Math 115 Precalculus 2 Winter 2012 Syllabus

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1 Math 115 Precalculus 2 Winter 2012 Syllabus Instructor: Nick Henscheid Office: BH 14 Phone: henschn@students.wwu.edu Office Hours: :50-10:50 AM M-F or by appointment Text: Contemporary Precalculus through applications; 2 nd ed; Everyday Learning Corp. Calculator: A TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator is recommended for this course and will be used in class examples. The numerical and graphing capabilities of a calculator will be used to illuminate some of the concepts in the class and to simplify some of the calculations. A graphing calculator will be allowed (and necessary) on all exams and quizzes. However, I require that all solutions be found without the aid of a graphing calculator unless specifically indicated otherwise. Attendance: You are expected to attend class daily. Students are responsible for material discussed in class and for announcements made in class. Any changes to the published schedule or homework will be announced in class. Homework: Working homework problems on a daily basis will be vital to your success in this course. As such, homework will be collected and graded. Late Assignments will NOT be accepted. See homework sheet for additional information. Quizzes and Exams: There will be five quizzes and four exams given on the dates shown in the calendar. The lowest quiz score will be dropped and the average of the remaining four quiz scores will replace the lowest exam score if it is to the student s advantage. Otherwise, all four exam scores will be counted and the quiz scores will not. There will be no make-up for missed exams or quizzes. If you miss an exam or quiz for any reason (including illness, emergency, military training, or university related activity), then that is the score that is dropped. If you have an illness, emergency, or school related conflict that causes you to miss a second exam or quiz, you must notify me before the exam. Be sure to leave a message or send an if you are unable to speak with me. Final Exam: There will be a comprehensive final on Tuesday, March 13 th, 8-10 AM. This exam must be taken at the designated time. Make your job and travel plans accordingly. Academic Dishonesty: Any evidence of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade in the course and notification of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the registrar, as indicated in Appendix D of the Catalog. A student who has received an F due to academic dishonesty will not be allowed to withdraw from the course. Blackboard: Certain course materials (such as handouts) and announcements will be posted at our Blackboard website. To access the site, go to MyWestern ( and log in. Courtesy: By making the choice to attend this class, you are also agreeing to treat me and your fellow students with respect. It is necessary that you Turn off all cell-phones (no text messaging), laptops, ipods and other electronic devices and remove your headphones. Do not talk during class unless you are participating in a class discussion or. Make every effort not to come in late to class or leave early unless you let me know beforehand. Please come to class prepared to learn and participate.

2 Sources of Help: To succeed in this class you should read the text; attend class regularly; do all assigned homework; and study any mistakes you made on old homework and exams. If you find that you need additional help here are some resources to keep in mind: YOU: Work hard and make sure you take the time to really think about the topics we are working on. Always try to find different approaches to a problem. Be sure no matter where else you obtain help that you can complete the problems by yourself. OTHER STUDENTS: I highly recommend finding other students in the class to work with on homework and when studying for exams, but be sure the work you turn in is your own. TUTORIAL CENTER: The Tutorial and Academic Skills Center (Wilson Library 280) has drop-in hours. This is a great place to work on your homework with help nearby. ME: I am happy to answer any of your questions during class or during my office hours. If you can t make it to office hours just let me know and we ll set up an appointment. It is helpful if you can come to me with specific questions or topics that are concerning you. Grading: You are expected to show all of your work, and answers without adequate justification will not receive full credit. There will be times when neither work nor explanation is required (such as reading a value from a graph), but there will also be times when the correct answer without supporting work will be worth no credit. I will try to make clear during class the amount of work that is generally required. If ever you question whether or not you have shown adequate work, ask me. Points may be deducted if units ($, feet, seconds, etc.) are not included with your answer when appropriate. Exact answers are expected unless otherwise indicated, so don t convert your answers to decimal form unless explicitly told to do so. It is expected that all problems will be solved algebraically- meaning by hand, using methods we learn in class as opposed to a program or other capability of your calculator- unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Answer Keys: Answer keys to the homework handouts will be posted on Blackboard. A solutions manual for the text book is available at the Tutorial Center. Answer keys for the quizzes and exams will also be posted outside my office door. Please leave the keys there for all students to use. Evaluation: 15% of your grade will be based on homework. Your top 2 scores will be used. 0% of your grade will be based on your 4 exams OR best 3 exams and best 4 quizzes. 25% of your grade will be based on the final exam. Your grade for the course will be determined using the following scale (+/- assigned as deemed appropriate): 0 A s 100% 0 D s 70 % 80 B s 0 % F s 0 % 70 C s 80 % P/F You must receive at least 70% for a P

3 Math 115 Proposed Schedule Winter 2012 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday January and Transformations Inverse Exponential Logarithmic * Modeling Lines Quiz 1 Modeling Exponentials Modeling Powers Data Collection MLK Day Shifted Data Exam 1 Modeling Periodics Quiz 2 February Exam Quiz ** Exam 3 20 President s Day March Exam Quiz Review 8 Quiz 5 Review Final Exam 8-10 AM * The last day to withdraw from a class without using a withdrawal privilege is Friday, January 13 th. ** The last day for late course withdrawal (for students with withdrawal privileges) is Friday, February 17 th.

