Fall Semester, 2007
Precalculus Office
Hours: MW 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
MATH 125 T
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
3 Credit Hours R
12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
“Heyugotaminute”
Instructor: Al Niemier Phone:
219-239-8381
Office: 179 Vincent E-mail: aniemier@hcc-nd.edu
PERQUISITES: Successful completion of Math 101 or
placement from Assessment Tests. It is
expected that all students taking this course have had the equivalent of two
successful years of high school algebra.
TEXTBOOKS AND/OR
EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES: Purchased by student
REQUIRED:
Precalculus Package (Textbook, CD, and Study and Solutions Guide), 7th
Edition by Roland E. Larson and Robert P. Hostetler, published by Houghton
Mifflin Company, Copyright: 2007, ISBN#
9780618804375
REQUIRED GRAPHING CALCULATOR: Each student is required to have a graphing
calculator. In class, the instructor
will be using the TEXAS INSTRUMENT TI-89 graphing calculator. This calculator can be purchased at several
local discount stores in the South
Bend area and is also available in the college
bookstore. Explanations about the
various graphs will be tied to keying the TI-89. If a student already has a different graphing
calculator, or intends to purchase a different brand, it will be that student’s
responsibility to learn how to use that calculator.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The Precalculus course will
concentrate on the study of functions.
Topics include (but not limited to) selected sections from the following
chapters: Chapter 1-Functions and Their Graphs, Chapter 2 – Polynomial and
Rational Functions, Chapter 3 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, and
Chapter 4-Trigonometry.
GOALS,
OBJECTIVES, AND PHILOSOPHY:
CONTENT GOAL: The Precalculus course is intended to
prepare the student for the study of Calculus.
The techniques of Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus and their
applications will presuppose considerable knowledge of functions as well as the
appropriate skills utilized in working with function equations and their
graphs.
OBJECTIVE GOALS: Holy Cross
College graduates should
possess certain skills necessary for transfer to a senior institution. This class requires students to practice the
following transferable skills:
1.
Technology:
Students will use technology to manipulate, operated, and utilize a
graphing calculator to analyze and describe function behavior.
2.
Oral Communication:
Students will listen effectively in class and learn to speak on
mathematical topics and ideas using proper terminology.
3.
Writing:
Students will write all homework assignments. Written work for each problem will include,
as a minimum, the set-up and key steps in the problem leading to the final
result. Students will not
plagiarize, but will develop their own written assignments.
4.
Quantitative Reasoning:
Students will develop a quantitative reasoning process for the topics
listed in the course description.
5.
Critical Thinking:
Students will be able to ask relevant questions related to course
topics, recognize the connections between the mathematical information
presented and real life situations, and apply mathematical concepts to real
life situations.
6.
Creative Thinking:
Students should be able to develop and ask alternative questions to some
or similar mathematical concepts.
7.
Reading: Students will learn how to read a mathematics
textbook, and how to understand/analyze mathematical concepts and problems
while reading mathematical topics.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY: Learning mathematics depends more on
hard work than on any other factor. Your
success is dependent upon your willingness to exert sufficient effort. To succeed in this course your must:
1.
Devote minimum of two hours of outside of
class study for every one-hour of actual class.
2.
Attend every class.
3.
Come to class prepared and willing to help your
classmates.
4.
Seek help from me or from other sources as soon as the
need arises.
5.
Be an enthusiastic group participant.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING CRITERIA:
EXAMS: There will be four scheduled full period
exams. The dates of these exams are
indicated on the ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE.
Since these dates of the scheduled exams are stipulated at the start of
classes, it is expected that each student will make every effort to be present
for each exam. MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL NOT
BE GIVEN!! The Registrar’s Office
schedules the final exam.
ASSIGNMENTS: There is a large body of educational
research, which supports that active involvement with the material is the only
way to gain a true understanding of mathematical concepts. Hence, you are encouraged and expected to
“dig in” and learn through active involvement with the subject matter and your
classmates. You are expected, and
it will be necessary for you to read the textbook in order to complete
assignments. Sometimes it will be
necessary to look back or forward in the text to find information and definitions
that you need. You are responsible for
your own learning. I am eager to assist
you in every way that I can. It is
important for you to realize that it is not possible to receive answers to all
questions during class time. You are
responsible for finding answers to your questions, from me during office hours,
from the Learning
Resource Center,
or from your classmates.
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned as per the ASSIGNMENT
SCHEDULE. Homework is a key to
success in this course. Perform each
assignment and conscientiously attempt each and every problem in every
assignment. Do not allow yourself to
fall behind. Leaving a section without
mastering it undermines your chances for success with subsequent sections. Mathematics cannot be “put off and crammed”
in a couple of days before an exam.
Problems on the exams will be similar to the homework problems.
