MATH 154

Intermediate Algebra (Computer Mediated)

Tuesday and Thursday  10:00 to 11:50 AM

Room D 123      4 UNITS

Instructor Larry Green

Phone Number Office: 541-4660 Extension 341

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

Web Pages:    Syllabus:  http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/syllabi/f06/1545.htm
                      LTCC webpage:   http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/courses/154/154.htm
                      Class webpage:  http://www.coursecompass.com/ccindex.html   (Use green87498 for the course ID)

Required Text Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Third Edition  by Elayn Martin-Gay

Textbook Information  It is required to have the software for this class.  Students have two choices.  The first is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the software.  The second choice is to purchase the software from the bookstore.  The software comes with the textbook online.  This is a more economically reasonable choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.  Purchasing the textbook used without buying the software is not a possible choice for this class.

Course description   This course is a continuation of Math 152B.  The course includes 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 MAT 152B with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent or appropriate skills 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

Quizzes:  ....................................................................................150 points

Exam 1: Oct 17   Chapters 1, 2 and 3.1  ....................................200 points

Exam 2: Nov 21  3.2 - 3.7 and 5.1 - 5.4 ....................................200 points

Final Exam: Dec 5,     11:00 to 12:50 PM…...........................…300 points

 

Exam Policy Students are to bring pencils or pens, a scientific non-graphing calculator, and paper to each exam. Exams will be traditional paper and pencil exams.  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.  Without a proven medical excuse, a 10% per day penalty will be given for each day the exam is taken late.  

 

Homework Policy  Homework is due each Thursday or by midnight.  You will be using the MyMathLab website to work on your homework.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.   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.

Quizzes:  Each week you will take a MyMathLab quiz. before you take the quiz, make sure that you have done the guided exercises, looked at the video, followed each link for the week, and received assistance from either a tutor or your instructor on any difficult topics.  Please ask for help if you need it.  If you do not take a quiz, a zero will be recorded for that grade.  Quizzes must be completed by midnight each Thursday.

Communication Policy  All students are encouraged to attend every mini-lecture (11:15 - 11:45 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays).  Every student is to communicate with the instructor two different days each week either by coming to class or office hours, sending an e-mail, or calling on the phone.  25 points will be deducted for each failure to communicate.  Your instructor will usually respond to your e-mails within 24 hours.  You will be receiving regular e-mails from your instructor to let you know of the links you should follow and to give you advice on the topic of the week.

 

Registration

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  ............................  11:30 to 12:30             A210

Tuesday..........................      9:00 to 10:00               GMC

Wednesday ....................      11:00 to 12:00             GMC

Thursday........................       12:00 to 1:00                A210

Friday........................            8:30 to 9:30                  A210

Learning Disabilities If you have a learning disability, be sure to discuss it with Larry. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

Tutoring  Tutors are available at no cost in G4 (The Gateway Math Center).  

Calculators: A scientific calculator that does not have graphing capabilities is required for this course.

 

A Word on Honesty:

Cheating or copying will not be tolerated. People who cheat dilute the honest effort of the rest of us.  If you cheat on a quiz or exam you will receive an F  for the course, not merely for the test.  Other college disciplinary action including expulsion might occur. Please don’t cheat in this class.  If you are having difficulty with the course, please see me.

SCHEDULE

9-21     4.4        Solving Systems of Linear Equation in Three Variables
            11.3       Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods
            11.4       Nonlinear Equations in One Variable

9-28    11.5       Quadratic Functions and their Graphs
           11.6       Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions

10-5     8.3        The Algebra of Functions; Composite Functions     
            12.1      Inverse Functions

10-12   12.2      Exponential Functions
             12.3      Logarithmic Functions

10-19   12.4      Properties of Logarithms

10-26    12.5    Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms, and Change of Base
             12.6    Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Applications

11-2     13.1   The Parabola and the Circle
            13.2     The Ellipse and the Hyperbola

11-9      13.3    Solving Nonlinear Systems of Equations
             14.1    Sequences

11-16   14.2     Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
             14.3    Series

11-23    Happy Thanksgiving

11-30   14.4   Partial Sums of Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
            14.5   The Binomial Theorem

12-5        Comprehensive Final Exam 11:00 - 12:50  (Note Time)

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS

  • Come to every week

  • Arrive early, get yourself settled, and have you 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.

Good Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course

  1. I have difficulty learning in a traditional lecture format class.
  2. I learn well when I can use a computer.
  3. I often need the instructor to slow down and repeat what was said.
  4. Math lectures rarely move at a pace that is appropriate for me.
  5. I learn well with any format, but the computer mediated course will fit my difficult work schedule.

Bad Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course

  1. Most of my learning occurs during lecture, but this was the only course that fit my schedule.
  2. I do not know how to use a computer and thought that this would teach me computer skills.
  3. I heard that I do not have to work as hard in this section.
  4. The computer will do the work for me so that I do not have to learn the math.
  5. I do not want to take pencil and paper exams.

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