MAT 103A 2

College Algebra Part I

Fall 2000

 

Instructor: Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu

 

Office Hours: Room A210, MWF 9:30-10:30 AM,

           GMC (G4),    TTh 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and by appointment

 

Class Time and Location: TTh, 6:00-7:50 PM, E106

 

Textbook: College Algebra and Trigonometry with Graphing Technology,  David Stevens

 

Calculator: A graphing calculator is required for this class.  I will be demonstrating with the

Texas Instruments-85.  I will do my best to assist with other models, but I promise nothing.

 

Course Description: MAT 103A is an in-depth study of functions.  We will study linear, quadratic, and other rational functions.  We will analyze both their algebraic and geometric properties.  Special emphasis will be placed on application problems and the use of calculators.

 

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Math 153 and a C or better in Math 154 within the last 2 years, or a satisfactory score on the Mathematics Assessment Exam.

 

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:                                                100 points

Exam1 (October 5):                  

Exam2 (October 26):                 450 points

Exam3 (November 16):

Final Exam (December 5):         300 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 the 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.

 

Quizzes: There will be approximately 5 announced quizzes given over the quarter.   These quizzes will be designed to help prepare you for the exams. 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 calculator, 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. 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 before September 22.

You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before October 13.

After October 13, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until November 17.

After November 17, 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.  Besides, you may miss the only time I tell a truly funny joke.

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 always happy to help with appropriate accommodations.

 

Course Schedule:

The following is a tentative schedule.  When things change (you notice I said when, not if…), I will let you know.

 

September

19,21    2.1, 2.2             Introductions, Graphing, Using the Graphing Calculator

26,28    2.3, 2.4             Functions and their Graphs

 

October

3,5        2.5, Exam I       Transformations of Graphs

10,12    2.6, 2.7             Function Operations, Applications of Functions

17,19    3.1-3.3              Linear and Quadratic Functions

24,26    3.4, Exam II      Quadratics

31         3.5                    Using Graphs to Solve Equations

 

November

2          4.1                    Polynomial Functions

7,9        4.2, 4.3             Polynomial Division, Roots of Polynomials

14,16    4.4, Exam III     Solving Polynomial Equations

21         4.5                    Rational Functions

26,30    4.6, Review       Solving Rational Equations

 

December

5          Final Exam

 



Mat103A Homework Assignments

 

Section

Unchecked HW

Checked HW

2.1

9,15,19,21,31,37

12,18,20,26,32,38

2.2

5,9,17,29,39,41,49

4,8,20,26,38,44,50

2.3

7,13,17,29,37,47,57

2,12,22,30,36,50,60

2.4

1,7,13,15,26,29,35,45,57

4,6,16,18,26,28,38,48,58

2.5

3,17,25,41,45,47,49,63,65

8,14,20,32,46,48,50,64,66

2.6

1,11,17,25,29,37,41,47,53,69

8,12,18,28,32,34,40,50,52,72

2.7

7,17,19,23,31

6,12,16,28,34

3.1

1,7,11,15,17,21,27,33,57

4,8,10,14,18,24,30,32,60

3.2

3,7,13,17,23,33,41,57

4,6,10,14,24,38,48,58

3.3

1,7,21,25,31,45,51

4,6,16,28,32,46,56

3.4

9,21,29,39,45,51,67,73

12,20,30,36,48,52,66,74

3.5

7,9,13,19,27,45,83

4,12,16,24,34,42,86

4.1

3,7,17,19,33,39,43

6,10,14,20,30,36,46

4.2

3,9,21,29,51,57,63

6,14,18,26,54,56,66

4.3

5,7,13,19,27,31,41,49

4,10,16,20,22,26,36,44

4.4

3,9,23,37,41,51,57,63

10,18,22,34,46,48,60,64

4.5

5,7,13,15,39,51

4,10,14,20,42,54

4.6

3,7,25,33,39,53

2,18,22,40,44,58