COURSES > COLLEGE ALGEBRA > ANNOUNCEMENTS All Announcements Mon, Dec 19, 2005 -- Final blog (Mon 12/19/05), and some grades Hi, hope you are enjoying your break so far. There are a couple of business items I have to report before I sign off for the semester: I just finished compiling grades yesterday, and I submitted them this morning. For those of you who gave me a codename, your info is below. Please note that on the summary of grades (Test 1, Test 2, Test 3, HW/Q) I gave to you last week, the four grades that were handwritten on your sheet were scores that had already been converted to a 100-90-80-70-60 scale (taking any curves into account), and those are the numbers I am using to compute final grades. The rest of the information from the sheet was there simply to tell you how I obtained those four numbers so that you could verify them for yourself. As for the final exam scores reported below, these are scores on a 100-90- 80-70-60 scale (taking the curve into account). Jagoe: Final Exam = 88.53, Final Grade = A IMO: Final Exam = 62.00, Final Grade = C Tweeder44: Final Exam = 51.56, Final Grade = E golfgirl: Final Exam = 91.00, Final Grade = A SydRay: Final Exam = 61.50, Final Grade = D Leigh: Final Exam = 60.50, Final Grade = C CrokPot: Final Exam = 67.50, Final Grade = C Katsmon03: Final Exam = 86.18, Final Grade = A faith: Final Exam = 96.00, Final Grade = A 7343322: Final Exam = 65.00, Final Grade = C Stella Mirado: Final Exam = 38.44, Final Grade = E Theone6: Final Exam = 76.67, Final Grade = B me8787: Final Exam = 94.50, Final Grade = A blacksheep: Final Exam = 72.67, Final Grade = C 3820: Final Exam = 90.00, Final Grade = A c1214: Final Exam = 77.67, Final Grade = C sunshine12: Final Exam = 92.00, Final Grade = A sam: Final Exam = 55.31, Final Grade = D danny: Final Exam = 29.06, Final Grade = E Renasci: Final Exam = 80.00, Final Grade = B MH: Final Exam = 85.59, Final Grade = A Thu, Dec 08, 2005 -- FINAL EXAM DATE TIME As announced earlier in the semester; the date/time for the final exam that are printed in the syllabus are incorrect. The correct date/time/room are: Tuesday Dec 13 at 8:00 AM in FH 303. Thu, Dec 08, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 12/8/05 Today we finished our discussion of exponential and logarithmic functions with a look at exponential growth and decay. We've already seen an example of the exponential growth formula -- the formula for continuous compound interest. We used the decay formula to investigate Carbon-14 dating and the autheticity of the Shroud of Turin. I also handed back any stray graded assignments that I still had in my possession, and I gave each of you a sheet with your individual test data, including your HW/Q score for the semester. At the end of class I gave you time to fill out a survey on the use of MyMathLab in our class. If you missed this, it's not too late to reply to the survey; you
can fill one out and return it to the Math Dept secretary MeLissa Cooper on the 6th floor of Faculty Hall. Your feedback is appreciated. Mon, Dec 05, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 12/05/05 Today we looked more carefully at properties of logarithms (product rule, power rule, quotient rule). This is the subject of Section 4.4 in your text, and continues our discussion from Friday. I worked lots of sample problems from the 4.4 problem set, then we also spent some time at the end of class using properties of logarithms to solve exponential and logarithmic equations. I suggested the following problems for practice: 4.4 #1 thru 51 odd; #65 thru 75 odd. Also, 4.5 #1 thru 21 odd; #27 thru 47 odd. I announced that there will be no more graded items for the semester. My goal is to finish grading and then compile your HW score by Thursday. We'll spend some time in Section 4.6 looking at applications, but I'm not sure if this will be final exam content or not. So Section 4.5 may very well be the last section that you are responsible for as far as the final exam is concerned. Fri, Dec 02, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 12/02/05 Today I took your questions on the 4.3 assignment, which was due today. We also had a quiz on equations in exponential or logarthmic form. We reviewed properties of exponents with an eye toward learning properties of logarithms, so we are now officially in Section 4.4. I'll work on posting a Section 4.4 assignment, likely due Tuesday Dec 6. Tue, Nov 29, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 11/29/05 Today your Section 4.1/4.2 assignment was due. We spent part of class deriving a formula for continuous compound interest, and then transitioned into the idea of logarithmic functions as inverses of exponential functions. There is a Section 4.3 assignment posted which will be due on Friday. Tue, Nov 22, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 11/22/05 Today we opened with a group quiz on inverse functions. Then I spent the rest of classtime introducing exponential functions (Section 4.2). We discussed their basic properties (domain = all reals, no x-intercepts, y-intercept = 1, horizontal asymptote = x- axis). We also looked at an application of exponential functions --- the compound interest formula. I've posted an assignment to MyMathLab that will be due Tuesday 11/29. Mon, Nov 21, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 11/21/05 Today you turned in worksheet problem #1 