Math 154A   Intermediate Algebra

 

Tuesday and Thursday  10:00 to 11:50 AM    Room E106           4 UNITS

 

Instructor Charlie Lincoln

Email:  c.lincoln@sbcglobal.net                                     Phone: 577-0414 

             

Office Hours:  Thursdays 5:00 - 6:00 in the Mezzanine or By Appointment

 

Course ID (for MyMathLab):  lincoln47127

 

(Optional) Text Beginning and Intermediate Algebra 4th edition by Elayn Martin-Gay


Required Software: It is required to have a software license to use the software MyMathLab in this class.  You must have a valid e-mail address to use the on-line curriculum.  Students have two choices.  The first choice is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the software license.  Note:  If you purchase a used textbook, it may not have a valid course access code.  Be VERY careful when acquiring the text.  The second choice is to purchase the license alone either from the bookstore or online at coursecompass.com.  The license gives you access to the textbook online.  This is a more economical choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.  If you have already purchased an access code for Math 152A or Math 152B for this textbook, you may also use it for this class at no extra cost.To access our class page, go to www.coursecompass.com and register using your student access code and the course ID for this class:  lincoln47127 

For assistance with MyMathLab: You may get help by calling 1-800-677-6337 during the following hours: Mon – Fri 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Sunday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Online assistance is available 24 hours every day at: 247pearsoned.custhelp.com 

 

Calculator:  A scientific calculator is required for this course.  Graphing calculators will not be allowed on exams.


Course Description: MAT 154A is a continuation of MAT 152B and covers functions and inverses, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, and conic sections, quadratic equations, and systems of quadratic equations.


Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MAT 152B, or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math assessment process.

 

Student Learning Objectives:
1. Apply the course topics to real-world situations.
2. Sketch and interpret the graphs of functions and relations introduced in intermediate algebra.
3. Simplify mathematical expressions into forms more amenable to analysis.
4. Provide solutions to equations using methods from intermediate algebra.

 

Grading Policy Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of possible points.

A 90 -- 100%         C 70 -- 79%

B 80 -- 89%            D 60 -- 69%

 

 

Homework.                              100 points

In Class Quizzes.                      100 Points

Midterm Exam 1                       100 points

Midterm Exam 2                       100 points

Final Exam:                               100 points

Total                                        500 pts

 

 Grades will be posted on the internet at http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/7353/index.html

 

Computer Homework:  Each homework assignment is due every Thursday and is considered late if it is not complete.  Homework is done using the MyMathLab computer assisted learning tool.  It is recommended that you work on the homework each day with the goal of completing both your homework and quiz 24 hours before they are due so that you have time to respond to unforeseen emergencies or confusions.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.

 

Quizzes:  There are no make-up quizzes.   I give five quizzes but only four are counted so your lowest quiz score will be dropped. 

 

Midterm Exams:  You must notify me before an exam if you will miss the exam (577-0414).  Exams must be made up within 3 school days after the scheduled date.  You may take an exam up to 3 school days before the scheduled date.  Arrangements must be made with me one week in advance.

 

Please come see me if you do not understand these policies.

 

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade.  You must go to Admissions & Records.

Friday, April 15 is the last day for refunds.

Friday, April 29 is the last day to drop with no record.

Friday, May 20 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.

 

How to Succeed in a Math Class:

I am often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice:

1.  Come to every class session. Be prepared, and plan on participating.

2.  Do your homework. Remember that what I assign is what I consider a bare minimum. If you need more practice, do it.

3.  Read the book.

4.  Make use of available tutors and my office hours. You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this course at the GMC.

5.  Do math every day. Math is just like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty.

 

Students with disabilities must identify themselves to me within the first two weeks of class.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requiring accommodations for a certain disability that may affect class performance are requested to schedule with a staff member at the Disability Resource Center to discuss this during the first week of the quarter so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

* Course materials available in alternate format. 

 

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, I will let you know.

 

April

3          4.4                               Introductions, Systems of Linear Equations in 3 Variables  

7          3.6, 8.2                        Functions and Their Graphs

 

12        8.3                               Transformations of Functions

14        Quiz 1

11.3                             Using Quadratic Methods to Solve Equations

19        11.4                             Quadratic and Rational Inequalities         

 

21        11.5, 11.6                    Graphs of Quadratic Functions

26        12.1                             Function Algebra

28        Exam I            
   

May

3          12.2                             Inverse Functions

5          Quiz 2

12.3                             Exponential Functions

10        12.4                             Logarithmic Functions

12        12.5, 12.6                    Properties and Bases of Logarithms

17        12.7                             Logarithmic and Exponential Equations

19        Exam II

24        13.1                             Parabolas and Circles

26        13.2                             Ellipses and Hyperbolas 

31        13.3, 13.4                    Systems of Nonlinear Equations and Nonlinear Inequalities

 

June

2          Quiz 3

14.1, 14.2                    Sequences (including Arithmetic and Geometric)                      

7          14.3                             Series
           

9          Quiz 4

14.4                             Arithmetic and Geometric Series

14        14.5                             Binomial Theorem

16        Quiz 5

Review

21        Final Exam