INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

 

 

Math 154A - 4 units - Fall, 2009

Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00 - 7:50

Room: A250 

 

INSTRUCTOR: Judd Andolina         

 

PHONE NUMBER: 541-4660, Extension 366

 

E-MAIL: andolina@ltcc.edu

 

REQUIRED TEXT: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, 4th Edition. By Martin-Gay. 

 

RECOMMENDED TEXT/CD ROM: My Math Lab CD Rom. This can be used as a study tool and although nothing is required from the CD it is strongly encouraged that you use it. For the CD Rom a course id that has been created for practice is ellis66042. For assistance call 1-800-677-6337 Mon - Fri 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM & Sunday 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Online assistance is available 24 hours every day at: 247pearsoned.custhelp.com

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a continuation of MAT 152B or MAT 152BB and is an introduction to the definition of a function and its inverse, solving quadratic equations and systems of equations, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, and conic sections.

 

PREREQUISITE: A grade of C or better in Math 152B or Math 152BB or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process.

 

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 16th.

 

3. The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Friday, November 6th.

 

4. After November 6th, 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.

 

 

 

LEARNING DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class should inform the instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact the DRC by visiting the center (room A205) or by calling 541-2660 ext. 249 (voice) or 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students). All information will remain confidential.

 

 

JUDD’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.

 

GRADING POLICY: Method of Student Evaluation

 

Homework -100 points (10 at 10 points each)

 

Exams - 300 points (3 at 100 points each)

 

     Exam #1: Sections 4.4, 3.6. 8.2, 8.3, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6

     Exam #2: Sections 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7

     Exam #3: Sections 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4

 

Quizzes - 75 points (3 at 25 points each)

 

Final (Comprehensive, covers entire course) - 150 points

 

Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of the 625 possible points.

 

A 90-100% (563 - 625 points)

B 80-89% (500 - 562 points)

C 70-79% (437- 499 points)

D 60-69% (375 - 436 points)

F less than 60% (below 374 points)

 

 

MAKE UP POLICY: For quizzes there is no make-up, however if the absence is excused, you will receive the same percentage grade on the quiz as you earn(ed) on the following exam. For Chapter Exams and the Final, make-up is possible, but there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused and must be worked out with the teacher beforehand. Homework will be accepted late for minus two points per class day.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Apply the course topics to real-world situations.

 

2. Sketch and interpret the graphs of functions and relations introduced in intermediate algebra.

 

3. Simplify mathematical expressions into forms more amenable to analysis.

 

4. Provide solutions to equations using methods from intermediate algebra.

 

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.

 

 

 

TUTORING: Tutoring is available in the Gateway Math Center. The phone number is 541-4660 extension 741.

        Regular hours of operation are: M-Th 9am-6pm, Fri 10am-2pm, Sat 11am-3 pm

 

        Extra Help: There are tutors that only tutor for MAT 152A, MAT152B, or MAT154. You do not need to fight for help with calculus students. Learn the schedule and tutors at the Math Learning Center.

 

                       

OFFICE HOURS: My office is in room A250

 

Tuesday....................................7:50pm - 8:20pm

Thursday...................................7:50pm - 8:20pm

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: If you need help paying for your books or other expenses, call our financial aid officer, America Ramirez at 541 - 4660 x236, email her a Ramirez@ltcc.edu, or drop by A100.

 

 

CALCULATOR INFORMATION: This course requires a scientific calculator that must have two logarithm keys: log and ln, and an exponent key. Students may NOT use a graphing calculator in this course. There is no need to spend more than $15 for this calculator.

 

 

TO PASS THIS CLASS AND LEARN THE MATERIAL:

Use the teacher, the book, and the Math Center/Tutors. Do not rely on just one method to pass. Get help from the teacher. Ask questions in class, come to office hours, speak up. Use the book. Read and practice the examples, do all the homework, take notes and look at every page. Go to the Math Center and get help from the tutors. Ask them questions, get a study buddy, talk and want to understand. You will not pass this class by only listening to the teacher, or by only using the book, or by only a tutor. You must practice, practice, practice, and have a desire to learn this material. If you don’t care to learn, you won’t. Use help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

 

Date    Section    Topic

Sept. 22.......... Introductions, Discussion of Syllabus

            4.4 Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

            3.6 Functions

Sept. 24.......... 3.6 Finish Functions

            8.2 Reviewing Function Notation and Graphing Non-linear Functions

            8.3 Graphing Piecewise-defined Functions and Shifting and Reflecting Graphs of                              Functions

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Sept. 29........8.3 Finish

            11.3 Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods

            11.4 Non-linear Inequalities in One Variable

Oct. 1.……..11.4 Finish

            11.5 Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs

Turn in Homework #1 (Sections 4.4, 3.6, 8.2)

