Mt. San Jacinto College
Fall, 2014
Syllabus
Mathematics 96
Intermediate Algebra
Section 1023
Room 1254
MWF 7:50 – 9:20 am
Instructor:
Theresa Hert
Office:
311, in the SJC library – near the Math Center
Student Conference Hours:
Phone Number:
Monday & Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Tuesday* & Thursday 12:30 – 2:00 pm
1st Tuesday each month 4:00 - 5:00 pm
(951) 487 – 3751
Required Software: Math XL, Intermediate Algebra by Elayn Martin-Gay, Pearson.
You have two options, you may get Math XL by purchasing it bundled with a new textbook or you may just
purchase the software directly from the publishing company for $60.50. http://www.mathxl.com/login.htm
Course ID:
XL1J-71JP-101Z-8OB2
Textbook Optional: Intermediate Algebra by Elayn Martin-Gay, 6th edition, Pearson.
Required materials: TI-30 X II S calculator, or equivalent scientific calculator, one that has a key with
the label log on or above it, is required for this class. I prefer you use a scientific calculator with a 2-line
display window, so that you can enter into the calculator the problem in the same way it appears on your
paper. This will make a significant difference when we start working with exponential and logarithmic
functions.
e-mail:
[email protected]
Web site:
http://www1.msjc.edu/math/thert
Blackboard:
https://my.msjc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
(click on lectures for list of videos)
Logging in requires knowing your username and password. Your username is your
first initial of your first name, followed by your last name in all lower case letters and
followed by the last three numbers of your student identification, e.g. John Doe with a
student identification number of 08257891 would be jdoe891. Your initial password is
the (mmddyy) of your birthdate, e.g. someone born on February 6, 1977 would have
the password 020677.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:
1. Distinguish between the sets of natural, whole, integer, rational, real and complex numbers;
2. Simplify expressions containing integer and rational exponents and radical expressions;
3. Simplify complex fractions
4. Write the square root of a negative radicand utilizing a factor of i;
5. Factor polynomials, as well as the sum or difference of cubes;
6. Solve rational and radical equations;
7. Solve quadratic inequalities and absolute value inequalities of the form |ax + b| > n,
|ax + b| < n, |ax + b|  n and |ax + b|  n, where n can be positive, negative or zero;
8. Solve a system of three equations in three variables;
9. Solve quadratic applications;
10. Solve rational applications;
11. Determine if a function by the Vertical Line Test, find the domain and range from its graph;
12. Evaluate expressions written in function notation;
13. Compare equations of conic sections and construct their graphs;
14. Graph exponential functions;
15. Formulate the logarithmic equivalent of an exponential function.
2
Attendance Policy
You may be dropped after missing the equivalent of two full class meetings.
If you arrive to class late, you may be considered absent for one-half (1/2) of a full class meeting. If you
leave before the instructor has dismissed the class, you may be considered absent for one-half (1/2) of one
full class meeting.
If you know ahead of time that you will be late for a class or must leave a class early, please notify the
instructor before doing so. Please sit near an exit if you must leave early.
The purpose of the attendance policy is to help reduce disruptions to the learning environment. Students who
arrive to class late or leave early create distractions for both the instructor and fellow students. By removing
those students who would otherwise enter late or leave early, enforcement of the attendance policy will help
ensure a classroom environment suitable for the successful study of mathematics.
Drop Dates
The last day to drop a full-term course without a "W" grade issued is September 7, 2014.
The last day to drop a full-term course with a "W" grade issued is November 21, 2014.
While the attendance policy permits the instructor to drop a student (before November 21), it is the
student's responsibility to drop a course if he or she no longer wishes to be enrolled in that course.
Contact Enrollment Services if you wish to obtain an add/drop slip.
Accessibility
Mt. San Jacinto College abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 that prohibits federal and state agencies or programs from discriminating against qualified
individuals with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that limits major life activity which may
have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please notify
the Disabled Students Program and Services. DSPS is located in room 1112. You may call 487-3305 to
verify your disability and arrange for accommodations.
Course Repetition
The college is not only allowed to let students enroll in a class in which the student has received 3
substandard grades (W, D or F). Therefore, it is very important that you realize that if you do not pass
this class, you will only have at most two more attempts to take it. Learning math is extremely difficult.
There is no “easy” way through math. And because math is a sequential subject, it is important for you to
learn the material to be prepared for the next class. To transfer to a University, you must pass this class
and take a college level math class.
