First Day Handout for Students

MATD 0390,  Intermediate Algebra  Fall Semester 2007/16 Week Session

042 & 08085       NRG Campus, Room 3231 2:40pm-4:20am Tues & Thurs

 

Dr. Nancy C. Miller, your professor                              

Phone:  223-4670,      Nancy’s office    2141        NRG

nmiller@austincc.edu

www.austincc.edu/nmiller

Office Hours : Aug 27-Dec 15   Tues & Thurs  9:30am-10:25am & 1:30-2:30pm 

Also Tuesdays 4:35-5:45pm

And Wednesdays 10:10 am-11:30am  and   1:30-3:30pm and 4-5:00pm

Some later hours on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and some Fridays. Call or e-mail for appt. or conference at those times.

Additional office Hours Aug 27-Oct 21   Mon   10:10am-11:30am

 

Required Texts/Materials:  Intermediate Algebra Concepts and Applications, 7th Ed. by M. Bittinger & D. Ellenbogen published by Addison Wesley (ISBN 0-321-23386-7)

▫         You can access the chapters from the textbook covered in the first few days online at http://www.austincc.edu/mthdept2/text/ password acc0390 before you buy your text.

Optional:  Shrink-Wrapped Bundle ISBN 0321371534, with Text and My Math Lab software access

MyMathLab is an optional interactive online course that accompanies the text. You may purchase access to MyMathLab online from AddisonWesley for $52.50 at: www.mymathlab.com/buying.html

MyMathLab includes:

▫         Online access to all pages of the textbook

▫         Multimedia learning aids (videos & animations) for select examples and exercises in the text

▫         Practice tests and quizzes linked to sections of the textbook

▫         Personalized study guide based on performance on practice tests and quizzes

Visit www.mymathlab.com for more information. To use MyMathLab, you'll need:

▫         Course ID*: ID acc16946

▫         Student access number: provided with purchase of MyMathLab access.

 

Supplemental Required Materials: Scientific calculator

Prerequisite: C or better in Elementary Algebra, MATD 0370, or its equivalent knowledge, or a passing score on the MATD 0390 placement test.

**Additional information about ACC's mathematics curriculum and faculty is available on the Internet at http://www.austincc.edu/math/.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

MATD 0390 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA (3-4-0). A course designed to develop the skills and understanding contained in the second year of secondary school algebra. Topics include review of properties of real numbers, functions, algebra of functions, inequalities, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, quadratic functions and their graphs, solving quadratic equations, and exponential functions. The same course is sometimes offered in a one hour (0190) and two hour (0290) format.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This course is taught in a classroom as a lecture/discussion/active learning course.

 

COURSE RATIONALE

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.

 

Course-Specific Support Services

·        Learning Lab:  ACC main campuses have Learning Labs that offer free tutoring (first-come first-serve) in mathematics courses. The locations, contact information, and hours of availability of the Learning Labs are available from http://www2.austincc.edu/tutor .  Software and videotapes to support this particular text are available in the Learning Labs.  Students who need regular tutoring are encouraged to use the Learning Labs before they get very far behind.

·        Software:  See description of MyMathLab under “Optional Materials” in this handout.

·        Addison Wesley has a tutoring center that is available by phone for students using any of their texts.  Information about the service can be found at www.aw-bc.com/tutorcenter/.
Call toll-free 1.888.777.0463.  Hours of operation are Sun-Thur: 5 PM - 12 AM Eastern.

Fax questions to 1.877.262.9774 and email questions to tutor@aw.com

 

·        Videotapes: These are available for viewing in the LRS and are recommended for students who miss class.

 

Student Services

The web address for student services is http://www.austincc.edu/support/advising/index.php

The ACC student handbook can be found at  http://www.austincc.edu/handbook

 

Attendance and Expected Participation:  Attendance is required in this course.  Participate in the discussion and ask questions every class to understand and learn.  Expect to participate in group learning activities during almost every class.  Students who have more than 4 absences may be withdrawn.  TSI-mandated students who have more than 4 absences will be withdrawn.  If you must miss a class be sure to watch the video for the class you missed in the library (LRC) before the next class.

