and manage time.

1.9 Queries and how to contact the OU

The best way to contact the OU for almost all sources of help is via the
links in StudentHome.
In all contact with the University, you should give your name and student
number (personal identifier, PI) and the module code (which is MST124).
In any emails that you send via StudentHome, your name and PI are
included automatically. If your query is specifically about the content of
MST124, please note the contact details given in Table 4.
Table 4 Contact details for MST124 issues

Problem Whom to contact

Clarification and/or help on any Your tutor in the first instance, or
of the MST124 materials, the MST124 forum.
queries about assignments or
suspected errors

Problems with using the Your tutor in the first instance,

computer algebra system or the MST124 forum.

Problems with installing the The OU Computing Helpdesk

computer algebra system (via the link in the OU Computing Guide).

General problems with using Check the OU Computing Guide in the first
your computer for OU study, or instance, or contact the OU Computing
with OU online services Helpdesk (via the link in the OU Computing
Guide).

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The OU Computing Helpdesk provides technical support for OU-provided

IT services and applications, including online forums and tutorials,
problems with usernames or passwords, and access to websites and other
online facilities. It does not provide help with system or hardware queries
(such as questions about your internet connection, or installing hardware
or operating systems).
When you contact the Helpdesk it will help to resolve your query quickly
if, as well as giving your student number and module code (MST124), you
can supply detailed information about the problem that you are
experiencing, including the full text of any error messages, and which
operating system your computer has (for example Windows 7, 8 or later).

2 Technology guide
This section provides information that will help you to use the computing
and online components of MST124. These components include the tutorial
clips, videos, applets, interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs),
practice quizzes and several computer-based tools that you can use to
communicate with your tutor and other students.
You might find it useful to skim through this section now, to get an idea of
the sort of information that it contains, and then refer back to it as
necessary. Any updates to the information given here will be provided via
the MST124 website.
To access and use many of the resources (including applets and videos) you
need a web browser that supports a technology known as HTML5.
Suitable web browsers include recent versions of Firefox and Chrome, and
Internet Explorer version 9 or later. Note that Internet Explorer version 9
is available only for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and later versions of
Windows – in particular, it is not available for Windows XP.
If you need further help with any of the computing and online components
of MST124, then see the contact list in Subsection 1.9.

2.1 Computing safely

Since you will need to use your computer quite a lot for MST124, it is
worth ensuring that you have set up a comfortable computer workstation,
to avoid wrist, back and eye problems. There is information on how to do
this, and some guidance on good working practice, in the ‘Using a
computer’ section of the online OU Computing Guide.
You should avoid sitting at your computer for long periods of time without
a break.
You should ensure that you have minimised the risk of your computer
becoming infected by computer viruses, and the risk of other computer
attacks. There is information on how to do this in the OU Computing
Guide.

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 2 Technology guide

2.2 Applets
The MST124 applets are small interactive computer applications, as
described in Subsection 1.3. You can access them from the MST124 study
planner. The applets also work on many mobile devices.
The applets were created using software called GeoGebra. You will see the
GeoGebra logo when they load.
Detailed instructions for using each applet are displayed on the same web
page as the applet, and you can click on the help button for more
information. If you have trouble using the interactive controls in an applet,
perhaps because you are using a touch screen or because of a disability,
then try the alternative controls that appear when you click ‘Show
accessibility controls’. If you have further difficulties with using the
applets, because of a disability, then see the advice in Section 3,
Accessibility guide.
You can download the applets to your computer to use offline from the
MST124 website.

2.3 Tutorial clips and videos

The tutorial clips and videos were described in Subsection 1.3. You can
access them from the MST124 study planner.
To hear the audio of the tutorial clips and videos you need to have
speakers or headphones connected to your computer.

Time slider: drag this to move

to a different part of the clip

Toggle subtitles
on and off

Volume
Play/pause Press to view fullscreen

Figure 5 Video player window for tutorial clips and videos

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MST124 Guide

To play a tutorial clip or video, click on the large play button in the centre
of the video player window, or the smaller play button on the control bar
at the bottom. While the tutorial clip or video is playing, the play button
on the control bar changes to a pause button – you can click this to pause
the play. The other controls are shown in Figure 5. Note that if you turn
the subtitles on or off, your choice will automatically be applied to all the
other MST124 tutorial clips and videos.
You can download a tutorial clip or video to your computer, to use offline,
by using the ‘Download’ link below the video player. Alternatively, you
can download batches of tutorial clips from the MST124 website.

