HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

NOTRE DAME, IN  46556

FALL, 2004

 

 

MATH 099 - 04  Basic Algebra                               Office:  V-172

1:00 – 1:50  MWF                                                     Office Phone:  239-8306

Instructor:  Jane  Allen                                               Email:  jallen@hcc-nd.edu

Office Hours: 9:00 – 11:00 MWF,                           Home Phone: 271-9927

                        2:00 – 3:00 MW

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

This course does not assume previous instruction in algebra.  Students are expected to be able to perform basic arithmetic operations ( +,  -,  ΄,  Έ ) on whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.

 

Topics covered in the course are the basic properties and definitions of algebra, solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable, properties of exponents, operations with polynomials and rational expressions, a general strategy for factoring, solving equations by factoring, and simplifying and solving rational equations.

 

Students who successfully complete this course with a grade of C or better will have the skills necessary to advance to MATH 101 (Intermediate Algebra) or MATH 111 (Discrete Mathematics).

 

 

REQUIRED TEXT

 

McKeague, Charles P.,  Intermediate Algebra,  Sixth Edition,   Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, 2003.

 

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

Student Solutions Manual

Basic Calculator (not graphing)

Colored pens or pencils

 

 

GOALS

 

To read the math textbook

To perform the mathematical objectives stated in each lesson

To work cooperatively in small groups

To be attentive and follow directions

To give clear and logical explanations

EVALUATION

 

 

Weight of Component                                           Grading Scale

Homework                 20%                                        92 – 100         A

Quizzes                      10%                                        90 – 91           A-

Attendance                10%                                        88 – 89           B+

Chapter Tests            40%                                        82 – 87           B

Final Exam                 20%                                        80 – 81           B-

Total                         100%                                         78 – 79           C+       

                                                72 – 77           C

                                                                                    70 – 71           C-

*A grade of C or better                                          60 – 69           D

 is required to progress                                        59 or less       F

 to MATH 101 or 111.

 

 

 

 

HOMEWORK/QUIZZES

 

Problem sets (exercises at the end of each section) will be assigned daily to be turned in the following day.  An assignment sheet is attached.  As you work the problems, check answers in the back of the book to make sure you are understanding the concept.

 

All assignments must include your name, M099 – 04, and the chapter and section number of the problem set in the upper right-hand corner.  Your papers must show all of your work.  Answers should be circled or highlighted.  All pages must be stapled together.  Use pencil only for all work done in this class.  Homework turned in late due to absence will be considered late.  Late homework will be given reduced credit and will not be accepted after the date of the test covering that material.  Neatness and legibility are a must.  You are expected to preview the section(s) that will be covered in class the following day.

 

Quizzes will be frequent and unannounced.  They may not be made up.  All quizzes may be revised.  Each correctly revised problem will earn you ½ of the points the problem was originally worth.  You must show work that clearly indicates that you have a good understanding of the problem.  An answer alone will not be given credit, nor will an explanation with omissions.  Revisions are optional. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

 

 

 

 

 

TESTS

 

You will tested on the material in Chapters 1, 2, 5, and 6.  If you are absent on a test day, your test grade will be zero unless you have received prior consent. Your lowest test grade will be dropped if you have 3 or fewer absences.  A comprehensive final exam will be given on Monday, December 13.   Make sure your travel arrangements don’t conflict with this date.

 

 

ATTENDANCE

 

In order to be successful, you need to be a participant, not a spectator.  You are responsible for your own education.  I will facilitate, encourage, counsel, guide, and support your learning.  Merely being present expecting someone to feed you   information does not mean you are learning.  People become educated because of the work they themselves do.  You must be actively engaged.  100% attendance and participation are expected.  Please contact me by phone or email if you need to be absent.  

 

Hours of Absence              Attendance Grade        PLEASE NOTE:

0                                                                                            100%                    15 minutes late = 1 absence

1                                                                                            100%                    3 tardies = 1 absence

2                                                                                              90%

3                                                                                              80%                      

4                                                                                              70%

5                                                                                              60%

6                                                                                              50%

7                                                                                              40%

8                                                                                              30%

9                                                                                              20%

         10                                           10%

         11 or more                               0%

 

 

 

 

TUTORING

 

You are encouraged to make use of the Learning Resource Center.  Hours are posted.  Peer tutors, adult tutors, and teachers are available to help you FREE OF CHARGE.  Videotapes of all lectures are available for viewing at the LRC or may be checked out of the library.  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.  Also you have access to live, one-on-one help from a qualified instructor on the Web during specific hours.

 

CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES

 

Upon completion, the student should be able to:

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

·        translate phrases written in English into algebraic expressions

·        simplify expressions containing exponents

·        simplify expressions using the rules for order of operations

·    graph simple and compound inequalities

·        use commutative, associative, and distributive properties

·        simplify expressions containing absolute value

·        identify the opposite of a number

·        identify the reciprocal of a number

·    add, subtract, multiply, and divide signed numbers and fractions

·        extend an arithmetic sequence

·    factor whole numbers into primes

·    reduce fractions to lowest terms

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

·    simplify expressions by combining similar terms

·    simplify expressions by applying the distributive property

·    find the value of an expression for a given value of the variable

·    use the addition and multiplication properties of equality to solve an equation

·    check the solution to an equation by substitution                      

·    solve a formula for one of its variables

·    solve simple percent problems

·    apply the Blueprint for Problem Solving to a variety of application problems

·    use both the addition and multiplication properties to solve an inequality

·    graph the solution set for an inequality and state solution in interval notation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

