Finite Math vs College Algebra vs Business Math: what is finite math?

An applied math course for business and social science majors. Georgia Tech's MATH 1711 Finite Mathematics covers “Linear equations, matrices, linear programming, sets and counting, probability and statistics.” Illinois's MATH 124 is an “Introduction to finite mathematics for students in the social sciences; introduces the student to the basic ideas of logic, set theory, probability, vectors and matrices, and Markov chains.” Texas's version, Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences, adds “mathematics of finance, including simple and compound interest and annuities”.

No. College Algebra studies functions, from polynomial and rational to exponential and logarithmic, on the way to Pre-Calculus; finite math applies algebra to business and social science problems. Texas treats them as two routes into business courses: Business Statistics lists “MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business & Social Science Majors or MATH 1314 College Algebra” as its prerequisite.

No catalog ranks them, but finite math builds on algebra: Illinois asks for “MATH 112 (formerly MATH 012) or an adequate ALEKS score” before MATH 124 Finite Mathematics. UPI Study's College Algebra asks for high school Algebra I or a placement assessment; it has 10 chapters and 58 instructional hours and is self-paced, so you can slow down where you need to.

College Algebra: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Math among other subjects. Business Math: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Mathematics among other subjects.

College Algebra: Math, Accounting, Business, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Liberal Arts, or as a General Education Elective, or as part of STEM fields. Business Math: Mathematics, Economics, International Business, Finance, Finance and Investment, Accounting, Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Education, or Health Services. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

College Algebra is longer by its syllabus. College Algebra: 10 chapters and 58 instructional hours. Business Math: 12 chapters and 47.5 instructional hours. Both are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

College Algebra: Successful completion of high school elementary algebra (Algebra I) or its equivalent; or a qualifying score on the UPI Study College Algebra Placement Assessment. Business Math: none.

The format is the same in both: a final of 100 multiple-choice questions that counts for 25% of the grade.

College Algebra: Abramson, Jay, editor. College Algebra 2e. OpenStax, Rice University, 2021. Additional material for reference: Algebra and Trigonometry 2e. OpenStax, Rice University, 2021, with other references. Business Math: Cleaves, C., Hobbs, M., & Noble, J. (2023). Business Math (12th ed.). Pearson (optional), with other references.

No: neither is on the ACE list. College Algebra has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Math; Business Math has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Mathematics. Not being on the ACE list never means not recommended for credit.

Principles of Statistics. In the “One college math course” order on the Math courses page, it follows College Algebra. Your program may set its own order.

Yes. Calculators are allowed in math finals, and most final questions are multiple choice, so nothing needs typing. College Algebra assignments can be typed or handwritten and photographed into one PDF.

Yes: every UPI Study course is its own enrollment, so you can take College Algebra without any other course and transfer it by itself.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Neither is Finite Math, so ask before you enroll. NCCRS recommends each for 3 semester hours: College Algebra in Math, Business, Economics or Liberal Arts, among other areas; Business Math in Mathematics, Finance, Accounting or Management, among others. Search your school in Find My College and send your registrar the syllabus with your college's Finite Math description. It helps to name the subject: NCCRS recommends College Algebra in Math and Business Math in Mathematics.