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1 Mt. San Jacinto College Fall, 2014 Syllabus Mathematics 96 Intermediate Algebra Section 1023 Room 1254 MWF 7:50 9:20 am Instructor: Office: Theresa Hert 311, in the SJC library near the Math Center Student Conference Hours: Monday & Wednesday 1:30-2:30 pm Tuesday* & Thursday 12:30 2:00 pm 1st Tuesday each month 4:00-5:00 pm Phone Number: (951) Required Software: Math XL, Intermediate Algebra by Elayn Martin-Gay, Pearson. You have two options, you may get Math XL by purchasing it bundled with a new textbook or you may just purchase the software directly from the publishing company for $ Course ID: XL1J-71JP-101Z-8OB2 Textbook Optional: Intermediate Algebra by Elayn Martin-Gay, 6 th edition, Pearson. Required materials: TI-30 X II S calculator, or equivalent scientific calculator, one that has a key with the label log on or above it, is required for this class. I prefer you use a scientific calculator with a 2-line display window, so that you can enter into the calculator the problem in the same way it appears on your paper. This will make a significant difference when we start working with exponential and logarithmic functions. thert@msjc.edu Web site: (click on lectures for list of videos) Blackboard: Logging in requires knowing your username and password. Your username is your first initial of your first name, followed by your last name in all lower case letters and followed by the last three numbers of your student identification, e.g. John Doe with a student identification number of would be jdoe891. Your initial password is the (mmddyy) of your birthdate, e.g. someone born on February 6, 1977 would have the password

2 Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following: 1. Distinguish between the sets of natural, whole, integer, rational, real and complex numbers; 2. Simplify expressions containing integer and rational exponents and radical expressions; 3. Simplify complex fractions 4. Write the square root of a negative radicand utilizing a factor of i; 5. Factor polynomials, as well as the sum or difference of cubes; 6. Solve rational and radical equations; 7. Solve quadratic inequalities and absolute value inequalities of the form ax + b > n, ax + b < n, ax + b n and ax + b n, where n can be positive, negative or zero; 8. Solve a system of three equations in three variables; 9. Solve quadratic applications; 10. Solve rational applications; 11. Determine if a function by the Vertical Line Test, find the domain and range from its graph; 12. Evaluate expressions written in function notation; 13. Compare equations of conic sections and construct their graphs; 14. Graph exponential functions; 15. Formulate the logarithmic equivalent of an exponential function. 2

3 Attendance Policy You may be dropped after missing the equivalent of two full class meetings. If you arrive to class late, you may be considered absent for one-half (1/2) of a full class meeting. If you leave before the instructor has dismissed the class, you may be considered absent for one-half (1/2) of one full class meeting. If you know ahead of time that you will be late for a class or must leave a class early, please notify the instructor before doing so. Please sit near an exit if you must leave early. The purpose of the attendance policy is to help reduce disruptions to the learning environment. Students who arrive to class late or leave early create distractions for both the instructor and fellow students. By removing those students who would otherwise enter late or leave early, enforcement of the attendance policy will help ensure a classroom environment suitable for the successful study of mathematics. Drop Dates The last day to drop a full-term course without a "W" grade issued is September 7, The last day to drop a full-term course with a "W" grade issued is November 21, While the attendance policy permits the instructor to drop a student (before November 21), it is the student's responsibility to drop a course if he or she no longer wishes to be enrolled in that course. Contact Enrollment Services if you wish to obtain an add/drop slip. Accessibility Mt. San Jacinto College abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits federal and state agencies or programs from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that limits major life activity which may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please notify the Disabled Students Program and Services. DSPS is located in room You may call to verify your disability and arrange for accommodations. Course Repetition The college is not only allowed to let students enroll in a class in which the student has received 3 substandard grades (W, D or F). Therefore, it is very important that you realize that if you do not pass this class, you will only have at most two more attempts to take it. Learning math is extremely difficult. There is no easy way through math. And because math is a sequential subject, it is important for you to learn the material to be prepared for the next class. To transfer to a University, you must pass this class and take a college level math class. Cheating If you are caught cheating, you will receive a score of zero points for that examination and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. 3

