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1 Mt. San Jacinto College Fall, 2009 Syllabus Mathematics 96 Intermediate Algebra Section 1262 & 1263 Rooms 1206 & 1254 Instructor: Office: Office Hours: Theresa Hert 311, in the SJC library near the Math Center M - F 9:50 10:50 am Or by appointment Phone Number: (951) Courseware: Intermediate Algebra by Wright, 5 th edition Hawkes Publishing Courseware. You have two options, you may get the courseware by purchasing it bundled with a new textbook or you may just purchase the courseware directly from the publishing company for $50. If you are attempting to get the courseware from another person, you will need the actual access code which will contain 30 characters, not just the code printed on the envelope that contains the CDs. The courseware can be downloaded directly from the publishing company, upper right hand corner of their homepage You will need to purchase the access code to use the courseware, Couse ID: MSJCIMA VirtualBox is a free software program that you can download which will allow you to use the Hawkes courseware on your MAC. The URL is Textbook Optional: Intermediate Algebra by Wright, 5 th edition Hawkes Publishing 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. Web site: Blackboard: thert@msjc.edu 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. Solve quadratic, rational, absolute value and radical equations; 3. Solve quadratic and rational applications; 4. 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; 5. Factor polynomials of the form u 3 + v 3 and u 3 v 3 where u = ax + b and v = cx + d; 6. Graph quadratic and square root functions; 7. Simplify expressions containing integer and rational exponents and radical expressions; 8. Simplify complex fractions; 9. Evaluate function notation and utilize the Vertical Line Test; 10. Determine the domain and range of a function given its graph; 11. Solve a system of three equations in three variables; 12. Write the square root of a negative radicand utilizing a factor of i; 13. Compare equations of conic sections and construct their graphs; 14. Graph exponential and logarithmic 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 a class hour late or leave one early create distractions for both the instructor and fellow students. By removing those students who would otherwise enter class late or leave class 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 4, The last day to drop a full-term course with a "W" grade issued is November 20, While the attendance policy permits the instructor to drop a student (before Nov. 20), 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 2 substandard grades (D or F). Also students are restricted from enrolling in a class if they have already taken the class 3 times. Therefore, if you are going to enroll in this online class, it is very important that you realize that if you do not pass it, you will only have at most two more attempts to take it. Learning math online is extremely difficult. There is no easy way through math. Because math is a sequential subject, it is important for you to learn the material to be prepared for the next 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 Your Course Grade The scores you earn on forty-seven (47) certifications, 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 Certification 235 In-Class Assignments 60 Total 920 To earn a passing grade, you must earn at least a 65% on the final exam. Then 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 certification 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 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. 4

5 If you miss a test If you miss a test, the score for that test will equal 44.44% of the points earned on your final examination. Since the final is worth 225 and a test is only worth 100, to earn the same grade I calculate it by multiplying 44.44% * 225 = If you miss another test If you miss two tests, the score for the first test missed will equal 44.44% of the points earned on your 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 Window of Opportunity 1 Friday, September 11 2 Wednesday, October 7 3 Wednesday, November 4 4 Wednesday, December 2 Final Exam During the week of December 14 5

