BASIC ALGEBRA

BASIC ALGEBRA (Part I)

Math 152A-1

Fall 2007 4 units

INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Littell

PHONE NUMBER: 541-4660, Extension 447 (voicemail only)

E-MAIL: littell@ltcc.edu

MEETING TIMES: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00a-11:50p

MEETING PLACE: Room E106

REQUIRED TEXT: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Second Edition, By Mark Dugopolski

Course Description: This course is an introduction to algebra. I will be presenting the Real Numbers and their properties and operations, absolute value equations, simplifying algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, applications with formulas, the rectangular coordinate system, graphing linear equations and inequalities, polynomials and their operations, integral exponents, scientific notation, and an introduction to functions. This course will connect math with the “real” world. It is my desire to reduce math anxiety and build self-confidence in every student by the end of this class.

Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Math 187B or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math Assessment process.

Students with disabilities must identify themselves to me within the first two weeks of class.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requiring accommodations for a certain disability that may affect class performance are requested to schedule with a staff member at the DRC to discuss this during the first week of the quarter so that appropriate arrangements can be made. They only test and accept new students into the program during the first two weeks of each quarter, so don’t put it off.

The Gateway Math Center has free tutoring for all registered students. Please Log In and Out so that the facility gets the funds it needs.

As a Courtesy to everyone in class, please turn off your cell phones. Thank you.

How to succeed in a Math class:

1. Come to every class meeting.

2. Arrive early, be prepared, and take notes.

3. Ask questions, especially if you don’t understand a concept.

4. Do more than just the homework problems.

5. Take advantage of the free tutoring service in the GMC and my hours as your academic coach.

6. Study in groups and do your homework with a classmate.

7. Start preparing for exams at least one week in advance.

8. Do some math every day.

Dropping: In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. For this, you must go to Admissions & Records.

Friday, September 28, 2007 is the last day for refunds.

Friday, October 12, 2007 is the last day to drop with no record or file C/NC.

Friday, November 2, 2007 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.

Student Outcomes
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 and graphical 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.

Grading: Your class letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale:

A: 90% and above, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, F: 59% and under

Homework 160 points

3 Quizzes 150 points

3 Midterm Exams 450 points

Comprehensive Final Exam: 240 points

Total 1000 points

Homework: The homework problems to turn in weekly are due on Thursdays except for the week of Thanksgiving. Each section’s due date is listed in the tentative schedule. These problems are considered late if they are not turned in by the end of the class meeting. If you will be absent, either turn in the homework early or have someone turn in the homework assignment for you. Homework that is one class meeting late is worth 70%, and one week late receives half credit. Homework turned in after one week receives no credit. (32 sections @ 5 points each = 160 points)

Quizzes: There are no make-up quizzes. I give 4 quizzes but only 3 are counted. The lowest quiz score will be dropped. Each quiz is 50 points. All quizzes are given during the first 30 minutes of class. Please be on time.

Midterm Exams*: You must notify me before an exam if you will miss the exam (541-4660 EXT 447). Exams must be made up within 3 school days after the scheduled date, with a penalty of 10%. You may take an exam up to 3 school days before the scheduled date without penalty. Arrangements must be made with me at least one week in advance.

Calculators are not allowed during testing. Please practice the homework without them.

The Comprehensive Final Exam is on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 11a-12:50p.

Academic Integrity:

Homework may be done in groups with other students or with the help of the instructor or tutors, but each student must turn in their own work.

Quizzes and Exams must be done by the student alone.

Any Student who violates this rule will receive a zero on the Quiz or Exam.

A second offense will result in withdrawal, failing the course, or academic expulsion.

Math 183 is taken Credit **/ No Credit

**In order to receive Credit for this one unit course you have two options.

Option 1: You must pick one of the following books and read Chapters 1 – 3.

1. Managing the Mean Math Blues, by Cheryl Ooten,

2. Conquering Math Anxiety, by Cynthia Arem,

3. Overcoming Math Anxiety, by Randy Davidson & Ellen Levitov.

They are on reserve at the library. Then type a two-page paper on what you have learned from the chapters and how it will help you in Math class. You may include your experiences in this math class or previous math classes.

