BASIC MATHEMATICS

Math 187B-Fall, 2008

Monday & Wednesday

1:30 – 3:20

Room: A206

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:                     Jane Ellis

 

Phone Number:              541-4660, Extension 247

 

E-MAIL:                                ELLIS@LTCC.EDU

 

REQUIRED TEXT:               BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS by Tobey & Slater,

Fifth Edition.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   The purpose of this course is to teach students the skills of basic arithmetic; in particular we will cover decimals, percents, and an introduction to algebra. In reality, you have probably already seen this material somewhere in your educational past but may have forgotten it or never really understood it when it was first presented.  In this class, our goal is to fill in the gaps of your knowledge about arithmetic and to help you get the “big picture” so that it will all fit together in a way which makes sense to you and that you are able to apply it to “real life” problems.

 

CHECKING YOUR GRADE ONLINE:

To retrieve your grade information online, follow these steps:

Ψ         www.gradesource.com

Ψ         student reports

Ψ         Instructor Name: Ellis

Ψ         Click on your class: Math 187B

Ψ         Your secret number is on your homework #1

 

 

 

OVER

 

JANE’S OFFICE HOURS:  My office is in A204 next door to our classroom.

 

                                    Monday, Wednesday, & Friday....................... 12:30 – 1:30

                                    Monday & Wednesday (first 6 weeks)............. 4:00 – 4:30

                                    Monday & Wednesday (second 6 weeks)....... 3:30 – 4:00

                                    Tuesday.......................................................... 4:00 – 5:00

 

 

TUTORING:                          Tutoring is available in the Math Success Center (MSC) in Room.  Tutoring schedules will be distributed to you in class.

 

 

GRADING POLICY:                                               

Homework                                                       25 points

                                                Exam #1                                                           60 points

                                                Exam #2                                                           60 points

                                                Final (Covers entire 6-week course content)     100 points

 

            Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of the 245 possible points.

 

                                                            A         90-100%

                                                            B          80-89%

                                                            C         70-79%

                                                            D         60-69%

                                                            F          less than 60%

 

 

Make-up Policy:             For Exams and the Final, make-up is possible if the instructor is contacted in advance and the absence is excused; there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused.  Homework will be accepted late for minus 1 1/2 points for each class meeting that it is late.  Each assignment in worth 5 points.

 

 

CALCULATOR:                    Calculators are not allowed in this class.

 

 

 

LEARNING DISABILITIES:          If you have a certifiable learning disability that may affect your performance in this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with Jane during the first week of class.  Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:           If you need help paying for your books or other expenses, call our financial aid office at 541-4660 x236 or drop in at room A100.


 

JANE’S COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS:

·        I will check the earlier part of my day at the door when I enter the classroom, and I will give this class 100% of my attention while we are meeting.

·        I will come to class well prepared.

·        I will be here on time.

·        I will listen and seek to understand what is being said.

·        I will not shortchange the students in this class by setting low standards.

·        I will put 100% of my effort into being the best possible teacher for the students in this class.

 

YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS

 

 

 

REGISTRATION:

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

                        2.         The last day to drop the class with no record is Friday, October 17.

                        3.         The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Friday, November 7.

4.         After November 7, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the following grades: A  B  C  D  F  or  I  (Incomplete, is only allowed in special cases).

 

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid a grade.  You must go to the registrar by the above dates to avoid a grade from option three or four.

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:     

The successful student in Mat 187B will be able to:
1. Solve problems involving decimals, percents and beginning algebra
2. Translate written statements in to mathematical statements.
3. Apply the topics of Basic Arithmetic (Part II) to real life situations.

 

 

 

 

OVER

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING):

 

Cheating will be defined as but not limited to: (1) using any method to copy another’s work on an exam, quiz, or final  (2) directly copying another student’s homework assignment  (3) using any method other than your own honest efforts to complete exams, quizzes, the final, or homework assignments.

The following activities are NOT cheating: (1) collaborating with other students to complete homework assignments  (2) working with math tutors or academic coaches to complete homework assignments  (3) working with other students to study for exams, quizzes or the final.

 

Disciplinary actions for cheating in this class: (1) First offense will result in a grade of zero on the item on which the cheating occurred  (2) Second offense will result in the student being given an “F” for their grade in the class. The worst thing about cheating, however, is compromising your character for such a small reward.

 

 

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS:

 

1) Come to every class meeting.

            2) Arrive early, get yourself settled and be ready when class starts.  Sit where you                              won't be distracted.

            3) Read each section before it is discussed in class.

            4) Do all of the homework.

            5) Do some math every day.

            6) Start preparing for tests at least a week in advance.

            7) Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.

            8) Do some review every time you study math.

            9) Be willing to ask questions.

            10) Take notes.

            11) Study in groups and find a study buddy.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Lecture Schedule for Math 187B

EOO means Every Other Odd problem

v     Do homework for a section before the next section is presented in class.  Having a hard time getting started?  Promise yourself that after doing math for a half-hour, you can do something else.

 

Nov. 3    Sect. 3.5 Division of Decimals:  Pages 240 - 242  #1 – 33 EOO, #37 – 49 Odd, #54 – 57All

               Sect. 3.6 Converting Fractions to Decimals & Order of Operations: Pages 249 – 251        #5 – 45 EOO, #49 – 53 Odd, #55 – 67 EOO

               Start Section 3.7

 

v  Introduce yourself to 3 classmates to develop a math support system.