on inverse functions (it is posted in the course documents section of this blackboard site). There won't be an assignment due tomorrow Tuesday 11/22 since I was not able to get the assignment posted in time. The most likely scenario is that the next MyMathLab assignment will be due Tuesday 11/29. It is possible that we'll have worksheet tomorrow. Fri, Nov 18, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 11/18/05 Today we went over your tests from Tuesday --- students presented their solutions to test problems. The test was out of 90 points. You needed 80 for an A, 66 for a B, 55 for a C, and 43 to pass. After going over the tests, we did a little bit more today with inverse functions. I handed out a worksheet; in addition to your Section 4.1 assignment, you should also complete problem #1 from the worksheet and have that ready to turn in on Monday 11/21. Thu, Nov 17, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 11/17/05 OK, so I didn't get the tests back to you today; the plan is to do that tomorrow. In the meantime... you had an assignment on rational inequalities due today. We moved on into the next topic: Inverse Functions (Section 4.1). I am posting a Section 4.1 assignment that will be due Monday 11/21, and after we go over your tests tomorrow, hopefully we'll be able to close out Section 4.1. Then we'll be ready to address our final topic for the semester: exponential and logarithmic functions. Fri, Nov 11, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 11/11/05
Today we looked at several examples of polynomial and rational inequalities, emphasizing the procedure of (1) getting everything on one side of the inequality and into factored form, (2) finding all x-intercepts and all x-values that aren't in the domain, and (3) constructing a sign chart. There is an assignment on polynomial inequalities from 3.6 due Monday 11/14. I have posted additional rational inequality problems from 3.6 for you to be working, but these are not due until Thursday 11/17. I will not have any rational inequality problems on the exam, but you should expect at least one polynomial inequality. I handed out a set of sample problems for you to work on as practice for your test on Tuesday. The test will cover: absolute value equalities (2.5); absolute value inequalities (2.6); solving systems of equations (5.1, 5.2); analyzing polynomial functions, modeling with polynomial functions (3.1, 3.2); polynomial long division (3.3); SKIP 3.4; analyzing and modeling with rational functions (3.5); and polynomial inequalities (3.6). Thu, Nov 10, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 11/10/05 Today I collected your take-home assignment from Tuesday. I also handed out a key to Monday's quiz. Then we spent some time going over polynomial and rational inequalities. There is a Section 3.6 assignment that will be due Monday 11/14. (I originally intended for Friday 11/11 to be the due date, but I was having trouble today accessing MyMathLab.) As for your test next Tuesday... It will cover absolute value equalities (2.5); absolute value inequalities (2.6); solving systems of equations (5.1, 5.2); analyzing polynomial functions, modeling with polynomial functions (3.1, 3.2); polynomial long division (3.3); SKIP 3.4; analyzing and modeling with rational functions (3.5); and polynomial and rational inequalities (3.6). I haven't decided yet what will happen with Section 3.7. I'll try to have a set of practice problems ready for you on Friday 11/11. Tue, Nov 08, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 11/8/05 Today we had a group worksheet on a couple of rational functions problems. Your completed worksheet is due on Thursday 11/10/05. Also for Thursday there is a small (two problems) Section 3.5 assignment. Mon, Nov 07, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 11/7/05 Today we had a quiz on a rational functions problem -- analyzing the domain, intercepts, and vertical asymptotes for a particular function. With the remaining classtime we considered the question of horizontal and oblique asymptotes. You have an assignment for Section 3.5 due tomorrow Tuesday 11/8/05. Fri, Nov 04, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 11/4/05 We had a quiz with a long division problem, and also some extra credit questions. We spent the remaining part of class learning more about analyzing rational functions. We'll still need to talk more about horizontal and oblique asymptotes. Your MyMathLab assignment on Section 3.5 has been extended to Tuesday 11/8/05. Thu, Nov 03, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 11/3/05 Today we looked at several good examples of polynomial long division (a Section 3.3 topic). We looked at the function-graph matching quiz on p. 282 (a Section 3.2 topic). Then we spent some time talking about how you analyze rational functions (a Section 3.5 topic). There is an assignment on rational functions Section 3.5 that has been posted and in due Monday 11/7/05. Tue, Nov 01, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 11/1/05 Today you had a quiz (open classmate) on analyzing and graphing polynomial functions. Look for an assignment on this topic (Section 3.2) to be posted today --- it will be due Thursday Nov 3. Also, we began a discussion on long division of polynomials, a Section 3.3 topic. Today I'll post a Section 3.3 assignment that will be due Friday Nov 4.