4 Classroom Behavior As a courtesy to fellow students as well as the instructor, you should remain quiet during class time unless you are asking the instructor a question or answering a question posed by the instructor. If you are disrupting the class, you will be given only one warning. If you disrupt the class again, you will be excused from class for the remainder of the day. You will be marked absent for that entire class meeting. As is the case with the attendance policy, the purpose of the classroom behavior policy is to help reduce disruptions to the classroom environment. Classroom disruptions include, but are not limited to, speaking to anyone other than the instructor during class time and interrupting the instructor or a fellow student while that individual is speaking. You should turn off cellular phones and pagers before class begins. Your Course Grade The scores you earn on a self-review, thirty-five (35) homework assignments, three (3) CLO problems, thirty (30) in-class assignments, four (4) tests and a final examination will determine your course grade. The points possible for each of these items is as follows: Item Points Possible Tests 400 Final Examination 225 Group Quizzes 40 Homework Assignments 175 In-Class Assignments 60 CLO problems 10 Self-Review 10 Total 920 The letter grade you will receive will be determined by the total amount of points earned and according to the following scale: Course Grade Points Earned Percentage(s) A B C D F You can access your grades within the Blackboard environment. Click on Tools and then click on My Grades. 4

5 Examinations There will be four tests and a comprehensive final examination. The four tests and final examination will be written examinations consisting primarily of exercises comparable in difficulty to those included in the homework assignments. You must show all your work to a solution to receive full credit for that exercise. Partial credit will be given for a partial solution. You may use a scientific calculator on the tests and the final examination. You will not be allowed to use graphing calculators on the tests. You may not use books or notes when taking any tests including the final examination. If you take all four tests, and the percentage you earn on the final examination is greater than your lowest percentage score on a test, that score will be replaced by the percentage earned on your final examination. Make sure to save your tests and the solutions so that you can use them to study for the comprehensive final examination. If you miss a test If you miss class the day a test is given, you have until the beginning of the next class meeting to take the test in the Learning Center. This option should only be used if you cannot make it to class on the day, which the test is given. You are allowed to use this opportunity only twice in one semester. If you need to take a test early, please notify the instructor one week in advance. If you completely miss a test, the score for that test will be equal to the percentage you earn on the final examination. If you miss another test If you miss two tests, the score for the first test missed will the percentage you earn on the final examination. If you have scored at least 70% on at least one test, you will be offered a make-up test for the second missed test. If you have yet to score 70% or better on a test, you will earn zero points for the second missed test. If you miss three (or more) tests If you miss a third test, you will earn zero points for that test. If you miss the fourth test, you will earn zero points for that test as well. If you miss the final examination If you do not take the final examination, you will not pass this class. Therefore, if you miss the final examination, you should contact enrollment services to obtain an incomplete grade application form and arrange to meet with the instructor as soon as possible. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the process to apply for an incomplete grade. Examination Schedule Test Day and Date e 1 Friday, September 12 2 Friday, October 10 3 Friday, November 7 4 Friday, December 5 Final Exam See final exam schedule 5

6 Self-Review This assignment is worth ten points, regardless of the number of correct answers. It is the instructor s intent to allow you to demonstrate that you have the skills needed for this algebra course, the second course within the algebra sequence: Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra. If you have a difficult time remembering how to do certain types of problems, you should seek additional help through the Math Center, located inside the Learning Resource Center which is inside the Library, as soon as possible. CLO: Course Learning Outcomes There will be 3 CLO s during the semester, each worth 4 points. The mathematics department has chosen course objectives to be looked at in all Math 96, Intermediate Algebra classes. The CLO s will be administered as short 1 problem quizzes. If you miss class the day they are given, you will not have the opportunity to make them up. Course Learning Outcome #1: Course Learning Outcome #2: Course Learning Outcome #3: Student should be able to factor a trinomial completely. Trinomial will contain a greatest common factor greater than one. After factoring out GCF the resulting trinomial will be factorable with a lead coefficient greater than one. Student should demonstrate the ability to solve a quadratic equation, with real solutions, by using the quadratic formula. The resulting fraction should be reducible (as well as the radical in the determinant). Student will demonstrate the ability to rewrite a quadratic function of the 2 form y ax bx c in the form y a x h 2 k, where a 1and hk, are whole numbers, by completing the square. Tentative dates for the 1 problem quizzes: CLO #1 - Oct. 15, CLO #2 - Nov. 26, CLO #3 - Dec. 1 In-Class Assignments At the end of most lectures, the students will be given a few problems to do in class. It is the intent of this instructor to give her students the opportunity to demonstrate that they understood and could apply the new concepts discussed in class that day. Students will work together in groups comprised of no more than 5 students. If a student is absent, he/she will not be able to make up the assignment. A completed assignment with correct solutions is worth 2 points, incomplete assignments and/or assignments with incorrect solutions will only be worth 1 point. 6

