Course Title: Math A – Elementary Algebra
Unit 0: Course Introduction
In this unit you will get familiar with important course documents, such as syllabus and
communication policy. You will register on MyMathLab to begin working on
assignments from first chapter of our textbook. In addition, we will have a
discussion about online courses and your readiness for an online course.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 know important course policies
 understand the nature of an online course and evaluate your readiness for online
course environment
 introduce yourself to the class and read introductions of other students and
instructor
 know how to contact your instructor
Unit 1: Chapter 1 - Variables, Real Numbers and Mathematical Models
In Unit 1 you will review operations with real numbers and basic rules of algebra. You
also will learn about online etiquette, aka as Netiquette.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 know terminology associated with algebraic expressions, apply basic operations
to algebraic expressions and simplify them
 perform various operations with fractions
 perform operations with real numbers
 evaluate exponential expressions
 apply order of operations
 apply the Netiquette rules to all online communication in this course
Unit 2: Chapter 2A – Linear Equations and Inequalities in One Variable
In this unit you will solve linear equations in one variable and solve problems involving
percent.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 solve linear equations in one variable using the Addition Property of Equality
 solve linear equations in one variable using the Multiplication Property of
Equality
 solve equations using both the Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality
 solve application problems
 solve Base/Amount/Percent type of problems
 find percent increase/decrease
Unit 3: Chapter 2B – Problem Solving
In this unit you will apply your knowledge of solving equations to geometry application
problems. You also will learn how to solve linear inequalities in one variable.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 solve application problems involving perimeter of a polygon
 solve application problems involving area of a polygon
 solve application problems involving circles
 solve application problems involving volume of common three-dimensional
figures
 solve application problems involving angles of a triangle
 solve application problems involving supplementary/complimentary angles
Unit 4: Chapter 3A – Linear Equations in Two variables
In this unit you will learn how to graph linear equations in two variables using various
methods, how to find a slope of a line, and how to find equation of a line given certain
information about it.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 graph linear equations in two variables by plotting points
 graph linear equations in two variables using intercepts
 find the slope of a line
 graph linear equations in two variables using the slope-intercept form of linear
equations
 use linear equations to model data and solve application problems
Unit 5: Chapter 3B and 4A – Linear Inequalities in Two Variables and Systems of
Linear Equations
In this unit you will extend your knowledge of graphing linear equations in two variables
to graphing linear inequalities in two variables. You also will learn how to solve systems
of two linear equations in two variables by graphing as well as by the substitution method
and addition method.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 graph solutions to linear inequalities in two variables
 solve systems of two linear equations in two variables by graphing
 solve systems of two linear equations in two variables by substitution method
 systems of two linear equations in two variables by addition method
Unit 6: Chapter 4B – Systems of Equations and Problem Solving
In this unit you will apply your skills of solving systems of two linear equations in two
variables to application problems. In addition, you will extend your knowledge of
inequalities in two variables obtained in the previous unit and learn to solve systems of
linear inequalities in two variables.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 develop a strategy for solving application problems involving systems of two
equations in two variables
 solve geometry-based problems
 solve simple interest problems
 solve mixture problems
Unit 7: Chapter 5A – Exponents
In this unit you will review the definition of a polynomial and some vocabulary related to
this topic. You will learn how to add, subtract and multiply polynomials and how to
graph equations defined by polynomials. You will learn various properties of exponents.
You also will learn how to operate with polynomials in several variables.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 define a polynomial and use appropriate terminology associated with polynomials
 add and subtract polynomials
 graph equations defined by polynomials by point plotting
 simplify expressions using the following properties of exponents: Product Rule,
Power Rule, Product-to-Power Rule
 multiply polynomials with various number of terms
 use the FOIL method of multiplying polynomials
 multiply special products: the sum and difference of two terms, squares of a
binomial
 know the terminology associated with polynomials in several variables
 add, subtract and multiply polynomials in several variables
Unit 8: Chapter 5B – Polynomials
In this unit you will learn how to divide polynomials by using various properties of
exponents and by long division. You will learn how to express numbers in scientific
notation and how to perform computations with scientific numbers.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 simplify expressions using the following properties of exponents: Quotient Rule,
Zero-Exponent Rule, Quotient-to-Power Rule, Negative Exponent Rule
 divide monomials
 divide a polynomial by a monomial
 divide polynomials using long division
 convert numbers to the scientific notation and vice versa
 perform computations using scientific numbers
Unit 9: Chapter 6A – Intro to Factoring
In this unit you will obtain basic factoring skills to factor out the greatest common factor,
factor by grouping and factor trinomials with leading coefficient of 1. You will review
the concepts you have leaned by now and take the mid-term.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 factor out the greatest common factor
 factor using the grouping method
 factor trinomials with leading coefficient of 1
 take the midterm
Unit 10: Chapter 6B – Factoring Polynomials
In this unit you will continue learning new techniques of factoring trinomials and special
products and will develop a strategy for determining the best factoring method for
individual problems. You will apply your factoring skills to solving quadratic equations
and application problems.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 factor trinomials with leading coefficient other than 1 using the trial-and-error
method
 factor trinomials with leading coefficient other than 1 using the AC-method
 factor perfect square trinomials
 factor the Difference of two Squares
 factor the Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
 determine the best factoring method for individual problems
 solve quadratic equations by factoring and applying the zero-product principle
 solve application problems based on quadratic model
Unit 11: Chapter 7A – Rational Expressions
In this unit you will learn how to simplify, multiply, divide, add, and subtract rational
expressions.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 determine values for which rational expression is undefined
 simplify rational expressions
 multiply and divide rational expressions
 find the least common denominator
 add and subtract rational expressions
Unit 12: Chapter 7B – Rational Equations and Applications
In this unit you will learn how to solve rational equations and apply this skill to
application problems.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 solve rational equations
 solve motion problems
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solve work problems
solve problems involving proportions
solve problems based on similar triangles
Unit 13: Chapter 8A - Radical Expressions
In this unit you will be introduced to radical expressions and will learn to simplify,
multiply, divide, add, and subtract radical expressions.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 evaluate square roots, cube roots and be exposed to higher roots
 simplify roots containing variables
 apply the Product Rule of Square Roots
 apply Quotient Rule for Square Roots
 add and subtract like radicals
 multiply radical expressions
 rationalize denominator with one or two terms
Unit 14: Chapter 8B –Radical Equations and Applications
In this unit you will learn how to solve radical equations and apply this skill in problem
solving.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 check whether a solution is extraneous
 solve radical equations with one radical
 solve radical equations with two radicals
 solve application problems involving radical expressions
Unit 15: Solving Quadratic Equations
In this unit you will learn how to solve quadratic equations by sing the Square Root
Property, completing the square process and the Quadratic Formula. You will apply
these skills to problems solving. In addition, you will learn how to find the distance
between two given points.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will:
 solve equations using the Square Root Property
 solve equations by completing the square
 solve equations using Quadratic Formula
 determine which method of solving quadratic equations to use
 solve application problems using the Pythagorean Theorem
 find the distance between two points using the Distance Formula
 solve application problems modeled by quadratic equations
Unit 16: Final Review and Testing
During this week you will review the content for the course to prepare for the final exam.
You will take the final exam.
After the successful completion of this unit, you will review for and take the final exam.