Intermediate Algebra
Course Materials
Intermediate Algebra, Angel (required)
Introduction
MAT 104 is a course designed for students who have successfully completed a
first course in elementary
algebra, or who have passes MAT 100. We will cover solutions to equations and
inequalities, graphs and
functions, polynomial equations and inequalities, exponents and radicals, and
quadradic equations.
Exams
There will be two in-class exams as well as a final cumulative exam. The exams
will test your ability
to work through some of the computations, as well as your ability to apply the
techniques to certain
applications. The first exam is scheduled for Friday, September 29 and will
count for 20 percent of your
final grade. The second exam is scheduled for Friday, November 3 and will count
for 20 percent of your
final grade. The final exam will be held on Thursday, December 14 from 10:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The
final will count for 20 percent of your final grade. There will be NO make-ups
for missed exams. Please
look over your schedule as soon as possible. If you see a potential conflict,
inform me immediately.
Homework
The best way to learn Mathematics is to solve problems. Homework will be
assigned at the end of
each class period and collected the following class period. I will choose 4 or 5
problems to grade in each
assignment. To earn full credit for a problem, a complete solution to the
problem must be submitted.
Just writing down the answer will not earn full credit. In addition to points
for each graded problem,
5 points on each assignment will count for completeness and neatness of the
graded assignment. Late
assignments will not be graded, but they will be eligible for the 5 completion
points. If you are not in
class the day an assignment is collected, you may turn in your assignment into
my office later that day.
However, your assignment will be considered late. The homework is designed to
help you identify where
you might have difficulties. If you encounter any trouble with an assignment or
a concept, seek help!
The homework will count for 20% of your final grade.
Quizzes
Every other Friday, starting with January 27th, we will have an in-class quiz.
There will be a total
of 6 quizzes throughout the semester. You should treat the quizzes as
mini-exams, covering material
from approximately 6 days worth of course work. The quizzes will consists of 4
or 5 problems similar
to problems from your graded homework, and they are to make sure that you are
keeping up with the
concepts presented in class, and to identify where you are having problems
before you take the exams.
The quizzes will count for 20% of your final grade.
Attendance
Attendance in MAT 104 is extremely important. Although there is no offcial
attendance policy, note
that if you are not in class on a particular day, your homework will not be
graded for a score. I will also
require that you be in class at 10:30 a.m. and no later. If you are late to
class, you may stay to enjoy
the wonderful learning experience. But your homework grade will suffer.
Grading
Your grade in this course will be based on three main factors: homework, quizzes
and exams. The
homework will be worth 20% of your final grade, the quizzes 20%, and the exams
60%. In addition
to these factors, minor ethereal factors such attendance, class participation,
attitude, and improvement
over the course of the semester can also affect your grade. To determine your
final grade, 90-100% =
A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, 59 and below = F, with the top two
percents receiving a +
and the bottom two percents receiving a -.
Calculators
The use of calculators will not be allowed on any quizzes or exams. None of the
work will require any
sophisticated computations. You may use a calculator when working on your
homework to check your
work. However, since will not be allowed to use it on the exam, I suggest you do
as much work without
your calculator as possible.
Important Dates
Monday, September 4 - Last Day to Drop/Add
Friday, September 29 - Exam I
Monday, October 9 - Autumn Break (no class)
Tuesday, October 10 - Follow Monday Schedule
Friday, November 3 - Exam II
Friday, November 3 - Deadline for WD or P/F
Wednesday, November 22 - Sunday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Break (no class)
Friday, December 8 - Last Day of Classes
Saturday, December 9 - Study Day
Thursday, December 13, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Final Exam
Suggestions
Come to class with your homework assignment completed every day
Study for at least 30 minutes each day in addition to completing your homework
assignment
Read the section we will be covering before we cover it in class
Do not fall behind!
Come to office hours to discuss homework and concepts. I am here to help!
Syllabus
MAT 104 : Intermediate Algebra
Term : Fall 2006
| Week 1 | August 30 | Course Policies, Syllabus |
| September 1 | Section 2.1 - Solving Linear Equations | |
| Week 2 | September 4 | Section 2.2 - Problem Solving and Using Formulas |
| September 6 | Section 2.3 and 2.4 - Applications of Algebra | |
| September 8 | Section 2.3 and 2.4 , Quiz I | |
| Week 3 | September 11 | Section 2.5 - Solving Linear Inequalities |
| September 13 | Section 3.1 - Graphs | |
| September 15 | Section 3.2 - Functions | |
| Week 4 | September 18 | Section 3.3 - Linear Functions |
| September 20 | Section 3.4 and 3.5 - Slope-Intercept and Point-Slope Forms of a Line | |
| September 22 | Section 3.5, Quiz II | |
| Week 5 | September 25 | Section 3.7 - Graphing Linear Inequalities |
| September 27 | Review | |
| September 29 | Exam I | |
| Week 6 | October 2 | Section 4.1 - Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables |
| October 4 | Section 4.2 - Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables | |
| October 6 | Section 4.3 - Applications of Systems of Equations | |
| Week 7 | October 10 | Section 5.1 - Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials |
| October 11 | Section 5.2 - Multiplication of Polynomials | |
| October 13 | Section 5.3 - Division of Polynomials Quiz III | |
| Week 8 | October 16 | Section 5.4 - Factoring a Monomial from a Polynomial |
| October 18 | Section 5.5 - Factoring Trinomials | |
| October 20 | Section 5.6 - Special Factoring Formulas | |
| Week 9 | October 23 | Section 5.7 - Review of Factoring |
| October 25 | Section 5.8 - Polynomial Equations | |
| October 27 | Section 6.1 and 6.2 - Rational Expressions, Quiz IV | |
| Week 10 | October 30 | Section 6.2 - Rational Expressions |
| November 1 | Review | |
| November 3 | Exam II | |
| Week 11 | November 6 | Section 6.3 - Complex Fractions |
| November 8 | Section 6.4 - Solving Rational Equations | |
| November 10 | Section 7.1 - Roots and Radicals | |
| Week 12 | November 13 | Section 7.2 - Rational Exponents |
| November 15 | Section 7.3 and 7.4 - Simplifying Radicals | |
| November 17 | Section 7.3 and 7.4 - Simplifying Radical, Quiz V | |
| Week 13 | November 20 | Section 7.5 - Dividing Radicals |
| November 22 | NO CLASS | |
| November 24 | NO CLASS | |
| Week 14 | November 27 | Section 7.6 - Solving Radical Equations |
| November 29 | Section 7.7 - Complex Numbers | |
| December 1 | Section 8.1 - Completing the Square | |
| Week 15 | December 4 | Section 8.2 and 8.3 - The Quadradic Formula |
| December 6 | Section 8.2 and 8.3 - The Quadradic Formula | |
| December 8 | Review |