Math 103B – College Algebra part II

Lake Tahoe Community College

 

 

Instructor:      Dr. Cathleen Cox

                        Office: D105

                        Email: cox@ltcc.edu

                        Office phone: 530-541-4660 ext. 368

                        Office hours:     Mon: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

                                                Tues: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

                                                Wed: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

                                                Thurs: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

                                                or by appointment.

 

Textbook:      

Precalculus  fourth edition, Sullivan and Sullivan, Pearson Prentice Hall.

                        ISBN: 0-13-149092-3

 

Course time and location:

 

                        Lecture: Mon & Wed, 1:30 pm – 3:20 pm, room E106

                        Final Exam:  Mon, June 22, 2:00 pm – 3:50 pm, room E106

 

Prerequisites:

MAT 153 and either MAT 154A or MAT 154AA with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process.

 

Important Dates:

 

                        Exam Dates: (See schedule)

                                   

                                    Mon April 27th,   Mon June 1st,   Mon June 22nd (final)

 

                        Other Important Dates:

 

                                    Last day for refunds                              April 17th

                                    Last day to drop with no record            May 1st

                                                Last day to drop with a “W” grade        May 22nd

                                    Memorial Day                                     May 25th

                                   

 

 

 

Course Description

 

            This course covers the properties of logarithms and exponentials, conic sections, systems of equations and their solution with Gaussian Elimination and a brief introduction to linear programming, sequences, series, permutations, and combinations.

 

Homework will be assigned weekly (see schedule). Problem sets will be completed using the MyMathLab online program.  To register so that you can do the homework for the course, go to www.coursecompass.com.  The course ID number for this class is cox34831; you will need this to register for MyMathLab.  In addition, you will need the student access code that came with your textbook.  If you are unfamiliar with this procedure, or don’t have a student access code, please see Dr. Cox right away. Homework will contribute 30% to the final grade (see grading format below).   Access to each homework assignment is closed at the due date and time and is thus not longer available.  If you have a legitimate need for additional time on a given assignment, see Dr. Cox for an extension.  In most cases this will result in 10% reduction in grade for each additional day.

           

Quizzes will be given approximately every other week, during the first 10 minutes of class. Quizzes will generally be given on Mondays and quiz material will correspond to the homework assignment that is due the same day (see attached schedule).  Quizzes will contribute 20% to the final grade.   No make-up quizzes will be given.  If you have a legitimate, college sanctioned excused absence, and you notify the instructor prior to missing the quiz, the grade for the missed quiz will be determined statistically. 

           

Three exams will be given including the final (see schedule and ‘important dates’).  Only in extreme circumstances will students be allowed to take an exam at a time other the scheduled exam time. Arrangements must be made with the instructor prior to the scheduled exam time. 

 

Math Tutoring:

 

The Math Success Center provides free tutoring, for registered students, in all levels of mathematics or math related subjects.  Although many students perceive that seeking help is a sign of weakness; in truth, the top students in most classes generally do.  It is strongly recommended that you utilize the Math Center as well as instructor office hours if you have any questions about the material.

 

Grading Criteria:

                                    Homework       30%

                                    Quizzes            20%

                                    Exams              50%

                                    Total                100%

 

            The following scale will be used for determining letter grades. 

 

A: (90 – 100%)     B: (80 – 89%)     C: (70 – 79%)     D: (60 – 69%)     F: Less than 60%

 

 

 

 

 

Academic Honesty:

 

            Students are expected to perform their own work on all assignments in this course.  I strongly encourage you to study with a partner or in study groups; it is fine to work together on homework assignments.  However, the work you submit must be your own.  Quizzes and exams are to be completed by you alone.  Dishonesty on an exam, quiz, or homework, will result in a zero grade for that assignment.  See the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” section of the LTCC catalogue for further disciplinary action pertaining to academic dishonesty.  Cheating is a very serious offence.  Integrity is much more valuable than the result of an assignment.

 

Tips for Success in Math:

 

Successful students…

  1. form a study group and discuss lecture, readings, and homework with fellow students (this is very important!)
  2. visit the instructor during office hours – to ask questions, discuss the material, etc.
  3. keep the syllabus in their notebook and refer to it often to keep informed about the course
  4. have excellent attendance
  5. read the textbook for familiarity before lecture
  6. read the textbook again thoroughly – with pencil and paper, working each example – before attempting homework
  7. work on homework problems every day, rather than trying to do the whole assignment in one sitting (especially the night before it is due).

 

 

Students with Disabilities:

 

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify 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 (located in room A205) or by phoning (530) 541-4660 ext. 249 (voice) or (530) 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students).

All information will remain confidential. 

 

Date Sections Topic quizzes Homework Assignments
6-Apr 4.1, 4.2 composite functions quiz 0 Assignment 1: Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
8-Apr 4.3, 4.4 exponential and log functions   Due Apr 13 at 1:30
         
13-Apr 4.5 logarithms quiz 1 Assignment 2: Sections 4.5, 4.6.
15-Apr 4.6 logarithmic and exponential equations   Due Apr 20 at 1:30
         
20-Apr 4.7, 4.8 applications of logs and exponents quiz 2 Assignment 3: Sections 4.7, 4.8
22-Apr 1.5, 9.2 circles and parabolas   Due Apr 27 at 1:30
         
27-Apr   Exam 1: ch 4   Assignment 4: Sections 1.5, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4
29-Apr 9.3, 9.4 ellipses and hyperbolas   Due May 4 at 1:30
         
4-May 10.1 systems of linear equations quiz 3 Assignment 5: Sections 10.1, 10.2
6-May 10.2 using matrices to solve systems   Due May 11 at 1:30
         
11-May 10.3 determinants quiz 4 Assignment 6: Sections 10.3, 10.4
13-May 10.4 matrix algebra   Due May 20 at 1:30
         
18-May   **No School on May 18th**   Assignment 7: Section 10.7
20-May 10.7 systems of inequalities quiz 5 Due May 25 at 1:30
         
         
25-May 10.8 linear programming   Assignment 8: Section 10.8
27-May 11.1, 11.2 sequences quiz 6 Due June 1 at 1:30
         
1-Jun   Exam 2: ch 1.5, 9, 10   Assignment 9: Sections 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
3-Jun 11.3 geometric sequences and series   Due June 8 at 1:30
         
8-Jun 11.4 induction   Assignment 10: Sections 11.4, 11.5
10-Jun 11.5 the binomial theorem quiz 7 Due June 15 at 1:30
         
15-Jun 12.2 permutations and combinations   Assignment 11: Section 12.2
17-Jun       Due June 22 at 4 pm
22-Jun 4 - 5:50 pm Final Exam    
    ch 11, 12.2 + comprehensive