7 Group Quizzes Before each of the four tests there will be an in-class group multiple choice quiz. You will be put into groups of 4 to 6 students. I will randomly choose one student's answer sheet to be graded. Each student in the group will earn the same grade, therefore it is very important that each student records his/her answers and compares them with all the students in that group. If a student is absent, he/she will not be able to make up the group quiz. Homework The homework assignment list is attached. Note that homework is assigned each class meeting, unless there is a review or a test. Your understanding of the day's concepts and vocabulary, as well as your recollection of the steps necessary to successfully complete the related homework exercises, will probably decrease with time. Therefore, it is important to do the homework assigned for a class meeting as soon after that class meeting as possible. All homework assignments will be completed through Math XL. Course ID: XL1J-71JP-101Z-8OB2 To be successful in the course, you must pass the examinations. To prepare for an examination, you should complete your homework in a timely fashion and review those problems associated with the material over which you will be tested. So that you can complete your homework, you should come to class prepared. To prepare for each class meeting, you should study the examples and memorize the definitions and properties in the section(s) to be covered that day. This will prepare you to contribute to the class discussion. Specifically, if after memorizing the definitions and properties you cannot understand the solutions to example exercises, you will be better prepared to ask meaningful questions when the instructor solves similar exercises in class. Then, you should have a better understanding of how to do your homework. Remember, no matter how simple an exercise solution appears as your instructor presents it in class, you won't have an accurate estimate of the mathematics you can do yourself until you try the homework! The assigned homework problems represents the minimum amount of homework you should complete as you study the course material. Depending on your mathematics background and the concept in question, you may need to do additional problems in the Study Plan area of Math XL. If you find yourself struggling to complete a homework assignment before the next class meeting, you are encouraged to contact the instructor during an office hour for extra help. You may also wish to employ a tutor, either privately or through the tutoring center on campus, or form a study group of your peers. Since test problem instructions will be very similar to those of the exercises for homework, doing all your homework is the best way to prepare for an examination. In particular, to ensure that you will understand test problem instructions, you should work exercises until you are confident that you understand how to successfully complete those exercises with their instructions. Similar-looking problems with different instructions typically have different answers! There will be a total of thirty-five (35) required homework assignments. Each homework assignment is worth 5 points. Incomplete assignments will receive fewer points. I will be assigning 38 homework assignments; the last three assignments are worth up to 15 extra credit points. Late homework will be accepted but your score will be decreased by 50%. Therefore, if after completing the homework assignment on time, you may continue to practice problems by choosing Only Practice and Review. Only click on Improve My Score if you have not completed all the problems, but only work on the problems you got wrong or did not do. 7

8 Due Date Section 26-Aug 1.2, 1.4&2.1, Sept** 2.4, 2.5, 2.6&7 9-Sept 3.1, Sept** 3.3&4* 23-Sept 3.5, 4.1, Sept 4.3, 5.1, Oct 5.3&4, 5.5&6, Oct** 5.8* 21-Oct 6.1, 6.2, Oct 6.4, 6.5, 6.6a 4-Nov 6.6b, 7.1&3, Nov 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7&8.1a 25-Nov 8.1b, 8.2, Dec 10.1a & 8.6, 10.1b 4-Dec 10.2* 15-Dec 9.3&5 * Assignments due the same week they were covered in class. 8

