DEVELOPMENTAL MATHEMATICS MATD 0370 & 0290

FAST TRACK COMBINED ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA & INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

Dr. Nancy C. Miller, Professor of Mathematics…………………………Office: 2149

Office Hours: Tues. 3-4 PM & 5-5:30 PM,….. Wed. 9-10 AM;….. Thurs. 3-4 PM & 5-5:30 PM, & Fri. 9-10 AM,….. and by appt. at many times

Phone: 223-4864…..E-Mail: nmiller@austin.cc.tx.us……………http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/nmiller

TEXT: Elementary & Intermediate Algebra for College Students. By Angel

Calculators: I encourage you to use a scientific calculator in this course and use is required for the study of exponential functions in particular.

Course Purpose: This fast track algebra course streamlines content for the purpose of moving adult students more quickly through developmental mathematics. The design is to improve retention and persistence of students, especially traditionally under-represented students. Throughout the course, problem solving and the concept of function are demonstrated and emphasized. Multiple representations of a problem are encouraged including verbal, symbolic, graphical, and numerical representations. The learning objectives for this course include: reasoning mathematically, communicating mathematically, and problem solving. The focus will be on using algebra to solve problems from the real world. This course is designed to prepare students for various college-level science and mathematics courses. After succeeding in this course, students may enroll in a number of courses in science, mathematics, and various technical areas. These include General College Physics, General Chemistry, Magnetism and DC Circuits, AC Circuits, Manufacturing Materials and Processes, Math for Business and Economics, and College Algebra.

PREREQUISITE: A in Basic Math Skills taken Spring 2000 or later or A in Pre-algebra recently at ACC or recommendation of instructor or equivalent knowledge, a mid-range score on the MATD 0370 placement test, or 75% on the pretest during the first week.

 

 

Syllabus and Calendar:

1. Intro

Pretest

Chapt. 1

 

 

2. Appendix A

Appendix B

2.1-2.6

Exam 1

 

3. 3.1-3.4

Appendix C

3.5

4. 4.1 - 4.4

Exam 2

5.1

 

 

5. 5.2-5.6

6. 6.1-6.5

Exam 3

7. 6.6

Appendix D.4

7.1-7.5

8. 7.6-7.8

8.1-8.4

9. 8.5

9.1-9.3

9.5

 Exam 4

 

10. 10.1-10.3

11.1

11.2

 

 

11. 11.3

11.4

Exam 5

 

 

12. 11.5

11.6

11.7

 

 

13. 12.1

12.2

 

 

 

14. 12.3

 

12.5

 

 

 

15. Exam 6.

13.2

14.1

 

 

16. Review

 

Final Exam

All sections

May 8 & 10

EXAMS: Exam 1-----about Jan. 25---------------------------------50pts.

Exam 2-----about Feb. 6---------------------------------------------100pts.

Exam 3-----about Feb. 25--------------------------------------------100pts.

Exam 4-----about March 22-----------------------------------------100pts.

Exam 5-----about April 5--------------------------------------------100pts.

Exam 6-----about April 29-------------------------------------------100pts.

Final Exam -------May 8 & 10---------------------------------------150pts.

total points for exams-------------------------------------------------700pts.

HOMEWORK & DAILY QUIZZES: Turn in your homework each week with reasonable work shown to support your answers. Every homework assignment should be checked & discussed with a classmate. At the end of each assignment, list problems you couldn't agree on & whom you discussed & checked with. All answers are available in Nancy's office. Daily quizzes will be given occasionally over recent homework concepts and skills. Your pre-test counts as one of these daily quizzes. You may retake the pre-test in the testing center after you study the first week, by Jan. 20th. No other make-up quizzes are given.… .100pts.

GROUP WORK: During the semester you will be working on learning activities with 3 or 4 other students during class frequently. These will be turned in for a grade each class session. There are no make-ups, but an extra one will be offered. You will be asked to work with a group of students outside of class at least 4 times……………………………………………………………………..…………… 150pts.

Be sure to watch the videos from the library for a preview or review of any classes.

PORTFOLIO: This folder will include a cover letter and your best work (at least 2 pieces of your work in each of the 4 areas) with an entry sheet describing each area: (see samples in Nancy's office)

1. Problem solving and mathematical reasoning shows persistence, shows strategy of posing questions, organizing information, diagrams, trial & error, graphing, modeling, or conclusions by translating, illustrating, verifying

2. Modeling: identify problem, interpret problem mathematically, employ theory and tools or formulas of mathematics to solve, test solution in context, refine to better form if needed

3. Connections ; show connections between your learning in mathematics and other areas of life; possibly interview someone in a career of interest to you about usefulness of mathematical reasoning in the field

……4. Using technology: show use of technology as an aid in understanding concepts

………………turn in your portfolio by May 3-------------------50pts.