4 Math 115 Homework Instructions: 1. Work all problems on your own paper (even if the assignment comes from a handout). 2. Head your paper with your name in the upper right hand corner, Math 115, your instructor s name, and the assignment number directly below your name and staple your papers together. 3. Proper notation, support of solutions and neatness is expected for each problem. Grading: Each assignment will be graded based on a 10 point system with 7 points allotted for completing the assignment according to the instructions listed above and 3 points allotted for accuracy. Due Dates: Assignments are due at the next class meeting at the start of class unless told otherwise. Assign. Date Assigned Section Problems 1 Jan 3 /Transformations Handout 1 2 Jan 4 Inverse Handout 2 3 Jan 5 Exponential Handout 3 4 Jan Logarithmic Handout 4 5 Jan Modeling Lines Handout 5 Jan 11 Modeling Exponentials Handout 7 Jan 12 Modeling Powers Handout 7 8 Jan 13 Data Collection Handout 8 Jan 17 Modeling Shifted Data Handout 10 Jan 20 Modeling Periodics Handout Jan ,2a-d,7abd (find all solutions),8b, and sect. 5.7/ 1,2 12 Jan e-h,3-,7c (find all solutions) 13 Jan bdin,ab,7ad,8,10 14 Jan Jan ,4-5,8-1 Jan , Feb 1 5. Handout Feb 5. 12,14, Feb Handout Feb Handout Feb 5. 1b-d,2acdf(find all solutions),3ad 22 Feb a,2eg(find all solutions),3b,4abf,7 23 Feb Handout Feb ,3,8ab 25 Feb ,4,,11ab 2 Feb ab,4-, Feb cd, Feb ,2bdgh,3,8,d 2 Feb cei,4-7,abc,12 30 Mar 2. 1a-e, Mar 5. 1f-l,5-32 Mar.10 Handout 15

5 General Course Outcomes: The Mathematics Department expects all students who complete math classes to demonstrate that they are able to: 1. Understand and utilize the essential course content at an appropriate level. 2. Use problem solving skills such as developing a strategic overview of a mathematical situation and using this to analyze that situation. 3. Recognize that a problem can have different useful representations (graphical, numerical, or symbolic) and select the most appropriate methods and formats. 4. Model real world problems mathematically and interpret the results appropriately. 5. Use appropriate software and technological tools and judge when such use is helpful.. Communicate mathematical results and arguments clearly, both orally and in writing. 7. Appreciate the central role of mathematics in the sciences and the real world. Specific Course Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Calculate a least squares line using a calculator. 2. Model exponential and power functions using semi-log and log-log re-expression. 3. Calculate the residuals for a linear, exponential, or power model, and find, use, and understand the error in the model. 4. Interpret the slope, intercepts, and points on a model with regard to the application. 5. Make predictions using a model and interpret the results.. Evaluate functions represented by equations, tables, graphs. 7. Solve equations involving linear, quadratic, rational, radical, literal, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions as well as functions defined by a table or graph. 8. Recognize functional symmetry about the y-axes, origin, and the line y = x.. State the domain of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic and trig functions as well as functions defined by graphs, tables, compositions, or inverses. 10. Recognize the characteristics of the graphs of power, absolute value, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial, rational, and piece-wise defined functions. 11. Understand the relationship between the graph of f ( x ) and y = a f ( bx + c) +d. 12. Recognize how trigonometric functions relate to the unit circle and right triangles. 13. Understand the relationship between the radius, arc lengths, and central angles of a circle. 14. Solve acute, right, and obtuse triangles using the Pythagorean theorem, trigonometric functions, the law of sines, and the law of cosines. 15. Use trigonometric identities to evaluate and solve trigonometric functions.

SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE South Portland, Maine 04106

SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE South Portland, Maine 04106 Title: Precalculus Catalog Number: MATH 190 Credit Hours: 3 Total Contact Hours: 45 Instructor: Gwendolyn Blake Email: gblake@smccme.edu Website: