INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

Math 154A-2 Winter, 2009

Mondays & Wednesdays 3:40 – 5:45pm

Room: E-106 4 units

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Beverly Palley

PHONE NUMBER: 530 544-2724

OFFICE: Commons/TBA

E-MAIL: palley@ltcc.edu

REQUIRED TEXT: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Second Edition

By Mark Dugopolski.

RECOMMENDED TEXT: Student Solution Manual, Prepared by Mark Dugopolski

CALCULATOR: You will need a scientific calculator for this course. It should have the following keys: log, ln, and an exponent key. Graphing calculators are not allowed. (See Handout for more details)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: MATH 154:

Welcome to the third class in the algebra sequence here at LTCC. In this course, you will use many skills that you learned in Math 152A/B (Beginning Algebra). We will continue our study of functions and quadratic equations including systems of quadratic equations. New topics will include inverses of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, and sequences and series.

Dr. Palley’s COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS:

· I will give this class 100% of my attention while we are meeting.

· I will come to class well prepared.

· I will be here on time.

· I will listen and seek to understand what is being said.

· I will not shortchange the students in this class by setting low standards.

· I will put 100% of my effort into being the best possible teacher for the students in this class.

PREREQUISITE: A grade of C or better in Math 152B or equivalent, or satisfactory score on Mathematics Assessment Test.

GRADING POLICY: MATH 154:

Method of Student Evaluation

Homework (8 assignments @ 8 points each) 64 points

Exam #1: Sections 10.3 -10.5, 11.2, 11.3, 11.6, 11.7 100 points

Exam #2: Sections 12.1- 12.4, 7.3, 13.2, 13.3 100 points

Exam #3: Sections 13.1, 13.4, 13.5, 14.1 – 14.5 100 points

Quizzes (Three at 20 points each) 60 points

Final (Covers entire course content) 100 points

*If you spend at least one hour a week (for a total of at least 10 hours) in the Math Success Center, you will receive 6 points extra credit.

Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of the 524 possible points.

A 90-100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F less than 60%

Make-up Policy: There are no make-up for quizzes. However, if the absence is excused, then you will receive the same percent grade on the quiz as you will earn on the exam (which covers the same material). You can make-up Chapter Exams and the Final, but there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused. Homework will be accepted late with a penalty of 2 points for each class meeting that it is late. Each assignment is 8 points.

LEARNING DISABILITIES: If you have a certified learning disability that may affect your performance in this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with Dr. Palley. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

REGISTRATION:

· You must register for this class through Admissions and

Records.

· The last day to drop the class with no record is Friday, January 30.

· The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Friday, February 20.

· After February 20, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the following grades: A B C D F or I (Incomplete, is only allowed in special cases).

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

OFFICE HOURS: By appointments

TUTORING: Tutoring is available in the Math Success Center 2^nd floor of the main building. The phone number is 541-4660 extension 741.

Regular hours of operation are: M-Th 9am-6pm, Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 11am-3pm

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 will not 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 big difference.

8) Do some review every time you study math.

9) Be willing to ask questions.

10) Take notes.

11) Study in groups and find a study buddy.

SCHEDULE

Date Section Topic

January 5 (week 1)…. Introductions, Discussion of Syllabus

10.3 Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs

10.4 More About Quadratic Equations

January 7.... 10.4 Finish Section 10.4

10.5 Quadratic and Rational Inequalities

Turn in Homework #1 (Section 10.3)

January 12(week 2) 11.2 Finish Chapter 10

Graphs of Functions & Relations

January 14… 11.3/11.6 Transformations of Graphs/Intro. Combining Functions Turn in Homework #2 (Sections 10.4 & 10.5)

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January 19 (week 3)(Holiday MLK) Quiz #1 (Sections 10.3 – 10.5)Take Home

................... Combining Functions

January 21… 11.7 Inverse Functions

................. Finish Section 11.7

12.1 Exponential Functions & Their Applications

Turn in Homework #3 (Sections 11.2 & 11.3)

January 26 (week 4) Review for Exam #1/ Turn in Homework #4

(Section 11.6 & 11.7)

January 28 . Exam #1 (Sections covered in Chapter 10 & 11)

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February 2 (week 5) 12.1 Exponential Functions & Their Applications

12.2 Logarithmic Functions & Their Applications

February 4 …. 12.3 Properties of Logarithms

12.4 Solving Equations & Applications

February 9 (week 6)7.3 Solving Linear Equations in Three Variables

13.2 The Parabola

February 11 …. Finish Section 13.2

13.3 The Circle

Turn in Homework #5 (Sections 12.1 – 12.4)

Quiz # 2 (Sections 12.1 – 12.4)

...................

Schedule continued on next page

Schedule (continued)

Date Section Topic

February 16 (week 7;Holiday)Review for Exam #2

February 18 Exam #2 (Sections 7.3, 12.1-12.4, 13.2, 13.3)

Turn in Homework #6 (Sections 7.3, 13.2, 13.3)

February 23(week 8)13.4 The Ellipse and The Hyperbola

13.5 Second-Degree Inequalities

February 25....13.1 Nonlinear Systems of Equations

................... 14.1 Sequences

March 2 (week 9) 14.2 Series

14.3 Arithmetic Sequences and Series

March 4...... 14.3 Finish Section 14.3

Turn in Homework #7 (Sections 13.1, 13.4, 13.5 & 14.1)

Quiz #3 (Sections 13.1, 13.4, 13.5)

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March 9 (week 10)14.4 Geometric Sequences and Series

14.5 Binomial Expansions

March 11 Turn in Homework #8 (Sections 14.2 – 14.5)

Review for Exam #3

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March 16 (week 11) Exam #3 (Sections 13.1, 13.4, 13.5, 14.1 – 14.4)

March 18 Review for Final Exam

March 23 (week 12) Cumulative Final Exam (2:00 – 3:30pm)

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed Math 154