Description of the activity .
The activity Consolidation of core mathematical concepts is a support initiative designed for first-year students in the Economics, Business Administration and Management, and Accounting and Finance degree programmes. It aims to help them approach the *Mathematics I* (for Business/Economics) and *Business Mathematics* (for Accounting/Finance) courses with a stronger foundation and to further develop their skills.
Through various in-person sessions, students will review and practice essential techniques required to successfully follow the *Mathematics I* and *Business Mathematics* courses: simplifying algebraic fractions, factoring polynomials, special product formulas, solving equations, operations involving powers, exponentials and logarithms, as well as basic derivative calculations.The goal is not to introduce new material, but to regain fluency in procedures that often hinder the learning of mathematics during the first year of university.When we lack agility in factoring a polynomial or simplifying an algebraic fraction, we have less mental capacity available to grasp concepts such as derivatives, linear approximations or optimisation problems.However, if these techniques are well-internalised (automated), we can dedicate our intellectual effort to understanding new concepts.In these sessions, we will work on increasing the automaticity of these fundamental procedures.
To deepen the practice of these basic techniques, the in-person sessions will be complemented by activities and exercises available on Moodle. Students can complete these at their own pace to consolidate the material covered and gain greater confidence and autonomy in problem-solving.
Objectives
- Consolidate the basic mathematical knowledge needed to improve academic performance in the Mathematics I and Business Mathematics courses.
- Strengthen fluency in the most common calculation and algebraic manipulation techniques.
- Increase student confidence regarding first-year mathematical content.
- Develop independent study habits through practice and self-assessment activities.
- Facilitate a smoother adjustment to the demands of the degree programme's quantitative courses.
Frequency
The activity consists of 4 or 5 in-person sessions lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes each. These will take place between October and December of the first semester of the 2026-2027 academic year, with a frequency of approximately one session every three weeks.Between sessions, students will have access to materials and exercises on Moodle to continue practising independently.The scheduled time for the in-person sessions will coincide with the slots reserved in the Mathematics I or Business Mathematics course timetables for computer lab sessions.The sessions will take place on days when no lab sessions are scheduled.