GRADING SCHEDULE:

COURSE GRADE TOTAL POINTS

A ……….900-1000 points with a minimum of 80% on the final exam

B………. 800-899 points with a minimum of 70% on the final exam

C………. 700-799 points with a minimum of 60% on the final exam

D………. 600-699 points with a minimum of 50% on the final exam

F ……….below 600

 

I will be your encourager in learning mathematics this semester. I'm glad you are in my class. Be sure to ask questions. A minimum of 2 hours outside of class preparing for each hour of class is necessary for learning and understanding. This is about 12 hours each week for homework outside of class. I encourage you to plan to study with other students, if you can, for 2 of these 12 hours each week.

Show respect for fellow students; be sure to turn off audible pagers and phones before class.

 

Attendance: Attendance is required in this course. Be on time. There are no allowable cuts. An absence tends to create a learning gap. Therefore extra credit or grade decrease will be 1.5(3 - n) points to your final average with n = the number of absences or partial absences (late or leave early). Be sure to see me if you will have to miss a class. You are responsible for the material covered and any assignments that are due for the class period you miss. Students who miss more than 4 classes may be withdrawn.

 

TASP Warning: If you are relying on this course to meet a requirement that you be in mandatory remediation in mathematics this semester*, then:

i) if you are not "continually in attendance" in this course, you should be withdrawn from the course by your instructor,

ii) if you withdraw yourself from this course or are withdrawn by your instructor, you will be automatically withdrawn from all of your other college courses if this is the only TASP-mandated course you are taking.

* If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor immediately.

 

Withdrawal policy: Make sure that you understand the consequences of withdrawing. If you wish to withdraw and stop attending, it is your responsibility to fill out the necessary paperwork. I have the right to withdraw you for lack of attendance, lack of progress toward the course objectives, failure to do required work in the course, or other reasons, but I might not to do so.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who were withdrawn generally will not be reinstated unless they have completed all course work, projects, and tests necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class.

Incomplete grades (I) are given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to qualify for a grade of "I", a student must have completed 13 weeks of classes, including all exams, homework, and assignments, have a minimum of 70% grade average, and have a personal tragedy occur within the final three weeks which prevents course completion. Additional information about ACC's math curriculum and faculty is on the Internet at http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/math/

Outside of Class Help: ACC Learning Labs: You have access to free tutoring at most campuses and sites on a first come first served basis.

Videotapes: These are available for viewing in the LRS or for check out.

Supplements: www.prenhall.com/angel

Homework Assignments for MATD 0370/MATD 0290

The following homework assignments serve as the minimum amount that any student should complete for success in the course. Some students may work all of the odd numbered problems in all of the sections that are listed in the syllabus for success. Do what you need to do to develop a clear understanding of the topics covered in each section.

ELEMENTARY & INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA HOMEWORK (Angel)

sec

pg

PROBLEMS

1.1

8

1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17

1.2

17

1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 38

1.3

29

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 35, 39, 43, 45, 47, 48, 51, 55, 59, 61, 63, 67, 69, 79, 81, 85, 87, 91, 93, 95, 105, 106, 107

1.4

36

1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 25, 27, 33, 37, 41, 47, 49, 51, 57, 71

1.5

40

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 35, 47, 50, 51, 56, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 70, 73, 75, 77, 87

1.6

48

1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 105

1.7

56

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 67, 69, 73, 79, 81, 91, 93, 94, 95, 106, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 123

1.8

64

1, 3, 5, 9, 12, 13, 15, 81, 87, 91, 92, 93, 95, 99, 100, 101, 103, 110, 111, 115, 117, 119, 123, 124, 126, 131, 133, 135, 137, 149

1.9

76

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17,21, 23, 25, 29, 33, 35, 41, 45, 53, 57, 61, 67, 73, 77, 81, 83, 85, 91, 99, 105, 109, 113, 115, 117, 119, 123, 137

1.10

83

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 39, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 57, 65

2.1

99

1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 21, 25, 29, 35, 37, 47, 49, 55, 57, 71, 79, 85, 91, 99, 101, 107, 111, 115, 117, 119, 121

2.2

109

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 35, 37, 41, 47, 57, 61, 71, 75, 77, 89, 91