2.4 Practice quizzes and iCMAs

The practice quizzes and iCMAs (interactive computer-marked
assignments) were described in Subsections 1.3 and 1.4, respectively. You
can access them from the online MST124 study planner. You can also
access the iCMAs from the ‘Assessment’ tab of the MST124 website.
You need to be online while you are working on a practice quiz or iCMA,
but you do not have to complete it in a single session – you can leave it
and return to it as many times as you like.

Practice quizzes
Figure 6 shows a typical practice quiz question. The question is on the
right, with, in this case, a box in which to input your answer. On the left
there is a navigation panel containing the numbers of all the questions in
the quiz. You can click on one of the question numbers to move to that
question. If you click on the ‘i’ at the top left of the navigation panel then
you will see a page of instructions for the quiz. This page of instructions
also appears when you first open the quiz, and you should read it carefully
before starting the first question.

Figure 6 A practice quiz question, with the navigation panel on the left

There is information on how to input your answers later in this subsection.

After you have input your answer to a question, or all of your part-answers
in the case of a question with more than one part, click the ‘Check’ button.
You will then receive computer-generated feedback. If your answer, or any

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 2 Technology guide

of your part-answers, was incorrect, then you can click the ‘Try again’
button for another try. You are allowed three attempts at each question.
After your third attempt at a question, or after an attempt in which your
answers to all parts of the question were correct, a worked solution will be
displayed and the lower half of the question number box in the navigation
panel will be marked as follows.
• Green shading and a tick indicates that your final answer was correct.
• Amber shading and a circle indicates that some part-answers were
correct and others were incorrect.
• Red shading indicates that your final answer was incorrect.
You can click the ‘Next’ button to move to the next question, or choose a
different question from the navigation panel.
All the answers that you input, whether you checked them or not, are
automatically saved when you move to another question. You can change
your answers to a question at any time before you click the ‘Check’ button.
While you are working on a quiz it is best not to use the back or forward
buttons of your web browser, as this may cause errors. Use the navigation
panel instead.
When you close the quiz, all your saved answers are retained for your next
session. When you return to the quiz, start by clicking the ‘Continue last
attempt’ button.
When you have completed a quiz, a page containing a summary of what
you have done will be displayed. If you want to exit a quiz without
completing it, click the ‘Finish attempt . . .’ link under the navigation
panel, which will take you to the summary page. From the summary page
you can click the ‘Submit all and finish’ button to end the quiz.
Alternatively, if you have not completed the quiz, you can click the
‘Return to attempt’ button to continue working on it. If you click ‘Submit
all and finish’, then you will not be able to return to the quiz, but you can
start it again, and usually the questions will be different.

iCMAs
iCMAs are similar to practice quizzes, but have the following important
differences.
• The score that you achieve counts towards your result for MST124.
• The questions have no check buttons, so you cannot check your answers.
This means that you have only one attempt at each question, and you
will receive no feedback, nor any indication of correctness, until you
complete the whole iCMA and submit it.
• You cannot start the iCMA again once you have clicked the ‘Submit all
and finish’ button. So you have only one attempt at the iCMA.
• When you have answered all parts of a question, the lower half of the
question number box in the navigation panel is shaded grey.

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MST124 Guide

You can leave an iCMA and return to it as many times as you like, and
you can change your answers as many times as you like, until you click the
‘Submit all and finish’ button.
Make sure that you read the important information on iCMAs in
Subsection 1.4.

Remember!
• Don’t click the ‘Submit all and finish’ button until you are satisfied
with all your answers to all the questions.
• Click the ‘Submit all and finish’ button by the cut-off date at the
latest.

