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1 Mt. San Jacinto College Fall, 2016 Syllabus FYE - Mathematics 90 Elementary Algebra Section 1942 Room 1301 M W F 9:30 10:40 am Instructor: Office: Theresa Hert 311, in the SJC library near the Math Center Student Conference Hours: Monday & Wednesday 2:00-4:30 pm Phone Number: (951) FYE: The MSJC First Year Experience Program is designed to make sure you have a smooth transition into college life. All students in the FYE program must complete the Participation Agreement, which can be found on the college web site Required Software: Math XL, Beginning 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: XL2D-G11V Z72 Textbook Optional: Beginning Algebra by Elayn Martin-Gay, 7 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. Evaluate algebraic expressions where the variables represent rational numbers; 2. Simplify algebraic expressions; 3. Solve linear and literal equations; 4. Translate expressions into algebraic equations; 5. Solve applications; 6. Solve a system of two equations in two variables utilizing the substitution and elimination methods; 7. Simplify expressions containing exponents; 8. Factor polynomials of the form ax 2 + bx + c where a > 1; 9. Solve quadratic equations by factoring; 10. Simplify rational expressions that contain variables in the denominator; 11. Solve rational equations; 12. Graph lines by plotting x- and y-intercepts and utilizing the slope-intercept form; 13. Construct the y = mx + b equation of a line given a point and the slope; 14. Write the second root of a number in simplified form; 15. Solve quadratic equations by factoring and by utilizing the Quadratic Formula. 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 August 28, The last day to drop a full-term course with a "W" grade issued is November 10, While the attendance policy permits the instructor to drop a student (before November 10), 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. Education Plan Due to the Student Success Act of SB 1456 students are now required to complete a comprehensive educational plan by the time they complete 15 units or their will be a registration hold placed on your account and you will not be able to register for classes the following semester. Please schedule your appointment with a counselor, before November 16th, to complete your comprehensive educational plan to avoid a delayed registration date. 3

4 Cheating If you are caught cheating, you will receive a score of zero points for that examination and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. 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. Tutoring Academic Support is available for all students through the services provided in each campus Learning Resources Center. On the San Jacinto Campus, the LRC offers tutoring Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. The LRC is open from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, Monday - Thursday and till noon on Friday. SI - Supplemental Instruction Supplemental Instruction (SI) has been attached to this section. SI provides weekly review sessions (free) for students enrolled in a historically difficult course. SI sessions are interactive review sessions that incorporate course content and study strategies. SI sessions are open to any student enrolled in a course section being supported with SI. Student attendance at SI sessions is voluntary. There will be regularly scheduled SI sessions each week, beginning the 2 nd week of classes, on Mondays and Wednesdays with Lizbeth Robles from 11:00-11:50 in room 1250B.. At each SI session, students will be guided through course material by the SI leader, a peer who has successfully completed this course and who has received SI training. The SI leader will not relecture nor provide you with class notes. The SI leader will not do your homework, in fact any graded work cannot be done in the SI session. The SI leader will help students study by reviewing course material and by sharing study strategies. Students who attend SI sessions regularly, earn better grades, averaging a half to a full letter grade higher than the students who choose not to attend SI sessions. By attending SI sessions, students will gain a better understanding of the course material, learn more effective ways of studying, get to know classmates, and become more engaged with their learning experience. 4

5 Your Course Grade The scores you earn on forty (40) homework assignments, twenty (20) in-class assignments, four (4) group quizzes, four (4) tests and one (1) 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 200 In-Class Assignments 60 CLO problems 10 Total 935 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. 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 tests 2, 3, 4 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. 5

6 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 9 2 Friday, October 7 3 Friday, November 4 4 Friday, December 2 Final Exam Monday, December 12 CLO: Course Learning Outcomes There will be 3 CLO s during the semester, each worth 5 points. The mathematics department has chosen course objectives to be looked at in all Math 90, Elementary Algebra classes. The CLO s will be administered as short 1 problem quizzes, and will be given on the day of the test. Course Learning Outcome #1: Course Learning Outcome #2: Course Learning Outcome #3: Student should demonstrate the ability to solve linear equation that contain variable(s) on both sides of the equation. Student will demonstrate the ability to graph a line that is given in slope-intercept form where the slope is not equal to 1. Student will demonstrate the ability to factor polynomials of the form 2 ax bx c where a 1 and the original polynomial does not contain a GCF greater than 1. 6

7 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. 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 : XL2D-G11V Z72 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. 7

8 Homework continued 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 forty (40) required homework assignments. Each homework assignment is worth 5 points. Incomplete assignments will receive fewer points. I will be assigning 44 homework assignments; the last four assignments are worth up to 20 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. Due Date Section 23 - Aug 1.2, 1.3, 1.5&6, Aug 1.4a, 1.4b, 1.8, Sept 2.2&3, 2.4a, 2.4b, Sept 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, Sept 3.4, 3.5, Oct 4.2, 4.3, Oct 2.8a, 2.8b, 5.1, 5.5, 5.2 Due Date Section 25 - Oct 5.3&4, 6.1, Nov 6.3, 6.5, R.Factor 15 - Nov 6.6, 7.1, 7.2, 22 - Nov 7.3, 7.4, Dec 8.1&2, 9.3a, 9.3 b* 12 - Dec R.QuadEq, 2.9 * 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 that method I use to solve different types of problems. 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 200 points, if all assigned sections are done on time, you can earn 20 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, for a total of 25 extra credit points. The CLO questions are worth 10 points, but will be graded based on 15 points, of which 5 points are extra credit. If you attend every class meeting, you can earn up 5 extra credit. If you complete a comprehensive Education Plan before November 16th, you can earn 5 extra credit points. Therefore, you have the opportunity to earn 60 extra credit points. 9

