A combination of different instructional methods will be used in order to balance instructional efficiency with individual student needs. Group instruction, individual assistance in lab tutorial or scheduled appointments and student-directed learning will be selected where appropriate and possible.
- Number and Number Operations
- integers, rational numbers and order of operations
- exponent law for integer exponents and rational exponents
- roots and powers of integers
- Algebra
- operations with variable bases combined with integral and rational exponents
- monomial operations, polynomial operations including binomial x binomial, binomial x binomial
- x binomial, powers of binomials
- combinations of types of factoring
- the domain and simplification of rational expressions
- operations with rational expressions, solving equations with rationals
- rational equations with extraneous roots
- linear equations and inequalities in one variable, application
- quadratic equations, solved by factoring, the square root property, or the quadratic formula
- Analytic Geometry
- determination of the slope and intercepts, the slope as “rate of change”
- zero and undefined slopes; equations of lines having these slopes
- standard form and slope-intercept forms of linear equations
- graphing equations and inequalities in two variables
- graphing parabolas in standard form
- deriving equations of straight lines
- systems: solving by graphing, substitution and elimination methods
- problems using systems of linear equations
- Functions
- relations and functions, vertical line test for functions
- domain and range
- graphing and analyzing linear functions
- graphing general functions by constructing a table of values
- graphing and analyzing quadratic functions in standard form
The aims of the course are for students to:
- consolidate and extend experience with selected topics in algebra and analytic geometry for application in subsequent courses in mathematics or in courses from other disciplines which incorporate mathematics.
- gain experience with some of the technologies associated with mathematics: scientific calculators, graphing calculators, computers.
- increase problem-solving skills through practice in techniques which include analysis of linear and quadratic functions: the slope as rate of change, determination of a minimum or maximum value, derivation of equations from graphs as mathematical models, manipulation of formulas for a desired variable, the use of variables and an equation derived from a verbal relationship in order to determine one or more unknown numerical quantities.
- increase attention to detail, skills in documenting a solution or simplification, ability to follow instructions closely and carefully.
Attendance is a course requirement. The final grade may be UN if more than 30% of classes are missed or if less than 70% of items for evaluation are undertaken.
Evaluation will be based on examinations and assignments in accordance with college policy. Details regarding the number and weighting of individual components will be announced in a "Course Information" handout at the beginning of the semester.
Students are required to supply a three-ring binder, paper, pen, pencil.
Required Textbook: Intermediate Algebra (3rd Edition). Tobey and Slater. Prentice Hall. The text is provided on a semester-long loan from the library.
Scientific calculator: needs y key, 1/x key, +/- key, sin, cos, tan key, etc. but not a graphing calculator.
MATU 0310 or permission of instructor