All papers are due by Thursday, November 15, 2007.

Option 2: Do the even numbered Practice Problems from at least 40.6% (13) of the sections.

The PRACTICE PROBLEMS HW Sets are due by Thursday, November 29, 2007

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Date Section Topic

Sept. 18 Introductions, Discussion of Syllabus

1.1 Real Numbers

1.2 Fractions

1.3 Addition & Subtraction of Real numbers

1.1 Practice problems: pages 10 – 11. # 1 – 63 multiples of 3.

1.2 Practice problems: pages 22 – 23. #1 – 81 multiples of 3, 85 – 97 Odd.

1.3 Practice problems: pages 29 – 30. #9 – 27 multiples of 3, 31, 35, 37 – 43 Odd, 54 – 84 multiples of 3, 93.

Sept. 20 1.4 Multiplication & Division of Real Numbers

1.5 Exponential Expressions & Order of Operations

1.6 Algebraic Expressions

1.4 Practice problems: pages 34 – 35. #9 – 57 multiples of 3, 57, 69 – 79 Odd.

1.5 Practice problems: pages 42 – 43. #3 – 48 multiples of 3, 57 – 90 multiples of 3, 91, 109, 117.

1.6 Practice problems: pages 49 – 51. #3 – 15 Odd, 18 – 57 multiples of 3, 59, 67, 71, 75, 87, 93.

DUE Sept. 20: Turn in Homework #1 (Sections 1.1 – 1.3)

Date Section Topic

Sept. 25 1.7 Properties of Real Numbers

1.8 Using the Properties to Simplify Expressions

1.7 Practice problems: pages 60 – 61 #1, 3, 9– 69 multiples of 3, 73 – 97 Odd, 105.

1.8 Practice problems: pages 68 – 69 #1 – 5, 15, 17, 27 – 99 multiples of 3, 107, 109.

Sept. 27 2.1 Addition & Multiplication Properties of Equality

2.2 Solving General Linear Equations

Quiz #1 (Chapter One)

2.1 Practice problems: pages 86 – 87. #5 – 11 Odd, 18 – 72 multiples of 3, 89, 93.

2.2 Practice problems: pages 93 – 95. #1 – 66 multiples of 3, 75, 85, 87, 93, 95.

DUE Sept. 27 Turn in Homework #2 (Sections 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8)

Oct. 2 2.3 Identities, Conditional Eqs, and Inconsistent Eqs

2.5 Translating Verbal Expressions into Algebra

2.3 Practice problems: pgs 101–102. #1–13 Odd, 15 – 51 multiples of 3, 53 – 71 Odd, 75, 83.

2.5 Practice problems: pgs 119–121. #3–13 Odd, 18–54 multiples of 3, 55, 65, 67, 73, 77, 81, 87.

Date Section Topic

Oct. 4 2.6 Number, Geometric, and Uniform Motion Apps.

2.6 Practice problems: pages 129 – 131. #5, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 25, 33, 39, 47.

Review for Exam #1

DUE Oct. 4: Turn in Homework #3 (Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5)

Oct. 9 Exam #1 (Chapter one, 2.1 – 2.3, 2.5)

Oct. 11 2.7 Discount, Investment, and Mixture Problems

2.7 Practice problems: pages 136 – 138. #7 – 15 Odd, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 35, 39.

DUE Oct. 11: Turn in Homework #4 (2.6)

Oct. 16 2.8 Inequalities

2.9 Solving Inequalities

2.8 Practice problems: pages 143 – 145. #1 – 9 Odd, 15 – 51 multiples of 3, 55, 63, 71 – 79 Odd.

2.9 Practice problems: pages 152 – 154. #1 – 11 Odd, 12 – 60 multiples of 3, 63, 65, 69.

Oct. 18 3.1 Graphing Lines in the Coordinate Plane

3.1 Practice problems: pages 175–179. #1–7 Odd, 15–29 Odd, 33–60 multiples of 3, 63–75 Odd, 83, 85, 91.

Quiz #2 (Chapter 2)

