MATH 098 B ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA Winter Quarter, 2014 TEXTBOOK: LOCATION: INSTRUCTOR: Beginning Algebra by Mark Clark and Cynthia Anfinson, 1st Edition, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning RECOMMENDED. ISBN-10: 0-534-41938-0, ISBN-13: 978-0-534-41938-7 Enhanced Web Assign Access code REQUIRED. Please see the item About our text below for more detail. Building 35, Room 252, DAILY: 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM Cesar Villasana OFFICE HOURS: Daily 11:00-11:50 am, Building 35 Room 358 PHONE: (360) 596-5513 E-MAIL: cvillasana@spscc.ctc.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION: Review of operations with signed numbers and solving basic linear equations. Graphing linear relationships, the equation of a line, systems of equations, properties of exponents, operations on polynomials, and solving quadratic equations by factoring. PRE-REQUISITE: MATH 090 with a C or better or a passing grade in MATH 094 or appropriate placement test score required. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION GRADE: You need a C or better to go on to Math 99. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: A. Accurately perform operations with signed numbers including rational numbers. B. Accurately convert and report units. C. Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable. D. Solve application problems which lead to linear equations or inequalities. E. Find the slope of a line. F. Use the slope-intercept form to graph an equation. G. Use information to write the equation of a line in point-slope and slope-intercept form. H. Translate between the slope-intercept form of the equation of a line, - the standard form and the point-slope form. I. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables by graphing, elimination, and substitution (students should demonstrate all methods). J. Use systems of equations to solve application problems. K. Perform operations on polynomials.
L. Simplify expressions containing exponents, including scientific notation. M. Use factoring polynomials to solve quadratic equations. N. Solve application problems which lead to quadratic equations including right triangle contexts using the Pythagorean Theorem. O. Explain processes and solutions clearly and concisely in both written and oral form COLLEGE WIDE ABILITIES: Evaluate and process quantitative and symbolic data. COURSE CONTENT: A. Review topics: a. Operations with signed numbers including rational numbers. b. The real number system. c. Unit conversions. d. Linear equations and inequalities. B. Graphs and the Equation of a line: a. The rectangular coordinate system. b. The slope formula. c. Slope intercept form of the equation of a line. d. Point-slope form of the equation of a line. C. Systems of equations: a. Meaning of the solution of a system. b. Solving by graphing. c. Solving by substitution. d. Solving by the elimination method. e. Applications of systems of equations. D. Polynomials: a. Exponent properties and scientific notation. b. Operations with polynomials. c. Factoring polynomials using greatest common factor, grouping, difference of squares, perfect square and other trinomial. d. Use of factoring to solve quadratic equations including applications. COURSE EVALUATIONS: As it is seen right now there will be four tests. About one test for every two chapters in our textbook. You must be present on test days and let me know in advance if you can t be there. There will be a comprehensive final exam at the end of the quarter. 4 tests 40% of course grade Homework 30% of course grade Final Exam Quizzes/Class Activities 20% of course grade 10% of course grade 100% of course grade
ABOUT OUR TEXT: As mentioned at the beginning of the syllabus to purchase the book is a matter of careful personal choice. What is REQUIRED is the Enhanced WebAssign (EWA) Access code (which includes an electronic copy of the book). If you haven t purchased your book or the EWA code, possibly the most economical way is to buy directly from the publisher: http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/en/us/storefront/us;cmgtjsessionid=848xsdwcspb3 6mhpLj9LGfXqhjWRmNwDwFR6GpBqnHGNhQxT6sjl!2077068525?cmd=DisplayLandingPa ge&entitynumber=6518&entrypoint=storefront&cid=1-1nrp8wz&id=59100&messagetype=displaylandingpage ABOUT HOMEWORK: I will assign homework every time we meet covering the material we have seen in class. experience necessary to master what has been expounded theoretically in class or in your book.. There is a big step between following a solution to a problem in class and actually solving a problem for oneself. Homework provides a stage for you to practice that transition. Please endeavor to understand the material behind the homework thoroughly. I will request that you submit your homework in the internet based Enhanced Web Assign (EWA) program that accompanies your textbook. To get logged on to the EWA website: 1. Go to: http://webassign.net/ 2. On the right hand, under Account login below the button Login click I have a class key. 3. Type the following Class key: spscc 5946 5763 4. At the prompt, click: Yes, this is my class. 5. If you already have a WebAssign account go to it, otherwise create a WebAssign account by filling in the info. 6. Either enter the access code that came with your book, or purchase the book and access code online at the website listed in About our text above or opt for the 15 day free trial period (by the end of the 15 day trial you will need to purchase the access code). If you don t have a computer, or internet connection, or both, I will ask you to please work at the computer labs in building 34 rooms 102, 103 and 105, or at the computers at the library (building 28) or at the the ones at the Math Center (building 32 room 103). Homework will be due at 11:59 PM the day we will have our next class. This way there will be room for questions at the beginning of each class to review material and clarify points with. No late homework is accepted. That said, there is always flexibility for exceptional circumstances. When that happens, please alert me and ask for an extension through EWA and I will re-set the due date for you. You can always save your work without submitting. You have 5 submittals to get the correct answer. After 5 incorrect submissions the question will be marked as incorrect. I believe there are great advantages and disadvantages about using programs such as EWA.
