Math 103A – 2 College Algebra (Part I)      4 Units             Winter 2009

Meeting Times:  Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 – 7:50 PM          Meeting Place:  Room E106  

Instructor:  Charlie Lincoln                                                                 

Email:  c.lincoln@sbcglobal.net                                                Phone: 577-0414         

Office Hours:  Thursdays 5:00 - 6:00 in the Mezzanine or By Appointment

Required Text:  Precalculus 4^th Edition by Sullivan & Sullivan III,

Check out the Solutions manual for this course before purchasing it to see if the book meets your needs.  

Course Description:  This course is an in-depth study of functions.  We will study linear, quadratic and higher order polynomials, rational functions, zeros of polynomial functions and their theorems.  We will analyze functions’ algebraic and geometric properties.  Special emphasis will be placed on application problems and the use of graphing calculators.  I will be demonstrating on a Texas Instrument 89 (TI 89) graphing calculator.  You may rent a TI-89 from the college with a deposit and fee per quarter.  Please talk to me if you have any questions.

Course Objectives:  Students will be able to:
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 math statements, and checking and verifying results.

Prerequisite:  A grade of "C" or better in Math 154, or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math Assessment process.

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                                           100 pts.                                               

            4 Quizzes                                             100 pts.

            Midterm Exam 1                                   100 pts.

            Midterm Exam 2                                   100 pts.

Comprehensive Final Exam                   100 pts.

            Total                                                    500 pts

Homework:  The homework assignments to be turned in for credit are due in class weekly.  They are found in the lecture schedule following each section.  Each homework assignment is due in class and is considered late if it is not turned in.  If you will be absent, either turn in the homework assignment early or have someone turn in the homework assignment for you.  Late homework that is turned in within one week of the due date receives reduced credit.  Homework turned in after this receives no credit.  Your work must support your answers.

Quizzes:  There are no make-up quizzes.   I give five quizzes but only four are counted so your lowest quiz score will be dropped. 

Midterm Exams:  You must notify me before an exam if you will miss the exam (577-0414).  Exams must be made up within 3 school days after the scheduled date.  You may take an exam up to 3 school days before the scheduled date.  Arrangements must be made with me one week in advance.

Parts of the testing (quizzes, midterms and final exam) may have problems that do not allow for graphing calculators.  I will tell you when these will occur.

Please come see me if you do not understand these policies.

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade.  You must go to Admissions & Records.

Friday, January 16, 2009 is the last day for refunds.

Friday, January 30, 2009 is the last day to drop with no record.

Friday, February 20, 2009 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.

Each homework section is worth 10 points.

Tentative Lecture Schedule Math 103A – 2

Date                Topic                                                                                                   Section

Jan 6                Syllabus, Rectangular Coordinates, Graphing Utilities                 1.1

1.1 HW  Pages 8 – 10.  #14, 34, 43, 50, 58, 67, 69, 73, 77, 81.

                        Graphing Equations in Two Variables                                        1.2

                        1.2 HW  Pages 22 – 23.  #14, 22, 27, 37, 41, 52, 56, 69.

HW 1 (Section 1.1 and 1.2) are due Thursday, Jan 8.

Jan 8                Solving Equations in One Variable                                                         1.3

                        1.3 HW Pages 26 – 27.  #6, 8, 17, 22, 28, 34, 36..

                        Lines and Slope                                                                                    1.4

                        1.4 HW Pages 40 – 43.  #12, 24, 26, 34, 42, 79, 86, 109.

Jan 13              Circles                                                                                                  1.5

                        1.5 HW Pages 49 – 51.  #8, 10, 26, 34, 45.

HW 2 (Sections 1.3, 1.4) are due Thursday, Jan 15.

Jan 15             Quiz 1 (1.1 – 1.4)

Functions                                                                                              2.1

                        2.1 HW Pages 68 – 70.  #30, 32, 33, 44, 45, 50, 59, 64, 74, 85.

Jan 20              The Graph of a Function                                                                       2.2

2.2 HW Pages 75 – 79.  #12, 20, 24, 28, 30.

Properties of Functions                                                                         2.3

2.3 HW Pages 88 – 93.  #21, 28, 34, 42, 45, 63.

HW 3 Sections 1.5, 2.1 are due Thursday, Jan 22.

Jan 22             Quiz 2 (1.5 – 2.1)

                        Linear Functions and Models                                                                2.4

2.4 HW Pages 101 – 107.  #19, 25, 33, 41, 48, 52.

HW 4 Sections 2.2, 2.3 are due Tuesday, Jan 27.

Jan 27              Review Midterm Exam 1                     

Jan 29             Midterm Exam 1 (Chapter 1, Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)

Feb 3               Library of Functions, Piecewise-defined Functions                                 2.5

                        2.5 HW Pages 114 – 117.  #21, 24, 28, 30, 34, 35, 37, 45.

HW 5 Section 2.4 is due Thursday, Feb 5.

Feb 5               Graphing Techniques, Transformations                                      2.6

                        2.6 HW Pages 126 – 130.  #27, 28, 39, 54, 69a-c, 81.

Feb 10             Mathematical Models: Constructing Functions                           2.7

                        2.7 HW Pages 134 – 138.  #7, 12, 17, 26, 30, 31.

HW 6 Sections 2.5, 2.6 are due Thursday, Feb 12.

Feb 12             Quiz 3 (2.4 – 2.6),

Quadratic Functions and Models                                                           3.1

                        3.1 HW Pages 163 – 169.  #18, 27, 32, 45, 49, 64, 73, 77, 82.

Feb 17             Polynomial Functions and Models                                                         3.2

                        3.2 HW Pages 182 – 186.  #10, 14, 20, 27, 40, 59, 65, 66.

HW 7 Sections 2.7, 3.1, 3.2 are due Thursday, Feb 19.

Feb 19             Quiz 4 (2.7, 3.1, 3.2)

Properties of Rational Functions                                                            3.3

3.3 HW Page 195-197. #12, 13, 14, 16, 23, 39, 45, 47.

Feb 24             Graphs of Rational Functions, Variation                                     3.4

                        3.4 HW Pages 207 – 211.  #16, 25, 29, 40, 43, 45a-d, 46, 51.

Feb 26             Polynomial Division, Synthetic Division                                      A.4

                        A.4 HW Page 983.  #4, 5, 10, 13, 25, 28, 31, 32, 40.            

                        HW 8 Section 3.3, 3.4, A-4  are due Tues,  Mar 3.  

Mar 3               Review Midterm Exam 2 (Sections 2.4 – 2.6, Sections 3.1 – 3.4, A.4)

Mar 5              Midterm Exam 2 (Sections 2.4 – 2.6, Sections 3.1 – 3.4, A.4 )

Mar 10             Polynomial Inequalities                                                              3.5

                        3.5 HW Pages 217 – 218.  #12, 13, 14, 16, 23, 26, 39, 45, 47.

HW 9  Sections 3.5 is due Thurs, Mar 12

Mar 12             Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function                                                     3.6

                        3.6 HW Pages 231 – 232.  #8, 20, 39, 49, 59, 63, 65, 66.

Mar 17             Complex Zeros, The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra                         3.7

                        3.7 HW Pages 237 – 238.  #8, 14, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 35.

HW 10  Sections 3.6 & 3.7 are due Thurs, Mar 19.

Mar 19            Quiz 5 (Sections 3.5, 3.6, 3.7),

                        Review Comprehensive Final Exam

Mar 24            Comprehensive Final Exam 6:00 – 7:50 PM