Mon, Oct 31, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 10/31/05 Happy Halloween! In celebration of all things scary, we had a quiz on polynomials (finding zeros and multiplicities), and we continued our discussion of analyzing polynomial functions and their graphs. You have an assignment on applied problems from Sectio 3.1 due Nov 1. Fri, Oct 28, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 10/28/05 Today we went over applications of polynomials to curve-fitting. I'll have some additional problems from Section 3.1 that will be due Tuesday Nov 1. Thu, Oct 27, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 10/27/05 Today we had a quiz: solving a system of 3 equations in 3 unknowns. We then moved on to our next topic, a study of polynomial functions. I'll be posting an assignment for Section 3.1 that will be due Monday 10/31. Tue, Oct 25, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 10/25/05 Today we went over several different types of systems of equations problems: (1) A system of two equations, two unknowns with no solutions, (2) A system of 3 equations, 3 unknowns with infinitely many solutions, and (3) A word problem that can be solved by setting up a system of 3 equations in 3 unknowns. The HW for Thursday has already been assigned. See the assignments section of this Blackboard site -- at this time I think the list of assignments there is complete, from most recent going back to the beginning of the semester. This keeps track of all graded items, whether from in class or MyMathLab. Mon, Oct 24, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 10/24/05 Today we had an open notes quiz on a couple of systems of equations problems. Afterward, we worked a couple of word problems that can be solved by setting up systems of equations, and we also solved a system of three equations for three unknowns. A HW assignment for 5.1 is now posted (due Thursday)as well as a HW assignment for 5.2 (also due Thursday). Fri, Oct 21, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 10/21/05 Today I collected the worksheet problems on absolute value. Your 2.5/2.6 assignment on solving absolute value equations and inequalities is due Mon 10/24. We spent most of class working on solving systems of linear equations. I'll post an assignment on this topic (it's section 5.1 in your textbooks) soon; the 5.1 assignment will be due Tuesday 10/25. Thu, Oct 20, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 10/20/05 Today I returned Test #2. Students presented solutions to test problems. Test scores were out of 90 points: you needed at least 75 for an A, at least 62 for a B, at least 48 for a C, and at least 36 for a D. We spent the remaining classtime looking at absolute value equalities and inequalities. There was a handout due tomorrow Fri 10/21. A HW assignment on these problem types will be due Mon 10/24. Tue, Oct 11, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 10/11 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Class and office hours for Thursday 10/13 are cancelled. Your test on Tuesday 10/18 will cover transformations (1.7), plus 2.1 through 2.6. We'll review on Monday. Your 2.4 Part II assignment was due Monday, and your 2.5 assignment was due today (Tues 10/11). I'll be posting a 2.3/2.5 assignment as well as a 2.6 assignment for you to work on for next week. I returned some grading today. If you want to pick up your other graded work, you can do so Wed 10/12 between 9:30 and 11:30. Some of you gave me permission to leave your graded work in an envelope attached to my office door. On Monday 10/10 I gave you two quiz problems on equation solving. You worked on these in class individually, then in groups, then you took them home. They were due today Tuesday 10/11. Fri, Oct 07, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 10/7/05 I forgot to blog yesterday. Yesterday I collected the take-home quiz. Also, your 1st assignment from 2.4 was due (either MyMathLab or written). We went over several
types of word problems. A section 2.4 word problems assignment was posted on MyMathLab. As of today I also have the alternative written assignment. These are due Monday 10/10. Today you had an open book, open notes word problem quiz. We also started looking at equation solving again by looking at a couple of section 2.5 problems. I have an assignment from Section 2.5 posted on MyMathLab. See the "assignments" section of this page. Tue, Oct 04, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 10/4/05 Today I extended the due date for your Section 2.4 assignment to Thursday. We went over in detail an example where we are given a quadratic function in standard form and we convert it to "vertex form" using the method of completing the square in order to answer questions like: what is the vertex? what is the axis of symmetry? etc. I gave you a quiz problem which you are allowed to take home and turn in Thursday. Mon, Oct 03, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 10/3/05 Today we started to work with quadratic functions in earnest: we used the method of completing the square in order to take a quadratic function presented in standard form and put it in "vertex form", where we can easily tell the vertex of the graph. An assignment from section 2.4 is now posted on MyMathLab. For a list of problem numbers for this or any other assignment, see the