College Algebra (Part I)

Math 103                                                                                               Winter, 2008

Mon/Wed.                                                                                             6:00 – 7:50

Room: E106                                                                                          4 units

 

INSTRUCTOR:                    Colleen McDonough

 

PHONE NUMBER/EMAIL:   541-4660 ext. 368 / mcdonough@ltcc.edu

 

REQUIRED TEXT  Precalculus, 4th Edition, Sullivan & Sullivan III.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:            This course provides an in-depth coverage of functions: polynomial and rational functions, their graphs, and finding solutions and zeros of polynomial functions. Special emphasis will be placed on applications problems and the use of calculators.

OFFICE HOURS (A204):   Monday:                  9:00 – 9:30 AM                                                                                                                    5:00 – 6:00 PM

                        Tuesday:                  3:00 – 4:00 PM   

                                                Wednesday:            12:30 – 1:00 PM                                                                                                                  5:00 – 6:00 PM

                                                Thursday:                3:00 – 4:00 PM

                                                Or By Appointment

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 

1. Produce and interpret graphs of functions and relations.

 

2. Apply techniques to solve polynomial and rational equations and inequalities.

 

3. Model real life situations using algebraic methods.

 

4. Simplify algebraic expressions using skills obtained in the course.

 

 

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.   

 

CALCULATOR:       A graphing calculator is required for this class. I will be demonstrating with Texas Instrument-89. I will do my best to assist with other models. TI-84 Plus SE is a good model if you have one.

 

PREREQUISITE:    A grade of C or better in Math 154 or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process.

 

MAKE-UP POLICY:           

Exams and Final:  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. Make-ups are possible, however the student must contact me before the exam unless case of emergency.

 

Quizzes:  There are no make-ups, however, if the absence is excused, you will receive the same percentage grade on the quiz as you earn on the exam, which covers the same material. 

 

Homework:  Late homework will be accepted for partial credit up to one week from assigned date.  A cumulative 20% penalty will be assessed for each day late. 

 

GRADING POLICY:           

 

                                                Homework*                                                  150 points

                                                Quizzes                                                          150 points

                                                Exam #1                                                         150 points

                                                Exam #2                                                         150 points

                                                Exam #3                                                         150 points

                                                Final                                                                250 points

 

* I will drop the lowest homework score.

 

Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of the 1000 possible points.

 

                                                A         90-100%

                                                B         80-89%

                                                C         70-79%

                                                D         60-69%

                                                F          less than 60%

 

 

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

 

REGISTRATION:

Ψ      You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and     

         Records.

Ψ      The last day to drop the class with no record is Friday, February 1.

Ψ      The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Friday, February 22.

Ψ      After February 22, if you are enrolled you will receive some kind of       

        grade.

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid a grade.

 

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

                difference.

 

            8)  Do some review every time you study math

 

            9)  Be willing to ask questions.

 

            10)  Take notes.

 

 

 TUTORING:    Tutoring is available in the Math Success Center located

                          upstairs.   Tutoring hours are posted in your classroom.

 

 

The final comprehensive exam is on Monday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

Tentative Lecture Schedule for Math 103A

 

Date    Section         Topic

1/7                               Introductions, Discussion of Syllabus

               1.1                Rectangular Coordinates; Graphing Utilities

               1.2                Graphing Equations in Two Variable

 

1/9          1.2                Continue

               1.3                Solving Equations in One Variable Using a

                                 Graphing Utility

               1.4                Lines and Slope

 

1/14       1.5                Circles

               2.1                Functions

               HW1:  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4

 

1/16       2.2                The Graph of a Function   

               Quiz #1 (Sections 1.1 - 1.5)

           

1/21      HOLIDAY

 

1/23       2.3                Properties of Functions

               HW21.5, 2.1, 2.2

 

1/28       2.4                Linear Functions and Models

               Review

                                               

1/30       Exam #1 (Sections 1.1 - 1.5, 2.1 – 2.4)

             HW3:  2.3, 2.4

 

2/4          2.5                Library of Functions, Piecewise defined

                                 Functions 

 

2/6          2.6                Graphing Techniques, Transformations       

 

2/11        2.7                Mathematical Models: Constructing Functions    

               HW4:  2.5, 2.6 

 

2/13       3.1                Quadratic Functions and Models    

               Quiz #2 (Sections 2.5 – 2.7)

             

2/18       HOLIDAY

 

 

Date    Section         Topic

2/20       3.2                Polynomial Functions and Models

             HW5:  2.7, 3.1

 

2/25      3.3                 Properties of Rational Functions

               Review for Exam #2

             

2/27       Exam #2 (Sections 2.5 – 2.7, & 3.1 - 3.3)

               HW6: 3.2, 3.3

 

3/3          3.4                Graphs of a Rational Functions, Variation

               A4                Polynomial Division, Synthetic Division

 

3/5        3.5                 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities

               HW7: 3.4, A4

 

3/10      3.6                 The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function

               Quiz #3 (Sections 3.4, A4, 3.5)

 

3/12       3.7    Complex Zeros: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

               Review for Exam #3

               HW8:  3.5, 3.6

 

3/17      Exam #3 (Sections 3.4 – 3.7)

 

3/19       Review for Final Exam

               HW9: 3.7

 

3/24       Cumulative Final Exam (6:00-7:50am)

 

 

Homework Assignment - Due Dates are listed in syllabus

 

Section          Problems

 

1.1                   # 40~43, 53, 60, 63, 66, 69, 74, 77, 79, 82

1.2                   #11, 16, 27~38, 42, 49, 51, 58, 59, 67~69, 72, 83

           

1.3                   #11, 13, 24, 34, 36

 

1.4                   #35~37, 40, 44, 49, 54, 61, 67, 74, 77, 78, 110, 112

 

1.5                   #6, 7, 12, 17, 21, 24, 25, 32, 53

Section          Problems

 

2.1                   #39, 41, 51, 53, 58, 60, 61, 68, 73, 78, 80, 83, 91, 98

2.2                   #10, 12~18, 38, 41

2.3                   #24~27, 29~32, 33, 41, 48, 63, 67

2.4                   #19~24, 28, 32, 39, 41, 45, 50, 52

2.5                   #9~16, 25, 26, 31, 34, 42, 45, 53, 65

2.6                   #7~18, 27, 30~34, 42, 55, 56

2.7                #9, 15, 17, 18, 21, 28, 31

 

3.1                   #14~17, 39~42, 54~57, 67, 69, 77, 87, 89

3.2                   #11, 15, 24, 25, 27, 32, 34, 35, 37, 40~43, 49, 50, 53, 56, 67~69,

3.3                   #13, 16, 20, 21, 23~28,

3.4                   #10, 11, 21, 25, 34, 52, 53, 55, 57, 63

3.5                   #14, 22, 24, 33, 39, 43, 48, 52, 61, 65

A4                   #6, 11, 16, 17, 24, 25, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, 43

3.6                   #11, 14~16, 26~31, 33~36, 42, 45, 52, 55, 67, 70, 73, 76, 82, 83

3.7                   #7, 10, 11, 16, 19~22, 25, 30, 34, 37, 42