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MAT 154 Intermediate Algebra Winter 2002 Instructor:
Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu Office
Hours: Room
A210, Mon., Wed., & Fri. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM GMC
G4, Tues. & Thurs. 3:00-4:00 PM And
as always, by appointment. Class
Time and Location:
Mon. & Wed. 1:30-3:20 PM, F120 Textbook:
Algebra
for College Students,
Daniel L. Auvil Course
Description:
MAT 154 is an introduction to the definition of a function and its inverse,
exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, and conic sections. Quadratic equations and systems of quadratic equations will
be solved. Prerequisite:
A grade of C or better in MAT 152B, or appropriate skills demonstrated through
the Math assessment process. Course
Grade: Your
final letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale: A
90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59% The
following items will make up the course grade: Homework:
150 points Quizzes:
200 points Exam1
(January 16): Exam2
(February 6):
450 points Exam3
(February 27): Final
Exam (March 18):
200 points Homework:
Homework will be due the class period after it is assigned.
Homework not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn
in homework up to one week after it is assigned for half credit.
If all homework is turned in, and no more than three are late, the lowest
regular exam score will be dropped. Your homework score will be determined in
the following way: up to 5 points for completion and one point each for 5
problems chosen at random to be graded. Quizzes:
There will be approximately 5 announced quizzes given over the quarter.
These quizzes will be designed to help prepare you for the exams, and
quiz problems will be taken directly from the homework assignments. Your lowest
quiz score will be dropped. Since
one score will be dropped, you may not make up a missed quiz. Exams: Students are to bring a pencil and blank scratch paper to
each exam. If you cannot make it to
an exam (final not included), you may take it up to 2 school days prior to the
scheduled date with proper arrangements. Otherwise,
the exam may be made up after the scheduled date with a penalty of 10% per day.
Registration
Information: You
must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records.
You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or
before January 25. After January
25, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until March 1.
After March 1, if you are still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A,
B, C, D, F or I. How to Succeed in a Math Class: I am
often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice: I)
Come to every class session. Be
prepared, and plan on participating. II)
Do your homework. Remember that
what I assign is what I consider a bare minimum.
If you need more practice, do it. Don’t
make me be a homework enforcer. III)
Read the book. You paid good money
for it, so you might as well use it. IV)
Make use of available tutors and my office hours. You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this
course at the GMC. V)
Do math every day. Math is just
like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty. Learning Disabled Students: It is
important that students who are identified as being learning disabled speak to
me about their special needs. I am
more than willing to grant you reasonable accommodations. Academic Dishonesty: Academic
dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated.
Students caught cheating on exams or quizzes will receive a score of zero
on the assignment for the first offense and a course grade of F for the second
offense. Students my work together
on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to) as long as all
students understand the material covered. Course
Schedule: The
following is a tentative schedule. If
things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know. January 2
6.4
Introductions, Equations that lead to Quadratic Equations 7,9
6.5,6.6,8.1
More Quadratics, Nonlinear Inequalities, Relations, Functions 14,16
8.2-8.4, Exam I Constant,
Linear, and Quadratic Functions, Parabolas 23
8.5,8.6
Circles, Ellipses, and Hyperbolas 28,30
8.7,10.1
Special, and Exponential February 4,6
10.2,10.3, Exam II
Inverse and Logarithmic Functions 11,13
10.4-10.6
More Logarithms, Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 20
11.4
Linear systems of 3 equations 25,27
11.8,12.1, Exam III Nonlinear systems of
equations, Sequences and Series
March 4,6
12.2-12.4
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences and Series 11,13
12.5
Binomial Theorem, Review 18
Final Exam
Note: The time of the final is 2:00-3:50 PM
The
following is a list of all homework assignments for this course.
The due dates for the various sections will be given in class.
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