Inputting answers in practice quizzes and iCMAs

For most questions, you have to input answers that are numbers or
algebraic expressions.
To input a number, just type it, using a full stop for a decimal point if you
need one. Do not include any units, nor any indication of rounding.
To input an algebraic expression, use the syntax in Table 5.
Note that, for trigonometric functions, angles are in radians, not degrees.
Also in Table 5 the letter i denotes an imaginary number whose square is
−1. You will meet this number in Unit 12.
The symbol used for powers (^) is obtained by pressing Shift and 6 on a
standard computer keyboard.
You often have to include several pairs of brackets to input an algebraic
expression correctly. For example, to input
3x1/3
√ + 3,
4+ 2
you should type (3*x^(1/3))/(4+sqrt(2))+3.
Remember too that you must use * for multiplication. For example, you
must enter xy as x*y, not xy. If you omit a *, then in some cases the
system will interpret your answer correctly, but in other cases it may not.
As you input your answer, it will be displayed as correctly formatted
mathematics, so you can check that it is as you intend. Make sure that you
check this carefully.
There are further details about practice quizzes and iCMAs in the online
OU Computing Guide, under ‘iCMA (interactive Computer-Marked
Assignments)’.

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 2 Technology guide

Table 5 Syntax for answers to practice quiz and iCMA questions

Mathematics Input syntax Example

Addition + x+y
Subtraction - 2-z
Multiplication * 2*x+x*y
Division / x/3
Equals = y=m*x+c
Brackets ( and ) (2+x)*(x-3)

π pi 2*pi
e e 3*e
i i 2*i+3

Power ^ x^2
Square root sqrt sqrt(2)
ex e^x or exp(x) e^3 or exp(3)
Natural logarithm, ln ln or log ln(5) or log(5)
|x| abs(x) abs(-3)

sin, cos, tan sin, cos, tan sin(pi/5)

sin2 x, cos2 x, tan2 x sin(x)^2, cos(x)^2, sin(x)^2-cos(x)^2
tan(x)^2
sin−1 , cos−1 , tan−1 asin, acos, atan asin(0.5)

2.5 Online forums

The MST124 forums are online group discussion areas where you can post
messages to be seen and replied to by other students and sometimes by
tutors. You can find them under the ‘Forums’ tab at the top of the
MST124 website.
When you visit a forum, you will see a list of topics that are being
discussed. To read a discussion, click on the topic. You can then reply to
any of the messages on that topic. To start a new topic, press the ‘Start a
new discussion’ button above the list of current topics.
You can choose to have all the new messages that are posted to a forum
also emailed to your preferred OU email account. To opt into receiving
these emails, click ‘Subscribe to forum’ at the top of the main forum page.
To opt out of receiving them, click ‘Unsubscribe’, which is displayed only if
you have opted to receive them.
There is more information on online forums in the online OU Computing
Guide, under ‘Forums’.

Mathematics in forum messages

You can include properly formatted mathematics in your forum messages,
if you want. To do this, you type the mathematics using special syntax,
which is taken from the LATEX mathematical typesetting system. You

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MST124 Guide

should enclose this syntax between two double-dollar signs; that is,
between $$ and $$. For example, to include the expression 3x + 2 properly
formatted in your message, type $$3x+2$$. Alternatively, first display the
full set of message editing tools by clicking the ‘Toolbar Toggle’ button,
which is

and is the left-most button on the message editing toolbar shown in

Figure 7 below

Figure 7 The message editing toolbar

Then, at the point where you want to include mathematics in your

message, click the ‘Insert equation’ button, which is

This will open the ‘Insert equation’ window (see Figure 8). Type the
syntax in the box (in the page headed by the ‘TeX’ tab), without the $$
signs. As you type, a preview of the formatted mathematics is displayed.
Once you are satisfied with it, click ‘Insert’ to include the mathematics in
your message.

Figure 8 The ‘Insert equation’ window

Some examples of LATEX syntax and the corresponding output are given in
Table 6. The syntax includes many special commands, most of which have
names that start with the backslash character \. Some commands are

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 2 Technology guide

complete in themselves, whereas for others you have to include one or more
objects for the command to ‘act on’.
To group a string of characters into a single object, enclose the string in
curly brackets, { and }. For example, to obtain x12 , type x^{12}. If
instead you type x^12, then you obtain x1 2, because the 1 and 2 were not
grouped as a single object.
It is often useful to enclose even a single character in curly brackets, to
specify that it is an object for a command to act on. For example, to
√
obtain x, type \sqrt{x}.
You may not know the meaning of some of the mathematics in Table 6 at
the moment, but you will learn it in MST124!
Table 6 Syntax for mathematics in forums

