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BASIC ALGEBRA (Part I) Math 152A-4 Fall 2008 4 units INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Littell PHONE NUMBER: 541-4660, Extension 447 (voicemail only) E-MAIL: littell@ltcc.edu MEETING TIMES: Monday & Wednesday: 3:30-5:20p MEETING PLACE: Room A211 REQUIRED TEXT: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Ed, by Elayn Martin-Gay Online Course ID: littell65429 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 Math Success Center has free tutoring for all registered students. Please Log In and Out so that the facility gets the funds it needs to continue being there to help you. There is an added benefit to logging your hours, I will give you a 2% push at the end of the quarter if you log sufficient hours in the lab. 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 MSC 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, October 3, 2008 is the last day for refunds. Friday, October 17, 2008 is the last day to drop with no record or file C/NC. Friday, November 7, 2008 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.
Student Learning
Outcomes: 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 100 points Quizzes 100 points 3 Midterm Exams 450 points Comprehensive Final Exam: 300 points Total 950 points Quizzes: There are no make-up quizzes. The quizzes are online as well and by chapter. The due dates are set so that you have to take the quiz before there is an exam on the chapter. Again the overall quiz percentage will become the points for your quizzes. Midterm Exams: Midterms are to be taken in class and are noted in the tentative schedule. 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. 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, and possibly Academic Expulsion.
Math 183 is taken Credit/ No Credit Attendance is the bulk of this class and the bulk of the grade. You must attend at least 70% of the MAT183 classes and 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. Just give these books a chance. A former student of mine did this assignment half way through the fall quarter and changed is grade on exams from a hard to get C to an easy A. All papers are due one week before the final. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Date Section Topic Sept. 22 Introductions, Discussion of Syllabus 1.1 Tips for Success in Mathematics 1.2 Symbols and Sets of Numbers 1.3 Fractions Sept. 24 1.4 Intro to Variable Expressions and Equations 1.5 Adding Real Numbers 1.6 Subtracting Real Numbers Sept. 29 1.7 Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers 1.8 Properties of Real Numbers Oct. 1 2.1 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions 2.2 Addition & Multiplication Properties of Equality Oct. 6 2.3 Solving Linear Equations 2.4 An Introduction to Problem Solving Oct. 8 2.5 Formulas and Problems Solving 2.6 Percent and Mixture Problem Solving Oct. 13 Exam #1 Oct. 15 2.7 Further Problem Solving Oct. 20 2.8 Solving Linear Inequalities Oct. 22 3.1 Reading Graphs and the Rectangular Coordinate System 3.2 Graphing Linear Equations Date Section Topic Oct.27 3.3 Intercepts 3.4 Slope and Rate of Change Oct. 29 3.5 Equations of Lines 3.6 Functions Nov. 3 Exam #2 Nov. 5 5.1 Exponents 5.2 Polynomial Functions Nov.10 5.3 Multiplying Polynomials 5.4 Special Products Nov. 12 5.5 Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation 5.6 Dividing Polynomials Nov. 17 9.1 Compound Inequalities 9.2 Absolute Value Inequalities Nov. 19 9.4 Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables Nov. 24 Exam #3 Nov. 26 12.1 The Algebra of Functions Dec. 1 Dec. 3 Review for Cumulative Final Exam Dec. 8 Cumulative Final Exam (4-5:50p) |