9 Taking Notes: Writing and Watching It is important to take notes during class. It is particularly important to make detailed notes as problems similar to those you'll be doing for homework are worked in class. That way, you can refer to your notes for help if you forget how to complete a solution to a homework problem. It is also important to watch, without taking notes, as a problem is worked from start to finish. That way, you'll be certain that you know and understand all steps necessary for a complete solution. You should take notes for all problems introduced during the classroom discussion, use these notes to do your homework before the next class meeting, and then watch, without taking notes, as solutions to homework problems are presented at the beginning of the next class meeting. Often your instructor will utilize whiteboard pens of different colors. For example, when solving an equation, your instructor will often use one color to write the equation and another color to do the "same thing" to both sides of the equation. In this manner, the necessary steps in a problem's solution are emphasized. Therefore, you may find it helpful to use at least two colors when taking notes. That way, if you mimic the instructor's use of color, you will quickly remember and more fully understand the steps utilized in a solution when you later use your notes to do your homework or study for an exam. I have generated notes for our class lectures in an outline form. The notes contain properties, vocabulary and processes as well as a step-by-step solution to a few examples. I have created mini lecture videos that demonstrate how to solve most of the problems in the class notes. The link to the videos may be found on my instructor s web site click on Lectures. Extra Credit Opportunities Although the homework assignments are worth a total of 175 points, if all assigned sections are done on time, you can earn 15 extra credit points. I will create Practice Tests that you may take through Math XL. For each Test you complete with at least 60% success, you will receive 5 extra credit points. The CLO questions are worth 10 points, of which 2 points are extra credit. If you attend every class meeting, you can earn extra credit. Therefore, you have the opportunity to earn at least 50 extra credit points. 9

10 I have set up a MathXL course for you. Intermediate Algebra, Math 96 Fall 2014 It is based on this textbook: Martin-Gay: Intermediate Algebra, 6e To join this course, you need to register for MathXL and then enroll in the course. Go to Math XL: Under Register, click on Student Click Yes, I have an access code, then click next. Read the Privacy Policy and the License Agreement, and then click I Accept Do you have a Pearson Education account? Click No. (Unless you have already enrolled in Math XL) Create a Login Name and Password. Then enter this access code: PSXLTR-SMELL-JASSY-ALCAN-MIMIR-RULES You may use this free trial access code, good for 21 days. At the end of that time, you will need to purchase your own access code. When purchased online, the access code will cost $ To enroll in this independent study, you will need to enroll in an instructor s course". The course ID is : XL1J-71JP-101Z-8OB2 Detailed instructions for using Math XL are posted on the college web site at: Click on the link to the manual at the bottom of the page. To view a complete set of instructions on registering and enrolling, go to and visit the Tours page. 10

11 Success Checklist If you are not doing as well as you'd like in the course, ask yourself the following questions: "Am I getting to class on time?" "Am I attending every class meeting?" "Am I staying for the entire class meeting?" "Am I taking notes for one problem and then watching, without taking notes, as a similar problem is explained?" "Am I completing my homework before the next class meeting?" "If I am not able to complete my homework before the next class meeting, am I getting extra help (from the instructor, a classmate, Learning Center, Math Center, a tutor, etc.)?" "Am I reading the sections to be covered at the next class meeting before attending that meeting?" Am I spending at least 3 hours outside of class (doing homework, reading the sections, studying class notes, and getting help from the instructor or a tutor) for every hour spent inside the classroom? Am I using materials from the previous course to help refresh my knowledge? If the answer to any of these questions is "no", your performance should improve as you change each "no" to a "yes"! NOTE: Save all materials from this course (text, class notes, homework, tests, and test solutions) for use in the next course. 11

