BASIC MATHEMATICS

Math 187A/B-Fall, 2003

Tuesday & Thursday

Section 2                                                                                                                     Section 4

1:00 – 2:50                                                                                                                  4:00 – 5:50

Room: A209                                                                                                               Room: A206

INSTRUCTOR:                     Jane Ellis

Phone Number:              541-4660, Extension 247

E-MAIL:                                ELLIS@LTCC.EDU

REQUIRED TEXT:               BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS by Tobey & Slater,

Fourth Edition.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   The purpose of this course is to teach students the skills of basic arithmetic.  In reality, you have probably already seen this material somewhere in your educational past but may have forgotten it or never really understood it the when it was presented.  In this class, our goal is to fill in the gaps of your knowledge about arithmetic and to help you get the “big picture” so that it will all fit together in a way which makes sense to you and that you are able to apply it to “real life” problems.

This is actually two six-week classes (each receiving its own grade):

Ø      Math 187A covers whole numbers, fractions, and an introduction to decimals.

Ø      Math 187B which covers decimals, percents, and an introduction to algebra.

JANE’S OFFICE HOURS:

                                    Monday........................................ 4:00 – 5:00 (Gateway Math Center)

                                    Monday & Wednesday................. 12:30 – 1:30 (A204)

                                    Tuesday & Thursday....................... 3:00 – 4:00 (A204)

GRADING POLICY:            (Used for each course Math 187A & Math 187B)                               

Homework                                                       25/20 points

                                                Exam #1                                                           60 points

                                                Exam #2                                                           60 points

                                                Final (Covers entire 6-week course content)     100 points

            Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of the 245/240 possible points.

                                                            A         90-100%

                                                            B          80-89%

                                                            C         70-79%

                                                            D         60-69%

                                                            F          less than 60%

Make-up Policy:             For Exams and the Final, make-up is possible, but there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused.  Homework will be accepted late for minus one point for each day that it is late.  Each assignment in worth 5 points.

CALCULATOR:                    Calculators are not allowed in this class.

LEARNING DISABILITIES:          If you have a certifiable learning disability that may affect your performance in this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with Jane during the first week of class.  Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

REGISTRATION:

Ø      You must register for each class at the Office of Admissions and Records.

Ø      The last day to drop Math 187A with no record is Friday, October 3.

Ø      The last day to drop Math 187A with a “W” grade is Friday, October 17

Ø      The last day to drop Math 187B with no record is Friday, November 14.

Ø      The last day to drop Math 187A with a “W” grade is Wednesday, November 26.

JANE’S COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS:

·        I will check the earlier part of my day at the door when I enter the classroom, and I will give this class 100% of my attention while we are meeting.

·        I will come to class well prepared.

·        I will be here on time.

·        I will listen and seek to understand what is being said.

·        I will not shortchange the students in this class by setting low standards.

·        I will put 100% of my effort into being the best possible teacher for the students in this class.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS

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.

            9) Be willing to ask questions.

            10) Take notes.

            11) Study in groups and find a study buddy.

Tentative Lecture Schedule Math 187A

EOO means Every Other Odd problem

Date                                                    Topic                           Section                        HW                   

Sept. 23           Introduction to the class & syllabus

Understanding Whole Numbers            1.1       #3 – 51 Multiples of 3.

Addition of Whole Numbers                 1.2       #3 – 60 Multiples of 3.

                        Subtraction of Whole Numbers 1.3       #1 – 20, 24 – 90 Multiples of 3

Sept. 25           Multiplication of Whole Numbers          1.4       #3 – 102 Multiples of 3

                        Division of Whole Numbers                  1.5       #1 – 30 All, 33 – 93 Multiples of 3

Homework #1: Sections 1.1 – 1.5 Due Tuesday, September 30

Sept. 30           Exponents & Order of Operations        1.6       #1 – 6 All, 8 – 102 Multiples of 3        

                        Rounding and Estimation                       1.7       #1 – 4 All, 6 – 78 Multiples of 3, 85 – 88

Oct. 2              Applied Problems                                 1.8       #3 – 36 Multiples of 3

                        Understanding Fractions                       2.1       #3 – 51 Multiples of 3

                        Simplifying Fractions                             2.2       #3 – 90 Multiples of 3

Homework #2: Sections 1.6 – 2.2 Due Tuesday, October 7

Oct. 7              Exam #1 (Sections 1.1 – 1.8)

Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers             2.3       #3 – 84 Multiples of 3

Oct. 9              Multiplication of Fractions & Mixed Numbers               2.4       #3 – 57 Multiples of 3

                        Division of Fractions & Mixed Numbers                       2.5       #3 – 84 Multiples of 3

Homework #3: Sections 2.3 – 2.5 Due Tuesday, October 14

Math 187A Lecture Schedule Continued on the Next Page

Lecture Schedule Math 187A (continued)

October 14      The Least Common Denominator                                  2.6       #3 – 81 Multiples of 3                               Addition & Subtraction of Fractions                              2.7       #3 – 69 Multiples of 3

