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MAT 154 Intermediate Algebra Fall ‘98 Course Outline and Syllabus
Instructor: Steve Richardson Classroom: A208 Office: D127 Meeting Times: M,W, F 8:00 - 9:10 Phone: 541-4660 extension 333 email: richardson@ltcc.edu Office Hours: M, W, F 11:00 - 12:00 T, R 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm or by appointment.
Class Schedule and Assignments (tentative and subject to revision):
Wk Date Topic Covered Reading Assignment (for next class meeting) 1 9/21 Introduction, Review of solving quadratic equations (Sections 8.1 - 8.3) 8.4 1 9/23 Applications of quadratic Equations 8.5 1 9/25 Equations Reducible to Quadratic Form 8.6 2 9/28 Quadratic and Rational inequalities 9.1 2 9/30 Quiz (8.4, 8.5, 8.6)The Distance Formula: Circles 9.2 2 10/2 The Parabola 9.3 3 10/5 The Ellipse: Centered at the Origin 9.4 3 10/7 The Hyperbola: Centered at the Origin Review for Midterm I 3 10/9 Review Study for Exam 4 10/12 Exam (sections from Ch 8 and 9) 10.1 4 10/14 3X3 Linear Systems 10.4 4 10/16 Nonlinear SystemsLast day to drop with no record or to change to C/NC 11.1 5 10/19 Relations and Functions: Basic Concepts 11.2 5 10/21 Function Notation and the Algebra of Functions 11.3 5 10/23 Types of Functions 11.4 6 10/26 Inverse Relations and Functions Review for Quiz (10.1 - 11.4) 6 10/28 ReviewQuiz (10.1 - 11.4) 12.1 6 10/30 Exponential Functions 12.2 7 11/2 Logarithms 12.3 7 11/4 Properties of Logarithms 12.4 7 11/6 Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms and Change of Base 12.5 8 11/9 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 12.6 8 11/11 Applications Review for Midterm II 9 11/16 Review Study for Exam 9 11/18 Exam (sections from Ch 10, 11, 12) 13.1 9 11/20 SequencesLast day to Withdraw 13.2 10 11/23 Series and Sigma Notation 13.3 10 11/25 Arithmetic Sequences and Series 13.4 11 11/30 Geometric Sequences and Series 13.5 11 12/2 The Binomial Theorem Review for Final 11 12/4 Quiz #3 (Ch 13)Review Study for Final 12 12/7Mon Final Examination 8:00 - 10:00
Required Textbook: Understanding Algebra for College Students, Hirsch and Goodman
Recommended Textbook: Student solution Manual and Study Guide to Accompany "Understanding Algebra for the College Student"
Course Overview:
This course is a continuation of math 152B and covers algebraic tools commonly used in business, science and math. Students will learn to solve applications with quadratic equations and systems of quadratic equations. Students will be introduced to the definition of a function and its inverse, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series and conic sections.
Suggestions, Tips and Advice:
Class time is valuable! Our class starts on the dot! Arrive on time, be prepared having read the assigned reading and having completed any due assignments.
Bring your text, your calculator and your notebook to each class.
Try to leave class for a place to sit and read through your notes; review covered topics one more time. I’ve read a study which showed we retain much more of the covered material much longer if we do this. Do it!
Falling behind is a double-edged sword: the more behind you get, the less benefit you obtain from class meetings, making it that much harder to catch up. Strive to keep up with the pace of the course! Plan on 2 hours of study (individual or with your classmates) for each hour of class. Reading and homework assignments will consume at least 8 hours per week in addition to our 4 hours per week of class meeting. That’s 12 hours per week.
Read the assigned sections from the textbook. Read math texts with pencil and paper and work along with the author’s examples. The textbook is designed to help you - give it a chance to do so!
Math takes practice. It is not a spectator sport. Do all of the homework problems.
Homework:
I will assign homework daily. I may or may not collect and grade it in order to monitor your performance. Homework is very important in mathematics, you must do it if you are to succeed.
Quizzes:
There will be three quizzes given. These will take half a class period and will be based on assigned homework problems. If you have done the homework problems the quizzes will be easy for you.
Exams:
There will be two one-hour midterm exams given. The first will cover all the material covered to date. The second one will cover all of the material covered since the first exam. See the course outline for details.
Final Examination:
The final exam will be comprehensive; it will cover all of the material we have gone over in the course this quarter.
Evaluation Criteria:
Grading will be based on your total scores from:
2 Midterm exams 200 points 1 Comprehensive Final 150 points 3 Quizzes 60 points ------------- Total 410 points
No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted.
The letter grade assigned will be based on the following cutoffs:
> 90%-100% A > 80% - < 90% B > 70% - < 80% C > 60% - < 70% D < 60% F
Help:
I am here to help you learn. I want you to succeed in this course and beyond. Use me as your resource. See me during my office hours. Do not hesitate to make arrangements to see me anytime outside of class or office hours. Make arrangements with me if you have any difficulties or special needs. We have tutoring and a Learning Assistance Center available in room B107. We have a Learning Disabilities Lab available and I will accommodate any learning disability you may have to the best of my and the College’s ability. If you find that you are lost or behind please do not hesitate to see me.
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