 

TSI Warning:  If you are relying on this course to meet a requirement that is 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 TSI-mandated course you are taking.

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

*Additional information about ACC's mathematics curriculum and faculty is available on the Internet at http://www.austincc.edu/math/

Withdrawal Policy:  It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course.  The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences but makes no commitment to do this for the student. After the withdrawal date, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal.  TSI-mandated students with excessive unexcused absences will be withdrawn.  The withdrawal deadline is November 26.

Reinstatement Policy:  Students who withdrew or 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 with at least a C average.

 

§    Exam and missed exam policy:  Each of the 4 regular tests and the comprehensive departmental final exam count 100 points each for a total of 500 points.  They will be given in class.  The final exam grade can replace one low or missing test grade so there is no need for a make-up test, if you must miss one test.  Try not to miss a test.  If you have an emergency and must miss a second test, you must provide Nancy with an official document from your doctor, hospital, or other official before taking a make-up test which must be taken within 3 days of the missed exam.  No notes are allowed on the tests or final exam.

 

§    Homework notebook: Spend at least 45 minutes on your homework for math every day of each week.  Ask questions about the homework problems that you struggled with, at the beginning of each class session.  Don’t spend more than 15 minutes on one homework problem without asking for help unless you want to.  The homework should be carefully completed with understanding and  reasonable work shown to support answers.  Every homework assignment needs to be checked and discussed with a classmate.  Turn in your homework each week unless you make other arrangements with me. You are responsible for checking your answers and asking for help with problems that are challenging to understand.  Nancy Miller will check homework assignments for completeness.  In order to receive full credit for homework, you must do all assigned problems and show reasonable work.  Please ask for help if you need it from Nancy Miller or classmates or the free learning lab at any ACC campus.  If you do not complete a homework assignment, you will receive a small amount of partial credit for your attempt……Homework counts for a total 50 points

 

§    A minimum of 2 hours outside of class preparing for each hour of class is necessary for learning and understanding. This is almost 8 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 8 hours in SI or another study group.

 

§    Late assignments:  If you turn in homework late, after the test, you will only receive 80% credit.  No late homework is accepted the last 2 weeks of class.

 

§    Weekly quizzes and group work:  Weekly quizzes will be given occasionally over recent homework concepts and skills. No make-up quizzes are given, but an extra one is offered to everyone. Your pre-test grade the first day of class will be one of these grades. You may retake the pre-test within the first week in Nancy’s office hours after you study, if you scored less than 70.  During the semester you will frequently be asked to work with others on group learning activities in class….... Total 150 points     .

 

§    SI:  Modified Supplementary Instruction will be offered for extra credit after the first test.  This must take place on campus with the class SI leader.  Sign in each session..Max 20 extra points.

 

§    You may keep a math learning journal to turn in as an additional line of communication with Nancy C. Miller for a maximum of 10 points extra credit.

 

Grading Policy:  The total points you may accumulate for the semester from homework (50 pts), quizzes & group learning activities (150pts), and tests (500pts) will be 700 points.

§    Grading scale                                                                               

§    Course..grade………Total.points                                                                                                                                          A …………………630-700 points with a minimum of 80 on the final exam

         B………………….560-629 points with a minimum of 70 on the final exam

         C …………………490-559 points with a minimum of 60 on the final exam

          D ……………..…420-489 points with a minimum of 50 on the final exam

          F …………….….below 420 points

Incomplete grades (I) are given only in very rare circumstances.  To qualify for an  "I", a student must have completed almost all exams and assignments, have a passing grade, and have a serious situation occur that prevents course completion after the withdrawal deadline.

In Progress grades (IP) are also rarely given. In order to earn an "IP" grade the student must remain in the course doing and turning in homework, taking tests, making progress in the material, not have excessive absences, and not be meeting the standards set to earn the grade of C or better in the course.  Students who are given an IP grade must register and pay for the same course again to receive credit.  Students who make a grade of IP should not go on to the next course with that grade.  A maximum of two IP grades can be awarded in any one course.

 

§    I will be your encourager in learning mathematics this semester. I'm glad you are in my class. Be sure to ask questions.

