Intermediate Algebra

Math 154-2

Spring 2008 4 units

INSTRUCTOR:                     Cindy Littell

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

E-MAIL:                                littell@ltcc.edu

MEETING TIMES:              Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10a-11:50a

MEETING PLACE: Room A211 

REQUIRED TEXT:              Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Second Edition, By         Mark Dugopolski

Course Description: MAT 154 is a continuation of MAT 152B and covers functions and inverses, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, and conic sections, quadratic equations, and systems of quadratic equations.

Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Math 152B 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 (within A201) has free tutoring for all registered students. Please Log In and Out so that the facility gets the funds it needs to continue this free service.

 

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 GMC 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, April 28, 2008 is the last day for refunds.

Friday, May 2, 2008 is the last day to drop with no record or file C/NC.

Friday, May 23, 2008 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.

 

Student Outcomes
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 and graphical information; and
4. Demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate math statements, and checking and verifying results.

 

 

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 & Quizzes                        170 points

                        3 Midterm Exams                              450 points

                        Comprehensive Final Exam: 240 points

                        Total                                                   860 points

Homework: The homework sets are due the next class meeting (without a Midterm) after the lecture on those sections. Homework must have your name, the date, and the sections clearly marked in the upper right hand corner of the top page to receive any credit. Homework turned in late will receive half credit the first week, no credit after that. Homework sets are graded by completeness and accuracy of the even problems. If you turn in no more than three homework sets late, I will drop your lowest Midterm score.

Quizzes: There are no make-up quizzes.  All quizzes are given during the first 5 minutes of class. They will consist of a one point problem from the homework and a one point problem from the reading for the lecture that day. Please be on time.

Midterm Exams: Midterms are to be taken on the date scheduled unless you have a medical emergency. In such an event, please notify me by email as soon as possible to make arrangements. If you are unable to take the exams at the scheduled time, you will need to email me a request stating why you need to take the exam early and asking for arrangements to take it early.

Calculators are not allowed during testing. Please practice the homework without them as factoring, multiplying, and dividing of fractions and decimals are part of what is being tested.

The Comprehensive Final Exam is on Tuesday, June 24, 2008: 11a-12:50p.

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 offense will result in withdrawal, failing the course, or academic expulsion.

 

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Date                Section                        Topic

Apr. 8              10.3                             Graphs of Quadratic Functions

10.3 Exercises: pages 645-648, #1-6 all, 9-66 x 3

Apr. 10            10.4                             More on Quadratic Equations

10.4 Exercises: pages 656-657, #1-4 all, 9-87 x 3

Apr. 15            10.5                             Quadratic & Rational Inequalities

10.5 Exercises: pages 668-671, #1-4 all, 6-78 x 3, 85,87

Apr. 17            11.1,11.2                     Graphs of Functions and Relations

11.1 Exercises: pages 692-694, #3-108 x 3

11.2 Exercises: pages 701-705, #1-6 all, 9-66 x 3

Apr. 22            11.3                             Transformations of Graphs

11.3 Exercises: pages 713-716, #1-6 all, 9-60 x 3

Apr. 24            11.6                             Combining Functions

11.6 Exercises: pages 744-746, #1-4 all, 6-84 x 3

Apr. 29            11.7                             Inverse Functions

                                                            Review for Midterm #1

11.7 Exercises: pages 754-757, # 1-8 all, 9-84 x 3

May 1                                                 Midterm #1

May 6             12.1                             Exponential Functions

12.1 Exercises: pages 784-787, #1-6 all, 9-21 x 3, 26, 27-81 x 3, 83, 87, 89, 91, 93

May 8             12.2                             Logarithmic Functions

12.2 Exercises: pages 795-797, #1-6 all, 9-39 x 3, 45-93 x 3

May 13           12.3                             Properties of Logarithms

12.3 Exercises: pages 804-805, #1-6 all, 9-96 x 3, 97

May 15           12.4                             Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

12.4 Exercises: pages 812-814, #1-2 all, 3-78 x 3, 79-85 odd

May 20           13.2                             Parabolas

13.2 Exercises: pages 842-846, #1-6 all, 15-21 x 3 vertex only, 33-39 x 3 vertex & axis of symmetry only, 42-48 x 3 vertex, axis of symmetry & direction, 51-63 x 3, 67, 72, 74, 75-79 odd

May 22           13.3                             Circles

                        13.4                             Ellipses and Hyperbolas

13.3 Exercises: pages 850-852, #1-2 all, 3-57 x 3

13.4 Exercises: pages 862-866, #1-8 all, 9-66 x 3

Date                Section                        Topic

May 27           13.1                             Systems of Nonlinear Equations

                        13.5                             Second Degree Inequalities

                                                            Review for Midterm #2

13.1 Exercises: pages 832-833, #1-4 all, 6-12 x 3, 14, 15-42 x 3

13.5 Exercises: pages 870-872, #3-45 x 3

May 29                                               Midterm #2

 

Jun. 3              7.3                               Systems of Linear Equations with 3 Variables

7.3 Exercises: pages 468-471, #1-6 all, 9-36 x 3, 42-54 x 3

Jun. 5              14.1                             Sequences

                        14.2                             Series

14.1 Exercises: pages 892-894, #1-4 all, 6-45 x 3

14.2 Exercises: pages 898-899, #1-4 all, 6-54 x 3

Jun. 10            14.3                             Arithmetic Sequences and Series

                        14.4                             Geometric Sequences and Series

14.3 Exercises: pages 903-905, #1-4 all, 6-60 x 3

14.4 Exercises: pages 912-914, #1-6 all, 9-57 x 3

Jun. 12            14.5                             Pascal’s Triangle and The Binomial Theorem

                                                            Review for Midterm #3

14.5 Exercises: pages 919-920, #1-4 all, 9-39 x 3

Jun. 17                                                Midterm #3

Jun. 19                                                Review for Final

Jun. 24                                                Final Exam: 11a-12:50p