12 Math 96 Fall 2014 Date Section Topic M 18-Aug Chapter 1.2 Some Basics of Algebra W 20-Aug Chapter 1.4 Properties of Real Numbers Chapter 2.1 Solving Equations F 22-Aug Chapter 2.3 Formulas and Problem Solving M 25-Aug Chapter 2.4 Inequalities and Applications T 26-Aug Due: 1.2, 1.4&2.1, 2.3 W 27-Aug Chapter 2.5 Compound Inequalities F 29-Aug Chapter 2.6 Absolute-Value Equations Chapter 2.7 Absolute-Value Inequalities M 1-Sep Holiday W 3-Sep Chapter 3.1 Graphing Equations Th 4-Sep Due: 2.4, &2.7 F 5-Sep Chapter 3.2 Introduction to Functions M 8-Sep Chapter 3.3* Graphing Linear Functions Chapter 3.4* Slope of a Line T 9-Sep Due: 3.1, 3.2 W 10-Sep Group Quiz Th 11-Sep Due: 3.3&3.4* F 12-Sep Test 1 12

13 Date Section Topic M 15-Sep Chapter 3.5 Equations of Lines W 17-Sep Chapter 4.1 Solving by Substitution or Elimination F 19-Sep Chapter 4.2 Systems of Equations in 3 Variables M 22-Sep Chapter 4.3 Solving Applications T 23-Sep Due: 3.5, 4.1, 4.2 W 24-Sep Chapter 5.1 Properties of Exponents F 27-Sep Chapter 5.2 More Exponents & Scientific Notation M 29-Sep Chapter 5.3 Polynomials & Polynomial Functions Chapter 5.4 Multiplying Polynomials T 30-Sep Due: 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 W 2-Oct Chapter 5.5 GCF and Factoring by grouping Chapter 5.6 Factoring Trinomials F 3-Oct Chapter 5.7 Factoring by Special Products M 6-Oct Chapter 5.8* Applications of Polynomial Equations T 7-Oct Due: 5.3&4, 5.5&6, 5.7 W 8-Oct Group Quiz Th 9-Oct Due: 5.8* F 10-Oct Test 2 13

14 Date Section Topic M 13-Oct Chapter 6.1 Rational Expressions and Functions X W 15-Oct Chapter 6.2 Rational Expressions and Functions + -- CLO #1 F 17-Oct Chapter 6.3 Complex Rational Expressions M 20-Oct Chapter 6.4 Division of Polynomials T 21-Oct Due: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 W 22-Oct Chapter 6.5 Rational Equations F 24-Oct Chapter 6.6a Rational Equations - shared work M 27-Oct Chapter 6.6b Rational Equations - uniform motion T 28-Oct Due: 6.4, 6.5, 6.6a W 29-Oct Chapter 7.1 Radical Expressions and Functions Chapter 7.3 Multiply Radical Functions F 31-Oct Chapter 7.2 Rational Numbers as Exponents M 3-Nov Chapter 7.4 Operations with Radical Expressions T 4-Nov Due: 6.6b, 7.1&3, 7.2 W 5-Nov Group Quiz F 7-Nov Test 3 14

15 Date Section Topic M 10-Nov Chapter 7.5 Rationalizing the denominator W 12-Nov Chapter 7.6 Solving Radical Equations F 14-Nov Chapter 7.7 The Complex Numbers Chapter 8.1a Square Root Property M 17-Nov Chapter 8.1b Quadratic Equations: Complete the Square T 18-Nov Due: 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7&8.1a W 19-Nov Chapter 8.2 The Quadratic Formula F 21-Nov Chapter 8.4 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities M 24-Nov Chapter 10.1a Conic Sections: Parabolas Chapter 8.6 Parabolas T 25-Nov Due: 8.1b, 8.2, 8.4 W 26-Nov Chapter 10.1b* Conic Sections: Circles F 28-Nov Holiday M 1-Dec Chapter 10.2* Conic Sections: Ellipses & Hyperbola T 2-Dec Due: 10.1a& b W 3-Dec Group Quiz Th 4-Dec Due: 10.2* F 5-Dec Test 4 M 8-Dec Chapter 9.3 Exponential Functions Chapter 9.5 Properties of Logarithms W 10-Dec Review F 12-Dec Review M 15-Dec Due: 9.3&5 Final Exam 15