DUE Oct. 18: Turn in Homework #5 (Sections 2.7, 2.8, 2.9)

Date Section Topic

Oct.23 3.2 Slope

3.3 Eqs of a Line in Slope-Intercept & Stndrd Forms

3.2 Practice problems: pages 189–191. #1–13 Odd, 15–30 multiples of 3, 31–47 Odd, 48–60 multiples of 3.

3.3 Practice problems: pages 199 – 203. #1–17 Odd, 21– 75 multiples of 3, 79, 81, 85.

Oct. 25. 3.4 Point-Slope Form of the Equation of a Line

3.6 Graphing Linear Inequalities

Review for Exam #2

3.4 Practice problems: pages 210 – 213. #1 – 7 Odd, 12 – 39 multiples of 3, 45 – 69 multiples of 3.

3.6 Practice problems: pages 229 – 231. #1 – 7 Odd, 15– 45 multiples of 3.

Due Oct.25: Turn in Homework #6 (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4)

Oct.30 Exam #2 (2.6 through Chapter 3)

Nov. 1 4.1 Addition & Subtraction of Polynomials

4.2 Multiplication of Polynomials

4.1 Practice problems: pgs 253–255. #1–11 Odd, 12–30 multiples of 3, 36–60 multiples of 3, 81–87 Odd.

4.2 Practice problems: pgs 260 – 261. #1 – 9 Odd, 12 – 45 multiples of 3, 66 – 87 multiples of 3, 93.

Due Nov. 1: Turn in Homework #7 (3.6)

Date Section Topic

Nov. 6 4.3 Multiplication of Binomials (FOIL)

4.4 Special Products

4.3 Practice problems: pages 266 – 267. #6 – 63 multiples of 3., 65, 75, 83, 93.

4.4 Practice problems: pgs 271 – 272. #1 – 27 multiples of 3, 30 – 48 multiples of 3, 65 – 73 Odd.

Nov. 8 4.5 Division of Monomials & Polynomials

4.6 Positive Integral Exponents

Quiz #3 (4.1-4.4)

4.5 Practice problems: pages 280–281 #1–11 Odd, 15–36 multiples of 3., 45–57 multiples of 3, 63–90 multiples of 3.

4.6 Practice problems: page 286 – 287. #1 – 17 Odd, 24 – 54 multiples of 3, 63 – 84 multiples of 3.

DUE Nov. 8: Turn in Homework #8 (Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4)

Nov. 13 4.7 Negative Exponents & Scientific Notation

8.1 Compound Inequalities

4.7 Practice problems: pgs 295–297 #1–11 Odd, 15–45 multiples of 3, 51–87 multiples of 3, 97, 101, 113.

8.1 Practice problems: pages 509 – 511. #1 –11, 21–27 multiples of 3, 33 – 39 Odd, 47 – 53 Odd, 57 –78 multiples of 3.

Nov. 15 8.2 Absolute Value Equations

Review for Exam #3

8.2 Practice problems: pages 519 – 520. #1, 3, 9, 15, 21, 29, 31, 33.

DUE Nov. 15: Turn in Homework #9 (Sections 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 8.1)
Date Section Topic

Nov. 20 Exam #3 (Chapter 4, 8.1, 8.2)

DUE Nov. 20: _________________Turn in Homework #10 (8.2)

Nov. 22 THANKS GIVING HOLIDAY!!!

Nov. 27 11.1 Introduction to Functions

11.6 Combining Functions

11.1 Practice problems: pages 692 – 694. #1 – 15 Odd, 25 – 37 Odd, 69 – 77 Odd, 87 – 102 multiples of 3.

11.6 Practice Problems: page 744. #1, 5 – 15 Odd

Nov. 29 Review for Cumulative Final Exam

DUE Nov. 29: Turn in Homework #11 (Sections 11.1 & 11.6)

Dec. 4 Cumulative Final Exam (11a-12:50p)