 

Nov. 5    Sect. 3.7 Applied Problems Involving Decimals: Pages 257 – 259 #3 – 36 Multiples of 3, #37, #40

             *Sect. 4.1 Ratios (Read this section, No Homework)

               Sect. 4.2 Proportions: Pages 281 – 283  #1 – 45 EOO, #47, #49, #54, #55

               Sect. 4.3 Solving Proportions: Pages 291 & 292 #5 – 55 Multiples of 5, #61, #63

               Sect. 5.1 Understanding Percent: Pages 316 – 318  #1 – 4 All, #5 – 77 EOO, #85, #87

               Homework#1: Sections 3.5 & 3.6 Due Friday Nov. 7 by 3:00

                                                                                                                                                           

v     Write 5 questions on what you do not understand in this chapter.  Plan time to get assistance; then DO IT!

 

Nov. 10  VETERANS’ DAY HOLIDAY

 

v     Do some percentage word problems every day for the next 7 days (get help if you need it).

 

Nov. 12   Sect. 5.2 Changing between percents, decimals and fractions: Pgs 325 – 327 #3 - 31 EOO, #33 – 69 EOO, #73 – 81 Odd, #89

               Sect. 5.3B Solving percents using a proportion: Pgs 342 & 343 #1 – 23 Odd, 25 – 41 EOO Sect. 5.4 Solving applied percent problems: Pages 351 – 353 #1 – 37 EOO

 

                        Homework#2: Sections 3.7, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 Due Friday Nov. 14 by 3:00

                       

 

Math 187B Lecture Schedule Continued on the Next Page

 

Lecture Schedule Math 187B (continued)

v     Review your class notes before beginning your homework.  You did take notes didn’t you?  If not, try it at the next class meeting.

v      

Nov. 17  Finish Section 5.4

               Sect. 5.3A Solving percents using an equation: Pages 334 – 336 #7 – 29 Odd,

                                                                                                         #31 - 51 EOO, #59, #61

               Sect. 5.5 Solving commission, percent of increase or decrease, and interest problems                                                                         Pages 357 – 359 #1 – 17 odd, 19-31 EOO

    Suggested problems to prepare for Exam #1: Chapter 3: Pages 264 – 265 #27 – 67 Odd,

                                                     Chapter 5: Pages 365 – 368 #1 – 85 EOO

v     Begin today  reviewing for your exam next Monday.  Do some math everyday.

v     Write a practice exam and take it.

 

Nov. 19 Sect. 9.1 Addition of signed numbers: Pages 581 – 583  #1 – 69 EOO

               Sect. 9.2 Subtraction of signed numbers: Pages 588 & 589 #1 – 61 EOO, #63

               Sect. 9.3 Multiplication and Division of signed numbers: Pages 594 & 595  #1–65 EOO,   Page 597 #1 – 33 Odd

Homework #3: Sections 5.2, 5.3A, 5.3B, 5.4 & 5.5 are due Friday, Nov. 21 by 3:00

                                                                                                                                                           

Nov. 24  Exam #1 (Sections 3.5 - 3.7, 5.1 – 5.5)

               Sect. 6.4 Converting units of measure: Pgs 405 & 406  #5 - 37 EOO, #49 – 55 Odd.

               Sect. 7.5 Square Roots: Page 464  #3 – 33 Multiples of 3

v     Every time you do homework from a section, write down 2 problems which could be on the next math exam.

 

Nov. 26  Sect. 9.4 Order of Operations with signed numbers: Pages 601 & 602 #1 – 45 Odd

               Sect. 10.1 Variables and Like terms: Pages 625 & 626 #1 – 39 Odd

                        (Suggested Review for Exam #2: Chapter 9, Pages 613 -616, #1 – 55 Odd)

When exam #1 is returned, write your questions on what you still do not understand.  Plan time to get assistance; then DO IT!

 

               Homework #4: Sections 9.1 – 9.3, 6.4, 7.5 are due Friday, Nov. 28 by 3:00

                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

Math 187B Lecture Schedule Continued on the Next Page

 

Lecture Schedule Math 187B (continued)

 

                                                                                                                                                           

v     Attend class every day on time.

 

Dec. 1     Exam #2 (Sections 6.4, 7.5, 9.1 – 9.4)

 

               Sect. 10.2 The distributive property: Pgs 630 & 631  #1 – 41 EOO

 

v     Summarize what you learned in class today.

 

Dec. 3      Sect. 10.3 Solving equations using the addition property: Pgs 635 & 636  #1 – 47 EOO

Sect. 10.4 Solving equations using the division or multiplication properties:                                                                                                                 Pgs 640 & 641 #1 – 37 Odd

Sect. 10.5 Solving equations using two properties: Pgs 646 & 647 #1 – 41 EOO     

Homework #5: Sections 9.4, 10.1, 10.2 are due Friday, Dec. 5 by 3:00

 

                                                                                                                                                           

v     Begin going over old exams to prepare for the final.  Write a practice final.

 

Dec. 8              Review for Final Exam: (Suggested Chapter 3 Test, Page 267)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 5 Test, Pages 369 & 370 All Problems)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 9 Test, Pages 617 – 618 #30, #35, #37)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 10 Pages 669 – 670, Review problems # 1 – 47 EOO)

                                    (Suggested Chapter 10 Test, Page 672, #1 – 16 All)

                                    (Suggested Go over sections 6.4 & 7.5)

 

 

Dec. 10           Final Exam (Sections 3.5 -3.7, Chpt. 5, Sections 6.4, 7.5, 9.1 - 9.4, 10.1 – 10.5)

                       

This is the day that you will successfully complete Math 187B…. CONGRATUALTIONS!