Basic Algebra
Overview
- Sets of numbers:
- integers
- rationals
- reals
- Basic algebraic techniques:
- absolute values
- exponents
- factoring methods
- rational expressions
- Solutions to equations:
- quadratic
- polynomial
- rational
- absolute value
- Inequalities
- Functions and relations:
- domains and ranges
- function notation
- graphs of functions (including linear, quadratic, absolute value and radical functions)
- Mathematical modeling (story problems)
- Basic geometric formulas
- Systems of equations in 2 and 3 variables
- Radicals expressions:
- radical forms
- fractional exponents
- operations of radical expressions
- radical equations
Lectures, discussions, problem-solving practice, in-class activities (which may include work in groups)
Weekly quizzes: | 0-40% |
Term test(s): | 20-70% |
Assignments: | 0-15% |
Attendance: | 0-5% |
Class participation: | 0-5% |
Final exam: | 30-40% |
Total: | 100% |
- distinguish between different sets of real numbers;
- use the set operations of intersection and union and the conditions of “and” and “or”;
- use the two-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system to plot points and to graph functions;
- manipulate functions algebraically using function notation;
- determine if an equation in two variables represents a function or a relation;
- determine the domain and range of a function;
- simplify linear, polynomial, absolute value, rational and radical expressions;
- convert radical expressions to fractional exponent expressions and vice-versa;
- solve linear, quadratic, factorable polynomial, absolute value, rational and radical equations, and express the solution sets using set builder and interval notation;
- solve linear and simple absolute value inequalities and express the solutions sets using set builder and interval notation;
- solve quadratic and quadratic form equations by factoring, completing the square or using the quadratic formula and express the solutions using set builder and interval notation;
- factor polynomials using grouping, common factors, difference of squares, sum and difference of cubes;
- add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials, including by synthetic division;
- solve a problem given in English (story form) by translating into an associated algebraic form;
- find volumes, areas and perimeters of selected geometric figures and employ the results in the context of story/applied problems;
- use the Pythagorean theorem to solve story problems and/or to calculate distances;
- solve linear systems of equations algebraically and graphically, as appropriate;
- graph linear equations given in general, slope-intercept and slope-point forms, and find linear equations for given graphs;
- identify parallel and perpendicular lines;
- graph quadratic functions (parabolas) by completing the square.
Sullivan and Struve. (Current Edition). Intermediate Algebra. Prentice Hall.
Marecek and Mathis. (Current Edition). Intermediate Algebra. Openstax.
Requisites
Prerequisites
One of
Corequisites
None
Equivalencies
None
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers to Other Institutions
Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.
Institution | Transfer details for MATH 1101 |
---|---|
Langara College (LANG) | LANG MATH 1150 (3) |
Okanagan College (OC) | No credit |
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU MATH 1XXX (3) |
Trinity Western University (TWU) | No credit |
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | No credit |
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | No credit |
Vancouver Island University (VIU) | VIU MATH 151 (3) |
Course Offerings
Winter 2026
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
12153
|
Mon Wed | Instructor last name
Valadkhani
Instructor first name
Arezou
|
Course status
Open
|
Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/faculties/science-and-te…
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
12608
|
Wed Fri | Instructor last name
Usman
Instructor first name
Muhammad
|
Course status
Open
|
Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/faculties/science-and-te…
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
12774
|
Wed Fri | Instructor last name
Schurch
Instructor first name
Mark
|
Course status
Open
|
Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/faculties/science-and-te…