ASSIGNMENTS section of this page! Fri, Sep 30, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 9/30/05 On Thursday I collected the take-home quiz on word problems as well as the 2.1 alternative written assignment. We then talked about the arithmetic of complex numbers (2.2), and you had a complex numbers assignment due today. You also had a quiz on complex numbers arithmetic. We talked about solving quadratic equations by factoring, by using graphical/numerical approaches, and by the quadratic formula. There is an assignment for section 2.3 due Monday. Tue, Sep 27, 2005 -- Blog for Tuesday 9/27/05 Today we did more with Section 2.1-style word problems. Of course, your goal should be to get an equation which has as a variable the unknown quantity you are trying to find. The in-class quiz became a take-home assignment, due Thursday (although some of you have already turned it in). I am posting a section 2.2 assignment which will not be due until Friday. Mon, Sep 26, 2005 -- Blog for Monday 9/26/05 I had trouble getting Blackboard up yesterday, so I'm just now blogging today Tuesday 9/27. I did post an assignment to MyMathLab from 2.1. The computer assignment is still due at classtime, the written assignment must be turned in by Thursday. We had a quiz Monday on 1.6 and 1.7 topics, then discussed word problems (section 2.1). Fri, Sep 23, 2005 -- Blog for Friday 9/23/05 Today I gave a group quiz on a couple of review problems from Chapter 1. We discussed composition of functions (1.6) a little more, and then transformations (1.7). There is a 1.6/1.7 assignment posted now. Thu, Sep 22, 2005 -- No HW for Fri 9/23 I had an urgent situation to attend to today so I didn't get the announced assignment from Chapter 1 posted in time. There is no HW for Friday 9/23. Thu, Sep 15, 2005 -- Blog for Thursday 9/15/05 So we had a "game-situation" quiz today -- no notes, HW, book, or friends allowed. We talked a little bit about what to expect for the test next Tuesday, then we proceeded into new material (Chapter 1.6). There is a Ch 1.6 assignment available now. Tue, Sep 13, 2005 -- Blog for Tues 9/13/05 (ex post facto) Due Thursday is the Chapter 1.5 HW -- we discussed piecewise functions in class.
Mon, Sep 12, 2005 -- Blog for Mon 9/12/05 OK, so today we had a quiz on lines (you were able to use HW, notes, book, friends). We also discussed the "correlation coefficient" which gave some of you trouble on the assignment. Because of this, I decided to extend the due date for Ch 1.4 Part II until Tuesday 9/13/05. I also added problems from Ch 1.5, but I've decided to move the due date for Ch 1.5 until Thurs 9/15. Fri, Sep 09, 2005 -- Blog for Fri 9/9/05 I thought we'd have a quiz or classwork assignment that I'd collect today, but that didn't happen. Instead we spent class time carefully working through the scatterplots/regression example that we started on Thursday. I did give you more problems from Section 1.4 to work for Monday 9/12 --- see the assignments section for the MyMathLab and the written problem numbers. Thu, Sep 08, 2005 -- Blog for Thurs 9/8/05 ***If you do not submit an assignment by MyMathLab, then you must submit the written assignment by classtime.*** There are problems from 1.4 on MyMathLab and an alternative written assignment (see the "Assignments" section of this page). We started a discussion on scatterplots and regression, and we'll do more on this tomorrow. Tue, Sep 06, 2005 -- Blog for Tues 9/6/05 Toward the end of class I very briefly sketched what you will see in Chapter 1.3 on Linear Functions. I announced an assignment on 1.3 due Thursday 9/8/05 -- see the assignments section for details. In class I answered questions about domain, range, and interval notation. We looked at some examples and then I gave you a quiz: find the domain of a certain function. The quiz was closed book, notes, HW, friend, but at the end of class I did give you a couple of minutes to check your work with a classmate. Fri, Sep 02, 2005 -- Blog for Fri 9/2/05 Today we had a group quiz on circles. We also spent some time talking about functions. I gave you a second Chapter 1.2 assignment due Tuesday. I also gave the option of turning in written assignments for Chapter 1.1, 1.2 Part I, and 1.2 Part II, all due Tuesday 9/6 as well. For more information about this, go to the assignments section. Thu, Sep 01, 2005 -- Blog for Thurs 9/1/05 I gave you an extension until tomorrow (Friday 9/2) on the HW for Chapter 1.1: #11, 23, 35, 47, 53, 57, 61, 85, 93, 97, 107. Again, this must be completed in MyMathLab. I also gave you an additional assignment due tomorrow by classtime: Chapter 1.2 #27, 31 (MyMathLab) I returned the quiz from Tues 8/30. Tue, Aug 30, 2005 -- Blog for Tues 8/30/05 Assignment: Chapter 1.1 #11, 23, 35, 47, 53, 57, 61, 85, 93, 97, 107. This is due by classtime on Thursday Sept 1 and must be completed in the MyMathLab environment. I'll make available in the course documents section a handout that might help as you work through the material. We had a quiz today on a Chapter R.5 problem (#42) -- it was open book, open notes. I handed back your quizzes from yesterday; I gave you feedback on each problem, but overall the grade was effort (full credit or no credit). I collected the written assignment (if that's what you chose) for Chapter R. BUT... the next assignment must be completed in the MyMathLab environment.
