MAT 152B – Section 2

Basic Algebra (Part II)

Spring 2010

 

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

 

Office Hours: Room A210,   Mon., Wed.      1:00  – 1:30 PM

Wed., Fri.        10:00 – 11:00 AM

MSC A201,      Mon, Tues.      10:00 – 11:00 AM

And as always, by appointment.

 

Class Time and Location: Tues. & Thurs. 1:30 – 3:20 PM, A211

 

Textbook (Optional): Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Edition, Elayn Martin-Gay

 

Required Software: It is required to have a software license to use the software MyMathLab in this class.  You must have a valid e-mail address to use the on-line curriculum.  Students have two choices.  The first choice is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the software license.  Note:  If you purchase a used textbook, it may not have a valid course access code.  Be VERY careful when acquiring the text.  The second choice is to purchase the license alone either from the bookstore or online at coursecompass.com.  The license gives you access to the textbook online.  This is a more economical choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.  If you have already purchased an access code for Math 152A for this textbook, you may also use it for this class at no extra cost.

 

To access our class page, go to www.coursecompass.com and register using your student access code and the course ID for this class:  armbrust45223

 

For assistance with MyMathLab: You may get help by calling 1-800-677-6337 during the following hours: Mon – Fri 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Sunday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Online assistance is available 24 hours every day at: 247pearsoned.custhelp.com

 

Calculators:  Calculators are not allowed in MAT 152B.

 

Course Description: MAT 152B is a continuation of MAT 152A.  Topics covered will include factoring, solving equations with rational and radical expressions, systems of linear equations, and solving quadratic equations.

 

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MAT 152A, or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math assessment process.

 


Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Factor a polynomial.
2. Apply the four basic operations to rational and radical expressions.
3. Solve equations with rational and radical expressions.
4. Solve a 2 x 2 system of linear equations.
5. Solve quadratic equations.
6. 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:                              15%

Quizzes:                                 10%

Exam1 (April 21)

Exam2 (May 12):                     50%

Exam3 (June 7)

Final Exam (June 21):             25%

 

Homework: Homework is to be completed online with MyMathLab.  Each section covered will have a homework assignment.  The homework assignments will be due at midnight the day before the next exam.  However, it is NOT RECOMMENDED that you wait until that time to work on the homework.  The homework assignments are your chance to practice the material covered in class.  It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you are getting the information from each section.  At the beginning of class, I will go over homework questions from the previous day’s material.  Other questions will be addressed outside of class or in office hours.  The class will be given daily reminders regarding homework, so there will be no excuse for forgetting about them.

 

Quizzes: Each week you will be required to take a quiz on MyMathLab.  The quizzes are designed to help you prepare for exams, and will be made up of problems that are very similar to the problems from your homework assignments.  The quizzes may be taken as often as you would like before the due date/time.  Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.  Because of this, there will be no make-up quizzes.

 

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 through the LTCC web page using WebReg.  You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before April 30.  After April 30, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until May 21.  After May 21, if still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.

 

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated.  Students caught cheating on exams will receive a score of zero for that assignment and the ability to drop your lowest quiz score will be forfeit.  Students may 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.  MyMathLab has many more guided problems that you can use if you need more work.

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 Math Success Center (MSC).

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

VI) Take MAT 152BB.  This course, which meets MWF 8:00-9:50AM covers the same material as MAT 152B, but allows for an extra hour in the classroom each week.  This format works especially well for those students who need more time and practice to assimilate the course content.

 

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.

 

 


Course Schedule:

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

 

April

5          4.1, 4.2                        Solving Systems by Graphing and Substitution

7          4.3, 4.5                        Solving Systems by Addition and Applications

12        6.1, 6.2                        Factoring: Common Factors, Grouping

14        6.3, 6.4                        Factoring Trinomials

19        6.5, Review                 Factoring Special Forms

21        Exam I

26        6.6, 6.7                        Solving Equations using Factoring and Applications

28        7.1, 7.2                        Simplifying, Multiplying, Dividing Rational Expressions

 

May

3          7.3, 7.4                        Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

5          7.5, 7.6                        Equations with Rational Expressions and Applications

10        7.7, Review                 Complex Fractions

12        Exam II           

17        8.4                               Variation

19        9.3, 9.4                        Absolute Value Inequalities, Systems of Linear Inequalities

24        10.1, 10.2                    Radicals and Rational Exponents     

26        10.3, 10.4                    Simplifying Radicals, Operations on Radicals

31        NO CLASS                 Memorial Day

 

June

2          10.5, Review               Rationalizing Denominators

7          Exam III                      

9          10.6                             Solving Radical Equations

14        10.7                             Complex Numbers

16        11.1, 11.2                    Completing the Square and the Quadratic Formula

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