Use a three-ring binder for your class notes and homework
papers rather than a spiral notebook. If
you use a binder, you can remove and add pages as needed and keep our homework
well organized. Your notebook will be a
valuable reference and study resource.
READING ASSIGNMENTS that are listed on the ASSIGNMENT
SCHEDULE refer to those sections of your text that you should read PRIOR to
coming to class. They contain the bulk
of the material that will be presented in class that day. References will be made to the material in
the assigned sections during class presentation.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS are problems that should be done
before coming to class. They are based
on material that already has been presented and explained. Most of these problems have the answers in
the back of the book, which will allow you to check your answer. You should do enough of these problems to be
completely familiar with the material covered.
Hopefully, you would do some of the problems, which do not have answers,
and also some of the problems that are not assigned. I may also assign additional problems not
listed on the ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE. These
problems will also be expected to be completed for the next class. It is suggested that you keep your problems
neatly together in a three ring binder.
Homework will be assigned each class period as per the
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE and the following assumptions are made.
1.
You are completing your homework assignments between
class meetings.
2.
You are studying and practicing precalculus mathematics
a minimum of two hours of outside of class study for every
one-hour of actual class. Also,
understand that more time should be allotted when preparing for exams.
3.
You are studying individually and working
regularly with classmates.
4.
You are responsible for your own learning, and so you
will ask questions in class discussions, in my office, at the Learning Resource
Center, of your classmates—about
problems that have are troublesome for you.
5.
You cannot truly be “stumped” until you have given the
problem serious consideration and ample time.
6.
You cannot completely understand nor remember a new
concept until you have applied it repeatedly to solve problems.
HOMEWORK FORMAT: TO
BE OBSERVED ON ALL ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Each day’s homework/written
assignment must be on my desk BEFORE the start of class. Homework/assignments will only be accepted if
the student is present in class the day the homework/assignment is due. Any homework not turned in by the time the
graded homework papers are returned will be considered late and thus will count
at 50%. Any homework that is two or more
class periods late will not be accepted and will be given a score of zero.
2. Homework must be written in
pencil and should NOT be written on spiral paper.
3. Papers should not be folded
and, if more than one page, must be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.
4. In the upper right-hand
corner PRINT your name, course number, assignment section number, assignment
page number, and assignment date due.
5. If you decide to change a
problem, erase neatly and thoroughly.
“Scratch outs” will not be accepted.
In general, any paper bearing the appearance of “scratch work”, or any
paper that appears to be list of answers with NO supporting work will NOT be
accepted and will be given a grade of zero.
6. I will choose a problem(s)
at random to grade. It is essential that
you complete each day’s assignment. You
cannot be sure you have worked the problem(s) that will be graded unless you
have worked all assigned problems.
TUTORING: You are
encouraged to make use of the Learning Resource Center (LCR). Hours are posted. Peer tutors, adult tutors,
and teachers are available to help you FREE OF CHARGE. Videotapes may be checked out of the library
and may be viewed at the LRC or taken back to dorm rooms. Math tutorials corresponding to all sections
in the book are accessible in the computer lab and the LRC for extra
practice. A CD is included with your
text that has a video lesson for each section from the text, along with guided
practice problems.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Holy Cross
College expects honesty
from all students in their academic work.
Please refer to the student handbook (page 153) for information on the
college’s academic honesty policy.
Violations of the academic honesty policy include plagiarism or cheating
on any examination or assignment. Any
student found in violation of the academic honesty policy may be subject to
sanctions that could include failure on the assignment or failure in the
course, and any finding of violation may be referred to the Vice President for
Academic Affairs. Procedures for
appealing any sanction can be found in the student handbook (page 153).
GRADING SCALE: Your
final grade will be determined from the following:
1. 60%-from the four scheduled period exams. Each scheduled period
exam will count 15%.
2. 20%-from homework and class participation. Each graded homework assignment will be worth
10 points. The total graded homework/written assignment score will be
proportioned to a score based on 100 points.
3. 20%-from the final exam.
The final exam will not be returned.
If the student has submitted 80% of his/her assignments, AND has at least a 80% average on the
total of all assignments, AND has no
more than three (3) absences (regardless of the reason), then the student will
have the option of having the final exam score replace their lowest regular
period exam score. For this purpose two (2) tardies will be the
equivalent to one absence.
4. If a student has a grade of “B” or better, AND has never
been late to class AND has never been absent from class, AND the
student has submitted
80% of his/her assignments, AND has
at least a 80% average on the total of all assignments, then the student will be
allowed to exercise the option of NOT taking the final exam. If the student meets these qualifications,
then the student’s final semester grade will be the grade earned as of the last
day of class for the semester.
