Cuyamaca College - Spring 2015
Math 176 – Pre-Calculus (Functions and Graphs) - 6 units
Instructor: Glenn Creswell
Email: [email protected]
Section: 9376 Tuesday/Thursday 9:30 AM – 12:20 PM, Room H-128
Office hours: 30 min. before class, or by emailing questions, or a phone number
where you can be reached.
Text: Precalculus – Mathematics for Calculus; 6th ed. Stewart et al.
Also Required:
 Graphing Calculator - The math department highly recommends either a
TI-83 or TI-84.
 Loose leaf paper and graph paper when appropriate for homework. No
pages torn from a spiral notebook will be accepted.
Catalog Description:
Graphic, numeric, and analytic approaches to the study of pre-calculus
from college algebra and trigonometry. Application of appropriate
technology including but not limited to graphing utilities to model, analyze,
and interpret a collection of data or to solve application problems from a
variety of disciplines. Topics include the real number system; algebraic,
exponential and logarithmic functions and their inverses with emphasis on
the circular functions; trigonometric equations and identities; vectors;
right and oblique triangles; partial fractions; polar coordinates;
mathematical induction; sequences and ser ies, matrices, the binomial
theorem.
Student Learning Outcomes “ Upon successful completion of this course students will
be able to:”
1) Define all 6 trigonometric functions in terms of a triangle, the coordinate system,
and the unit circle.
2) Compute angles and sides of triangles in terms of degree or radian measure.
3) Graph trigonometric functions and their inverse functions, and discuss the
domain, range, and properties of these functions.
4) Prove trigonometric identities and apply them to solve for exact values, simplify
expressions, and solve equations.
5) Analyze physical problems and create trigonometric relationships involving
triangles, the coordinate system, the unit circle, or vectors.
6) Analyze linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, absolute value, exponential,
logarithmic, and piece-wise defined functions as well as inverse functions from a
graphic, numeric and analytic perspective.
7) Analyze and solve applied problems from various disciplines and involving a
variety of equations including but not limited to: linear, quadratic, polynomial,
rational, radical, absolute value, exponential and logarithmic equations as well as
a systems of equations.
8) Apply critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills necessary in collegiatelevel algebraic problem solving in related disciplines such as science, business,
and engineering.
9) Classify conic equations and construct graphs of conic sections.
10) Observe, interpret, and analyze the behavior of graphs of a wide variety of
functions and statistical plots.
11) Utilize sequences and series equations to solve theoretical and applied problems
from various disciplines such as science, business, and engineering.
12) Select and apply appropriate technology including but not limited to graphing
utilities to model, analyze and interpret a collection of data or to solve real-world
application problems requiring the use of collegiate-level mathematics.
Course Layout:

Homework: Will be assigned regularly. Due dates will be the next class
meeting unless otherwise specified. It will be scored on a 5 pt. scale for
completeness and readability. It will be collected frequently but not every
class meeting. Homework will be worth 5% of your grade.

Homework Quizzes: Will be given frequently without advance notice and
will be either a problem taken from the homework assignment or one very
much like it. They will test for your basic understanding of the content of
the homework and scored based on my assessment of your
understanding and showing the appropriate amount of work according to
the work shown in lecture examples. Homework quizzes will be worth
10% of your grade.

Quizzes: Will be given each Tuesday when there is not a test and will be
between 3 and 5 problems representing a variety of levels of difficulty
similar to the homework’s range of difficulty. Lowest quiz score will be
dropped. Quizzes are worth 20% of your grade.

Exams: There will be three exams during the course of the semester.
There are no make-ups for any reason but your lowest score will be
dropped. Exams are worth 45% of your grade.

Final Exam: This will be a free-response exam over selected sections.
Final Exam is worth 20% of your grade.
Grading Scale will be as follows:
91-100%
A
85-90%
A80-84%
B+
75-79%
B
70-74%
B67-69%
C+
62-66%
C
60-61%
C50-59%
D
Below 50%
F
Academic Accommodations are available with student disabilities. Please contact the
instructor and/or Disabled Student Services (DSPS) for further information.
www.cuyamaca.edu/dsps
Important Dates
Last Day to Add
February 6th
Last Day to Apply for P/NP
February 27th
Last Day to drop Class
April 24th
Keys to success

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Attend and use the class time to be mentally engaged, ask thoughtful questions
when you have them, and work on all group work problems as this is your
opportunity to know where misunderstandings may lie prior to going home.
Use the book as a reference, follow along with worked examples if you are stuck,
read ahead before attempting homework.
Make note cards of import ant formulas so you can commit them to memory.
Befriend fellow classmates so you have someone to talk to. Talking through a
problem really helps to cement it in your mind.
Prepare well and early for all assessments by redoing homework problems,
particularly the problems that still give you trouble.
Avail yourself of help that is available. Tutoring center, instructor classmates,
solutions manual, book.
Have a positive outlook on the experience. It will be challenging but regularly
interacting with the material makes success very doable.
Tentative Schedule
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Date
1/27-1/29
2/3-2/5
2/10-2/12
2/17-2/19
2/24-2/26
3/3/-3/5
3/10-3/12
3/17-3/19
3/31-4/2
4/7-4/9
4/14-4/16
4/21-4/23
4/28-4/30
5/5-5/7
5/12-5/14
5/19-5/21
5/26-5/28
Topics
Chapter 1 : Review
Chapter 2: Functions 2.1-2.4
Chapter 2: (2.6-2.7)
Chapter 3: (3.1-3.3)
Chapter 3:(3.5-3.6)
Chapter 4: (4.1-4.4)
Chapter 4: (4.5) & Chapter 5: (5.1,5.2)
Chapter 5: (5.3-5.5) & Chapter 6 (6.1-6.3)
Chapter 6: (6.4-6.6) & Chapter 7 (7.1,7.2)
Chapter 7: (7.3-7.5)
Chapter 10 (10.1-10.2)
Chapter 10 (10.7-10.9)
Chapter 11 (11.1-11.3)
Chapter 12 (12.1)
Chapter 12 (12.2, 12.3, 12.5)
Chapter 12 (12.6) & Final Review
Final Exam