MAT 187B

Basic Mathematics

Winter 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.                                     12:00 - 1:00 PM

GMC G4,             Mon. & Fri.                   9:30 - 10:30 AM

And as always, by appointment.

Class Time and Location: Tues. & Thurs. 1:30 - 3:20 PM, A211

Textbook: Basic College Mathematics, John Tobey and Jeffrey Slater 

Calculator:  Calculators are not allowed in MAT 187B.

Course Description: MAT 187B covers general areas of arithmetic which include decimals, percents, and an introduction to algebra.

Prerequisite: MAT 187A with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent 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:                                50 points

Exam1 (March 1):                      75 points

Exam2 (March 15):                    75 points        

Final Exam (March 24):            150 points

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

http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/7156/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 (no exceptions).  You may turn in homework up to two days after it is assigned for half credit.  Each homework set is worth 5 points.

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 February 25.  After February 25, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until March 11.  After March 11, 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.

February

15        3.4-3.6                Multiplication and Division of Decimals, Fractions to Decimals

17        3.7, 4.1-4.3    Applied Problems with Decimals, Ratios and Proportions

22        5.1-5.3A        Percents (%), Solving % Problems using Equations           

24        5.3B-5.5          Solving % Problems using a Proportion, Applied % Problems  

March

1            6.4,7.5,Exam I   Conversion of Units, Square Roots

3          9.1-9.3                Operations involving Signed Numbers

8            9.4,10.1             Order of Operations with Signed Numbers, Variables

10        10.2, 10.3        Distributive Property, Solving Algebraic Equations

15        10.4, Exam 2               More Solving Algebraic Equations

17        10.5                    Even More Solving Algebraic Equations

22        Review               Review for Final Exam

24        Final Exam

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