The semester letter grade will be given based on scheduled
period exams, homework and class participation, and your final exam. Grading will be done on a point system. The points will be converted to a percentage,
and the following scale will determine the letter grade:
95-100 = A
87--89.99 = B+ 80-82.99 =
B- 70-76.99 = C 60-65.99 = D
90-94.99 = A-
83--86.99 = B 77-79.99 =
C+ 66-69.99 = C- 0-59.99 = F
WITHDRAWAL: Holy Cross
College policy and
regulations on withdrawal are given in the Student Handbook on page 161. All students are expected to know these
policies/regulations and to abide by them.
AUDIT: The
following are strongly suggested for a student to successfully audit the class:
1.
Audit Policy as stated on page 154 of the Student
Handbook.
2.
Students are expected to attend class and submit all
written assignments.
3.
Student may take the regularly scheduled period exams
(optional).
4.
Student may take the final exam (optional).
ATTENDANCE: There is
a direct correlation between regular class attendance and student’s success in
class. A student will find it very
difficult to successfully pass the class if he/she does not attend class
regularly. Hence, regular class
attendance is highly encouraged. Regular
class attendance will affect your final grade in the course in each of the
following ways.
1. Each
student will begin with 24 extra credit test points. Regardless of the reason, each day a student
is absent six points will be deducted.
Regardless of the reason, each day the student is less than fifteen
minutes late to class (tardy) three points will be deducted. If the student is fifteen or more minutes
late to class, the student will be considered absent and six points will be
deducted.
2 Once class begins, any student who leaves
class, regardless of the reason, will be considered absent.
3. If
a student has no more than three (3) absences (regardless of the reason), then
the student will have the option of having the final exam score replace their
lowest regular period exam score, PROVIDED
the student has submitted 80% of his/her assignments, AND has at least a 80% average on the total of all
assignments. For this purpose two (2)
tardies will be equivalent of one absence.
4. If a student has a grade of “B” or better, AND
has never late or absent from class, AND the student has submitted 80% of his/her assignments, AND has at least a 80% average on the
total of all assignments, then
the student will be allowed to exercise the option of NOT taking the
final exam. If the student meets these
qualifications, then the student’s final semester grade will be the grade
earned as of the last day of class for the semester.
This policy on attendance will be effective
starting with the first day of class.
REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A DISABILITY: Students requesting accommodations for
specific requirements for class and/or testing must have on file, through the
office of Brother Christopher J. Dreyer, C.S.C., L.C.S.W., a Request
for Accommodations form. Such
students are highly encouraged to discuss with me their specific class and/or
testing requirements at their earliest convenience. In general, for testing purposes, twice the
amount of the regular testing time will be allowed. In this regard, it is the
responsibility of the student to request specific testing accommodations 48 hours prior to a scheduled
test/exam.
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE MATH 125 PRECALCULUS
FALL SEMESTER 2007
|
Class
Number
|
Day
|
Date
|
Reading Assignment
|
Written Assignment
|
|
1
|
M
|
8-27
|
Section 1.2 Graphs of Equations, Pages 14 to 21
|
Please Come
|
|
2
|
W
|
8-29
|
Section 1.2 Graphs of Equations, Pages 14 to 21; AND
Section 1.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables, Pages 25 to 33
|
Section 1.2, Pages 22 to 24; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,72, 62
|
|
3
|
F
|
8-31
|
Section 1.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables, Pages 25 to
33, and Section 1.4 Functions, Pages
40 to 47
|
Section 1.2, Pages 22 to 24; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,72, 62; AND Section 1.3, Pages 34 to 39; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,81; 74, 80, 97, 107
|
|
4
|
M
|
9-3
|
Section 1.4
Functions, Pages 40 to 47
|
Section 1.3, Pages 34 to 39; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,81; 74, 80, 97, 107, and Section 1.4, Pages 48 to 53; Every 3rd:
3, 6, 9,…,84, 92, 96
|
|
5
|
W
|
9-5
|
Section 1.5 Analyzing Graphs of Functions, Pages 54 to 60