First the pros: 1) It provides an un-biased learning tool to alleviate a multitude of simple, difficult to solve insidious problems such as: incorrect writing, sloppy reading, careless computation, not following instructions, etc. 2) It provides instantaneous help at the touch of a button (help/hint, watch it, chat about it) that can help understand and clarify concepts when you need it the most. There is even an electronic book for you to consult at any stage, that zooms into the material you are working on. 3) It provides Study plans that tell you about your strengths and weaknesses prior to tests, in which to base your review. Now some cons: a) One can get 100% in every single homework without knowing the material. Hence, please understand the concepts, be honest with yourself and know how to tell the difference between mastery of the material and craftiness! b) It doesn t provide much needed practice in writing in-full the process of solution to problems in a clear, organized and user-friendly way. This skill will be needed for Tests and Exams, so imitate how your textbook writes the solutions to examples and write in a similar vein. ABOUT QUIZZES/CLASS ACTIVITIES/READINGS: There will be unannounced quizzes, class activities and readings that we will be doing during the course. Their aim is to promote good studying habits that will ensure your success in this class. At the same time they reward daily attendance, regular reading of the text and class participation. At the end of the quarter you will be able to drop your lowest score in each class (quizzes or class activities). There will be no make up for missed quizzes, class activities and readings so please come regularly. Please alert me in advance if you will not be coming to a class, that way if we have a quizz that day and there is a justifiable cause for your absence, you will be able to take the quiz the following class day, outside of class time. ABOUT TESTS AND FINAL: Tests (4) and Final will be closed book and notes. However, on the day of the Tests and Final you may bring a handwritten (or keyboarded, NO photocopies) sheet of paper with information that will support your work, together with your calculator. Extra credit is available in case you complete the online Practice Test(s) with a score of 80% or better. In case a test is assigned as a take-home test, you may use your book, notes and other resources available. ATTENDANCE: I strongly recommend that you come regularly to class and participate in it. Ask questions, get points clarified, collaborate with your peers on group projects, make suggestions. Some topics will be covered in class that are not in your text and you will be asked about them in tests. See yourself as bringing something to the class each day and not only taking from the class. RESOURCES AND TIPS: In developmental courses such as ours it is of utmost importance that you read thoroughly your textbook before you attempt the day s work. The authors do spend a lot of time and effort in order to convey their message and it is all there for you to read.
Please recall that there might be a reason why you were requested to take Pre-College Math. Consider this class as a clean new slate from which you can build a better you.use it as an opportunity to break old and lousy thinking patterns about yourself and Math. Discard the habit of thinking that you already know everything or you risk closing your mind to greater possibilities. If you have questions, doubts or need some clarification, here are some suggestions. Act upon them when they might be relatively simple to solve instead of doing major overhauls: 1. Ask me. I want you to be successful in the course. Drop by my office or e-mail me. 2. Ask the tutors in Building 32, Room 103 (the Math Tutoring Center). This is a service provided free of charge and the majority of the tutors are students like you who have done maybe the same course just a few quarters ago. Roughly they are open Monday through Friday 8 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday 8 AM to 8 PM, and Saturdays 10 AM to 1 PM. 3. Help each other. Consult your classmates, family and friends. They might help you get what you need to know. Always endeavor to understand how to get the solutions and not just the solutions. Math is not about the x s, it s about the whys! 4. Access all the on-line resources at: http://webassign.net/ there you will find (among many other things): electronic book, homework, practice tests, personalized study plans (based on your test work), videoclips, tips for solving problems, etc. 5. In case you need to wait for your financial aid check at the beginning of the quarter to purchase your book, please keep up with your work and homework by utilizing the text that is on the library reserves (for in library use only). Recall that EWA has a 15 day free trial period on Enhanced Webassign that includes an e-book. CALCULATOR: The acquisition of a scientific calculator is strongly encouraged. Texas Instruments' TI-30XIIS is stocked by the bookstore and is recommended. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Qualified students with disabilities should contact the Disability Support Services Office in building 27 in case they need special accomodations. CALENDAR: Martin Luther King day: Presidents s day: Advising day: advisor) Last day to withdraw: Friday, February 28. Monday, January 20 (no class). Monday February 17 (no class). Thursday, February 20 (no day classes, come see your Last day of instruction: WEDNESDAY, March 19. Final Exam: Tuesday, March 25, 8:00 AM- 10:50 AM
BEHAVIOR: At all times, I encourage you to participate in order to make the classroom a learning forum. Bring your enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn to class and to the moments of study. You are a learning participant, act upon it! Students are expected to abide by the college s Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities : http://www.spscc.ctc.edu/getting-to-know-us/administration/policies/code-of-student-rights No cellular phone activity of any kind is allowed during class. GRADING CURVE: Course Percent Grade 93-100 A 90-92 A- 87-89 B+ 83-86 B 80-82 B- 77-79 C+ 73-76 C 70-72 C- 67-69 D+ 60-66 D Below 60 F Student initiated withdrawal W Stopped attending before 35 th day V Passing (with a C or better), completed at least three quarters of the course and requested an incomplete due to extenuating circumstances. I VALUABLE WEBSITES: The Khan Academy has a wealth of short, very clearly explained Math videos well suited for Math 98 students. It has practice problems for you to try out and is completely free: http://www.khanacademy.org/ Graph is an excellent open source graphing program from Denmark with great graphing capabilities that you can download for free at: http://www.padowan.dk/ Geogebra is another great open source graphing program, this one from Austria, you can download it for free At http://www.geogebra.org/cms/