Input Output Notes

\alpha α To obtain any Greek letter,
\pi π type its name preceded by \
x^{12} x12
x_1 x1
√
\sqrt{2} 2
a+b
\frac{a+b}{c+d}
c+d
2 \times 3 2×3
\sin x sin x To obtain other common functions,
\ln x ln x type their names preceded by \
x \approx 1.27 x ≈ 1.27
\mathbf{v} v ‘bf’ stands for ‘bold font’
" 2
\int x^2 dx x dx
"1 2
\int_0^1 x^2 dx 0
x dx
[x^2]_0^1 [x2 ]10
!10
\sum_{n=1}^{10}a_n n=1 an

There is more information on the syntax for mathematics in forums in the

‘Forums’ section of the online OU Computing Guide.

Netiquette
When using the online forums, please follow appropriate online etiquette,
known as netiquette, as outlined below.
Netiquette is the unwritten rule book for good behaviour online. Although
the principles are similar to those for face-to-face conversation, the
limitations of a text-based medium mean that you have to learn some new
techniques. Other people can’t see the expression on your face or hear your
voice, so it is what you write that sets the tone of the conversation. It is
best to adhere to the following ground rules.

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MST124 Guide

Thank, acknowledge and support people

People can’t see you nod, smile or frown as you read their messages. If
they get no acknowledgement, they may feel ignored and be discouraged
from contributing further. Why not send a short reply to keep the
conversation going? However, do bear in mind that in a large, busy forum,
too many such messages could become a nuisance.
Acknowledge before differing
Before you disagree with someone, try to summarise the other person’s
point in your own words. Then they will know that you are trying to
understand them and will be more likely to take your view seriously.
Otherwise, you risk talking at each other rather than to each other.
Make your perspective clear
Try to avoid speaking impersonally: ‘This is the way it is . . .’, ‘It is a fact
that . . .’. This will sound dogmatic and leaves no room for anyone else’s
perspective. Why not start with ‘I think . . .’ ? A common abbreviation is
IMHO (in my humble opinion) – or even IMNSHO (in my not so humble
opinion). If you are presenting someone else’s views, say so, perhaps by a
quote and acknowledgement.
Emotions
Emotions can easily be misunderstood when you can’t see faces or body
language. People may not realise that you are joking; irony and satire are
easily missed. Smileys or emoticons such as :-) and :-( can be used to
express your feelings (look at them sideways). Other possibilities are
punctuation (?! #@*!), < grin > or < g >, < joke >.
Be aware of your audience: people from widely differing cultures and
backgrounds may read what you write online. What you find funny may
be offensive to them.
DON’T WRITE IN CAPITALS – IT WILL COME OVER AS
SHOUTING!
Flaming
If you read something that offends or upsets you, it is very tempting to
dash off and submit a reply – but don’t! Online discussion seems to be
particularly prone to such ‘flames’, and things may escalate in a flaming
spiral of angry messages. So if you feel your temperature rising, take a
break or sleep on it before replying.
Additional advice
• Keep to the subject, and pick the right topic for your contribution.
• Before you write a message, take time to see what is being discussed,
and how.
• Keep messages short.
• Write a good subject line (title) for your message – people often haven’t
time to read messages unless the subject line looks relevant.

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 3 Accessibility guide

• Keep to one subject (one topic of discussion) per message.

• When replying to a message, quote part of the earlier message only if you
need to. Don’t include everything, or messages get longer and longer.
Remember that you should not include details of solutions to assignment
questions in forum messages, but it is acceptable to give advice to point
other students in the right direction. For example, you can give a reference
to an appropriate part of a unit.

2.6 Online tutorial rooms

Online tutorials are available instead of, or in addition to, face-to-face
ones. These will take place in online ‘rooms’.
Online rooms allow two-way communication using audio and text
messaging, and the use of a shared on-screen whiteboard.
You can access the online rooms from the ‘Tutorials’ tab of the MST124
website.
To use the online rooms you will need the following.
• A computer connected to the internet.
• Headphones to listen to your tutor and other participants. Alternatively,
you can use speakers, but they can lead to sound problems when used at
the same time as a microphone.
• A microphone to enable you to speak to your tutor and other
participants. A combined headphone/microphone headset is
recommended. You can participate in an online tutorial without a
microphone, since you can communicate by text messaging, but it is best
to have a microphone so you can participate fully.
There are further details of how to use the online rooms and configure your
computer for online tutorials in the online OU Computing Guide.
You should check that your computer is suitably configured, and test the
system, several days before your first online tutorial.