 

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

 

Bittinger & Ellenbogen Text

Suggested Course Schedules Schedule changes may occur during the semester, as announced in class.

 

16-week

Week

Sections

1

1.1 – 1.5

2

1.6, 3.1 – 3.2

3

3.3, 2.1 – 2.5   Test 1 thru 2.4

4

2.6, 4.1 – 4.3

5

4.4, 5.1 – 5.3

6

5.4 – 5.7

7

5.8, 6.1 – 6.3   Test 2 thru 5.8

8

6.4 – 6.5, 6.8

9

7.1 – 7.3

10

7.4 – 7.6   Test 3 thru 7.4

11

7.7 – 7.8, 8.1

12

8.2 – 8.3

13

8.4, 8.6 – 8.7

14

8.8   Test 4 thru   8.7

15

9.2, 10.1

16

Review & Final Exam

 

 

Course Objectives:  Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/mthdept2/tfcourses/obj0390.htm

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:

Evaluate a function using function notation.

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

 

i

i

College Algebra**(MATH 1314)

i

 

Math for Bus & Eco

(MATH 1324)

College Algebra

(MATH 1314)

*Trigonometry (MATH 1316)

 

i        i

i

Business Calculus I (MATH 1425)

 

Precalculus (MATH 2412)

i

 

i

Business Calculus II (MATH 1426)

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 Trigonometry.

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 catalog or the math web page.***

 

* 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 College Algebra course if their placement score is high enough, while others need an additional semester of work on algebra that is done in two courses, Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra. 

 

** Some students who are very successful in College Algebra are tempted to skip either Trigonometry or Precalculus and enroll in Calculus I. That is not acceptable.  Trigonometry topics are essential to success in Calculus, and 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: Texas State University requires Math for Business and Economics and Business Calculus I. Students who will attend the UT College of Business must complete the entire Business Calculus sequence before transferring. For more information, including requirements for UT economics students, see http://www.austincc.edu/mthdept2/notes/1425.html

 

*** For additional information, including prerequisite review sheets for most courses, see http://www.austincc.edu/math/ 

 

 

Statement on Students with Disabilities   Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.

 

 Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.

 

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty Penalty

Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty that the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an F in the course. ACC's policy can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at:

http://www.austincc.edu/handbook

 

Statement on Academic Freedom

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good.  The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression.  In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions.  Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views.  With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions.  This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks.

 

 Statement on Student Discipline

Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the

student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student

discipline can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook

 

    

Minimum Homework Assignments for Intermediate Algebra: Concepts and Applications 7th Ed. by Bittinger and Ellenbogen

 

1.1

11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 39, 45, 49, 51, 59, 61

1.2

1-5, 11, 19, 21, 23,27, 35, 37, 49,53,55,59,63, 67, 71, 81,83, 85,91,95, 99, 105, 107,115, 121, 125, 129, 135, 139, 145, 149

1.3

3, 7, 17, 21, 23, 31, 35, 43, 49, 59, 67, 74, 79, 81, 83, 95

1.4

1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19, 25, 29 (solve all problems assigned), 41

1.5

2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 31, 35, 39, 43, 55, 49,71

1.6

1, 2, 5, 9, 21, 25, 27, 29, 31, 37, 43, 49, 55, 59, 61, 77, 83, 97, 99, 107,123

3.1

1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 16, 19, 23, 33, 35, 41, 45, 48, 49, 51,57

3.2

7, 8, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 35, 37, 39, 45,61

3.3

15, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 35, 37 also Page 157 # 41, 45, 48, 49, 51

2.1

5, 7, 13, 21, 27, 32,41, 43, 51,55,63, 65

2.2

3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 15, 21, 23, 26, 35, 37, 39, 43, 45, 48, 49, 50, 53, 57, 61, 67, 68, 77, 79

2.3

1 – 5, 7, 9, 17, 19, 25, 30, 47, 49,  51, 54, 61, 64, 65, 67, 70, 75, 77,83,93

2.4

1, 2, 5, 6, 13, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 43, 45, 49, 91   Test 1

2.5

3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 41, 46, 47, 51, 55, 61, 65, 75, 79, 93, 95