2.3

118

1, 3, 5, 7, 19, 29, 31, 34, 35, 39, 41, 43, 51, 61, 63, 69, 73, 87, 88

2.4

125

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 23, 35, 39, 41, 45, 51, 63, 73, 77, 79, 93

2.5

133

1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 19, 21, 29, 35, 37, 41, 45, 49, 51, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 81, 83

2.6

143

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 27, 29, 33, 35, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 65, 69, 71, 83, 87, 89, 100

3.1

162

1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 46, 49, 55, 59, 63, 77, 79, 81, 85, 91, 93, 97, 99, 109

3.2

174

1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 15, 18, 19, 25, 27, 31, 35, 37, 39, 45, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 65, 71, 73, 79, 83, 87, 89, 95, 109

3.3

188

1, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 43, 49, 51, 67, 68

3.4

197

1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 35, 36

3.5

209

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 21, 23, 29, 33, 39, 43, 45, 53, 55, 64, 65

4.1

230

1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 19, 23, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 61, 62

4.2

241

1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45, 47, 51, 55, 57, 61, 65, 67, 69, 71, 75, 79

4.3

248

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 52, 54

4.4

261

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 53, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 77, 78

5.1

278

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 37, 40, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 67, 71, 73, 75, 79, 81, 85, 87, 95, 99, 105, 111, 113, 115, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 141, 143, 149, 151

5.2

286

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, 23, 29, 33, 37, 39, 45, 47, 51, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 73, 79, 87, 93, 97, 101, 105, 107, 109, 113, 115, 127

5.3

292

1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 23, 25, 31, 33, 41, 42, 43, 45, 51, 67, 71, 77, 81, 87, 88, 89

5.4

300

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 36, 41, 49, 59, 61, 73, 79, 81, 89, 93, 97, 103, 105, 107, 117, 119, 127, 128, 130

5.5

311

1, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 31, 35, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 59, 65, 73, 77, 79, 83, 87, 89, 93, 95, 99, 101, 102, 103, 105, 107, 109, 113, 114, 115

5.6

321

1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 21, 27, 33, 37, 41, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 65, 69, 101, 111, 112, 113, 114

6.1

336

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 19, 31, 35, 39, 41, 45, 57, 63, 65, 67, 71, 77, 79, 87, 89, 93, 95, 97, 108, 109

6.2

341

1, 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 25, 31, 37, 47, 55, 79, 80

6.3

350

1, 3, 5, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 41, 45, 53, 57, 61, 63, 65, 71, 91, 92, 94

6.4

364

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 23, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 51, 55, 63, 77, 78, 79, 80

6.5

370

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 35, 37, 41, 47, 49, 51, 59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 87, 99, 101, 102

6.6

380

1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 21, 25, 31, 37, 41, 47, 55, 57, 59, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 82, 83

7.1

392

1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,16,17,19,20,21,23,25,31,35,37,39,43,47,51,52,53,61,63,72,73,75,76

7.2

400

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 17, 21, 27, 31, 33, 37, 39, 45, 47, 55, 59, 68, 69, 70, 71

7.3

407

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 29, 33, 39, 43, 51, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 75, 79, 81, 85, 86, 89, 91, 93, 103, 104, 105, 106

7.4

416

3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 37, 39, 43, 47, 51, 53, 57, 59, 61, 63, 75, 76, 77

7.5

422

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 23, 27, 33, 37, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52

7.6

430

1,3,5,6,7,8,9,11,17,23,27,33,36,41,43,45,46,49,51,53,57,59,61,63,67,68,69,70

7.7

441

1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44

7.8

449

1, 2, 3, 4, 5-18, 19, 23, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 57, 62, 63, 64

8.1

465

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 35, 37, 41, 43, 45, 49, 51, 53, 55-58, 59-62, 73, 74, 75, 76

8.2

481

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 39, 43, 47, 49, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 87,91,93,95,97,99,101,103,109,110

8.3

495

1, 3, 7, 11, 13, 19, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 53, 54, 55, 56

8.4

507

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 35, 39, 41, 43, 45, 49, 51, 53, 57, 61, 65, 67, 71, 89, 91, 92, 93

8.5

520

3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63, 65, 72, 73, 74, 75

9.1

537

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 47, 53, 55, 61, 63, 67, 81, 82

9.2

544

1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 27, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36

9.3

552

1, 3, 5, 9, 13, 21, 25, 27, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 45, 46, 47

9.5

568

1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 37, 39, 54, 55, 56 57

10.1

609

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 57, 59, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 81, 85, 87, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103