2.7 OU Anywhere
If you have a smartphone or tablet with an iOS or Android operating
system, then you can download the tutorial clips and videos, and electronic
versions of the units, to your device by using the OU Anywhere app. You
can download this app from the app store in the usual way.
There are further details in the OU Computing Guide.

3 Accessibility guide
This section is primarily aimed at those who may have difficulties with one
or more elements of MST124 because of a disability, for example.

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MST124 Guide

Mathematics is a visual subject involving the use of mathematical

notation, graphs and diagrams. General accessibility advice for all
mathematics modules is available in the document ‘Accessibility for
mathematics and statistics modules’, which you can find in the
‘Accessibility’ section under the ‘Resources’ tab of the MST124 website.
You are advised to read this document carefully. It outlines the general
accessibility options for module materials and websites, and contains
advice on presenting your mathematics and completing the assessment.
The ‘Accessibility’ section of the MST124 website also contains other
accessibility resources related to MST124, including updates to this section
of the MST124 Guide, and useful web links.
This section of the MST124 Guide provides further accessibility advice
specifically related to MST124.
Although the Open University has tried to avoid using inaccessible
resources in MST124, and to provide accessible alternatives where possible,
some material that is core for MST124 may not be easily accessible, even if
you use assistive technology. You may need a non-medical helper to assist
you.
If you think that you may need additional support during your study of
MST124 and you have not already contacted the University about this,
please visit the ‘Disabled Student Support’ website (available from your
StudentHome ‘Help centre’). It describes the range of support services
that are available, and guides you through the procedure to request extra
help. Alternatively you can discuss your needs with an adviser from your
Student Support Team. You can use the link in the Help Centre on your
StudentHome page to find its contact details.

3.1 Components of MST124

Printed materials
You can find the latest information about the different accessible formats
available for the MST124 materials on the ‘Disabled Student Support’
website. Searchable PDF versions of printed material are available from
the ‘Resources’ tab of the MST124 website, and figure descriptions of the
diagrams, graphs and images are available from the ‘Accessibility’ section
within the ‘Resources’ tab. However, mathematical content in PDF files is
unlikely to be accessible using a screenreader.

Applets
Many of the applets contain dynamic graphs and other diagrams that are
not accessible to screenreaders. If you have difficulty with viewing these
diagrams and reading the text on them, then you may wish to consider the
services of a non-medical helper.

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 3 Accessibility guide

Each applet has a ‘Show accessibility controls’ button. Clicking on this

button reveals controls that enable you to change the thicknesses of lines
and the colours used in the applet. It also reveals controls that you can use
to interact with the applet, as alternatives to some of the default controls.

Tutorial clips and videos

The tutorial clips and videos have been subtitled. You can turn the
subtitles on or off using a button on the video player control bar. Written
transcripts are available from a link below the video player.

Practice quizzes
The practice quizzes can be read by a screenreader. See the ‘Accessibility
for mathematics and statistics modules’ document, from the ‘Accessibility’
section under the ‘Resources’ tab of the MST124 website, for details on
how the mathematics can be read.

Computer algebra system (CAS)

An important part of studying MST124 is learning how to use a computer
algebra system. Guidance on the accessibility options for this software is
given in the Computer algebra guide.

Summary of computer-based learning

Table 7 summarises the number of applets, the number of activities that
use them, the number of tutorial clips, and the number of activities that
use the computer algebra system (CAS) in each unit of MST124. It should
help you to plan when you might need to allow extra time for a unit, or
when you might need the assistance of a non-medical helper.
Table 7 Numbers of applets, tutorial clips and CAS activities

Unit Applets Activities Tutorial clips Activities

using applets using CAS
1 0 0 20 0
2 1 1 17 1
3 2 6 12 3
4 3 1 8 1
5 0 0 11 2
6 2 2 11 0
7 0 0 19 2
8 1 1 16 4
9 0 0 4 5
10 0 0 16 2
11 (not assessed) 1 1 12 1
12 1 1 13 3

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MST124 Guide

Note that although Unit 2 contains only one activity that uses the CAS,
this is an extensive activity, which involves working through two sections
of the Computer algebra guide and learning the basics of how to use
the CAS. Unit 9 also requires extensive use of the CAS throughout the
latter part of the unit.

