MATH 154

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 to 11:50 AM

Room D 102                    4 UNITS

Instructor: Larry Green

Phone Number

Office: 541-4660 Extension 341

Internet e-mail:...greenl@ltcc.edu

Home Page:   http://www.ltcc.edu/academics.asp?scatID=5&catID=34"

Lecture Notes:  http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/courses/154/154.htm

Grades:

Required Text Elementary and Intermediate Algebra by Mark Dugopolski  

Optional Text  Student Manual for Elementary and Intermediate Algebra by Mark Dugopolski

Course Description This course is a continuation of Math 152B. I will be presenting quadratic equations and functions and their applications, non-linear inequalities, operations and composition of functions, conic sections:  parabolas, circles, ellipses and hyperbolas, linear and non-linear systems of equations, inverse functions, exponential functions, logarithms, sequences and series, and the Binomial Theorem.

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

Prerequisite A grade of C or better in Math 154 or appropriate skill demonstrated through the math assessment process.

Grading Policy Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of possible points.

A 90 -- 100%        C 70 -- 79%

B 80 -- 89%          D 60 -- 69%

Homework: .........................................….150 points

Midterm 1: Jan 27.....................…..…......175 points

Midterm 2: Feb 19................................…175 points

Midterm 3: Mar 18.....................……..….175 points

Final Exam: Mar 23............................…....325 points

Exam Policy Students are to bring calculators, pencils or pens, and paper to each exam.  Grading will based on the progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested, therefore, work must be shown in detail.  Any student who cannot make it to an exam may elect to take the exam up to two days before the exam is scheduled. If all homework is completed and no more than three homework assignments are counted late and the GMC is attended at least one hour per week, then the midterm with the lowest score will be dropped.

Homework Policy   Homework will be turned in by 5:00 PM on the date due. Homework that is turned in within one week of the due date will be counted as half credit.  Homework may be turned later than one week after the due date, but points will not be awarded. At the beginning of each class, a 2 to 5 minute quiz will be given. Each quiz will count as 20% of the homework assignment and cannot be made unless there is a medical excuse.

Extra Credit  Any student who has turned in every homework assignment may elect to work on an extra credit assignment or project that will count as additional points towards either a midterm or the final.

Registration

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

2. You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before Friday, January 30.

3. After January 30, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until Friday, March 5.

4. After March 5, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the following grades:  A,B,C,D,F or I (Incomplete, must be negotiated with the instructor and is only allowed in special cases).

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. You must go to the registrar by the above dates to avoid the unwanted grade.

 



OFFICE HOURS:

Monday  ............................  9:55 to 11:00 AM            GMC

Tuesday..........................      9:05 to 10:00 AM            A210

Wednesday ....................      9:55 to 11:00 AM            GMC

Thursday........................       9:05 to 10:00 AM            A210

Friday........................            11:00 to 12:00                 A210



CALCULATORS: A scientific non-graphing calculator is required for this class. Students will not be allowed to use graphing calculators on exams. 

LEARNING DISABILITIES: If you have a learning disability, be sure to discuss your special needs with Larry. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

TUTORING:  Tutors are available at no cost in G4 (The Gateway Math Center).  A schedule will be available shortly.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Lecture will always be geared towards an explanation of the topics that will be covered on the upcoming homework assignment.

Date    Section  Topic                             Exercises

1-6    Introductions

1-8    10.3    Quadratics    1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28,31,34,37,40,41,43,45

 

1-13    10.4    More Quadratics    1,2,5,10,15,20,23,28,33,38,41,46,51,55,58,60
   
         10.5    Inequalities    4,9,14,19,26,31,36,43,50,61,64

1-15    11.1    Function & Relation Graphs    1,5,6,11,16,21,26,31,36,41,46,51,56,61,66
                        Internet Assignment 1    Internet Assignment 2

 

1-20    11.2    Graph Transformations  6,11,16,21,26,31,36,41,46,51,56,61,66
   
        11.3    Combining Functions    5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70

1-22    11.4    Inverse Functions    1,2,3,8,10,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,53,58,63,68,73
                        Internet Assignment 3

 

1-27    Midterm 1 (10.3 - 10.5, 11.1 - 11.4)

1-29    12.1    Exponential Functions  1,2,5,6,7,12,17,22,27,32,37,42,47,52,57,62,67,72,76,77,82

 

2-3    12.2    Logarithmic Functions    1,4,6,11,16,21,26,31,36,41,46,51,56,61,66,71,77,82,86,88
                    Internet Assignment 4

2-5    12.3    Log Properties    1,2,3,8,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,53,58,63,68,73,78,83,88,93,98
                    Internet Assignment 5

 

2-10    12.4    Applications    1,2,3,8,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,53,58,59,62,66,67,70
                      Internet Assignment 6  
            

2-12    8.3    3D Systems    5,6,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28,31,33,34,36,37,39,

 

2-17    13.1    Nonlinear Systems    4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28,31,34,37,41,44,47,48
           13.2   
The Parabola    4,7,10,13,16,19,22,27,32,37,43,48

2-19    Midterm 2 (12.1 -12.4, 13.1,13.2)

 

2-24    13.3    The Circle    1,2,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35,38,41,44,47,50,53,57,58

2-26    13.4    Ellipse & Hyperbola    2,4,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35,38,41,44,47,5053,54
            Internet Assignment 7

 

3-2    14.1    Sequences    1,2,3,4,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35,39,42,45,47,48

3-4    14.2    Series    2,3,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35,38,41,44,47,49,50,51,52

 

3-9    14.3    Arithmetic Seq & Ser    2,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28,31,34,37,40,43,46,49,52,55,58
                    Internet Assignment 8

3-11    14.4    Goemetric Seq & Ser    2,4,6,7,12,17,22,27,32,37,42,47,52,57,58,59,61
                        Internet Assignment 9

 

3-16    14.5    Binomial Expansions    1,2,3,4,5,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30,33,36,39

3-18    Midterm 3 (13.3,13.4, 14.1 - 14.5)

 

3-23    Comprehensive Final Exam 11:00 - 1:00

 


HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS

  •  Come to every class meeting.
  •  Arrive early, get yourself settled, spend a few minutes looking at your notes from the previous class meeting, and have your materials ready when class starts.
  •  Read each section before it is discussed in class.
  •  Do some math every day.
  •  Start preparing for the tests at least a week in advance.
  •  Spend about half of your study time working with your classmates.
  •  Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.