Merced College; Don Power

 

SYLLABUS -- MATH C -- INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA       Sec No. 1631-1633      Fall 08

 

Office:  Science Building, Room S-210.  Phone 384-6291.  Office hours Tu-Th 9:30-12

Web site:  http://www.mccd.edu/faculty/powerd                       e-mail:  power.d@mccd.edu

Home phone:  Refer to Atwater Phone Directory.

 

My Class Schedule:  8:00 Tu-Th S-203;  12:00 I-143, 2:00 I-143, 3:00 MWF V-112

Math Lab:  Open Mon 9AM to 9:30PM, Tu-Th 8AM to 9:30PM, Fri 8AM to 1PM.

            My lab hour:  Tues 3-4

Textbook:  Larson & Hostetler, Intermediate Algebra, Student Support Edition, 4th Edition.

Calculator:  A scientific or graphing calculator is needed.

 

Lecture/Test Schedule (Appropximate):

1.

Aug 18-22

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,

 

ESOs A, B

2.

Aug 25-29

1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4,

 

C, D, G, I ,V

3.

Sep 1-5 (Monday holiday) 

2.5, 3.1, 3.2,

Fri, Test 1-2

A, B, F, G, I, P

4.

Sep 8-12

3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,

Fri:  Lab 1 Due

A, B, G, H

5.

Sep 15-19

3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4,

 

E, F, J

6.

Sep 22-26

4.5, 4.6, 5.1, 5.2,

 

A, B, H, J, O, V

7.

Sep 29 - Oct 3

5.3, 5.4, 5.5,

Tue, Test 3-4

A, B, M

8.

Oct 6-10

5.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,

 

A, B, K

9.

Oct 13-17

6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7,

Fri:  Lab 2 Due

A, B, L, V, W

10.

Oct 20-24

7.1, 7.2, 7.3 ,

Thu, Test 5-6

O, P

11.

Oct 27-31

7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.1 ,

 

N, O, K

12.

Nov 3-7 

8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5,

 Fri:  Lab 3 Due

G, I, K, Q, V, W

13.

Nov 10-14 (Mon holiday)  

8.6, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 ,

 Fri, Test 7-8

R, S

14

Nov 17-21  

9.4, 9.5, 9.6,

 

R, S, W

15.

Nov 23-28 (Thu-Fri holiday) 

10.1, 10.2, 10.3,

 

Q

16.

Dec 1-5

10.4, 11.1, 11.2,

Fri, Test 9-10

Q, D

17.

Dec 8-12

11.3, 11.4

Fri:  Lab 4 Due

D

18.

Mon, Dec 15, 10:00 Final

FINAL, 12:00 Class

 

T, U:  every lesson.

 

Mon, Dec 15, 2:00 Final

FINAL, 2:00 Class

 

 

 

Grading System

 

Grading Scale

Final Grade*

-- Homework (top 15 of 16), 7 each

100 points

90% or more:  810-900

A

-- Quizzes (30, at 2 each)

60 points

80-89%:  720-809

B

-- Labs (four), 10 each

40 points

70-79%:  630-719

C

-- 5 Chapter Tests -- 100 points each

500 points

60-69%:  540-629

D

-- Final Exam

200 points

Below 60%:  0-539

F

Total

900 points

 

 

 

Homework

Standard Assignment:  Do every other odd-numbered problem, starting with #1.  Specifically, do #1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 93, 97, 101, 105, 109, 113, 117, ... and continue this pattern to the end of the problem set.  Omit any problems that the text identifies as graphing calculator problems (by using a small picture of a calculator -- see pg. 115)

Specific Homework Assignments will be announced in class and posted on the web site each week.

Due dates:  The homework for each week's lectures (weeks 1-16) is due in class on Tuesday of the following week.  I will accept late homework up to Thursday afternoon (2 points off). 

Format:

Use standard notebook paper.  Do not use spiral notebook paper unless you trim the ragged edge.

Start a new page for each lesson.

Do not write in the upper left corner.  Put your name in the upper right corner.

