MATH 152A Section 2

Basic Algebra (Part 1)

Supplement for Basic Algebra (Part I)

Tuesday and Thursday  3:30 to 5:20 PM    Room E106           4 UNITS (152A) 1 UNIT (183)

Instructor Larry Green

Office Phone Number  541-4660 Extension 341

Internet

 

Required Text Elementary Intermediate Algebra 2nd Ed. by Mark Dugopolski

Course Description This course is designed as an introduction to algebra.  Topics covered include the four basic operations with positive and negative numbers and with polynomials, solving and graphing linear equations, an introduction to functions and sets, and properties of integer exponents.

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; and 
  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

 

Prerequisite MAT 187B or an equivalent class, or assessment.

Grading Policy Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of possible points.

A 90 -- 100%         C 70 -- 79%

B 80 -- 89%            D 60 -- 69%

Homework:  ..................................................150 points

Exam 1: January 25      .................................175 points

Exam II: February 15      ..............................175 points

Exam III: March 15        ............................. 175 points 

 

Final Exam: March 20   ...............................   325 points

 

Exam Policy Students are to bring pencils or pens, and paper to each exam. Grading will based on the progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested, therefore, work must be shown in detail. Any student who cannot make it to an exam may elect to take the exam up to two days before the exam is scheduled.  Without a proven medical excuse, a 10% per day penalty will be given for each day the exam is taken late.  If all homework assignments are turned in for the quarter, and no more than three assignments are late, then the midterm with the lowest score will be dropped.

 

Homework Policy  Homework is due either at the end of class.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.   Homework that is turned in within one week of the due date will be counted as half credit. Homework may be turned later than one week after the due date, but points will not be awarded.

 

Daily Quizzes  The first five minutes of each class, there will be a quiz that covers the main point from the previous  lecture.  Each quiz will count as 20% of the homework grade.  Quizzes cannot be made up.

 

Extra Credit Any student who has turned in every homework assignment may elect to work on an extra credit assignment or project that will count as additional points towards either a midterm or the final.  Extra credit assignments will be discussed on an individual basis during office hours.

 

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday  ............................  11:00 to 12:00            GMC

Tuesday..........................      2:30 to 3:30               GMC

Wednesday ....................      11:00 to 12:00           A210

Thursday........................       12:00 to 1:00             A210

Friday........................            11:00 to 12:00            A210

CALCULATORS: The use of calculators is not allowed in this course.

LEARNING DISABILITIES: If you have a learning disability, be sure to discuss your special needs with Larry.  Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

TUTORING:  Tutors are available at no cost in G4 (The Gateway Math Center).  

MATH COACH:  Cindy Littell will be coaching only math 152A/B students in the winter Monday through Thursday 1:30 - 3:00 in the library study room L114

A WORD ON HONESTY:

Cheating or copying will not be tolerated. People who cheat dilute the honest effort of the rest of us.  If you cheat on a quiz or exam you will receive an F  for the course, not merely for the test.  Other college disciplinary action including expulsion might occur. Please don’t cheat in this class.  If you are having difficulty with the course, please see me.

MATH  183:  Math 183, the supplement for Math 152A is strongly recommended for all students.  For 30 minutes after class, the instructor will be going over questions and assisting students with the particularly challenging components of each sections.  Grading will be based on attendance, participation, and work on the worksheets and journals.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Lecture will always be geared towards an explanation of the topics that will be covered on the upcoming homework assignment. 

Date    Section  Topic                                                       Exercises

1-4         1.1  The Real Numbers                3,12,15,19,24,27,30,37,40,43,48,57,61,68,81,92,97,100,110
               1.2  Fractions                              3,12,29,34,41,50,59,70,73,82,101,109

1-9       1.3       + and - or Real Numbers         5,10,17,25,30,36,45,54,61,70,83,90,105                     
            1.4       x and / of Real Numbers           6,11,22,27,30,43,54,65,72,93,105                
            1.5        Exponents and Order of Ops   4,15,26,33,44,51,65,70,77,88,92  

1-11     1.6     Algebraic Expressions                    7,12,20,25,35,42,51,66,71,80,90,102
            1.7     Properties of Real Numbers               1,10,16,29,38,47,56,64,71,74,77,84,92,98
                       
         

1-16     1.8     Simplifying Algebraic Expressions    4,13,28,37,50,57,68,75,85,94,105,114
            2.1         + and X Properties of Equality    Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,100     
 

1-18    2.2         Solving Linear Equations             Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,100
           2.3        More Equations                            Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,85 and #92                

1-23     2.5        Translating Words into Algebra     Every Seventh Problem:  7,14,...,126
          

1-25     Exam I    
       

1-30      2.6       Number, Geometry, and Motion Problems    Every Third Problem:  3,6,,...,54
 

2-1      2.7       Money and Mixture Problems       Every Third Problem:  3,6,,...,42 
 

2-6     2.8      Inequalities                                             Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,85
          2.9      Solving Inequalities and Applications        Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,75 (Skip #55)      
 

2-8     3.1     Graphing Lines                                        Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,90
          3.2      Slope                                                    Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,70
 

2-13     3.3      Slope-Intercept Form                        Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,90
            3.4      Point-Slope Form                              Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,90
 

2-15    Exam II

2-20      3.6    Graphing Linear Inequalities                Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,50

2-22    4.1     + and - of Polynomials                      Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,95 (Skip #50)
            4.2   Multiplication of Polynomials            Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,95
 

2-27     4.3    FOIL                                              Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,100
            4.4    Special Products                            Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,90

3-1      Snow Day:  Class Cancelled
                     

3-6      4.6     Nonnegative Integral Exponents                Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,90
           4.7      Negative Exponents and Sci. Notation     Every Seventh Problem:  7,14,...,98 and #112 and #113
           

3-8     8.1      Compound Inequalities                            Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,90
           8.2     Absolute Value Equations                        1,2,4,7,10,14,15,17,20,25,28,31,34,36,85,86,87
 

3-13    11.1   Functions and Relations                        Every Fifth Problem:  5,10,...,110 (Skip #60,65)
           11.6   Combining Functions                            5,8,11,14,17,20,23,67,70,71

3-15    Exam III

3-20     Comprehensive Final Exam  4:00 - 5:50  (Note Time)
 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS

  •  Come to every class meeting.
  •  Arrive early, get yourself settled, spend a few minutes looking at your notes from the previous class meeting, and have your materials ready when class starts.
  •  Read each section before it is discussed in class.
  •  Do some math every day.
  •  Start preparing for the tests at least a week in advance.
  •  Spend about half of your study time working with your classmates.
  •  Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.