Lake Tahoe Community College

Syllabus - Intermediate Algebra

Math 154-1 (4 units) Spring 1999 (Mr. Paul Kushner)

Mon, Wed, Fri (11:00-12:10 PM) voicemail 541-4660 ext 314

Room A213

REQUIRED TEXT: Algebra for College Students by Daniel Auvil

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the definition of a

function and its inverse, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences

and eries and conic sections. Quadratic equations and systems of quadratic

equations will be solved.

PREREQUISITE: Grade of C or better in Math 152B within the last two years.

If not within the last two years, then a satisfactory score on an assessment

test is required.

GRADING POLICY:

EXAM #1 100 points

EXAM #2 100 points

EXAM #3 100 points

EXAM #4 100 points

Homework (24 @ 4 pts each) 50 points (Homework will be scaled to 50

points)

FINAL (cumulative) 150 points

600 POINTS TOTAL (500 POINTS with all HW in)

The final is Monday, June 21, 1999 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon. Your letter

grade will be based on your percentage of the possible points. The total

possible is 600 points.

A 90-100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F less than 60%

MAKE-UP POLICY: Make-ups for Exams and the Final will be assessed a 10%

penalty, (except with

a written medical excuse). Note that the lowest of the four exams will be

dropped iff ALL the homework is turned in. (1/2 credit MAX for late HW,

turned in ONLY on the 2 "amnesty" days)

OFFICE HOURS: (in A210) MW (12:45-1:45 PM), TTh (2:15-3:15 PM), F

(12:15-1:15 PM), & by appt.

TUTORING: Free tutoring is available in the Learning Lab, room B107. Hours

will be posted on the door of our classroom and the door of the Lab.

REGISTRATION:

1. You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions & Records.

2. The last day to drop the class with no record is Friday, April 30, 1999.

3. The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Friday, June 4, 1999.

4. After June 4, 1999, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the

following grades:

A, B, C, D, F, or I (Incomplete, given in special circumstances.)

In this class, it is YOUR responsibility to drop the class in order to

avoid a grade!

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS:

1) Come to every class meeting.

2) Arrive early, get yourself settled, and

sit where you won't be distracted.

3) Skim over each section before it is

discussed in class.

4) Do ALL of the homework.

5) Do some math every day.

6) Start preparing for exams at least two days in advance.

7) Take advantage of tutors, study groups, office hours, and any extra help

you can get.

If you have a certified disability or need special accommodations, please see

Mr. Kushner ASAP.

Course Schedule

No Day Date Topic

1 Mon 4/5/99 Introductions, Review of Quadratic Equations

2 Wed 4/7/99 6.4 (Equations That Lead to Quadratic Equations)

3 Fri 4/9/99 6.5 (Problem Solving with Quadratic Equations)

4 Mon 4/12/99 6.6 (Nonlinear Inequalities)

5 Wed 4/14/99 7.1 (The Rectangular Coordinate System), review graphing

techniques

6 Fri 4/16/99 8.1 (Relations & Functions), 8.2 (Notation & Operations on

Functions)

7 Mon 4/19/99 Review for Exam #1

8 Wed 4/21/99 EXAM #1 (6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 7.1, 8.1, 8.2)

9 Fri 4/23/99 8.3 (Constant, Linear, and Quadratic Functions)

10 Mon 4/26/99 8.4 (More About Parabolas)

11 Wed 4/28/99 8.5 (The Circle and the Ellipse)

12 Fri 4/30/99 8.6 (The Hyperbola)

13 Mon 5/3/99 8.7 (Special Functions), Review for Exam #2

14 Wed 5/5/99 EXAM #2 (8.3-8.7)

15 Fri 5/7/99 10.1 (Exponential Functions), "Late Homework Amnesty Day #1"

16 Mon 5/10/99 10.2 (Inverse of a Function)

17 Wed 5/12/99 10.3 (Logarithmic Functions)

18 Fri 5/14/99 10.4 (Properties of Logarithms)

19 Mon 5/17/99 10.5 (Common & Natural Logarithms, Change of Base)

20 Wed 5/19/99 10.6 (Exponential & Logarithmic Equations)

21 Fri 5/20/99 Review for Exam #3

22 Mon 5/24/99 EXAM #3 (10.1-10.6)

23 Wed 5/26/99 11.4 (Linear Systems of Three Equations)

24 Fri 5/28/99 11.8 (Nonlinear Systems of Equations)

Mon 5/31/99 HOLIDAY (Memorial Day)

25 Wed 6/2/99 12.1 (Defining Sequences and Series)

26 Fri 6/4/99 12.2 (Arithmetic Sequences and Series)

27 Mon 6/7/99 12.3 (Geometric Sequences and Series)

28 Wed 6/9/99 12.4 (Infinite Geometric Series)

29 Fri 6/11/99 Review for EXAM #4

30 Mon 6/14/99 EXAM #4 (11.4, 11.8, 12.1-12.4)

31 Wed 6/16/99 12.5 (The Binomial Theorem), "Late Homework Amnesty Day #2"

32 Fri 6/18/99 Review for Final Exam

33 Mon 6/21/99 FINAL EXAM-Cumulative (10:00-12:00 noon)