Cheating
If you are caught cheating, you will receive a score of zero points for that examination and appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken.
3
Classroom Behavior
As a courtesy to fellow students as well as the instructor, you should remain quiet during class time unless
you are asking the instructor a question or answering a question posed by the instructor. If you are
disrupting the class, you will be given only one warning. If you disrupt the class again, you will be excused
from class for the remainder of the day. You will be marked absent for that entire class meeting.
As is the case with the attendance policy, the purpose of the classroom behavior policy is to help reduce
disruptions to the classroom environment. Classroom disruptions include, but are not limited to, speaking to
anyone other than the instructor during class time and interrupting the instructor or a fellow student while
that individual is speaking.
You should turn off cellular phones and pagers before class begins.
Your Course Grade
The scores you earn on a self-review, thirty-five (35) homework assignments, three (3) CLO problems,
thirty (30) in-class assignments, four (4) tests and a final examination will determine your course grade.
The points possible for each of these items is as follows:
Item
Points Possible
Tests
Final Examination
Group Quizzes
Homework Assignments
In-Class Assignments
CLO – problems
Self-Review
Total
400
225
40
175
60
10
10
920
The letter grade you will receive will be determined by the total amount of points earned and according to
the following scale:
Course Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points Earned
Percentage(s)
828 – 920
736 – 827.9
644 – 735.9
552 – 643.9
0 – 551.9
90 – 100
80 – 89.9
70 – 79.9
60 – 69.9
0 – 59.9
You can access your grades within the Blackboard environment.
Click on Tools and then click on My Grades.
4
Examinations
There will be four tests and a comprehensive final examination. The four tests and final examination will be
written examinations consisting primarily of exercises comparable in difficulty to those included in the
homework assignments. You must show all your work to a solution to receive full credit for that exercise.
Partial credit will be given for a partial solution.
You may use a scientific calculator on the tests and the final examination.
You will not be allowed to use graphing calculators on the tests.
You may not use books or notes when taking any tests including the final examination.
If you take all four tests, and the percentage you earn on the final examination is greater than your lowest
percentage score on a test, that score will be replaced by the percentage earned on your final examination.
Make sure to save your tests and the solutions so that you can use them to study for the
comprehensive final examination.
If you miss a test …
If you miss class the day a test is given, you have until the beginning of the next class meeting to take the test
in the Learning Center. This option should only be used if you cannot make it to class on the day, which
the test is given. You are allowed to use this opportunity only twice in one semester. If you need to take a
test early, please notify the instructor one week in advance.
If you completely miss a test, the score for that test will be equal to the percentage you earn on the final
examination.
If you miss another test …
If you miss two tests, the score for the first test missed will the percentage you earn on the final examination.
If you have scored at least 70% on at least one test, you will be offered a make-up test for the second missed
test. If you have yet to score 70% or better on a test, you will earn zero points for the second missed test.
If you miss three (or more) tests…
If you miss a third test, you will earn zero points for that test.
If you miss the fourth test, you will earn zero points for that test as well.
If you miss the final examination…
If you do not take the final examination, you will not pass this class. Therefore, if you miss the final
examination, you should contact enrollment services to obtain an incomplete grade application form and
arrange to meet with the instructor as soon as possible. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the
process to apply for an incomplete grade.
Examination Schedule
Test
Day and Date e
1
2
3
4
Friday, September 12
Friday, October 10
Friday, November 7
Friday, December 5
Final Exam
See final exam schedule
5
Self-Review
This assignment is worth ten points, regardless of the number of correct answers. It is the instructor’s intent
to allow you to demonstrate that you have the skills needed for this algebra course, the second course within
the algebra sequence: Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra. If you have a difficult
time remembering how to do certain types of problems, you should seek additional help through the Math
Center, located inside the Learning Resource Center which is inside the Library, as soon as possible.
CLO: Course Learning Outcomes
There will be 3 CLO’s during the semester, each worth 4 points. The mathematics department has chosen
course objectives to be looked at in all Math 96, Intermediate Algebra classes. The CLO’s will be
administered as short 1 problem quizzes. If you miss class the day they are given, you will not have the
opportunity to make them up.
Course Learning Outcome #1:
Student should be able to factor a trinomial completely. Trinomial will contain
a greatest common factor greater than one. After factoring out GCF the
resulting trinomial will be factorable with a lead coefficient greater than one.