2.6

7, 11, 15, 23, 25, 27, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 49, 51,53, 57, 59, 61, 69, 75

4.1

11, 15, 19, 31, 35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 57, 58, 61, 83, 85

4.2

1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21,23, 29, 31, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51,53, 57, 63, 65,  75, 77, 85, 86

4.3

9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 29, 31, 35, 37, 43, 47, 49, 51, 55, 56, 57, 59, 93

4.4

3, 9, 11, 15, 19, 25, 27, 29, 37, 45, 47, 51, 59

5.1

1, 5, 11, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 32, 37, 39, 41, 51,53,57,61,63,67,73,75,77,81,85,89,91,95,99, 103

5.2

3, 7, 9, 11,13,17,21,23,27,31,35,39,41,45,49,53,55, 59,61,65,73,75, 83, 85

5.3

9 – 57 (odd), 75

5.4

9, 12, 13, 19, 23, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 61, 69, 71, 75, 91, 93

5.5

1, 3, 7, 11, 13, 19, 25, 29, 33, 41, 43, 49, 51, 53, 63, 67, 69, 71, 75, 82

5.6

3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 23, 29, 31, 33, 37, 51, 52

5.7

1, 5, 9, 11, 14, 19, 20, 25, 29, 31, 35, 39, 41, 43, 45, 62, 65, 67

5.8

3, 5, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 29, 33, 35, 37, 38, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 58, 63, 65, 67, 73, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85, 89, 103   Test 2

6.1

1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 21, 25, 28, 29, 35, 41, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63 , 65, 67, 69, 71, 89

6.2

9, 13, 16, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 57, 63, 73

6.3

7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 35, 37, 41, 47, 56

6.4

3, 7, 9, 13, 15, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 37, 41, 45, 46, 47, 51, 61

6.5

1, 5, 7, 9, 11,  23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 37, 41, 45

6.8

5, 7, 8, 11, 17, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 37, 43, 44, 45, 47, 51, 54, 55, 57, 59, 67, 69, 73, 78, 85

7.1

11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 31, 37, 39, 43, 44, 47, 51, 53, 55, 59, 63, 65, 69, 75, 83, 85, 88, 91, 93, 109

7.2

1-8, 11, 14, 17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 33, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47, 49, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63, 67, 71, 73, 75, 79, 77, 83, 85, 89, 91, 93, 97, 103

7.3

1, 2, 3, 7 – 75 (odd), 81

7.4

9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 27, 41, 43, 45,  47, 51, 53, 55, 59, 63, 65, 77  Test 3

7.5

9, 13, 15, 17,  19, 21, 25, 27, 35, 39, 45, 49, 51, 59, 61, 63, 65, 69, 113

7.6

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 21, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40, 59

7.7

7, 9, 17, 19, 23, 37, 39, 41, 43

7.8

9, 11, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 35, 39, 43, 45, 51, 55, 61, 65, 67, 71, 73, 77, 83,85,91, 95, 99

8.1

1, 2, 7, 13, 15, 19, 17,  23, 25, 29, 31, 35, 39, 41, 43, 45, 55, 61, 69, 71, 73, 81

8.2

7, 11, 17, 22, 25, 29, 31, 35, 43, 53

8.3

3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 18, 21, 23, 30, 33, 35, 39, 47, 49

8.4

1– 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 45, 47, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63

8.6

3, 5, 7, 9, 11,  13, 16, 21, 27, 30, 31, 37, 45, 47, 51, 53, 55, 61, 63

8.7

5, 7, 9, 12, 17, 21, 25, 27, 35, 42, 45  Test 4

8.8

1– 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 45, 47

9.2

1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 20, 35, 51, 55

Formulas  Students are expected to know the following formulas from memory by the end of the course:

  • Sum of the angles in a triangle
  • Pythagorean Theorem
  • Area and perimeter of triangles, rectangles, and squares
  • All formulas for linear equations (slope formula, slope-intercept and point-slope forms)
  • The quadratic formula
  • Distance between two points
  • Midpoint
  • Distance = Rate  Time
  • The standard form of the equation of a circle