Write clearly and organize your work neatly in one or two columns.

Leave at least one space between problems.

Staple your pages together in order in the upper left corner of the page.

Each question: Include:

  • Brief summary of the Question.  Do not copy the text of word problems--summarize them.
  • Your Work (or some valid explanation).  THE GRADE IS BASED ON THIS WORK
  • Answer.
  • Check for accuracy (Optional, but important if you really want to learn)

 

Homework Assignments

 

Due Aug 26

1.1       Std       (to 101)           

1.2       Std       (to 161)            Add 143

1.3       Std       (to 89)              Omit 93

1.4       Std       (to 117)

 

Due Sep 3 (Wed)

1.5       Std to 73                      Add 81

2.1       Std to 89                      Add 11, 15

2.2       Std to 109                    Add 7, 11, Omit 73

2.3       Std to 85

2.4       Std to 113

 

Due Sep 9

2.5       Std to 125                    Omit 105, 109

3.1       Std to 105                    Omit 53

3.2       Std to 85                      Omit 53, 77

 

Due Sep 16

3.3       Std to 85                      Add 15, 93     

3.4       Std to 77                      Add 67, 71

3.5       Std to 61                      Omit 41, 45, 53

3.6       Std to 89                      Add 59, Omit 9

 

Due Sep 23

3.7       Std to 69                      Add 51, Omit 29

4.1       Std       (to 109)            Omit 17, 45, 73, 77, 81

4.2       Std to 77                      Add 7, 79

4.3       Std to 49

 

Due Oct 1

4.4       Std to 53                      Omit 33, 37

4.5       Std to 81                      Omit 33, 47, 53, 77

4.6       Std to 33

5.1       Std to 141

5.2       Std to 89                      Add 97, 101, 105

 

Due Oct 7

5.3       Std to 85                      Add 97, 101, 113, 117

5.4       Std to 105                    Add 121, 125, 129

5.5       Std to 109                    Add 127, 129

 

Due Oct 14

5.6       Std to 81                      Add 93, 101ab, 105

6.1       Std to 85

6.2       Std to 49                      Add 35, 63, 65

6.3       Std to 73                      Add 59, 79, 81

 

Due Oct 21

6.4       Std to 57                      Add 65

6.5       Std to 73                      Add 85

6.6       Std to 81                      Add 79, Omit 65, 73

6.7       Std to 53                      Add 31, Omit 41

 

Due Oct 28

7.1       Std to 137                    Add 147, 151

7.2       Std to 69                      Add 71, 73, 75

 

Due Nov 4

7.3       Std to 69

7.4       Std to 93                      Add 108, 110a

7.5       Std to 97                      Omit 65, 69

7.6       Std to 133                    Add 140, 141

 

Due Nov 11

8.1       Std to 117                    Omit 81 to 97; Add 123, 137

8.2       Std to 61                      Add 73

8.3       Std to 81                      Add 97, 101, 105

8.4       Std to 61                      Add 3, 71, 73

                                                            For 9-17, just find the vertex

                                                            For 49-61, do not use a graphing calculator

 

Due Nov 18

8.5       Std to 53                      Omit #1

8.6       Std to 93                      Omit 61, 65

9.1       Std to 53                      Add 75, 77, 81, 85

9.2       Std to 85                      Omit 29, 33; Add 101 

 

Due Nov 25    

9.3       Std to 121                    Omit 85, 97; Add 95, 126, 127

9.4       Std to 113                    Add 119

9.5       Std to 117                    Add 127, 129, 131

 

Due Dec 2

9.6       Std to 29                      Omit 13; Add 45, 49, 59, 63, 65, 67, 73, 75

10.1     Std 1-41                      Omit 17, 21; Add 93

10.2     Std 1-53                      Omit 33, 37

 

Due Dec 9

10.3     Std 1-37                      Omit 29

10.4     Std to 69

11.1     Std to 37                      Add 49, 57, 59, 69, 77, 97

 

 

 

Labs:  There will be four 10-point lab assignments.