Course Learning Outcome #2:
Student should demonstrate the ability to solve a quadratic equation, with
real solutions, by using the quadratic formula. The resulting fraction should
be reducible (as well as the radical in the determinant).
Course Learning Outcome #3:
Student will demonstrate the ability to rewrite a quadratic function of the
form y  ax 2  bx  c in the form y  a  x  h   k , where a  1 and  h, k 
2
are whole numbers, by completing the square.
Tentative dates for the 1 problem quizzes: CLO #1 - Oct. 15, CLO #2 - Nov. 26, CLO #3 - Dec. 1
In-Class Assignments
At the end of most lectures, the students will be given a few problems to do in class. It is the intent of this
instructor to give her students the opportunity to demonstrate that they understood and could apply the new
concepts discussed in class that day. Students will work together in groups comprised of no more than 5
students. If a student is absent, he/she will not be able to make up the assignment. A completed assignment
with correct solutions is worth 2 points, incomplete assignments and/or assignments with incorrect solutions
will only be worth 1 point.
6
Group Quizzes
Before each of the four tests there will be an in-class group multiple choice quiz. You will be put into
groups of 4 to 6 students. I will randomly choose one student's answer sheet to be graded. Each student in
the group will earn the same grade, therefore it is very important that each student records his/her answers
and compares them with all the students in that group. If a student is absent, he/she will not be able to make
up the group quiz.
Homework
The homework assignment list is attached. Note that homework is assigned each class meeting, unless there
is a review or a test. Your understanding of the day's concepts and vocabulary, as well as your recollection
of the steps necessary to successfully complete the related homework exercises, will probably decrease with
time. Therefore, it is important to do the homework assigned for a class meeting as soon after that class
meeting as possible. All homework assignments will be completed through Math XL.
http://www.mathxl.com/login.htm Course ID: XL1J-71JP-101Z-8OB2
To be successful in the course, you must pass the examinations. To prepare for an examination, you should
complete your homework in a timely fashion and review those problems associated with the material over
which you will be tested. So that you can complete your homework, you should come to class prepared. To
prepare for each class meeting, you should study the examples and memorize the definitions and properties
in the section(s) to be covered that day. This will prepare you to contribute to the class discussion.
Specifically, if after memorizing the definitions and properties you cannot understand the solutions to
example exercises, you will be better prepared to ask meaningful questions when the instructor solves similar
exercises in class. Then, you should have a better understanding of how to do your homework. Remember,
no matter how simple an exercise solution appears as your instructor presents it in class, you won't have an
accurate estimate of the mathematics you can do yourself until you try the homework!
The assigned homework problems represents the minimum amount of homework you should complete as you
study the course material. Depending on your mathematics background and the concept in question, you
may need to do additional problems in the Study Plan area of Math XL.
If you find yourself struggling to complete a homework assignment before the next class meeting, you are
encouraged to contact the instructor during an office hour for extra help. You may also wish to employ a
tutor, either privately or through the tutoring center on campus, or form a study group of your peers.
Since test problem instructions will be very similar to those of the exercises for homework, doing all your
homework is the best way to prepare for an examination. In particular, to ensure that you will understand
test problem instructions, you should work exercises until you are confident that you understand how to
successfully complete those exercises with their instructions. Similar-looking problems with different
instructions typically have different answers!
There will be a total of thirty-five (35) required homework assignments. Each homework assignment is
worth 5 points. Incomplete assignments will receive fewer points. I will be assigning 38 homework
assignments; the last three assignments are worth up to 15 extra credit points. Late homework will be
accepted but your score will be decreased by 50%. Therefore, if after completing the homework assignment
on time, you may continue to practice problems by choosing Only Practice and Review. Only click on
Improve My Score if you have not completed all the problems, but only work on the problems you got
wrong or did not do.
7
Due Date
Section
26-Aug
1.2,
1.4&2.1,
2.3
4-Sept**
2.4,
2.5,
2.6&7
9-Sept
3.1,
3.2
11-Sept**
3.3&4*
23-Sept
3.5,
4.1,
4.2
30-Sept
4.3,
5.1,
5.2
5.3&4,
5.5&6,
5.7
7-Oct
9-Oct**
5.8*
21-Oct
6.1,
6.2,
6.3
28-Oct
6.4,
6.5,
6.6a
4-Nov
6.6b,
7.1&3,
7.2
18-Nov
7.4,
7.5,
7.6,
25-Nov
8.1b,
2-Dec
10.1a & 8.6,
4-Dec
10.2*
15-Dec
9.3&5
8.2,
7.7&8.1a
8.4
10.1b
* Assignments due the same week they were covered in class.