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Oct. 6 .........11. 6 Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions

            Quiz #1 (4.4, 3.6, 8.2, 8.3, 11.3)

Oct. 8.……..12.1 The Algebra of Functions; Composite Functions

            Review for Exam #1

Turn in Homework #2 (Sections 8.3, 11.3, 11.4)

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Oct. 13........Exam #1 (4.4, 3.6, 8.2, 8.3, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6)

Oct. 15........12.2 Inverse Functions

            12. 3 Exponential Functions

Turn in Homework #3 (Sections 11.5, 11.6)

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Oct. 20..........12.3 Finish

            12.4 Logarithmic Functions

Oct. 22.........12.4 Finish

            12.5 Properties of Logarithms

Turn in Homework #4 (Sections 12.1, 12.2, 12.3)

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Oct. 27........12.6 Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms, and Change of Base

            Quiz # 2 (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4)

Oct. 29..........12.7 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Applications

            13.1 The Parabola and the Circle

Turn in Homework #5 (Sections 12.4, 12.5)

 

Nov. 3.........13.1 Finish

            Review for Exam #2

Nov. 5........Exam #2 (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7)

Turn in Homework #6 (Sections 12.6, 12.7)

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Nov. 10.……13.2 The Ellipse and the Hyperbola

            13.3 Solving Non-linear Systems of Equations

Nov. 12.……14.1 Sequences

            14.2 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

Turn in Homework #7 (Sections 13.1, 13.2)

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Nov. 17.......14.3 Series

            14.4 Partial Sums of Arithmetic & Geometric Sequences

Nov. 19......14.4 Finish

            Quiz #3 (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 14..1, 14.2)

Turn in Homework #8 (Sections 13.3, 14.1)

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Nov. 24...... 14.5 The Binomial Theorem

            Review for Exam #3

Turn in Homework #9 (Sections 14.2, 14.3)

 

Nov. 26.…..NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday

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Dec. 1.......Exam #3  (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4)

           

Dec. 3.......Review for Final

Turn in Homework #10 (Sections 14.4, 14.5)

 

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Dec. 8.…………………6:00 - 7:50 Comprehensive Final Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATH 154A ASSIGNMENTS

 

TEXT: "Beginning and Intermediate Algebra”, Fourth Edition by Elayn Martin-Gay

INSTRUCTOR: Judd Andolina

Each assignment is worth 10 points. You will turn in only the even numbered problems listed in bold print to be graded. The remaining problems you will be checking yourself in the back of the book. Be sure to use class time, office hours, and the Gateway Math Center to get all of your questions answered.

EOO means Every Other Odd (i.e. #1, 5, 9, 13, …)

 

SECTION PROBLEMS

 

4.4..... Practice: Pages 273-275, #1-37 EOO

.......... Turn in: #10, 22, 26

 

3.6..... Practice: Pages 230-233, #1-73 EOO, #75, #77

.......... Turn in: # 28, 40, 64, 76

 

8.2..... Practice: Pages 516-518, #1-57 EOO

.......... Turn in: #14, 38, 48, 54

 

8.3..... Practice: Pages 524-525, #1-53 EOO, #57-65 Odd

.......... Turn in: #16, 42, 64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.3..... Practice: Pages 670-673, #1-77 EOO

.......... Turn in: #

 

11.4..... Practice: Pages 678-680,

.......... Turn in: #

 

11.5..... Practice: Pages 687-688,

.......... Turn in: #

 

11.6..... Practice: Pages 694-696,

.......... Turn in: #

 

12.1..... Practice: Pages 710-711,

.......... Turn in: #

 

12.2..... Practice: Pages 720-722,

.......... Turn in: #

 

12.3..... Practice: Pages 728-730,

.......... Turn in: #

 

12.4..... Practice: Pages 736-737,

.......... Turn in: #

 

12.5..... Practice: Pages 742-743,

.......... Turn in: #

 

12.6......Practice: Pages 748-749,

...........Turn in: #

 

12. 7..... Practice: Pages 754-755,

.......... Turn in: #

 

13.1..... Practice: Pages 775-776,

.......... Turn in: #

 

13.2..... Practice: Pages 782-783,

.......... Turn in: #

 

13.3..... Practice: Pages 788-789,

.......... Turn in: #

 

14.1.….Practice: Pages 805,

..……Turn in: #

 

14.2......Practice: Pages 811-812,

...........Turn in: #

 

14.3......Practice: Pages 816-817,

........... Turn in: #

 

14.4...... Practice: Pages 823-824,

........... Turn in: #

 

14.5......Practice: Pages 828-829,

.......... Turn in: #