|
Section 1.4, Pages 48 to 53; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,84, 92, 96
|
|
6
|
F
|
9-7
|
Section 1.5, Pages 61 to 65; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,81, 71, and Section 1.8 Combination of Functions, Pages 84 to 88
|
Section 1.5, Pages 61 to 65; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,81, 71
|
|
7
|
M
|
9-10
|
Section 2.1 Quadratic Functions, Pages 128 to 133
|
Section 1.5, Pages 61 to 65; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,81, 71, and Section 1.8, Pages 89 to 92; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,45; 31
|
|
8
|
W
|
9-12
|
CATCH UP AND REVIEW
|
Section 2.1, Pages 134 to 138; 3, 6, 9, Every 3rd: 15, 18,
21,…,63, 78, 83
|
|
9
|
F
|
9-14
|
TEST ON CHAPTER 1
|
Study for test on Chapter 1
|
|
10
|
M
|
9-17
|
Section 2.1 Quadratic Functions, Pages 128 to 133
|
Please come back J
|
|
11
|
W
|
9-19
|
Section 2.2 Polynomial Functions or Higher Order, Pages
139 to 147
|
Section 2.1, Pages 134 to 138; 3, 6, 9, Every 3rd: 15, 18,
21,…,63, 78, 83
|
|
12
|
F
|
9-21
|
Section 2.2 Polynomial Functions or Higher Order, Pages
139 to 147
|
Section 2.2, Pages 148 to 152; Odd 1 to 8, 15, 18, 19, 20,
Every 3rd: 27, 30, 33,…,87
|
|
Class
Number
|
Day
|
Date
|
Reading Assignment
|
Written Assignment
|
|
13
|
M
|
9-24
|
Section 2.6 Rational Functions, Pages 184 to 192
|
Section 2.2, Pages 148 to 152; Odd 1 to 8, 15, 18, 19, 20,
Every 3rd: 27, 30, 33,…,87
|
|
14
|
W
|
9-26
|
Section 3.1 Exponential Functions and Their Graphs, Pages
218 to 225
|
Section 2.6, Pages 193 to 196; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9, … ,51, 53, 57, 59
|
|
15
|
F
|
9-28
|
Section 3.1 Exponential Functions and Their Graphs, Pages
218 to 225; AND Section 3.2 Logarithmic Functions and Their Graphs, Pages 229
to 235
|
Section 3.1, Pages 226 to 228; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,48, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67
|
|
16
|
M
|
10-1
|
CATCH UP AND REVIEW
|
Section 3.1, Pages 226 to 228; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,48, 54, 56, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67; Section 3.2, Pages 236 to 238; Every 3rd:
3, 6, 9,…,84
|
|
17
|
W
|
10-3
|
TEST N CHAPTER 2
|
STUDY FOR TEST ON CHAPTER 2
|
|
18
|
F
|
10-5
|
Section 3.2 Logarithmic Functions and Their Graphs, Pages
229 to 235
|
Nearing the Halfway Point JJ
|
|
19
|
M
|
10-8
|
Section 3.3 Properties of Logarithms, Pages 239 to 242
|
Section 3.2, Pages 236 to 238; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9,…,84
|
|
20
|
W
|
10-10
|
Section 3.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations, Pages
246 to 252
|
Section 3.3, Pages 243 to 245; Every 3rd: 3, 6, 9,…78
|
|
21
|
F
|
10-12
|
Section 3.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations, Pages
246 to 252
|
Section 3.4, Pages 253 to 256; Every 4th:
Beginning with 1, 5, 9, 13, 17,… 105
|
|
22
|
M
|
10-15
|
Section 3.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Models, Pages 257
to 263
|
Section 3.4, Pages 253 to 256; Every 4th:
Beginning with 1, 5, 9, 13, 17,… 105
|
|
23
|
W
|
10-17
|
Section 4.1 Radian and Degree Measure, Pages 282 to 289
|
Section 3.5, Pages 264 to 269; Odd 7 to 21, Odd 25 to 29
|
|
24
|
F
|
10-19
|
Section 4.1 Radian and Degree Measure, Pages 282 to 289
|
Section 4.1, Pages 290 to 293; 4, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25,
29, 34, 35, 36, 41, 45, 47, 50, 51, 53, 55, 63, 67, 73, 76, 79, 88, 91, 93,
101
|
|
25
|
M
|
10-29
|
CATCH UP AND REVIEW
|
Section 4.1, Pages 290 to 293; 4, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25,
29, 34, 35, 36, 41, 45, 47, 50, 51, 53, 55, 63, 67, 73, 76, 79, 88, 91, 93,
101
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
Number
|
Day
|
Date
|
Reading Assignment
|
Written Assignment
|
|
26
|
W
|
10-31
|
TEST ON CHAPTER 3
|
STUDY FOR TEST ON CHAPTER 3
|
|
27
|
F
|
11-2
|
Section 4.2 Trigonometric Functions, The Unit Circle,
Pages 294 to 298
|
Coming To The End J
JJ
|
|
28
|
M
|
11-5
|
Section 4.2 Trigonometric Functions, The Unit Circle,
Pages 294 to 298
|
Section 4.2, Pages 299 to 300; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9, …,51
|
|
29
|
W
|
11-7
|
Section 4.3 Right Triangle Trigonometry, Pages 301 to 307
|
Section 4.2, Pages 299 to 300; Every 3rd: 3, 6,
9, …,51
|
|
30
|
F
|
11-9
|
Section 4.3 Right Triangle Trigonometry, Pages 301 to 307
|
Section 4.3, Pages 308 to 311; Every 3rd: 3, 6, 9,…,60, 23, 25, 26, 62, 64, 65, 66
|
|
31
|
M
|
11-12
|
|