 

Quizzes There will be 2 to 3 quizzes each week, worth 2 points each.  There will be no make-ups.

 

Tests

Preparation:  Understand and be able to solve the types of problems in the summary materials for each chapter

Notes: You may use one 3x5 card of notes for the chapter tests, but not for the Final Exam.

Work:  You must clearly show your work to explain/justify your answers.

Calculator: Usually, you may not use a calculator except to check your work at the end of the test.

Graphing calculators with symbolic capabilities (e.g. TI-89, TI-92) may not be used on any test.

Make-ups are available if you miss a chapter test due to an emergency. You may make up one chapter test without penalty.  For each additional make-up, your score will be reduced by 10% (unless you make prior arrangements).

Location/Time of Make-ups:  Developmental Ed Office in Communications Building, 8AM to 3PM.

Deadline: Within one week of the original test (No tests may be taken after 10 AM on the 7th day)

Lowest test:  Your lowest test will be replaced by your final exam percentage, if it helps your grade.

Final Exam:  The final exam is comprehensive.  You will need a scantron. No 3x5 card may be used.

 

*Final Grade  Your final course grade will be based on points earned, with the following exceptions:

1.  You will receive at least a C for the course if (a) you have at least 70% on either the test average or the final exam; and (b) the average of the percentages for both that score and the homework is 70 or above. 2.  If you do not take the final exam, you will get a D or F for the course. 

 

Attendance for the full class period is mandatory. If you wish to drop the class, that is your responsibility.  However, I may drop you for nonattendance.  Examples:  (1) absence for a full week of consecutive classes, (2) missing a test and not arranging for a make-up, or (3) missing a total of five or more class periods if you are failing the course.

 

Academic Honesty.  It is your responsibility to refrain from cheating in any form, and to refuse to aid or abet any form of academic dishonesty.  See the Merced College Academic Honesty Procedure (under "Civil Assurances" in the Schedule of Classes) for definitions and a partial list of possible disciplinary actions.  For a first offense, expect to receive a zero score (not to be dropped) for the particular assignment or exam;  for a repeated offense, also expect to be referred to the Office of Student Personnel (since serious or repeated offenses may result in suspension from the college).

 

Cell Phones and Pagers are disruptive.  Except for public safety (police, fire, paramedic), please make them silent.  Cell phones may not be used or on students' desks during any test.

 

 

Math C -- Expected Student Outcomes

 

Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to be able to:

 

A.        Become fully competent in performing all the objectives of Math A or B.

B.         Apply the techniques learned in Math A/B to solve more complicated problems.

C.        Solve first degree equations.

D.        Analyze data (presented verbally or in tables or graphs) and write linear equations that model the data.

E.         Recognize a function; find the domain, range, and evaluate a function at a given value.

F.         Solve absolute value equations and graph absolute functions.

G.        Solve linear inequalities and absolute value inequalities.

H.        Graph systems of linear inequalities and absolute value inequalities.

I.          Express solution sets using interval notation, set notation, and by graphing.

J.          Set up systems of equations in two and three variables and apply different methods to solve:  substitution, elimination, graphing, matrices, and determinants.

K.        Solve quadratic types of equations using the quadratic formula and by factoring.

L.         Perform synthetic division and long division of polynomials.

M.        Factor the sum and difference of two perfect cubes.

N.        Perform operations with complex numbers.

O.        Apply the rules for exponents and radicals, including conversions between radicals and rational exponents.

P.         Solve a variety of geometric problems using the distance formula, midpoint formula, and the Pythagorean Theorem.

Q.        Graph second-degree equations (circles, parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas).

R.         Graph logarithmic and exponential functions.

S.         Solve logarithmic and exponential equations.

T.         Recognize and implement the most efficient computational techniques for working problems.

U.        Communicate in the language of algebra.

V.        Make appropriate use of available technology.

W.       Solve a variety of application (written) problems using the above skills.

 

Return to:  Merced College; Don Power               Updated 11/24/08 by Don Power