MAT 152A

Basic Algebra (Part I)

Spring 2005

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

Office Hours: Room A210,            Mon. & Wed.   1:00 – 2:00 PM

Thurs.  9:00 – 10:00 AM

GMC G4,            Tues.  9:00 – 10:00 AM

Thurs. 12:00 – 1:00 PM

And as always, by appointment.

Class Time and Location: Mon. & Wed. 9:00 AM -10:50 AM, E100

Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Mark Dugopolski

Course Description: This course is designed as an introduction to algebra.  Topics covered include the four basic operations with positive and negative numbers and with polynomials, solving and graphing linear equations, an introduction to functions and sets, and properties of integral exponents.

Prerequisite: MAT 187B with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process.

Calculators: Calculators will not be allowed in MAT 152A.

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 math 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:                              200 points            Average of HW Scores X 20

Quizzes:                                 200 points            Average of Quiz Scores X 10

Exam1 (April 20):

Exam2 (May 11):                  400 points            Average of Exam Scores X 4

Exam3 (June 6):

Final Exam (June 22):                    200 points

You may check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website:

http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/7358/index.html

Homework: Homework will be due the class period after it is assigned.  Homework assignments not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn in 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.  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 4 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. A quiz may be made up late with a penalty of 10% per day.

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 April 29.  After April 29, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until June 3.  After June 3, 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.

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.

April

4          1.1,1.2                         Introductions, Real Numbers, Fractions

6          1.3,1.4                         Addition, Subtraction, Mult., & Division of Real Numbers

11        1.5,1.6                         Exponential and Algebraic Expressions

13        1.7,1.8, Quiz I              Properties of the Real Numbers and Their Uses

18        2.1, Review                        Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality

20        Exam I, 2.2                Solving General Linear Equations

25        2.3,2.5                         Types of Equations, Translating English into Math

27        2.6,2.7                         Applications of Algebra

May

2          3.1,3.2                         Inequalities

4          3.3,4.1, Quiz II            Absolute Value Equations, Graphing Lines

9          4.2, Review                        Slope

11        Exam II, 4.3               Equations of Lines

16        4.4,4.5                         Point-Slope Form, Applications of Linear Equations

18            4.6,11.3                      Intro. to Functions, Operation on Functions

23        5.1,5.2                         Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication of Polynomials

25        5.3, 5.4, Quiz III            FOIL and Special Products

30        NO SCHOOL                    MEMORIAL DAY

June

1          5.5, Review                        Division of Polynomials

6          Exam III                    

8          5.6,5.7                         Exponents and Scientific Notation

13        8.6                               Graphing Linear Inequalities

15            Review, Quiz IV

22        Final Exam               Note: The final is from 10:00  -11:50 AM.       

The following is a list of all homework assignments for this course.  The due dates for the various sections will be given in class.