6 Certification : Our Course ID is MSJCIMA The majority of the assignments you will complete for this class are found by accessing the courseware, Hawkes Learning Systems for Intermediate Algebra. You will need to verify that you have learned the concepts by completing certifications. The textbook is optional for this course, but is helpful for those you do not like to read computer screens. It is also useful to try problems when you do not have easy access to a computer. You may buy the courseware bundled with the textbook at either of the Mt. San Jacinto College bookstores, or you may purchase at the courseware directly from the publishing company and download it to your computer. The cost for the courseware online is $50. You are required to certify that you have learned the required concepts for this course. Each week you will be given 4 to 6 certification assignments which will need to be completed within the courseware. Those certifications will automatically be recorded in the Hawkes gradebook if, when you complete the certification, you are connected to the internet. However, you do not need to be connected to the internet to complete a certification. Therefore, the next time you access the courseware and you are connected to the internet, you will be prompted to submit any completed certification codes that have not been recorded. If you have any trouble with this courseware, you can contact the company for technical support through techsupport@quantsystems.com or by phone: (800) between the hours of 5:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday Friday. This courseware has 3 major components. Instruct provides an explanation about a new concept, Practice will give you the opportunity to try a few problems, in this area you can invoke the assistance from the Interactive Tutor and there is an area to Certify that you have learned the concept. You will be required to complete 47 certifications for this course, each worth 5 points. When you have successfully completed the certification, make sure you save the certification code in case there is a problem with the Hawkes web site. The certification must be completed by the indicated due date. If you are not connected to the internet, you may attach the saved file to an and send it to me. To prepare for a test and/or the final exam, you should complete your certifications in a timely fashion and review those problems associated with the material over which you will be tested. So that you can complete your certification, you should use the courseware s Instruct section to gain a better understanding of the concept. You should study the examples and memorize the definitions and theorems in the instruct area of the courseware. If after memorizing the definitions and theorems you cannot understand the solutions to the problems, you will be better prepared to ask meaningful questions in class. Remember, no matter how simple a solution appears in the textbook or on the courseware, you won't have an accurate estimate of the mathematics you can do yourself until you try to certify! The certification assignment requires a minimum number of problems you should complete successfully. Depending on your mathematics background and the concept in question, you may need to do additional problems in the Practice area. If you find yourself struggling to complete a certification assignment, 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 Learning Center, or form a study group with other students in this class. Since the problems on the test will be very similar to problems done in the assigned certifications, doing all your certifications is the best way to prepare for an examination. In particular, to ensure that you will know how to complete the problems that will be on the test, you should attempt the practice test assigned by your instructor in the Web Test section within the Hawkes Learning System until you are confident that you understand how to successfully complete those problems. 6

7 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. Those videos are located at my instructor s web site Extra Credit Opportunities There are several ways you can earn extra credit. Although the certifications are worth 235 points, if all assigned certifications are done on time, you can earn 30 extra credit points. For each mistake that you identify in my mini lecture videos, you can receive 5 extra credit points. In the courseware, at the end of each chapter there is a Chapter Review and Test that you may take. For each Chapter Test you certify, you will receive 3 extra credit points. There is the opportunity to earn extra credit points by attending class everyday. Therefore you can earn at least 57 extra credit points. No other extra credit will be offered. 7

8 Dates and Certification Assignments that will be collected All assignment will have an established due date. However, you will have the option to complete assignments early. Nevertheless, if you wait until the day they are due, the assignment must be completed before 11:59 pm on that day. All assignments completed after the due date will receive half credit. Week 1: All assignments due by Tuesday, August 25 Chapter 1 Section 3b: Solving Linear Equations Chapter 1 Section 1a: Name that Real Number Chapter 1 Section 1b: Properties of Real Numbers Chapter 1 Section 6a: Solving Linear Inequalities Week 2: All assignments due by Tuesday, September 1 Chapter 1 Section 4a: Solving Formulas Chapter 1 Section 5: Applications Chapter 1 Section 3c: Solving Absolute Value Equations Chapter 1 Section 6b: Solving Absolute Value Inequalities Chapter 1 Section 7: Simplifying Integer Exponents I Week 3: All assignments due by Thursday, September 10 Chapter 1 Section 8a: Simplifying Integer Exponents II Chapter 1 Section 8b: Scientific Notation Chapter 2 Section 1b: Graphing Linear Equations by Plotting Points Chapter 2 Section 2: Graphing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form Chapter 2 Section 3b: Finding the Equation of a Line Week 4: Test 1 is on Friday, September 11 Week 5: All assignments due by Tuesday, September 22 Chapter 2 Section 4: Introduction to Functions Chapter 3 Section 1b: Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution Chapter 3 Section 1c: Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Addition Chapter 3 Section 2: Applications (Systems of Equations) Week 6: All assignments due by Tuesday, September 29 Web Test DRT: Uniform motion problems Chapter 3 Section 3: Solving Systems of Linear Equations w/ 3 Variables Chapter 4 Section 1b: Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Chapter 4 Section 2a: Multiplying Polynomials Week 7: All assignments due by Tuesday, October 6 Chapter 4 Section 3b: The Division Algorithm Chapter 4 Section 4a: GCF of a Polynomial Chapter 4 Section 4b: Special Factorizations - Squares Chapter 4 Section 4d: Factoring Trinomials by Trial and Error Chapter 4 Section 5a: Special Factorizations - Cubes Chapter 4 Section 5b: Factoring by Grouping and with Negative Exponents Week 8: Test 2 is on Wednesday, October 7 8