8
Taking Notes: Writing and Watching
It is important to take notes during class. It is particularly important to make detailed notes as problems
similar to those you'll be doing for homework are worked in class. That way, you can refer to your notes for
help if you forget how to complete a solution to a homework problem. It is also important to watch, without
taking notes, as a problem is worked from start to finish. That way, you'll be certain that you know and
understand all steps necessary for a complete solution. You should take notes for all problems introduced
during the classroom discussion, use these notes to do your homework before the next class meeting, and
then watch, without taking notes, as solutions to homework problems are presented at the beginning of the
next class meeting.
Often your instructor will utilize whiteboard pens of different colors. For example, when solving an
equation, your instructor will often use one color to write the equation and another color to do the "same
thing" to both sides of the equation. In this manner, the necessary steps in a problem's solution are
emphasized. Therefore, you may find it helpful to use at least two colors when taking notes. That way, if
you mimic the instructor's use of color, you will quickly remember and more fully understand the steps
utilized in a solution when you later use your notes to do your homework or study for an exam.
I have generated notes for our class lectures in an outline form. The notes contain properties, vocabulary and
processes as well as a step-by-step solution to a few examples. I have created “mini” lecture videos that
demonstrate how to solve most of the problems in the class notes. The link to the videos may be found on
my instructor’s web site http://www1.msjc.edu/math/thert click on Lectures.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Although the homework assignments are worth a total of 175 points, if all assigned sections are done on
time, you can earn 15 extra credit points. I will create Practice Tests that you may take through Math XL.
For each Test you complete with at least 60% success, you will receive 5 extra credit points. The CLO
questions are worth 10 points, of which 2 points are extra credit. If you attend every class meeting, you can
earn extra credit. Therefore, you have the opportunity to earn at least 50 extra credit points.
9
I have set up a MathXL course for you.
Intermediate Algebra, Math 96 Fall 2014
It is based on this textbook: Martin-Gay: Intermediate Algebra, 6e
To join this course, you need to register for MathXL and then enroll in the course.
Go to Math XL: http://www.mathxl.com/login.htm
Under Register, click on Student
Click “Yes, I have an access code”, then click next.
Read the Privacy Policy and the License Agreement, and then click I Accept
Do you have a Pearson Education account? Click No. (Unless you have already enrolled in Math XL)
Create a Login Name and Password.
Then enter this access code: PSXLTR-SMELL-JASSY-ALCAN-MIMIR-RULES
You may use this free trial access code, good for 21 days. At the end of that time, you will need to purchase
your own access code. When purchased online, the access code will cost $60.50.
To enroll in this independent study, you will need to enroll in an “instructor’s course".
The course ID is : XL1J-71JP-101Z-8OB2
Detailed instructions for using Math XL are posted on the college web site at: http://www.msjc.edu/MathXL
Click on the link to the manual at the bottom of the page.
To view a complete set of instructions on registering and enrolling, go to www.mathxl.com and visit
the Tours page.
10
Success Checklist
If you are not doing as well as you'd like in the course, ask yourself the following questions:
"Am I getting to class on time?"
"Am I attending every class meeting?"
"Am I staying for the entire class meeting?"
"Am I taking notes for one problem and then watching, without taking notes, as a similar problem is
explained?"
"Am I completing my homework before the next class meeting?"
"If I am not able to complete my homework before the next class meeting, am I getting extra help (from the
instructor, a classmate, Learning Center, Math Center, a tutor, etc.)?"
"Am I reading the sections to be covered at the next class meeting before attending that meeting?"
“Am I spending at least 3 hours outside of class (doing homework, reading the sections, studying class notes,
and getting help from the instructor or a tutor) for every hour spent inside the classroom?”
“Am I using materials from the previous course to help refresh my knowledge?”
If the answer to any of these questions is "no", your performance should improve as you change each "no" to
a "yes"!
NOTE: Save all materials from this course (text, class notes, homework, tests, and test solutions) for use in
the next course.