3.2 Assessment
The assessment in MST124 that counts towards your final result consists
of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), online interactive computer-marked
assignments (iCMAs) and an exam.
The TMAs are in PDF format, and descriptions of graphs and diagrams
are supplied. You should be able to complete the TMAs successfully with
appropriate support from your tutor or helper.
The iCMAs are submitted online and may have some interactive content.
Like the practice quizzes, the iCMAs can be read by a screenreader.
If you have informed the University that you have additional requirements
for the examination, then you will be contacted by a study adviser to
discuss any special arrangements that you need.
If you are unable to submit all your assignments, or have difficulties during
your revision or examination, then you are advised to report these special
circumstances. Further details are given in the Assessment Handbook.

3.3 Studying MST124 without internet

access
Studying MST124 without access to the internet is not permitted except in
special situations, such as for students in prisons and other closed
institutions.
If you are a student in such an institution, then the Open University
Students in Secure Environments (SiSE) team, along with your own local
education officers, will help manage your access to the module materials,
and the submission of your assignments.
If you are permitted to study MST124 without internet access, then as
well as the usual printed materials, you will receive an Offline resources
disc, containing the applets, tutorial clips, videos and exercise booklets.
This disc also contains practice quiz booklets, which are sets of further
practice questions similar to those in the online practice quizzes.
In place of each iCMA you will receive an assignment that contains
multiple-choice questions on the same topics as the iCMA questions.

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 Appendix: further information

Appendix: further information

The sources of further information mentioned in this MST124 Guide are
listed below. The name of each resource is followed by a sequence of links
leading to the resource, or a URL, or both. Any updates to this
information will be provided on the MST124 website.

OU resources
StudentHome
www.open.ac.uk/students
MST124 website
StudentHome → MST124 Module Website
Skills for OU Study
StudentHome → Help Centre → During your studies → Study skills
→ Skills for OU study
www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy
OU Computing Guide
StudentHome → Help Centre → Computing help → Computing
Guide
https://learn1.open.ac.uk/site/cg
OU Library
www.open.ac.uk/library
Assessment Handbook
StudentHome → Help Centre → Assessments, assignments and
examinations → Assessment handbook
Services for disabled students
www.open.ac.uk/disability
Mathematics and Statistics Study Website
https://learn2.open.ac.uk/site/s-maths

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MST124 Guide

Index
accessibility 42 in practice quizzes and iCMAs 36
applets 42 instructions for preparing and submitting
iCMA 44 TMAs 20
practice quizzes 43 interactive computer-marked assignments
TMAs 44 see iCMAs
tutorial clips 43
learning outcomes 30
units 43
library 26
videos 43
applets 16, 33 MST125 28, 29
accessibility 42 joint study planner 29
assessment 19 Handbook 16
Assessment Handbook 19
associate lecturer (AL) see tutor news 12
OU Anywhere 41
calculator 9
OU computer username (OUCU) 11
computer 10
Computer algebra guide 13, 16 plagiarism 24
computer algebra system (CAS) 13, 16 practice quizzes 18, 34
Computing Guide 45 accessibility 43
Computing Helpdesk 32 inputting answers 36
contact the OU 31
contents checklist 7 queries 31
cut-off date 19 special circumstances 24
iCMA 21 specimen examination paper 22
TMA 20 StudentHome 12, 45
study planner 8, 12
errata 15
joint MST124/MST125 29
examination 19
study support 24
calculator for 9
examination TMAs 19, 20
use of Handbook in 15 accessibility 44
exercise booklets 19 instructions for preparing and submitting
20
forums 26, 37
tutor 12, 25
inputting mathematics 37
tutor group 25
good mathematical communication (GMC) tutor-marked assignments see TMAs
20 tutorial clips 17, 33
accessibility 43
Handbook 15 tutorials 25
MST125 16
units 6
Helpdesk, Computing 32
accessibility 43
iCMAs 19, 20, 35
videos 17, 33
accessibility 44
Welcome to MST124 video 13
inputting answers 36
accessibility 43
inputting mathematics online
in forums 37 website, MST124 12, 45

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