Course Outline for DMA 020
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS
I.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
DMA 020 – Fractions and Decimals - 1 credit (5 contact hours per week for four weeks)
This course provides a conceptual study of the relationship between fractions and decimals and covers
related problems. Topics include application of operations and solving contextual application problems,
including determining the circumference and area of a circle with the concept of pi. Upon completion,
students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the connections between fractions and
decimals.
II.
PREREQUISITE: DMA 010
III.
COREQUISITE: None
IV.
EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
A.
B.
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D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
V.
Solve conceptual problems involving fractions and decimals.
Visually represent fractions and decimals.
Simplify fractions.
Visually represent equivalent fractions and correctly place the values on the number line.
Add and subtract fractions with like denominators.
Write an equivalent fraction with a given denominator.
Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators using the correct LCD.
Visually represent the sum and difference of two fractions with unlike denominators.
Multiply fractions.
Visually represent multiplication of fractions.
Divide fractions using reciprocals.
Correctly round decimals to a specific place value.
Estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients with decimals.
Demonstrate an understanding of the connection between fractions and decimals.
Distinguish between the appropriate use of circumference and area of a circle in solving geometric
applications.
Correlate negative exponents to fractions and decimals in base 10.
Convert between standard notation and scientific notation.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
A.
Video lectures in basic concepts and skills
B.
Read text
C.
Class and group discussion of topics
D.
Skill-building computer exercises
VI.
CONTENT:
A.
Fractions and Fraction Notation: identify the numerator and the denominator of a fraction and write
fraction notation for part of an object of part of a set of objects and as a ratio, simplify fraction
notation like n/n to 1, 0/n to 0 and n/1 to n.
B.
Simplifying: simplify fraction notation.
C.
Graphing Fractions on a Number Line: graph rational numbers on the number line.
D.
Add and Subtract Fractions with Like Denominators: add using fraction notation, subtract using
fraction notation.
E.
Renaming Fractions: multiply a number by 1 to find fraction notation with a specified denominator.
F.
Add and Subtract Fractions with Unlike Denominators: add using fraction notation, subtract using
fraction notation.
G.
Visual Representations of Fractions: add unlike fractions.
H.
Multiply Fractions and Visual Representation: multiply a fraction by a fraction and multiply an
integer and a fraction, solve applied problems involving multiplication of fractions, multiply and
simplify using fraction notation, solve applied problems involving multiplication of fractions, multiply
using mixed numerals.
I.
Divide Fractions Using Reciprocals: find the reciprocal of a number, divide and simplify using
fraction notation, solve equations of the type ax=b and xa = b, where a and b may be fractions,
solve applied problems involving fractions, divide using mixed numerals.
J.
Visual Representation of Decimals and Rounding: given decimal notation write a word name,
convert between decimal notation and fraction notation, given a pair of numbers in decimal notation
tell which is larger, round decimal notation to the nearest thousandth, hundredth, tenth, one, ten,
hundred or thousand.
K.
Estimating: estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients.
L.
Converting from Fraction Notation to Decimal Notation: round numbers named by repeating
decimals in problem solving, calculate using fraction notation and decimal notation together.
M.
Circles and Using  : find the length of a radius of a circle given the length of the diameter and find
the length of a diameter given the length of a radius, find the circumference of a circle given the
length of a diameter or a radius, find the area of a circle given the length of a diameter or a radius.
N.
Applications with Fractions: solve applied problems involving circles, solve applied problems
involving volumes of rectangular solids, circular cylinders, spheres, and cones.
O.
Negative Exponents and Fractions: express an exponential expression involving negative
exponents with positive exponents.
P.
Exponents and Scientific Notation: convert between scientific notation and decimal notation.
VII.
TYPICAL ASSIGNMENTS:
A.
In class participation
B.
Online or textbook homework
C.
Mid-module quizzes
D.
Online Post-module tests
VIII.
EVALUATION:
A.
Methods of Evaluation
1.
Students are evaluated online using homework, a mid-module quiz, and a module posttest.
B.
Frequency of Evaluation
1.
Each module will have several homework assignments, a mid-module quiz, and a module
post-test.
IX.
TYPICAL TEXT:
Bittinger and Beecher, Mathematical Skills for Mastery. 1st Edition. Pearson, Addison Wesley Publishing.
X.
OTHER SUPPLIES REQUIRED OF STUDENTS:
A scientific calculator and a MyLabsPlus student access code are additional requirements for students. It
is highly recommended that students in all sections of the course have internet access.
Creation date: July 2, 2012
Modified by: Caroline Greenough, April 18, 2016