11
Math 96
Date
Fall 2014
Section
Topic
M
18-Aug
Chapter 1.2
Some Basics of Algebra
W
20-Aug
Chapter 1.4
Properties of Real Numbers
Chapter 2.1
Solving Equations
F
22-Aug
Chapter 2.3
Formulas and Problem Solving
M
25-Aug
Chapter 2.4
Inequalities and Applications
T
26-Aug
Due: 1.2, 1.4&2.1, 2.3
W
27-Aug
Chapter 2.5
Compound Inequalities
F
29-Aug
Chapter 2.6
Absolute-Value Equations
Chapter 2.7
Absolute-Value Inequalities
M
1-Sep
Holiday
W
3-Sep
Chapter 3.1
Th
4-Sep
Due: 2.4, 2.5 2.6&2.7
F
5-Sep
Chapter 3.2
Introduction to Functions
M
8-Sep
Chapter 3.3*
Graphing Linear Functions
Chapter 3.4*
Slope of a Line
T
9-Sep
W
10-Sep
Group Quiz
Th
11-Sep
Due: 3.3&3.4*
F
12-Sep
Test 1
Graphing Equations
Due: 3.1, 3.2
12
Date
Section
Topic
M
15-Sep
Chapter 3.5
Equations of Lines
W
17-Sep
Chapter 4.1
Solving by Substitution or Elimination
F
19-Sep
Chapter 4.2
Systems of Equations in 3 Variables
M
22-Sep
Chapter 4.3
Solving Applications
T
23-Sep
Due: 3.5, 4.1, 4.2
W
24-Sep
Chapter 5.1
Properties of Exponents
F
27-Sep
Chapter 5.2
More Exponents & Scientific Notation
M
29-Sep
Chapter 5.3
Polynomials & Polynomial Functions
Chapter 5.4
Multiplying Polynomials
T
W
30-Sep
2-Oct
Due: 4.3, 5.1, 5.2
Chapter 5.5
GCF and Factoring by grouping
Chapter 5.6
Factoring Trinomials
F
3-Oct
Chapter 5.7
Factoring by Special Products
M
6-Oct
Chapter 5.8*
Applications of Polynomial Equations
T
7-Oct
Due: 5.3&4, 5.5&6, 5.7
W
8-Oct
Group Quiz
Th
9-Oct
Due: 5.8*
F
10-Oct
Test 2
13
Date
Section
Topic
¸
M
13-Oct
Chapter 6.1
Rational Expressions and Functions X
W
15-Oct
Chapter 6.2
CLO #1
Rational Expressions and Functions + --
F
17-Oct
Chapter 6.3
Complex Rational Expressions
M
20-Oct
Chapter 6.4
Division of Polynomials
T
21-Oct
Due: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
W
22-Oct
Chapter 6.5
Rational Equations
F
24-Oct
Chapter 6.6a
Rational Equations - shared work
M
27-Oct
Chapter 6.6b
Rational Equations - uniform motion
T
28-Oct
Due: 6.4, 6.5, 6.6a
W
29-Oct
Chapter 7.1
Radical Expressions and Functions
Chapter 7.3
Multiply Radical Functions
F
31-Oct
Chapter 7.2
Rational Numbers as Exponents
M
3-Nov
Chapter 7.4
Operations with Radical Expressions
T
4-Nov
Due: 6.6b, 7.1&3, 7.2
W
5-Nov
Group Quiz
F
7-Nov
Test 3
14
Date
Section
Topic
M
10-Nov
Chapter 7.5
Rationalizing the denominator
W
12-Nov
Chapter 7.6
Solving Radical Equations
F
14-Nov
Chapter 7.7
The Complex Numbers
Chapter 8.1a
Square Root Property
Quadratic Equations: Complete the Square
M
17-Nov
Chapter 8.1b
T
18-Nov
Due: 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 , 7.7&8.1a
W
19-Nov
Chapter 8.2
The Quadratic Formula
F
21-Nov
Chapter 8.4
Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
M
24-Nov
Chapter 10.1a
Conic Sections: Parabolas
Chapter 8.6
Parabolas
T
25-Nov
Due: 8.1b, 8.2, 8.4
W
26-Nov
Chapter 10.1b*
F
28-Nov
Holiday
M
1-Dec
Chapter 10.2*
T
2-Dec
Due: 10.1a&8.6 10.1b
W
3-Dec
Group Quiz
Th
4-Dec
Due: 10.2*
F
5-Dec
Test 4
M
8-Dec
Chapter 9.3
Exponential Functions
Chapter 9.5
Properties of Logarithms
W
F
10-Dec
12-Dec
M
15-Dec
Conic Sections: Circles
Conic Sections: Ellipses & Hyperbola
Review
Review
Due: 9.3&5
Final Exam
15