October 16        Combining Mixed Numbers & Order of Operations      2.8       #3 – 69 Multiples of 3

                        Applied Problems involving Fractions                            2.9       #1 – 20 All, pg. 187 #1

Homework #4: Sections 2.6 – 2.9 Due Tuesday, October 21

October 21      Exam #2 (Sections 2.1 – 2.9)

                        Decimal Notation                                                          3.1       # 3 – 60 Multiples of 3

October 23      Comparing, Ordering & Rounding Decimals                  3.2       #3 – 60 Multiples of 3

Addition & Subtraction of Decimals                              3.3       #3 – 57 Multiples of 3

Homework#5: Sections 3.1 – 3.3 Due Tuesday, October 28

October 28      Review for Final Exam

(Suggested Chapter 1 Review Problems, Pages 98 – 103, #5 – 105, Multiples of 5)

                        (Suggested Chapter 1 Test, Pages 104 – 105, all problems)

(Suggested Chapter 2   Review Problems, Pages 191 – 194, #1 – 79 EOO)

                        (Suggested Chapter 2 Test, Pages 195 – 196 All Problems)

October 30      Final Exam for Math 187A (Chapters 1 & 2, and Sections 3.1 – 3.3)

Tentative Lecture Schedule for Math 187B

EOO means Every Other Odd problem

Nov. 4             Multiplication of Decimals                                 3.4       #3 – 60 Multiples of 3

                        Division of Decimals                                         3.5       #3 – 54 Multiples of 3

Converting Fractions to Decimals                      3.6       #3 – 57 Multiples of 3

& Order of Operations

Nov. 6             Applied Problems Involving Decimals    3.7       #3 – 39 Multiples of 3

                        *Ratios                                                             4.1 Read this section, no hmwk

                        *Proportions                                                    4.2       #1 – 45 EOO

                        Solving Proportions                                          4.3       #5 – 55 Multiples of 5

Homework#1: Sections 3.4 – 3.7, 4.2, 4.3 Due Tuesday, November 11

Nov. 11           Understanding Percent                          5.1       #1 – 15 Odd, 19 – 83 EOO

            Changing between percents, decimals and fractions       5.2       #1 – 19 Odd, 23 – 91 EOO

Solving percents using an equation                     5.3A    #1 – 21 Odd, 23 – 41 EOO

Nov. 13           Solving percents using a proportion                   5.3B     #1 – 23 Odd, 25 – 41 EOO                             Solving applied percent problems                      5.4       #1 – 41 EOO

                        Solving commission, percent of increase or decrease,

                        and interest problems                                        5.5       #1 – 33 EOO

(Suggested problems to prepare for Exam #1: Chapter 3: Pages 258 – 261  #23 – 67 odd,

Chapter 5: Pages 359 – 361 #1 – 85 EOO)

Homework #2: Sections 5.1 – 5.5 are due Tuesday, November 18.

Nov. 18           Exam #1 (Sections 3.4 - 3.7, 5.1 – 5.5)

Converting units of measure                                          6.4       #1 - 25 EOO, 39, 43.

Square Roots                                                               7.5       #3 – 33 Multiples of 3

Nov. 20           THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Math 187B Lecture Schedule Continued on the Next Page

Lecture Schedule Math 187B (continued)

Nov. 25           Addition of signed numbers                                           9.1                   #1 – 65 EOO

                        Subtraction of signed numbers                           9.2                   #1 – 61 EOO

                        Multiplication and Division of signed numbers    9.3                   #1 – 57 EOO

Nov. 27           Order of Operations with signed numbers                      9.4                   #1 – 45 Odd

                        Variables and Like terms                                              10.1                 #1 – 37 Odd

            (Suggested Review for Exam #2: Chapter 9, Pages 598 – 600, #1 –53 EOO)

Homework #3: Sections 6.4, 7.5, 9.1 – 9.4, 10.1 are due Tuesday, December 2.

Dec. 2             Exam #2 (Sections 5.4, 5.5, 6.4, 7.5, 9.1 – 9.4)

                        The distributive property                                               10.2                 #1 – 37 EOO

Dec. 4             

                        Solving equations using the addition property     10.3                 #1 – 47 EOO

Solving equations using the division or

                        Multiplication properties                                                10.4                 #1 – 37 Odd

                        Solving equations using two properties              10.5                 #1 – 41 EOO  

Homework #4: Sections 10.2 - 10.5 are due Tuesday, December 9.

Dec. 9              Review for Final Exam: (Suggested Chapter 3 Test, Page 262)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 5 Test, Pages 362 – 363 All Problems)

                                    (Suggested Pages 546 - 547 # 1 – 15 Odd)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 9 Test, Pages 602 – 603, #1 – 30 All)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 10 Pages 659 – 660, Review problems # 1 – 49 EOO)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 10 Test, Page 662, #1 – 16 All)

Dec. 11           Final Exam (Sections 3.4 -3.7, Chpt. 5, Sections 6.4, 7.5, Chpt. 9 & Chpt. 10)