9 Week 9: All assignments due by Tuesday, October 20 Chapter 4 Section 6: Solving Equations by Factoring Chapter 5 Section 1a: Defining Rational Expressions Chapter 5 Section 1b: Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions Chapter 5 Section 2: Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions Chapter 5 Section 3: Complex Fractions Week 10: All assignments due by Tuesday, October 27 Chapter 5 Section 4a: Solving Equations Involving Rational Expressions Chapter 5 Section 5: Applications Involving Rational Expressions Week 11: All assignments due by Tuesday, November 3 Chapter 6 Section 1b: Simplifying Radicals Chapter 6 Section 1c: Division of Radicals Chapter 6 Section 2: Rational Exponents Chapter 6 Section 3a: Addition and Subtraction of Radicals Chapter 6 Section 3b: Multiplication of Radicals Week 12: Test 3 is on Wednesday, November 4 Week 13: All assignments due by Tuesday, November 17 Chapter 6 Section 5: Complex Numbers Chapter 7 Section 1a: Quadratic Equations: The Square Root Method Chapter 7 Section 1b: Quadratic Equations: Completing the Square Chapter 7 Section 2: Quadratic Equations: The Quadratic Formula Week 14: All assignments due by Tuesday, November 24 Chapter 7 Section 3: Applications Chapter 7 Section 4: Solving Radical Equations Chapter 8 Section 2: Solving Quadratic Inequalities Week 15: All assignments due by Tuesday, December 1 Chapter 8 Section 1: Graphing Parabolas Chapter 8 Section 4: Parabolas as Conic Sections Chapter 8 section 5: Distance Formula, Midpoint Formula, and Circles Chapter 8 section 6: Ellipses and Hyperbolas Week 16: Test 4 is on Wednesday, Dec 2 Week 17: All assignments due by Tuesday, December 15 Chapter 8 section 3: Function Notation and Translations Chapter 9 section 3: Exponential Functions and the Number e Chapter 9 section 4: Logarithmic Functions Week 18: Final Exam 9

10 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 text 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 text, 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. 10

11 Math 96 Class Lecture schedule Fall 2009 Date Section Topic Certification M 17-Aug Chapter 1.3b linear equations Certify 1.3b W 19-Aug Chapter 1.1a names of real numbers Certify 1.1a Chapter 1.1b properties of real numbers Certify 1.1b F 21-Aug Chapter 1.6a Inequalities Certify 1.6a M 24-Aug Chapter 1.4a literal equations Certify 1.4a Chapter 1.5 word problems Certify 1.5 T 25-Aug Due: 1.3b, 1.1a, 1.6a W 26-Aug Chapter 1.3c absolute value equations Certify 1.3c Chapter 1.6b absolute value inequalities Certify 1.6b F 28-Aug Chapter 1.7 simplify integer exponents I Certify 1.7 M 31-Aug Chapter 1.8a simplify integer exponents II Certify 1.8a Chapter 1.8b scientific notation Certify 1.8b T 1-Sep Due: 1.4a, 1.5, 1.3c, 1.6b, 1.7 W 2-Sep Chapter 2.1b graph by plotting points Certify 2.1b Chapter 2.2 graphing by slope-intercept form Certify 2.2 F 4-Sep Chapter 2.3b finding the equation of a line Certify 2.3b M 7-Sep Holiday W 9-Sep Review Th 10-Sep Due: 1.8ab, 2.1b, 2.2, 2.3b F 11-Sep Test 1

