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MAT 154 Intermediate Algebra Fall
2004 Instructor:
Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu Office Hours:
Room A210, Tues. 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Thurs. 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Thurs. 3:00 – 4:00 PM GMC G4,
Mon. & Wed. 9:30 - 10:30 AM And as always, by appointment. Class Time and Location:
Tues. & Thurs. 10:00 - 11:50 AM, A209 Textbook: Elementary
and Intermediate Algebra,
Mark Dugopolski Calculator:
A scientific calculator is required for this course.
Graphing calculators will not be allowed on quizzes and exams. Course Description:
MAT 154 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. Course Objectives: 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 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 mathematical statements, and checking and verifying results. 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 Average
of HW Scores X 15 Quizzes:
200 points Average
of Quiz Scores X 10 Exam1
(October 12) Exam2
(November 2):
450 points
Average of Exam Scores X 4.5 Exam3
(November 23) Final Exam
(December 7):
200 points You may
check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website
using your secret code: http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/6234/index.html
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 homework up to two days after it is assigned for half credit.
If all homework is turned in, and no more than two are late, the lowest
regular exam score will be dropped. Your
homework score will be determined in the following way: up to 5 points for
completion and one point each for 5 problems chosen at random to be graded. Quizzes:
There will be six quizzes given over the quarter.
These quizzes will be designed to help prepare you for the exams, and
quiz problems will be taken directly from the homework assignments. Your lowest
quiz score will be dropped. Since
your lowest score will be dropped, missed quizzes may not be made up. Exams:
Students are to bring a 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 with proper arrangements.
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.
You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or
before October 15. After October
15, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until November 19.
After November 19, if 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. 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 more than willing to
grant you reasonable accommodations. 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 (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know. September 21
10.3
Graphs of Quadratic Functions 23
10.4
More on Quadratic Equations 28
10.5, Quiz I
Quadratic & Rational Inequalities 30
11.1
Graphs of Functions and Relations October 5
11.2, Quiz II
Transformations of Graphs 7
11.3
Combining Functions 12
11.4, Exam I Inverse
Functions 14
12.1
Exponential Functions 19
12.2, Quiz III
Logarithmic Functions 21
12.3
Properties of Logarithms 26
12.4, Quiz IV
Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 28
8.3, 13.1
Systems of Equations (Linear and Nonlinear) November 2
13.2, Exam II
Parabolas 4
13.3
Circles 9
13.4, Quiz V Ellipses
and Hyperbolas 11
NO CLASS
Veteran’s Day 16
14.1,14.2
Sequences and Series 18
14.3,
Arithmetic Sequences and Series 23
14.4, Exam III
Geometric Sequences and Series 25
NO CLASS
Thanksgiving 30
14.5
Binomial Expansions December 2
Quiz VI Review
for Final 7
Final Exam Note:
The Final Exam is from 11:00 AM – 12:50 PM The
following is a list of all homework assignments for this course. The due dates for the various sections will be given in
class.
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