10 I have set up a MathXL course for you. Elementary Algebra, Math 90 - Fall 2016 It is based on this textbook: Martin-Gay: Beginning 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-JEDDA-BITSY-ARENA-PLUSH-PSHAW 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 $ The zip code for the college is To enroll in this course, you will need to enroll in an instructor s course". The course ID is : XL2D-G11V Z72 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. Once your 21-day free access code expires, you will need to Register your new access code. To keep all your scores that you have earned, click yes when asked if you have an account. 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

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13 Date Math 90 Elementary Algebra Topic M 15-Aug 1.2 Symbols & and Sets of numbers W 17-Aug 1.3 Fractions and Mixed Numbers F 19-Aug 1.5&6 Adding & Subtracting Real Numbers 1.7 Multiplying & Dividing Real Numbers M 22-Aug 1.4a Exponents & the Order of Operations T 23-Aug Homework Due: 1.2, 1.3, 1.5&6, 1.7 W 24-Aug 1.4b Integrated Review - Evaluate Algebraic Expressions F 26-Aug 1.8 Properties of Real Numbers 2.1 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions M 29-Aug 2.2&3 Addition & Multiplication Property of Equality 2.4a Solving Linear Equations T 30-Aug Homework Due: 1.4a, 1.4b. 1.8, 2.1 W 31-Aug 2.4b Solving more Linear Equations F 2-Sep 2.5 Introduction to Problem Solving - Translations M 5-Sep Holiday W 7-Sep Group Quiz Th 8-Sep Homework Due: 2.2&3, 2.4a, 2.4b, 2.5 F 9-Sep Test 1 and CLO #1 13

14 Date Topic M 12-Sep 2.6 Formulas & Problem Solving - Literal Equations W 14-Sep 3.1 The Rectangular Coordinate System 3.2 Graphing Linear Equations - plot points F 16-Sep 3.3 Graph using Intercepts M 19-Sep 3.4 Slopes and rate of change T 20-Sep Homework Due: 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 W 21-Sep 3.5 Equations of Lines F 23-Sep 4.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing M 26-Sep 4.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution Method T 27-Sep Homework Due: 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 W 28-Sep 4.3 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Addition Method F 30-Sep 4.4 Systems of Linear Equations & Problem Solving - Mixture M 3-Oct 2.8a Further Problem Solving - Coin T 4-Oct Homework Due: 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 W 5-Oct Group Quiz F 7-Oct Test 2 - CLO #2

15 Date Topic M 10-Oct 2.8b Further Problem Solving -Motion Problems W 12-Oct 5.1 Exponents 5.5 Negative Exponents F 14-Oct 5.2 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials M 17-Oct 5.3&4 Multiplying Polynomials & Special Products T 18-Oct Homework Due: 2.8a, 2.8b, 5.1, 5.5, 5.2 W 19-Oct 6.1 Greatest Common Factor & Factoring by Grouping F 21-Oct 6.2 Factoring Trinomials, coefficient 1 M 24-Oct 6.3 Factoring Trinomials, coefficient greater than 1 T 25-Oct Homework Due: 5.3&4, 6.1, 6.2 W 26-Oct 6.5 Factoring Binomials F 28-Oct R.Factor Review Factoring M 31-Oct 6.6 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring T 1-Nov Homework Due: 6.3, 6.5. R.Factor W 2-Nov Group Quiz F 4-Nov Test 3 - CLO #3

16 Date Topic M 7-Nov 7.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions W 9-Nov 7.2 Multiplying & Dividing Rational Expressions F 11-Nov Holiday M 14-Nov 7.3 Adding & Subtraction Like Rational Expressions T 15-Nov Homework Due: 6.6, 7.1, 7.2 W 16-Nov 7.4 Adding & Subtraction Rational Expressions F 18-Nov 7.5 Solve Equations containing Rational Expression M 21-Nov 8.1&2 Simplifying Radicals 9.3a Solve Quadratic Formula T 22-Nov Homework Due: 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 W 23-Nov No Class F 25-Nov No Class M 28-Nov 9.3b Solve Quadratic Formula R.Quad Review solving Quadratic Equations T 29-Nov Homework Due: 8.1&2, 9.3a, 9.3b W 30-Nov Group Quiz F 2-Dec Test 4 M 5-Dec 2.9 Solve Linear Inequalities W 7-Dec Review for Final Exam F 9-Dec Review for Final Exam M 12-Dec Final Exam Homework Due: R.Quad, 2.9