Lake Tahoe Community College

MAT 154 – Intermediate Algebra

M, W                   9:00 – 10:50 pm   D103

Fall 2001

 

Instructor:      Janine Bouyssounouse

 

Prerequisite:   Successful completion of Math 152B with a minimum grade of “C” or an equivalent class, or the appropriate skill demonstrated through the math assessment process.

 

Course Description:   This course 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.

 

Office Info:     messages: (530) 541-4660 ext 459

                        home: (530) 541-4119

                        e-mail: jcbouyss@yahoo.com

 

Course Text:  Algebra for College Students by Daniel L. Auvil

 

Recommended Text: Student Solution Manual for Algebra for College Students by Daniel L. Auvil

 

Grading Scale:

A         90-100%

B         80-89%

C         70-79%

D         60-69%

F          59% and below

 

Exams:            45%

Quizzes:          20%

Homework:     15%

Final:               20%

 

Exams:            There will be 4 exams, usually occurring on Wednesdays. Students are to bring calculators, pencils or pens, and paper to each exam. Partial credit will be given for the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested. Therefore, work must be shown in detail.

 

Quizzes:          There will be at least 5 quizzes usually occurring on Wednesdays. One quiz may be dropped. Quiz questions will come from the homework.

 

Homework:     Homework will be collected on Wednesdays. A selection of questions from the homework will be checked. Check answers in the back of the book and seek help from a tutor if you have trouble understanding why an answer is incorrect.

 

Final:               There will be a comprehensive final exam given on Wednesday, December 5 at 10am.

 

Calculators:    A scientific calculator is required for this class. There are a variety of such calculators on the market. If you plan to enroll in Math 103A in the future, it is recommended that you purchase a Texas Instruments-85 calculator. Any calculator except for the TI 92 (or other equivalent symbolic manipulator) will be allowed on the exams.

 

Attendance:    Regular attendance in class is an obligation assumed by every student at the time of his/her registration. Students will still be responsible for the work missed because of their absence. HW, test, and quiz concepts will be covered in class.

 

Missed Exams/Quizzes:        If a student is going to miss a quiz or exam, the student is responsible for contacting the instructor before the quiz or exam to make arrangements to take it another time.

 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requiring accommodations for a certifiable disability should contact the instructor so arrangements can be made.

 

How to Succeed in a Math Class:

  1. Come to every class meeting.

  2. Arrive early, get yourself settled and be ready when class starts. Sit where you won’t be distracted.

  3. Read each section before it is discussed in class.

  4. Do all of the homework.

  5. Do some math every day.

  6. Start preparing for tests at least a week in advance.

  7. Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.

  8. Do some review every time you study math.

 

Tentative Assignments:

 

Title of Section

Homework Exercises

6.4

Quadratic Equations and Inequalities

#1,2,3,6,9,12,15,25,28,33,43,48,51

6.5

Problem Solving with Quadratic Equations

#1,2,4,11,16,21,28,35,40

6.6

Nonlinear Inequalities

#3,6,7,9,16,23,33,37,42,48

7.1

Rectangle Coordinate System

#11,12,13,14,23,24,33,34,37,38,43,44,53,54

8.1

Defining Relations & Functions

#2,3,5,8,15,20,37,43,50,57,64,75

8.2

Function Notation/ Ops on Functions

#2,3,14,15,21,32,33,39,57,61,72,74

8.3

Constant, Linear, & Quadratic Functions

#4,11,15,19,23,26,27,31,34,37,40,43,46,47,48

8.4

More about Parabolas

#1,4,7,10,17,18,19,24,29,35,40,43,44,45,54

8.5

Circle & Ellipse

#1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,12,17,24,29,32,35,39,42,46,51,55,56

8.6

Hyperbola

#2,6,7,11,16,17,27,32,35

8.7

Special Functions

#1,5,9,14,17,21,26,57,58,59

10.1

Exponential Functions

#1,2,5,7,8,9,12,15,18,21,24,25,26,29,31,34,35,44,49,53,56

10.2

Inverse of a Function

#3,4,5,9,14,15,20,23,26,27,30,33,40,41,45,49,52,57

10.3

Logarithmic Functions

#2,4,5,8,11,16,21,26,31,36,41,46,51,56,61,67,72,76,81,83

10.4

Properties of Logarithms

#1,2,4,7,14,25,29,31,32,33,38,43,48,51,56,61,66

10.5

Common Logs, Natural Logs, Change of Base

#1,2,8,14,33,38,39,54,55,57,63,67,71,76

10.6

Exponential & Log Equations

#3,4,7,9,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,55

11.4

Linear Systems of Three Equations

#2,3,5,9,13,18,23,28,33,34,35,39,42,43

11.8

Nonlinear Systems of Equations

#4,7,12,17,22,27,32,37,43,48

12.1

Defining Sequences & Series

#1,4,5,10,15,20,25,30,33,34,35,37,42,47,55,60,65

12.2

Arithmetic Sequences & Series

#2,3,4,5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,66

12.3

Geometric Sequences & Series

#2,3,4,5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,62,63,64

12.4

Infinite Geometric Series

#1,2,3,8,13,18,23,28,33,38,42,43,44

12.5

The Binomial Theorem

#2,4,7,10,17,24,27,37,47