INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA WITH APPLICATIONS COURSE SYLLABUS

Text: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4^th Edition by Lial, Hornsby, McGinnis

Course Description:
Exponents, factoring, polynomials, radicals, radical expressions, graphing in the plane, functions, linear and
quadratic equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and appropriate applications. Not
available for students with previous credit in MAH 080, MAH 083, MA 108, MA 109, MT 109, MT 122, or
MT 150. PR: MT 065 or equivalent as determined by KCTCS placement examination.

Competencies:
Upon completion of this course, the student can:
1. Factor a polynomial completely;
2. Perform basic operations with rational expressions;
3. Solve equations involving rational expressions;
4. Distinguish between a function and a relation;
5. Find the domain and range of a function;
6. Graph linear functions using intercepts as well as slope and y-intercept;
7. Find the different forms of a linear equation;
8. Solve systems of linear equations using different methods;
9. Solve linear inequalities in one variable;
10. Simplify radical expressions;
11. Solve equations involving radical expressions;
12. Perform basic operations on complex numbers;
13. Solve quadratic equations by factoring, square root property, completing the square and using the quadratic
formula;
14. Graph quadratic functions;
15. Solve application problems using the above competencies in real world application.

Outline:
I. Factoring
A. Trinomials
a. Leading Coefficient not equal to one
b. Square of Binomial
B. Sum of Cubes
C. Difference of Cubes
D. Special Factoring

II. Rational Expressions
A. Multiplying and simplifying rational expressions
B. Dividing rational expressions and reciprocals
C. Adding rational expressions
D. Subtracting rational expressions
E. Solving rational equations
F. Applications using rational equations and proportions

III. Graphs, Functions, and Applications
A. Plotting points in the plane
B. Functions
C. Domain and Range
D. Linear functions, x- and y- intercepts and slope
E. Forms of linear equations
F. Applications of linear equations

IV. Systems of Equations
A. Solve by graphing
B. Solve by substitution
C. Solve by elimination
D. Solve applications with two equations
E. Business and Economic applications

V. Inequalities
A. Interval notation
B. Compound inequalities
C. Absolute value equations and inequalities
D. Applications

VI. Radical Expressions, Equations, and Functions
A. Radical expressions and functions
B. Rational numbers as exponents
C. Simplifying radical expressions
D. Division of radical expressions
E. Solving radical equations
F. Applications involving radicals
G. Introduction to complex numbers

VII. Quadratic Equations and Functions
A. Solving quadratic equations by factoring
B. Solving quadratic equations using the square root property
C. Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
D. The quadratic formula
E. Applications involving quadratic equations
F. Quadratic Functions
G. Graphing quadratic functions

Required Sections: 6.1-6.4, 6.6-6.7; 7.1-7.3; 8.1-8.3, 8.5; 9.1-9.2; 10.1-10.7; 11.1-11.3, 11.6

Video Lectures:

There will be video lectures on Blackboard. It is for your benefit that these video lectures have been created.
Make the most use of these lectures. You will also find the notes from these lectures posted on Blackboard. Use
these notes as you watch the videos and follow along with the instructor and make your own notes as you go.

Attendance Policy: Attendance will be monitored by checking the number of hours spent on Blackboard and MathXL.

Homework Policy:
Homework will be assigned regularly on each section in MathXL. The problems will have a start and end
time. Homework cannot be submitted on-line after end time. All the homework on-line will close on the day
of the exam on those sections. Exam questions are known to resemble homework problems. If you miss to
turn in a homework assignment, you will get a zero on that assignment.

Chapter Assessments:
Chapter Assessments will be given regularly to test certain topics that are essential for the successful
completion of this course. The tentative dates are listed below. No make-up assessments. If you miss an
assessment, you will receive a zero on that assessment.

Extra Credit:
For extra credit, you can take quizzes on MathXL. These quizzes will be on different topics from different
chapters. You will earn 3 points for each quiz you take, only if you attempt all questions on the quiz. Additional
extra credit assignments will include a practice mid-term exam and a practice final exam. Each of these exams will
be worth 10 points each. Total extra credit points earned will be added to the chapter assessments’ grades.

Exam Policy: There will be a mid-term exam and a comprehensive final exam. The mid-term exam will be given on Friday,
March 07, 2008 at 1:00pm and final exam will be given on Monday, May 05, 2008 at 1:00pm. If you are going to
miss an exam, you will have to let the instructor know one week in advance with a valid excuse. At the discretion
of the instructor, it will be decided whether to let you make-up an exam or not.

Important Dates:

Grading Policy:

Grades will be assigned to the following scale:

90 – 100% A
80 – 89% B
75 – 79% C
0 – 74% F

Your grade will be determined by the following percentages:

Homework 20%
Chapter Assessments 20%
Mid-term Exam 30%
Final Exam 30%

The final grade for the semester is determined by 40% instructor grade and 60% mid-term and final exams’ grade.

Withdrawal Policy: I will not sign drop slips after April 25, 2008.

Calculators: Calculators may be used in this course as and when asked to. Graphing calculators are not recommended.

Important:
Information about academic rights and academic offenses and the student’s right to appeal can be found in the Code of
Student Conduct and the Rules of the Senate (see KCTCS webpage for links).
In case of pandemic flu outbreak, the college will be closed. If such an event occurs, you will be required to keep up
with the course work and turn in all your assignments regularly.

American Disabilities Act (ADA):
Every effort will be made to ensure classroom and laboratory accessibility and support
services for all students. For maximum assistance, all students requiring classroom accommodations due to a
documented disability should contact Jason Warren, Dean of Student Affairs and Disability Services Coordinator at
(270) 707-3801, visit the Disability Services Office located in the Administration Building, Room 115,.
 Students requesting classroom accommodations and/or requiring assistance
during an emergency evacuation must register with Disability Services at the beginning of each semester.

Helpful Hints:
1. Homework questions have been known to closely resemble exam questions.
2. Don’t fall behind. Put forth your best to stay up to date with homework and other assignments.
3. ASK QUESTIONS if something does not make sense.
4. Use the office hours listed above to get in touch with your instructor.
5. Keep a close eye on the dates listed above to make sure you do not miss an assessment or an exam.