10.2

620

1,2,3,5,7,13,15,19,21,25,27,31,32,47,48,63,64,65,67,71,72,89,91,118,119,120

10.3

629

1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 43, 81, 82, 84

11.1

643

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 21, 25, 33, 37, 41, 43, 49, 53, 55, 61, 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 83-86, 87, 91, 93, 95, 106, 107, 108, 109

11.2

652

1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 41, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 61, 67, 69, 71, 75, 79, 83, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 101, 113, 115, 117, 124, 125, 126, 127

11.3

660

1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 49, 51, 55, 59, 61, 65, 71, 77, 93, 95, 97, 99, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106

11.4

669

2, 3, 5, 7, 17, 19, 23, 27, 35, 39, 41, 44, 47, 51, 55, 59, 61, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 83, 85, 89, 98, 113, 117, 121, 124, 126, 127, 131, 132, 134

11.5

675

1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 26, 29, 31, 37, 41, 45, 53, 57, 61, 65, 75, 87, 89, 91, 93, 111, 112, 114

11.6

685

1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 27, 29, 33, 37, 59, 65, 69, 73, 74, 77, 81, 113, 116, 118

11.7

696

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 59, 63, 65, 67, 77, 83, 86, 88, 97, 99, 101, 103, 121, 137, 138, 139, 140

12.1

713

1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 27, 31, 35, 47, 53, 59, 61, 77, 78, 79, 80

12.2

726

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 19, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 41, 43, 47, 51, 53, 55, 57, 63, 73, 79, 81, 83, 85, 91, 100, 101, 102

12.3

735

1, 3, 5, 9, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

12.5

760

1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 29, 31, 35, 39, 41, 43, 45, 51, 53, 55, 59, 69-72, 83, 87, 95, 97, 107, 108, 109

13.2

798

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 27, 29, 31, 33, 37, 41, 43, 53, 54, 55, 56

14.1

852

6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 37, 41, 47, 51, 59, 61, 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 85, 87, 89, 91, 99, 101, 103, 105, 118, 119

MATD 0390 Intermediate Algebra Learning Objectives revised May 2001

Overall objectives:

  1. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment in their increasing ability to use mathematics to solve problems of interest to them or useful in their chosen fields. Students will attain more positive attitudes based on increasing confidence in their abilities to learn mathematics.
  2. Students will learn to understand material using standard mathematical terminology and notation when presented either verbally or in writing.
  3. Students will improve their skills in describing what they are doing as they solve problems using standard mathematical terminology and notation.

 

Computational:

  1. Evaluate a function using function notation.
  2. Find the domain of a function.
  3. Perform elementary arithmetic operations with functions.
  4. Perform elementary arithmetic operations with rational expressions that require factoring up to and including the sum or difference of cubes.
  5. Simplify a complex fraction, including one with negative exponents.
  6. Simplify an expression with fractional exponents.
  7. Simplify a radical expression, including rationalizing a monomial or binomial denominator.
  8. Perform elementary arithmetic operations with complex numbers.

Equation and Inequality Solving:

  1. Solve an absolute value equation.
  2. Solve an absolute value inequality of the form |x|<5 or |z|>6.
  3. Solve a rational equation, including one with a quadratic expression in the denominator.
  4. Solve an equation with one radical.
  5. Recognize an extraneous root.

Using Forms and Formulas

  1. Graph a function, such as a simple absolute value or rational function, by completing a table and plotting points.
  2. Solve a quadratic equation with real or non-real solutions.
  3. Find the midpoint and the distance between two points.
  4. Complete a square to rewrite an equation for a circle in standard form and identify its center and radius.
  5. Determine if a formula, correspondence, table or graph represents a function.

Graphing:

  1. Graph a linear inequality on the Cartesian plane.
  2. Graph a system of linear inequalities on the Cartesian plane.
  3. Graph and analyze a linear and quadratic function.
  4. Sketch a quadratic function, written in the form f(x)=a(x-h)^2+k, using transformations.
  5. Graph exponential functions using tables.
  6. Sketch a circle from its standard form.

Applications:

  1. Represent English descriptions of numerical relationships in algebraic form.
  2. Solve application problems including, but not limited to, linear and quadratic models, direct and inverse variation, and those requiring 2x2 systems of linear equations.