12 Date Section Topic Certification M 14-Sep Chapter 2.4 functions, domain and range Certify 2.4 W 16-Sep Chapter 3.1b system of equations - substitution method Certify 3.1b Chapter 3.1c system of equations - addition method Certify 3.1c F 18-Sep Chapter 3.2 word problems - Mixture & Investment Certify 3.2 M 21-Sep Chapter 1.5 ( 8-11 ) word problems - Uniform Motion Web Test - DRT T 22-Sep Due: 2.4, 3.1bc, 3.2 W 23-Sep Chapter 3.3 systems with 3 variables Certify 3.3 F 25-Sep Chapter 4.1b adding & subtracting polynomials Certify 4.1b Chapter 4.2a multiplying polynomials Certify 4.2a M 28-Sep Chapter 4.3b divide polynomials Certify 4.3b T 29-Sep Due: WebTest - DRT, 3.3, 4.1b, 4.2a W 30-Sep Chapter 4.4a factoring - GCF Certify 4.4a Chapter 4.4b factoring - squares Certify 4.4b Chapter 4.4d factoring - Trial and Error Certify 4.4d F 2-Oct Chapter 4.5a special factoring - cubes Certify 4.5a Chapter 4.5b factor by grouping Certify 4.5b M 5-Oct Review T 6-Oct Due: 4.3b, 4.4abd, 4.5ab W 7-Oct Test 2 F 9-Oct Chapter 4.6 solve equations by factoring Certify 4.6

13 Date Section Topic Certification F 9-Oct Chapter 4.6 solve equations by factoring Certify 4.6 M 12-Oct Chapter 5.1a defining rational expressions Certify 5.1a Chapter 5.1b x rational expressions Certify 5.1b W 14-Oct Chapter rational expressions Certify 5.2 F 16-Oct Chapter 5.3 complex fractions Certify 5.3 M 19-Oct Chapter 5.4a rational equations Certify 5.4a T 20-Oct Due: 4.6, 5.1ab, 5.2, 5.3 W 21-Oct Chapter 5.5 word problems Certify 5.5 F 23-Oct Chapter 5.5 word problems Certify 5.5 M 26-Oct Chapter 6.1b simplify radicals Certify 6.1b Chapter 6.1c division of radicals Certify 6.1c T 27-Oct Due: 5.4a, 7.5, 5.5 W 28-Oct Chapter 6.2 rational exponents Certify 6.2 F 30-Oct Chapter 6.3a addition & subtraction of radicals Certify 6.3a Chapter 6.3b multiplication of radicals Certify 6.3b M 2-Nov Review T 3-Nov Due: 6.1bc, 6.2, 6.3ab W 4-Nov Test 3 F 6-Nov Chapter 6.5 complex numbers Certify 6.5

14 Date Section Topic Certification F 6-Nov Chapter 6.5 complex numbers Certify 6.5 M 9-Nov Chapter 7.1a quadratic equations: square root method Certify 7.1a Chapter 7.1b quadratic equations: complete the square Certify 7.1b W 11-Nov Holiday F 13-Nov Chapter 7.2 quadratic formula Certify 7.2 M 16-Nov Chapter 7.3 word problems Certify 7.3 T 17-Nov Due: 6.5, 7.1ab, 7.2 W 18-Nov Chapter 7.4 equations with radicals Certify 7.4 F 20-Nov Chapter 8.2 quadratic inequalities Certify 8.2 M 23-Nov Chapter 8.1 parabola Certify 8.1 Chapter 8.4 parabola as conic sections Certify 8.4 T 24-Nov Due: 7.3, 7.4, 8.2 W 25-Nov Chapter 8.5 circle Certify 8.5 Chapter 8.6 ellipse and hyperbola Certify 8.6 F 27-Nov Holiday M 30-Nov Review T 1-Dec Due: 8.1, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6 W 2-Dec Test 4 F 4-Dec Chapter 8.3 graph radicals & absolute value Certify 8.3 Chapter 9.3 graph exponential functions Certify 9.3 M 7-Dec Chapter 9.4 logarithmic functions Certify 9.4 W 9-Dec Review F 11-Dec Review? Final Exam T 15-Dec Due: 8.3, 9.3, 9.4? Final Exam