INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

MATH 154 4 TIME: 6:00-7:50 PM, M & W

INSTRUCTOR W. LOGAN ROOM E 106

HOME PHONE (775) 588 9830 VOICE MAIL: EXT 453

TEXT:

Algebra for College Students by Daniel L. Auvil.

PREREQUISITE:

A grade of C or better from Math 152B, or a satisfactory score on the Math Assessment Exam.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Solving numerous quadratic equations; in fact, the entire course assumes a growing proficiency in factoring quadratic equations. Recognizing and sketching the equations representing conic sections: circles, parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas. There will be a few sections on systems of linear and quadratic equations. The remainder of the course deals with functions, inverse functions, exponential functions and logarithms, and ends with sequences and series.

DISABILITIES:

For those with any type of disability (difficulty with hearing or sight or other) or those with accepted testing difficulties, you are asked to notify the instructor at any time in order that accommodations can be made.

GRADING AND HOMEWORK:

There will be two examinations of two hours duration worth 150 points apiece. The final examination is worth 200 points. Everyone is guaranteed the following grades based on their accumulated exam scores out of 500 points:

Points Grade

450 - 500 A

400 - 449 B

350 - 399 C

300 - 349 D

For extra credit, which will add to the above point count, there is homework. The successful completion (all the problems) of the assigned homework for each section will be worth one point. At each lecture there will be assigned three even numbered problems which must be completed and handed in on time. One point is accumulated if two of the three even numbered problems are successfully solved; Zero points if only one of the three is successfully completed; and minus one if none are completed. The even numbered problems provide feedback to the instructor on class progress and comprehension of the assignments.

Successful completion of all homework problems is essential to passing this class. 50% of all tests will be based on homework problems already completed. If you have done and understood the homework assignments then half of the examinations should be just repetition. Most of the remainder of the tests will be taken from the even numbered problems at the end of previously assigned sections.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN FAILING THIS CLASS

I cannot tell you how many students have achieved low grades by merely dropping some minus signs along the way, or by multiplying 2 times 3 and getting 5. This is sloppy work; this is a bad habit that can insure failure through your life unless corrected now.

A major part of algebra is nothing but bookkeeping, checking the current line of logical development by undoing it to see if you achieve the previous line from which the current line was derived. I will be very hard on those who do not check each line of their problem development.

SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

In the following the abbreviations All, means do all the problems which follow; Odd, means do only the odd numbered problems which follow beginning with the first problem listed; EOO means do every other odd problem beginning with the first problem listed.

9-20 (Mon); Section 6.4: Equations That Lead to Quadratic Equations

Pg 284; Odd: 13-45, 33 - 45, and 51-55.

9-22 (Wed); Section 6.5: Problem Solving with Quadratic Equations

Pg 290; Odd: 13 - 45;

9-27 (Mon); Section 6.6 Nonlinear Inequalities

Pg 299; EOO: 9 - 21; Odd 23 - 47

9-29 (Wed); Section 7.1: The Rectangular Coordinate System,

and Section 8.1; Defining Relations and Functions.

Pg 311; 25, 39, 41, 49, 52, 56, 57, 59, 61, 62

Pg 358; Odd 1 - 69

10-4 (Mon); Section 8.2: Function Notation and Operations on Functions

Pg 367; EOO: 13 - 33, and 45 - 69; Odd: 35 - 45, and 70 - 81

10-6 (Wed); Section 8.3: Constant, Linear and Quadratic Functions

Pg 377; 1, 2; EOO: 5 - 13; All: 15 - 26; EOO 27 - 47

10-11 (Mon); 2 HR EXAM covering Sections 6.4 through 8.1.

10-13 (Wed); Section 8.4: More about Parabolas

Pg 386; 1, 3, 5; All: 7 - 18; Odd: 19 - 47

10-18 (Mon); Section 8.5: The Circle and the Ellipse

Pg 395; All: 1 - 8; Odd: 9 - 55

10-20 (Wed); Section 8.6: The Hyperbola

Pg 405; All: 1 - 10, and 23 - 26; Odd 11 - 21, and 27 - 39

10-25 (Mon); Section 10.1: Exponential Functions

Pg 480; All: 1 - 14, Odd: 15 - 33

10-27 (Wed); Section 10.2: Inverse of a Function

Pg 488; All: 1 - 8; Odd: 9 - 45; All 49 - 58

11-1 (Mon); Section 10.3: Logarithmic Functions

Pg 494; All: 1 - 10; Odd 11 - 79

11-3 (Wed); Section 10.4: Properties of Logarithms

and Section 10.5: Common Logarithms; Natural Logarithms.

Pg 498; All: 1 - 6; Odd: 3 - 17; EOO 21 - 67

Pg 506; All 1 - 8; EOO: 9 - 53; Odd 57 - 69

11-8 (Mon); Section 10.6: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

Pg 512; Odd: 1 - 55

11-10 (Wed); Section 11.4: Linear Systems of Three Equations

and Section 11.8: Nonlinear Systems of Equations

Pg 541; EOO: 7 - 31; Odd: 37 - 43

Pg 563; Odd: 5 - 49

11-15 (Mon); 2 HR EXAM covering Sections 8.2 through 10.6

11-17 (Wed); Section 12.1: Defining Sequences and Series

and Section 12.2: Arithmetic Sequences and Series

Pg 587; All: 1 - 4; EOO: 5 - 17; Odd: 21 - 31; EOO: 41 - 61

Pg 592; All: 1 - 4; EOO: 5 - 37; Odd: 41 - 67

11-22 (Mon); Section 12.3: Geometric Sequences and Series

Pg 597; All: 1 - 4; Odd: 5 - 65

11-24 (Wed); Section 12.4: Infinite Geometric Series

Pg 600; 1, 2; Odd: 1 - 45

11-29 (Mon); Section 12.5: The Binomial Theorem

Pg 606; all: 1 - 6; EOO: 15 - 39; Odd: 47-57

12.1 (Wed); Review for the Final Examination.

12.6 (Mon); FINAL EXAMINATION IN ROOM E106 FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 PM.

50% of the final covers all sections through 8.6.

50% will cover Sections 11.4 through 12.5.