·        simplify expressions using properties of exponents

·        convert between scientific notation and expanded form

·        multiply and divide expressions written in scientific notation

·        give the degree of a polynomial

·        add, subtract, and multiply polynomials

·        evaluate a polynomial for a given value of its variable

·        factor by factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF)

·        factor by grouping

·        factor trinomials with leading coefficient of one

·        factor trinomial with a leading coefficent other than one

·        factor perfect square trinomials

·        factor the difference of two squares

·        factor the sum or difference of two cubes

·        solve equations by factoring

·        apply the Blueprint for Problem Solving to solve application problems whose solutions involve quadratic equations

·        solve problems that contain formulas that are quadratic

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

·    reduce rational expressions to lowest terms

·    divide a polynomial by a monomial or a polynomial

·    multiply and divide rational expressions

·    add and subtract rational expressions with like and unlike denominators

·    simplify complex fractions

·    solve equations containing rational expressions

·    solve formulas containing rational expressions for one of the variables

·    solve application problems whose solutions are found from equations

      containing rational expressions

·    solve conversion problems using unit analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

 

At Holy Cross College, we have identified a number of transferable skills which we hope that all of our students will exhibit by the time they graduate.  The TRANSFERABLE SKILLS OBJECTIVES* that are incorporated into our class include the following:

 

                CREATIVE THINKING

                                The student should be able to generate ideas and synthesize results.

1.       Participate in brainstorming activities.

2.       See connections and patterns.

3.       Work independently or with others to put ideas into action/form, i.e., synthesize results

The student should be able to recognize and use multiple ways of thinking.

1.       Utilize inductive and deductive reasoning.

2.       Perceive accurately; see the overall and the specific; draw from both logic and intuition; compare and contrast; understand cause and effect.

The student should be able to understand the creative process (planning, experimenting, implementing, and evaluating).

1.       Envision an idea /solution to a problem and communicate that vision.

2.       Design a plan/template/model to express the idea

3.       Carry out plans

4.       Solicit feedback, evaluate, and revise creative product

CRITICAL THINKING

The student should be able to analyze, interpret, and appreciate thoughts and works of others.

1.       Be familiar with the basic terminology of various disciplines

2.       Attempt to be objective in analysis and interpretation

QUANTITATIVE REASONING AND LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT

The student should be able to understand and use basic algebraic concepts and application.

1.       Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of

polynomial expressions.

2.       Solve and apply algebraic equations and inequalities

3.       Use algebraic quantitative skills to help recognize, create, and solve problems related to everyday living.

The student should be able to recognize the order, logic, precision, and terminology of mathematics.

1.       Show evidence of a reflective, deliberate choice to use quantitative

Information .

2.       Organize, appropriately use, and clearly communicate quantitative information using appropriate terminology.

3.       Show a refined sense of effective ways to present quantitative information for a specific audience.

The student should be able to apply mathematical principles in a variety of situations.

1.       Identify quantitative relationships within a context.

2.       Show awareness of assumptions behind quantitative information.

The student should be able to understand relations and functions.

1.       Interpret, select, and construct graphs and apply measurement concepts.

READING

                The student should be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading competently in

                the various disciplines.

1.       Gain and understand accurate information and ideas from the written text.

TECHNOLOGY

                The student should be able to use various software programs needed for major

                areas of study relevant to course work.

1.       Have a basic understanding of the common terms associated with computer

technology.

 

 

*There are many other transferable skills included In our course which  are observed but not formally assessed.

 

 

 

LECTURE AND TEST DATES

 

 

LECTURE DATES                          CHAPTER                            TEST DATE

 

 

8/23 – 9/8                                           1.1 – 1.5                                             9/13                                                                           

 

9/10 – 9/29                                        2.1 – 2.4                                             10/4

 

 

10/1 – 10/13                                      5.1 – 5.4                                             10/15

 

 

10/25 – 11/10                                    5.5 – 5.8                                             11/15

 

 

11/12 – 12/1                                      6.1 – 6.4                                             12/3

 

 

12/6 – 12/8                                        Final Review

 

 

12/13                                                  Final Exam                                         10:15 a.m.

 

 

                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section

Problems Assigned

Grade Received

1.1

1 – 85 EOO

 

 

1.2

1 – 73 EOO,  77 – 85 EOO

 

 

1.3

1 – 109 EOO

 

 

1.4

1 – 101 EOO

 

 

1.5

1 – 47 EOO

 

 

2.1

1 – 69 EOO, 75 – 85 O

 

 

2.2

1 – 54 EOO, 61, 71 – 79 O, 85

 

 

2.3

1 – 49 EOO, 53 – 59 O

 

 

2.4

1 – 51 O, 61 – 67 O

 

 

5.1

1 – 81 EOO, 89

 

 

5.2

1 – 53 O, 63, 65

 

 

5.3

1 – 53 O, 63    

 

 

5.4

1 – 45 O, 53 – 59 O

 

 

5.5

1 – 73 EOO, 79 – 83 O

 

 

5.6

1 – 81 EOO

 

 

5.7

1 – 69 EOO

 

 

5.8

1 – 61 EOO

 

 

6.1

9 – 37 O, 51 – 55 O, 63 – 67 O

 

 

6.2

1 – 35 O, 51 – 61 O

 

 

6.3

1 – 51 EOO, 59 – 71 O

 

 

6.4

1 – 65 EOO, 71 – 79 O

 

 

6.5

1 – 29 O, 39 – 47 O

 

 

6.6

1 – 41 O, 59 – 65 O

 

 

6.7

1 – 33 O, 37 – 45 O

 

 

 

EOO – every other odd problem                             O – Odd Problems