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MAT 152B/184 Basic Algebra (Part II) Spring 2007
Instructor: Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu
Office Hours: Room A210, Mon. 10:00 - 11:00 AM Thurs. 12:00 - 1:00 PM Fri. 12:30 - 1:30 PM GMC G4, Wed. 12:30 - 1:30 PM And as always, by appointment.
Class Time and Location: Mon., Wed., & Fri. 11:00 AM - 12:25 PM, A211
Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, 2nd Edition, Mark Dugopolski
Calculators: Calculators are not allowed in MAT 152B.
Course Description: MAT 152B is a continuation of MAT 152A. Topics covered will include factoring, solving equations with rational and radical expressions, systems of linear equations, and solving quadratic equations. MAT 184 allows for an additional hour each week of instructional time and is specifically designed for students who are nervous about math and/or find math difficult to master.
Both MAT 152B & MAT 184 must be taken concurrently.
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MAT 152A, or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math assessment process.
Course Objectives: 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 information; 4) demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate mathematical statements, and checking and verifying results; 5) become less anxious about mathematics; and 6) improve their study skills in mathematics.
Course Grade: Your final letter grade in MAT 152B will be based on the following grading scale: A 900-1000 points, B 800-899 points, C 700-799 points, D 600-699 points, F 0-599 points
The following items will make up the course grade:
Homework: 200 points Average of HW Scores X 20 Quizzes: 200 points Average of Quiz Scores X 10 Exam1 (April 20) Exam2 (May 11): 400 points Average of Exam Scores X 4 Exam3 (June 1) Final Exam (June 18): 200 points
You may check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website using your secret code:
http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/11481/index.html
Your grade in MAT 184 will be either Credit of No Credit. In order to receive credit for this one-unit course you must pick one of the following books, read the appropriate chapters, and type a paper on your chosen reading.
Pick one of the following (all are on reserve and available to checkout in the library):
1) Managing the Mean Math Blues, by Cheryl Ooten, Chapters 11 & 15. 2) Conquering Math Anxiety, by Cynthia Arem, Chapter 8. 3) Overcoming Math Anxiety, by Randy Davidson & Ellen Levitov, Chapter 7.
Then type a two-page paper on what you have learned from these chapters and how it will help you in your current mathematics class. The paper is due by 1pm on June 1st.
Homework: Homework will be due the class period after it is assigned. Homework not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn in homework up to one week after it is assigned for half credit. If all homework is turned in, and no more than two are late, the lowest regular exam score will be dropped. Your homework score will be determined in the following way: up to 5 points for completion and one point each for 5 problems chosen at random to be graded.
Quizzes: There will be 7 quizzes given over the quarter. These quizzes will be designed to help prepare you for the exams, and quiz problems will be taken directly from the homework assignments. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Since your lowest score will be dropped, missed quizzes may not be made up.
Exams: Students are to bring a pencil and blank scratch paper to each exam. If you cannot make it to an exam (final not included), you may take it up to 2 school days prior to the scheduled date with proper arrangements. Otherwise, the exam may be made up after the scheduled date with a penalty of 10% per day.
Registration Information: You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records. You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before April 27. After April 27, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until June 1. After June 1, if still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.
How to Succeed in a Math Class: I am often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice:
I) Come to every class session. Be prepared, and plan on participating. II) Do your homework. Remember that what I assign is what I consider a minimum. If you need more practice, do it. III) Read the book. You paid good money for it, so you might as well use it. IV) Make use of available tutors and my office hours. You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this course at the GMC. Also, Cindy Littell is an academic coach who is specifically for use by students in Mat 152A, 152B, and 154. She can be found in the GMC from 4-6 pm Mon-Thurs. V) Do math every day. Math is just like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty.
Learning Disabled Students: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify me 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 (located in room A205) or by phoning 541-4660, ext. 249 (voice) or 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students). All information will remain confidential.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating on exams or quizzes will receive a score of zero on the assignment for the first offense and a course grade of F for the second offense. Students my work together on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to) as long as all students understand the material covered.
Course Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule. If things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know.
April2 2.4 Introductions, Formulas 4 3.5 Variation 6 5.1 Factoring: Common Factors 9 5.2 Factoring: Special Products, Grouping 11 5.3 Factoring Trinomials 13 Quiz I, 5.4 Factoring Trinomials using the ac method 16 5.5 Sum and Difference of Cubes 18 5.6, Review Solving Equations using Factoring 20 Exam I 23 6.1 Reducing Rational Expressions 25 6.2 Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions 27 Quiz II, 6.3 Least Common Denominators 30 6.4 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
May2 6.5 Complex Fractions 4 Quiz III, 6.6 Solving Equations with Rational Expressions 7 6.7 Applications of Ratios and Proportions 9 6.8, Review Applications of Rational Expressions 11 Exam II 14 7.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations 16 7.2 The Addition Method 18 Quiz IV, 8.2 Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities 21 8.3 Compound Inequalities in Two Variables 23 9.1 Radicals 25 Quiz V, 9.2 Rational Exponents 28 NO CLASS Memorial Day 30 9.3, Review Operations with Radicals
June1 Exam III 4 9.4 Quotients, Powers, and Rationalizing Denominators 6 9.5 Solving Equations with Radicals and Exponents 8 Quiz VI, 9.6 Complex Numbers 11 10.1 Solving Quadratics by Completing the Square 13 10.2 Solving Quadratics with the Quadratic Formula 15 Quiz VII, Review 18 Final Exam Note: The final is from 10:00 -11:50 AM.
The following is a list of all homework assignments for this course. The due dates for the various sections will be given in class.
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