 

Prerequisites for Calculus

There are two calculus sequences at ACC (and at most colleges) -- Business Calculus and Calculus. The prerequisite sequence is different for these. Depending on background, students may start the prerequisite sequence at different places

Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390)

 

Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390)

i

(B or higher)*
i

i
i

 

i

i

College Algebra**
(MATH 1314)

 

Math for Bus & Eco

(MATH 1324)

College Algebra

(MATH 1314)

i

 

i i

Trigonometry (MATH 1316)

 

Business Calculus I (MATH 1425)

i

 

i

Precalculus (MATH 2412)

 

Business Calculus II (MATH 1426)

i

 

 

Calculus I (MATH 2413)

 

 

i

 

 

Calculus II (MATH 2414)

 

 

i

 

 

Calculus III (MATH 2415)

 

 

Where to start: The only way that students may skip courses in a sequence is to begin higher in the sequence, based on current knowledge of material from high school courses.

  1. A student who needs a review of high school Algebra II will start in Intermediate Algebra (or below.)
  2. A student who completed high school Algebra II, but no higher, and whose assessment test score indicates that he/she remembers that algebra, will start in College Algebra or Math for Business & Economics. A substantially higher assessment test score enables the student to start in Trig.
  3. A student who completed some precalculus, elementary analysis, or trigonometry in high school, and whose assessment test score indicates that he/she remembers algebra, is eligible to start higher in the sequence than College Algebra. Check the math web page*** or the catalog.

* The material in the Trigonometry course requires that students are quite adept with the skills from high school Algebra II (Intermediate Algebra). Some students will achieve that level of skill in the Intermediate Algebra course, while others need an additional semester of work on algebra, which is done in College Algebra. Students going directly to Trigonometry from Intermediate Algebra should make sure that they can easily work all problems on the Trig Prerequisite Review.***

** Some students who are very successful in College Algebra are tempted to skip either Trigonometry or Precalculus. That is not acceptable. While it is true that the topic list for Precalculus has only a few additions from the topic list for College Algebra, the level of sophistication of the presentation and the problems on all topics is greater in Precalculus. That increased sophistication is necessary for an adequate background for the Calculus sequence. ***

Notes about the Business sequence: Students planning to attend SWTSU should take Math for Business & Economics. Students who will attend UT may take either Math for Business & Economics or College Algebra to prepare for Business Calculus at ACC. Students who will transfer to UT before taking Business Calculus should take College Algebra.

*** For additional information, including prerequisite review sheets for most courses, see <http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/math/>

Alternatives to College Algebra

Hints to Help the Beginning Student Distinguish between

First-Level College-Credit Mathematics Courses

Topics in Mathematics (ACC's MATH 1332) (UT's M302) **

Goal: To broaden the students' repertoire of mathematical problem-solving techniques past algebraic techniques.

This course covers a variety of mathematical topics such as set theory, logic, and probability. Students learn basic college-level techniques in a variety of mathematical areas and learn what types of problems can be solved with each technique. The algebra prerequisite for the course reflects the need for the students to have an understanding of the conceptual aspects of mathematics rather than a need for them to remember the details of how to solve all the types of algebra problems encountered in high school algebra. Students with weaker algebraic manipulative skills should still be able to complete this course successfully.

Elementary Statistics (ACC's MATH 1342) (UT's M316 or UT's STA309) **

Goal: To teach the student to do basic statistical analyses and to enable the student to be an "intelligent user" of standard statistical arguments.

The focus of this course is on using conceptual mathematical skills to solve a particular type of applications problems. Algebraic manipulation is not a major part of this course; however, students will be required to use formulas extensively. (A "pretest" indicating the level of skill expected is available from the mathematics department.) Enough explanation will be given that students who once learned algebra, but have forgotten many of the details, will be handle the algebraic aspects of the course easily.

Math for Business & Economics (ACC's MATH 1324) (UT's M303D, SWTSU's M 1319) **

Goal: To teach the student some applications of algebra to business and economics problems and to provide a minimal level of algebraic foundation for the first semester of business calculus.

The focus of this course is on the applications problems, with algebra skills from the first two years of high school algebra used as necessary. Students who are not able to demonstrate all the skills from high school Algebra II just before beginning the course will probably find this course very difficult.

College Algebra (ACC's MATH 1314) (UT's M301, SWTSU's M 1315) **

Goal: To provide the student with the algebraic foundation for calculus.

The student is expected to be currently confident and skilled in all topics from the first two years of high school algebra or from MATD 0390, Intermediate Algebra, and the new material will build on that foundation with little or no review. Students who are not able to demonstrate all the skills from high school Algebra II just before the beginning of the course will probably find this course very difficult.

UT = University of Texas at Austin SWTSU = Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos

*Additional information about ACC's mathematics curriculum and faculty is available on the Internet at <http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/math/>

** It is the student's responsibility to determine if these courses are applicable to a specific degree plan at ACC or at another institution.