Math 103A–2  College Algebra (Part I)       4 Units             Fall 2010

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 5th Edition by Sullivan & Sullivan,

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 see me if you have any questions.

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.

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

Students with disabilities must identify themselves to me within the first two weeks of class.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requiring accommodations for a certain disability that may affect class performance are requested to schedule with a staff member at the Disability Resource Center to discuss this during the first week of the quarter so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

* Course materials available in alternate format. 

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 receives reduced credit.  Your work must support your answers.  Each homework section is worth 10 points.

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.

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, October 1 is the last day for refunds.

Friday, October 15 is the last day to drop with no record.

Friday, November 05 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Lecture Schedule Math 103A – 2

Date                Topic                                                                                                   Section

Sept 21            Syllabus, Rectangular Coordinates, Graphing Utilities                 1.1

1.1 HW  Pages 14 – 17.  #14, 34, 43, 50, 58, 77, 81, 99, 105, 109.

                        Intercepts, Symmetry, Graphing Key Equations                         1.2

                        1.2 HW  Pages 24 – 25.  #14, 22, 32, 37, 41, 52, 56, 69.

HW 1 Sections 1.1 and 1.2 are due Thursday, Sept 24.

 

Sept 23            Solving Equations using a Graphing Calculator                           1.3

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

                        Lines                                                                                                    1.4

                        1.4 HW Pages 40 – 44.  #12, 24, 26, 34, 42, 59, 86, 119.

 

Sept 28            Circles                                                                                                  1.5

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

HW 2 Sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 are due Thursday, Oct 1.

 

Sept 30            Quiz 1 (1.1 – 1.4)

Functions                                                                                              2.1

                        2.1 HW Pages 68 – 70.  #30, 32, 33, 44, 45, 50, 59, 64, 74, 87.

 

Oct 5               The Graph of a Function                                                                       2.2

2.2 HW Pages 75 – 79.  #12, 20, 24, 28, 32.

Properties of Functions                                                                         2.3

2.3 HW Pages 86 – 90.  #21, 28, 34, 42, 45.

HW 3 Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 are due Thursday, Oct 8.

 

Oct 7               Quiz 2 (1.5 – 2.1)

                        Library of Functions, Piecewise-defined Functions                                 2.4

2.4 HW Pages 97 – 99.  #19, 25, 33, 41, 47.

Graphing Techniques, Transformations                                      2.5

                        2.5 HW Pages 108 – 112.  #21, 24, 28, 30, 34, 37, 45, 81.

 

Oct 12             Review Midterm Exam 1                     

 

Oct 14             Midterm Exam 1 (Chapter 1, Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)

 

Oct 19             Mathematical Models: Building Functions                                              2.6

                        2.6 HW Pages 116-117.  # 1. 3, 7, 12, 22, 23, 25.

HW 4 Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 are due Thursday, Oct 22.

 

Oct 21             Linear Functions, Their Properties and Linear Models               3.1

                        3.1 HW Pages 139 – 142.  #5, 9, 15, 17, 21.

 

Oct 26             Building Linear Models from Data                                                         3.2

                        3.2 HW Pages 139 – 142.  #5, 9, 15, 17, 21.

Quadratic Functions and Their Properties                                              3.3

                        3.3 HW Pages 151-154.  #16. 23,43, 51, 79.

HW 5 Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 are due Thursday, Oct 29.

 

Oct 28             Quiz 3 (2.4 – 2.6, 3.1)

                         Building Quadratic Models                                                                   3.4

                        3.4 HW Pages 160 – 163.  #3, 7, 11, 13, 17, 28.

 

Nov 2              Inequalities Involving Quadratic Functions                                             3.5

                        3.5 HW Pages 166-167.  #3, 13, 19, 33, 35. 

HW 6 Sections 3.4, 3.5 are due Thursday, Nov 5.

 

Nov 4              Quiz 4 (3.2-3.4)

Polynomial Functions    and Models                                                      4.1

                        4.1 HW Pages 187 – 191.  #11, 14, 20, 27, 40, 51, 65, 66.

 

Nov 9              Properties of Rational Functions                                                            4.2

4.2 HW Page 200-202. #12, 13, 14, 23, 39, 45, 47.

The Graph of Rational Function                                                 4.3

                        4.3 HW Pages 210 – 212.  #15, 25, 33, 40, 43, 46, 51.

HW 7 Section 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 are due Thursday, Nov 12.

 

Nov 11                        Polynomial Division, Synthetic Division                                     A.4

                        A.4 HW Page A34-A35.  #5, 10, 13, 17, 25. 

                        Polynomial and Rational Inequalities                                                      4.4

                        4.4 HW Pages 217 – 219.  #12, 13, 14, 16, 23, 26, 39, 45, 47.

HW 8 Sections A.4, 4.4 are due Tuesday, Nov 24.

 

Nov 16                        Review Midterm Exam 2

 

Nov 18                        Midterm Exam 2 (Sections 2.4 – 2.6, Sections 3.1 – 3.5,

Sections 4.1-4.3)

 

Nov 23                        Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function                                                     4.5

                        4.5 HW Pages 231 – 233.  #8, 20, 39, 49, 59, 63, 65, 66.

HW 9  Section 4.5 is due Thursday, Dec 3.

 

Nov 25                        Thanksgiving Holiday

 

Nov 30                        Complex Zeros, Fundamental Theorem of Algebra                                4.6

                        4.6 HW Pages 238 – 239.  #8, 14, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 35.

                        HW 10 Section 4.6 is due Thursday, Dec 3.

 

Dec 2              Quiz 5 (Sections 4.5, 4.6),

                        Review: Comprehensive Final Exam

 

Dec 7              Comprehensive Final Exam 6:00 – 7:50 PM