BENEDICT COLLEGE
MATH 138 - COLLEGE ALGEBRA
SPRING 1999
TIME:
CREDIT HOURS:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE LOCATION:
OFFICE HOURS:
TEXTBOOK: Algebra and Trigonometry, Fourth Edition, R.E. Larson & R.P. Hostler, Houghton Mifflin
REF. TEXT: Algebra and Trigonometry, Larry Joel Goldstein, Richard D. Irwin, Inc, 1997
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course rational expressions, roots and radicals, quadratic equations, relations and functions, graph of polynomial and rational functions, zeros and factors of polynomial functions and equations. A minimum final grade of "C" is required to successfully pass the course. An honors section is offered as Math 138 (H).
SUPPLEMENTS FOR THE STUDENTS:
Graphing Technology Keystroke Guide
Tutorial Software
Videotapes in the computer center, BC CARES
Interactive Algebra and Trigonometry in multimedia, CD-ROM format
Tutorial assistance in the BC CARES area
REQUIREMENT OF THE STUDENTS
Attend all classes and labs. The College Attendance policy will be followed regarding the course as soon as it applies for either the classroom lecture or the assigned laboratory.
2. Participate in class activities; in the laboratory exercise and in the computer center for review and study.
3. Take all quizzes and examinations.
NOTES:
1. Leaving class or lab early without the instructor's permission will be an absence.
2. Students are responsible foe all material and/ or announcements presented in class or lab, whether they are present or absent.
3. No make-up test is possible, unless under an exceptional circumstance.
LABORATORY:
The placement examination may indicate that a student is required to take a structured laboratory along with the course.
COURSE ACTIVITIES:
1) Lectures and discussions; 2) Individual work and group activities; 3) Homework assignments; 4) Questions and Answer periods; 5) library assignments; 6) Quizzes and tests; 7) Midterm examination; 8) Common final examination; and 9) Supportive work in the electronic classroom; and 10) the mathematics laboratory, if required.
EVALUATION PROCEDURE:
The final grade for the course is based upon: 1) Unit exams (two before and two after mid-terms); 2) Midterm examination; 3) Final exams, covering the entire course content and counting twice as a unit test. The lowest test score on an exam ( not the midterm exam nor the final exam ) will be dropped before determination of the course's grade.
GRADING:
The final grade for the course will be based on the average of the grades on:
the unit tests;
the midterm;
the final exam, counting twice as a regular examination.
The grading scale is as follows:
A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = below 60
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To cover the aforementioned description, the objectives for the course is that a student should learn through lectures and hands-on calculator experience. Upon completion of the course, a student is expected to be able to (at least 70%):
1. Solve and graph linear equations in one variables;
2. Locate the x and y intercepts for the graph of an equations;
3. Define symmetry;
4. Use symmetry and intercepts as aid in sketching graphs;
5. Find the equations of a circle;
6. Solve equations involving fractions;
7. Solve application problems involving mixture, distance, and formulas;
8. Solve a quadratic equation by factoring, completing the square, taking the square roots and by the quadratic formula;
9 Solve equations with negative discriminates
10. Define and simplify a complex number;
11. Find the quotient of complex numbers;
12. Solve a radical equation;
13. Solve absolute value equations;
14. Solve linear inequalities;
15. Interpret and use the interval notation;
16. Solve the absolute value inequalities;
17. Solve polynomial and rational inequalities;
18. Find the slope of a line, given two points on the line;
19. Find the slope of a line, given its equation;
20. Use the properties of slope;
21. Give the relationships between the slopes of parallel lines and of perpendicular lines;
22. Define a function as a rule and as a set of ordered pairs;
23. Identify the domain and range of functions;
24. Evaluate a piecewise function;
25. Solve application problems;
26. Define and interpret increasing and decreasing functions;
27. Define and identify even and odd functions;
28. Shift, stretch and reflect graphs;
29. Perform arithmetic operations of functions;
30. Define composition of functions;
31. Find the inverse of a function;
32. Graph the function and its inverse.
COURSE CONTENTS AND OTHER INSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
These contents and activities are subject to modifications.
Knowledge of the "pre-requisite" is required. However, the first two weeks we will review the pre-requisite chapters.
Week 1&2 Review
Week 1: Real Numbers (section P.1)
Exponents and Radicals (section P.2)
Polynomials and Special Products (section P.3)
Week 2: Factoring (section P.4)
Fractional Expressions (section P.5)
Graphical representation of Data (section P.7)
Week 3: Test #1
Graphs and Graphing Utilities (section 1.1)
Week 4: Linear Equations (section 1.2)
Week 5: Modeling with Linear Equations (section 1.3)
Week 6: Test #2
Quadratic Equations and Applications (section 1.4)
Week 7: Complex numbers (section 1.5)
Week 8: Mid-term Exams
Other Types of Equation (section 1.6)
Week 9: Linear Inequalities (section 1.7)
Week 10: Other Types of Linear Inequalities (section 1.8)
Week 11: Test #3
Lines in the Plane and Slope (section 2.1)
Week 12: Functions (section 2.2)
Week 13: Analyzing Graphs of Functions (section 2.2)
Week 14: Translations and Combinations (section 2.4)
Week 15: Test #4
Inverse Functions (section 2.5)
Week 16: Common Final Exam