MAT 152AA

Basic Algebra (Part I): Expanded

Winter 2008

Instructor: Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu

Office Hours: Room A210,   Mon.                10:00  – 11:00 AM

            Wed.               12:30 – 11:30 PM

            Thurs.              12:00 – 1:00 PM

MSC A201,      Tues.               1:00 – 2:00 PM

Fri.                   12:30 – 1:30 PM

And as always, by appointment.

Class Time and Location: Mon., Wed., Fri.  11:00 AM – 12:25 PM, A206

Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, 2^nd Edition, 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 integral exponents. This expanded version of Math 152A is designed for students who are nervous about and/or find math difficult.

Prerequisite: MAT 187B with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process.

Calculators: Calculators will not be allowed in MAT 152A.

Course Objectives:

1.      Solve linear equations and inequalities.

2.      Define and employ terminology relating to polynomials in one variable.

3.      Perform the four basic arithmetic operations on polynomials in one variable.

4.      Graph linear equations and inequalities.

5.      Determine the equation of a line given information about the line.

6.      Manipulate expressions with integral exponents.

7.      Apply course topics to real-world situations.

Course Grade: Your final letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale:

A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59%

The following items will make up the course grade:

Homework:                              200 points

Quizzes:                                 200 points

Exam1 (January 28)

Exam2 (February 22):             400 points       (Your exam scores are averaged.)

Exam3 (March 14)

Final Exam (March 24):          200 points

You may check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website:

http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/13079/index.html 

Homework: Homework will be due the class period after it is assigned.  Homework assignments not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn in homework up to one week after it is due for half credit.  If all homework is turned in, and no more than three 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 February 1.  After February 1, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until February 22.  After February 22, if still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.

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.

Technology in the Classroom:  All cell phones, headphones, MP3 players, iPods, etc, must be turned off and put away prior to the start of each class.  No electronic devices may be used during quizzes and exams.

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.

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 bare minimum.  If you need more practice, do it.  Don’t make me be a homework enforcer.

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.

V) Do math every day.  Math is just like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty.

Course Schedule:

The following is a tentative schedule.  If things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know.

January

7          1.1                               Introductions, Real Numbers

9          1.2                               Fractions

11        1.3, 1.4                        Addition, Subtraction, Mult., & Division of Real Numbers

14        1.5, Quiz I                   Exponential Expressions and Order of Operations

16        1.6, 1.7                        Algebraic Expressions and Properties of Real Numbers

18        1.8                  

21        NO CLASS                 Martin Luther King Day

23        2.1, Quiz II                  Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality      

25        2.2, 2.3                        Solving General Linear Equations

28        Exam I

30        2.5                               Translating English into Math

February

1          2.6                               Applications of Linear Equations

4          2.7                               More Applications of Linear Equations

6          2.8, Quiz III                 Inequalities

8          2.9                               Solving Inequalities

11        3.1                              Graphing Lines

13        3.2, Quiz IV                 Slope

15        NO CLASS                 Lincoln’s Birthday       

18        NO CLASS                 Washington’s Birthday

20        3.3                               Slope-Intercept Form

22        Exam II                       

25        3.4                               Point-Slope Form

27        3.6                               Graphing Linear Inequalities

29        4.1, Quiz V                  Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials

March

3          4.2                               Multiplication of Polynomials

5          4.3                               FOIL Method of Multiplication

7          4.4, Quiz VI                 Special Products

10        4.5                               Division of Polynomials

12        4.6, 4.7                        More on Exponents and Scientific Notation   

14        Exam III                      

17        8.1, 8.2                        Compound Inequalities, Absolute Value Equations

19        11.1, 11.6                    Functions and Their Operations

21        Review, Quiz VII

24        Final Exam                 Note: The final is from 2:00  -3:50 PM.

The following is a list of all homework assignments for this course.  The due dates for the various sections will be given in class.