Mon, Aug 29, 2005 -- Blog for Mon 8/29/05 As far as I know, the error we happened upon in class about the due date for Chapter R HW has been corrected. The correct due date is Tuesday 8/30/2005 by 9:29 AM. In class today we went over some Chapter R problems working in the MyMathLab environment. We had a quiz at the end of class on Chapter R material. I'll give feedback on correctness, but the grade will be an effort grade only. Fri, Aug 26, 2005 -- Final Exam Tuesday Dec 13 at 8:00 AM The final exam date/time printed in the syllabus are incorrect. The correct date/time are: Tuesday December 13 at 8:00 AM. Fri, Aug 26, 2005 -- Blog for Fri 8/26/05 (Getting started in MyMathLab) <P>Because of some confusion about the textbook, the Chapter R assignment (originally due Mon 8/29) will be due Tues 8/30. See the entry for 8/25 for this assignment.<br><br>today we went over some basic algebra review problems (it was a handout -- see course documents). It is likely that on Monday there will be a quiz or classwork problems on basic algebra.<br><br>to register on MyMathLab, you'll need an access code that comes on a card packaged with the text. Go to <A href="http://www.mymathlab.com">www.mymathlab.com</a> to register, choose login name/password, etc. You'll need the COURSE ID number donnelly29933 to complete the registration process with MyMathLab!<BR><BR>After that's done, when you go back to <A href="http://www.mymathlab.com">www.mymathlab.com</a> and log in, you should see our MAT 140 course. Click on this to go to the course --- you're in a Blackboard environment now. On the left you'll see a menu of buttons. The next thing you need to do is install the MathXLPlayer so that you can do HW online. To do this click on the "Installation Wizard" button. Click on this and follow the directions for installing the MathXLPlayer and other items. You will only have to do this once on your personal machine.</p> Thu, Aug 25, 2005 -- Blog for Thurs 8/25/05 (Chapter R HW assigned) OK, so we had our first class meeting today. I hope you have some sense of how things are going to work, but I anticipate that it will be pretty clear once you actually try out the online stuff.. As for your HW, for tomorrow (Thurs) you should: Purchase a book with an access card Register with MyMathLab. Start working the Chapter R assignment (due Tues 8/30). For this assignment you will have the choice of working it online or on paper. For those who try it online, the problems are: R.2 #31, 43, 45, 51, 55, 59; R.3 #11, 21, 27; R.4 #15, 21, 37, 45, 59, 87, 105; R.5 #11, 29, 39, 49 (20 problems). For those who work this assignment on paper: R.2 #32, 44, 46, 52, 56, 58; R.3 #12, 22, 28, 40; R.4 #14, 26, 28, 42, 46, 52, 60, 88, 106; R.5 #12, 30, 40, 42, 50, 60 (25 problems). Wed, Aug 24, 2005 -- Blog for Wed 8/24/05 Our first class meeting is tomorrow Thursday August 25 in FH 303. IMPORTANT!!! The textbook is "College Algebra: Graphs and Models" (3rd ed) by Bittinger, et al. It is NOT "Algebra and Trigonometry, Enhanced With Graphing Utilities" (4th ed) by Sullivan and Sullivan. Also, the text will come packaged with a packet of information about online learning resources. Do NOT throw this away! It also contains an access code that will cost you $20 to replace.
See you at 9:30 in FH 303 tomorrow! Blackboard Learning System - Basic Edition (7.0.404.2) Blackboard Learning System - Basic Edition Copyright 1997-2004 Blackboard Inc. Patents Pending. All rights reserved. Accessibility information can be found at http://access.blackboard.com.