BASIC ALGEBRA (Part I)

Math 152A-2

Fall 2009 4 units

INSTRUCTOR:                     Cindy Littell

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

E-MAIL:                                littell@ltcc.edu

MEETING TIMES:              Monday & Wednesday  11:00am – 12:50pm

MEETING PLACE:              Room A213

REQUIRED TEXT:              Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Ed, by Elayn Martin-Gay

ONLINE CODE:                   littell87858

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, and an introduction to functions. This course will connect math with the “real” world through basic word problems.

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

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requiring accommodations for a disability that may affect class performance are required to inform their instructor, and 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. The DRC only tests and accepts new students to 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. The schedule for tutors will be published in the first weeks of each quarter.

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 tutor.

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. Students who fail to attend class during the first two weeks of class may be dropped to accommodate waitlisted students.

STUDENT OUTCOMES:

The successful student in Math 152AA will be able to:

1. Solve linear equations and inequalities.
2. Define and employ terminology and arithmetic relating to polynomials in one variable.
3. Determine the equation and graph a line given information about the line.
4. Manipulate expressions with integral exponents.
5. Apply course topics to real-world situations.

 

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

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

                (900-1000pts)        (800-899)        (700-799)         (600-699)       (< 600pts)

                        Homework                                                      330 points

                        Quizzes                                                             90 points

                        Midterm Exams                                             330 points

                        Comprehensive Final Exam:             250 points

                        Total                                                             1000 points

Homework: All homework is done online. All assignments are posted, graded, and due dates listed online. If you have a late homework, you will need to contact me for a password and the value of the homework will be reduced by 10% per day late. With this software, there is a ‘similar exercise’ button that allows you to redo the problem until it is correct. Each homework section is worth up to 10 points.

Quizzes: There are no make-up quizzes. The quizzes are online as well and by week. The due dates are set so that you have to take the quiz before class on Monday. There is no limit to the number of times you may take the quizzes, just when you can’t take it anymore.

Midterm Exams: Midterms are taken in class and are noted in the tentative schedule. You must notify me before an exam if you will miss the exam (littell@ltcc.edu, 541-4660 ext. 447). Then the 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 and do 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. A second infringement will result in a failing grade and possible academic expulsion.


 

TENTATIVE~LECTURE~SCHEDULE

Date                Section                        Topic

Sept. 21                                               Introductions, Syllabus

                        1.2                               Symbols and Sets of Numbers

                        1.3                               Fractions

Sept. 23           1.4                                                              Intro to Variable Expressions and Equations

                        1.5                               Adding Real Numbers

Sept. 28           1.6                               Subtracting Real Numbers

                        1.7                               Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers

Sept. 30           1.8                               Properties of Real Numbers

                        2.1                               Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Oct. 5              2.2                               Addition and Multiplication Properties

                        2.3                               Solving Linear Equations

Oct. 7              2.4                               Intro to Problem Solving

                        1.2-2.4                         Review for MT#1

Oct. 12                                                Midterm #1 (1.2-2.4)

Oct. 14            2.5                               Formulas and Problem Solving

                        2.6                               Percent and Mixture Problem Solving

Oct. 19            2.7                               Further Problem Solving

                        2.8                               Solving Linear Inequalities

Oct. 21            3.1                               Graphs and the Rectangular Coordinate System

                        3.2                               Graphing Linear Equations

 

Oct. 26            3.3                               Intercepts

                        3.4                               Slope and the Rate of Change

Oct. 28            3.5                               Equations of Lines

                        3.6                               Functions

Nov. 2             2.5-3.6                         Review for Midterm #2

Nov. 4                                                 Midterm #2

Nov. 9                                                 VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY

Nov. 11           5.1                               Exponents

                        5.2                               Polynomial Functions, Add and Subtract

Nov. 16           5.3                               Multiplying Polynomials

                        5.4                               Special Products

Nov. 18           5.5                               Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation

                        5.6                               Dividing Polynomials

Nov. 23           9.1                               Compound Inequalities

                        9.2                               Absolute Value Equations

Nov. 25           9.4                               Graphing Linear Inequalities

                        12.1                                                          Algebra of Functions

THANKSGIVING 4 DAY WEEKEND

Nov. 30                                               Midterm #3

Dec. 2                                                 Review for Cumulative Final Exam 

Dec. 7                                     Cumulative Final Exam