BASIC ALGEBRA (Part I)
Math 152A-5
Spring 2012
4 units
INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Littell
E-MAIL: ltcc.littellc@gmail.com
MEETING TIMES: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00p to 2:50p
MEETING PLACE: Room L107
REQUIRED
TEXT: Elementary
and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Ed, by Elayn Martin-Gay
COURSE CODE: littell66492
Course Description: This course is an introduction to algebra. I will be presenting the Real Numbers and their properties and operations, absolute value equations, simplifying algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, applications with formulas, the rectangular coordinate system, graphing linear equations and inequalities, polynomials and their operations, integral exponents, scientific notation, and an introduction to functions. This course will connect math with the “real” world. It is my desire to reduce math anxiety and build self-confidence in every student by the end of this class.
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Math 187B or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math Assessment process.
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 DRC to discuss this during the first week of the quarter so
that appropriate arrangements can be made. They only test and accept new
students into the program during the first two weeks of each quarter, so don’t
put it off.
Students with disabilities must identify themselves to me within the first two weeks of class.
The Math Success Center (within A201) has free tutoring for all registered students. Please Log In and Out so that the facility gets the funds it needs to continue this free service.
Attendance and Etiquette: As a college student, you have voluntarily signed up for approximately 16 hours of Math a week this fall. It is therefore important to remind you that missing four classes (the equivalent of two weeks of the regular quarter) will result in being dropped for non-attendance. Our time in class is a time of learning and is to be respected as such; therefore, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. A two-class expulsion will be applied for any disruptive behavior.
As a
Courtesy to everyone in class, please turn off your cell phones. Thank you.
How to succeed in a
Math class:
1. Come to every class meeting.
2. Arrive early, be prepared, and take notes.
3. Ask questions, especially if you don’t understand a concept.
4. Do more than just the homework problems.
5. Take advantage of the free tutoring service in the MSC.
6. Study in groups and do your homework with a classmate.
7. Start preparing for exams at least one week in advance.
8. Do some math every day.
Dropping: In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. For this, you must go to Admissions & Records.
Drop Dates are listed on the back of the printed schedule.
Student Outcomes
The successful student will:
1. Exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in the course;
2. Engage in logical and critical thinking;
3. Read technical and graphical information; and
4. Demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into
mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams,
analyzing given information, formulating appropriate math statements, and
checking and verifying results.
Grading: Your class letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale:
A: 90% & above, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%
F: 59% and under
The following items
will make up the course grade:
Online Homework Assignments 150 points
Online Quizzes 150 points
Exams 450 points
Cumulative Final Exam (Jun 21): 250 points
Total Class points: 1000
points
Methods of Evaluation:
Homework is all done online and is due by the time and date posted on the web-basically the next class because you need it for the lecture. The computer has a right answer only but missed problems can be eliminated by working a ‘similar problem’. After the due date, the assignments will available for score improvement only.
Online Quizzes are by chapter. Each chapter quiz may be accessed through ‘take a test’ or ‘show all’ from the homework. There is no making up quizzes.
Exams will cover the sections from the previous weeks between exams. Your score will be out of 150 possible points. Exams may be taken early without penalty as long as you officially notify me at least one week in advance of the date you need to take the exam in writing or by email. Exams may not be taken late without a valid excuse, will receive a 10% deduction in score per school-day late, and must be made up by the Thursday of the next week. Arrangements for make-up Exams must be made by you with the TLC and an email must be sent to me by you.
The Final Exam is given according to the posted finals schedule in the schedule of classes for this quarter. It will include all of the ideas, and sections covered in this course. (June 21st: 250 points)
TENTATIVE~LECTURE~SCHEDULE
Date Section Topic
Apr. 3 Introductions,
Syllabus
1.2 Symbols and Sets
of Numbers
1.3 Fractions
Apr. 5 1.4 Intro to Variable Expressions and Equations
1.5 Adding Real
Numbers
Apr. 10 1.6 Subtracting Real Numbers
1.7 Multiplying and
Dividing Real Numbers
Apr. 12 1.8 Properties
of Real Numbers
2.1 Simplifying
Algebraic Expressions
Apr. 17 2.2 Addition
and Multiplication Properties
2.3 Solving Linear
Equations
Apr. 19 Exam
One
Apr. 24 2.4 Intro
to Problem Solving
Apr. 26 2.5 Formulas and
Problem Solving
May 1 2.6 Percent and
Mixture Problem Solving
May 3 2.7 Further
Problem Solving
May 8 2.8 Solving
Linear Inequalities
3.1 Graphs and the Rectangular
Coordinate System
May 10 3.2 Graphing
Linear Equations
3.3 Intercepts
May 15 3.4 Slope
and the Rate of Change
3.5 Equations of
Lines
May 17 3.6 Functions
May 22 Exam
Two
May 24 5.1 Exponents
5.2 Polynomial Functions, Add and
Subtract
May 29 5.3 Multiplying
Polynomials
5.4 Special
Products
May 31 5.5 Negative
Exponents and Scientific Notation
5.6 Dividing
Polynomials
Jun. 5 9.1 Compound
Inequalities
9.2 Absolute Value Equations
Jun. 7 9.4 Graphing Linear Inequalities
12.1 Algebra of Functions
Jun. 12 Exam Three
Jun. 14 Review
for Cumulative Final Exam
Jun
21 Cumulative Final Exam