MAT 103A College Algebra Part I
Winter '07, Section 1
Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:                  Steve Richardson   
Office:
                        D127                          
Meeting Venue:
         E106, T,Th 10:00 - 11:50
Phone:                         541-4660 extension 333
email:                          richardson@ltcc.edu          

Office Hours (D127)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday


9:00 - 10:00(GMC)

3:00 - 4:00(D127)

9:00-10:00(D127)


9:00 - 10:00(GMC)

9:00 - 10:00(D|127)

 

Class Schedule and Assignments (subject to revision):

mtg

date

topic covered

Reading Assignment

1

1/2
Rectangular Coordinates; Graphing Utilities; Graphs and Equations in Two Variables 1.1 and 1.2

2

1/4
Solving Equations in One Variable Using a Graphing Utility; Lines 1.3 and 1.4

3

1/9
Practice Quiz Sections 1.1 - 1.4; Functions 2.1; Hwk 1 due

4

1/11
The Graph of a Function 2.2

5

1/16
Properties of Functions 2.3; Hwk 2 due

6

1/18
Linear Functions and Models; Review for Exam 2.4

7

1/23
Exam 1 Sections 1.1 - 1.4, 2.1 - 2.4 Hwk 3 due

8

1/25
Library of Functoins 2.5

 

1/26

Last day to drop with no record!  I will not drop you from this course!

 

9

1/30
Piecewise-defined Functions 2.6; Hwk 4 due

10

2/1
Mathematical Models: Constructing Functions 2.7

11

2/6
Quadratic Functions and Models 3.1; Hwk 5 due

12

2/8
Polynomial Functions and Models 3.2

13

2/13
Exam 2 Sections 2.5 - 2.7, 3.1 - 3.2 Hwk 6 due

14

2/15
Polynomial Division; Synthetic Division A4

15

2/20
Properties of Rational Functions 3.3; Hwk 7 due

16

2/22
The Graph of a Rational Function 3.4

17

2/27
The Graph of a Rational Function; Inverse and Joint Variation 3.4; Hwk 8 due

18

3/1
Polynomial and Rational Inequalities 3.5

 

3/2

Last day to withdraw from the course with a W!  I will not drop you from this course!

 
19
3/6
The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function 3.6; Hwk 9 due

20

3/8
Complex Zeros: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra 3.7

21

3/13
Exam 3 Sections A4, 3.3 - 3.7 Hwk 10 due

22

3/15
Review for Final

Study for Final Exam

 

3/20

Final exam Tuesday 11:00 am - 12:50 pm

 

Required Textbook:           Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, Fourth Edition, Sullivan and Sullivan, Prentice Hall 2006, ISBN 0-13-149095-8

Required Calculator: A Texas Instruments 89 or equivalent. I will be using and demonstrating with a TI89.

Course Overview:

The course provides an in-depth coverage of functions: polynomial and rational functions, their graphs, and finding solutions and zeros of polynomial functions. Special emphasis will be placed on applications problems and the use of calculators.

Goals and Objectives:

The successful student will:

Suggestions, Tips and Advice:

Exams:

There will be three midterm exams given in the quarter. We will have a comprehensive final examination.

Quizzes:

There is one practice quiz scheduled which will not count towards your final grade.

Homework Assignments:

There will be 10 homework assignments. These are due at the beginning of class on Tuesdays commencing with week 2. Assignments may be turned in up to one week late for a maximum of half-credit.

Hwk 1 1.1 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 21, 27, 29, 33, 37, 43, 47, 51, 53, 57, 59, 63, 69, 78, 80, 82
1.2 13, 17, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 51, 55, 57, 59, 67, 71, 73, 79, 81
1.3 13 - 35 odds
1.4 15, 21, 23, 25, 27, 35, 37, 39, 41-63 odds, 67, 69, 73, 77, 78, 83, 87, 89, 91, 107, 111
Hwk 2 2.1 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27-37 odds, 39,. 40,. 41,. 46,. 47-59 odds, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68, 70, 74, 75, 89, 92
2.2 10, 11-21 odds, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, 38, 40
Hwk 3 2.3 21 - 43 odds, 45, 46, 48, 51, 53, 54, 55, 61, 63, 65, 68
2.4 19-21, 25, 27, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 45, 48, 50, 52 (regression line problem)
Hwk 4 2.5 17-27, 29, 31, 33, 41, 43, 49
Hwk 5 2.6 (You should look at 7-18, but do not turn them in), 19-26, 27, 35 - 63 Every other odd (i.e. 35, 39, 43,...), 73
2.7 3, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 23, 26, 29, 30
Hwk 6 3.1 19-45 odds, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 64, 77, 81, 85
3.2 11, 12, 14, 15, 23, 27, 31, 35, 37, 45-55 odds, 57-77 Every Other Odd, 83, 98
Hwk 7 A4 5-41 odds
Hwk 8 3.3 11 - 51 odds, 20, 28, 48, 54
3.4 7 - 49 every third problem (i.e. 7, 10, 13, 16, ..., 49), 51, 53, 54, 60, 70
Hwk 9 3.4  
3.5 Every third problem commencing with #3 through #54, 62, 63, 66
Hwk 10 3.6 11-19 odds, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 34, 39 - 60 every third, 67, 76, 89, 90
3.7 7 through 39 every other odd (i.e. 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39)

Online Grades

You can find your scores on the web here, or by searching for our course at http://www.gradesource.com/

Evaluation Criteria:

Grading will be based on your total scores from:

3 Midterm exams

300 points
60 %

1 Comprehensive Final   

100 points
20 %

10 assignments 

100 points
20 %
Total 
500 points
100 %

No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted.

The letter grade assigned will be based on the following cutoffs:

90 % - 100 %
A
80 % - 90 %
B
70 % - 80 %
C
60 % - 70 %
D
< 60 %
F

Help:

I am here to help you learn.  I want you to succeed in this course and beyond.  Use me as your resource.  See me during my office hours.  Do not hesitate to make arrangements to see me anytime outside of class or office hours. Make arrangements with me if you have any difficulties or special needs.  We have tutoring and a Learning Assistance Center available.  We have the Gateway Math Center with tutors, computers and help available. We have a Learning Disabilities Lab available and I will accommodate any learning disability you may have to the best of my and the College’s ability.  If you find that you are lost or behind please do not hesitate to see me.

A Word on Honesty:

Cheating or copying will not be tolerated. People who cheat dilute the honest effort of the rest of us.  If you cheat on a quiz or exam you will receive an F  for the course, not merely for the test.  Other college disciplinary action including expulsion might occur. Please don’t cheat in this class.  If you are having difficulty with the course, please see me.