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LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, and COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Fall 2016
MAT 96  ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
4 Lecture Hours, 1 Computer Lab Hour, 1 Tutoring Lab Hour, 0 Credits
________________________________________________________________________
Catalog Description
This course provides a careful treatment of elementary algebra, beginning with line/linear
equations, ending with quadratic equations, and emphasizing the interplay between the algebraic
and geometric points of view. Topics include line graphing, systems of linear equations,
introduction to functions, exponents, polynomial algebra, factoring, radical expressions, and the
quadratic formula.
Instruction Objectives
During this course, the instructor expects to:
1. Provide the student with the skills necessary to construct graphs from linear equations
and to deduce linear equations from graphs of straight lines.
2.
Enable students to solve systems of linear equations graphically and algebraically and
to appreciate the diverse applications involving such systems
3. Introduce students to the concept of function: elementary examples, table functions,
input-output model, domain and range, and vertical line test.
4. Reinforce students’ understanding of the laws of exponents in the more general
setting of signed numbers
5. Provide students with the skills required to carry out arithmetic operations on
polynomials and factoring.
6. Familiarize students with the algebra of radical expressions.
7. Introduce students to quadratic functions and provide them with a
powerful tool for finding the zeros of such functions, the quadratic formula.
Fall 2016
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Performance Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Appreciate the interplay of algebra and geometry in drawing graphs of straight lines
and deriving linear equations from straight line data.
2. Solve systems of linear equations pose in a variety of real-world settings.
3. Understand the power and versatility of the function concept in tabular as well as
algebraic settings, and perform elementary tests to decide if a given relationship
between two variables is indeed a function.
4. Use laws of exponents appropriately in various algebraic settings.
5. Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials, including factoring.
6. Combine and simplify radical expressions.
7. Grasp the basics of quadratic functions and use the quadratic formula to find the zeros
of quadratic equations.
Required Textbook: Pre-Algebra and Introductory Algebra by J. Miller, M. O’Neill and N.
Hyde, McGraw-Hill, 2013, first edition.
Required Online Access: www.aleks.com. New copies of the required textbook contain an
online access code.
Evaluation
The purpose of a grading system is to give you, the student, and anyone else reading your
transcript an accurate record of your performance in this course. The role of the Mathematics
Department is to provide a fair, valid, and reliable structure for assessing your achievement.
In order to pass this course, students must fulfill the CUNY math proficiency requirements: an
overall course score of at least 70%.
Fall 2016
3
Categories:
CUNY Final exam
35%
Two departmental exams
25%
Professor’s tests/quizzes
10%
Final online pre-test
5%
Math Lab Work
5%
Pie Homework
20%
Explanation of Grading Categories
1.
Final online pre-test
This will be a cumulative online test assigned during the last week of classes.
2.
Professor’s tests/quizzes
Your professor will develop and administer two tests and several quizzes during the
semester.
3.
Lab work
You will meet with a tutor one hour every week and work on lab sheets containing
problems that will enhance your computational skills. You are encouraged to work
together and learn from each other.
Students are required to bring to the tutoring lab a copy of the relevant lab sheet. The lab
sheets for the ALEKS sections are available at:
http://www.laguardia.edu/MEC/MAT095-and-MAT096-Lab-Sheets/
The completed sheets must be submitted to your instructor.
4.
Departmental exams
Two one-hour departmental online examinations, each consisting of 15 free-choice
questions will be given online on ALEKS. The first exam will cover material from
objectives 1 to 4 and the second departmental exam will cover material from objectives 1
to 7.
5.
CUNY Final Exam
This exam will be given during the final examinations week. It will consist of 25
multiple-choice questions which must be completed for 100 minutes.
Fall 2016
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6.
Pie Homework
Students will work online on an “ALEKS pie” for each course objective. Credit will be
given for each mastered topic. The total grade weight of all objectives is 15%. Another 5%
will be given for the overall course pie mastery at the end of the semester
Attendance
The maximum number of absences allowed will be 9 hours. Unexcused absences beyond this
maximum will result in a grade of WU or R.
Academic Integrity
This class will be conducted in compliance with LaGuardia Community College’s academic
integrity policy.
IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE, YOU MUST HAVE
a) average total score (computed as stated above) of at least 70,
b) no more than 9 hours of unexcused absences,
c) completed all assignments and quizzes, tests, departmental exams, and all lab sheets.
S/R/U grading system: The A/B/C/D/F grading scale is not used in MAT 96. LaGuardia’s
policy for grading in MAT 96 is as follows:
 If you meet the above evaluation criteria, you’ll receive a passing grade of “S” (Satisfactory).
 If you don’t meet the evaluation criteria, and you don’t have any previous “R” grades in
MAT 96, you’ll receive an “R” grade, and you will have to repeat the course.
 If you don’t meet the criteria, and you’ve already received one “R” grade in MAT 96, you’ll
receive another “R,” and you will have to repeat the course.
 If you don’t meet the evaluation criteria, and you’ve already received two or more “R”
grades in MAT 96, you’ll receive a “U” grade, and you will have to repeat the course.
Also, the College’s policy concerning grades of W, WN, and WU apply to MAT 96.
NOTE: Using a scientific calculator will be allowed during the CUNY Final Exam.
Fall 2016
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COURSE OUTLINE FOR MAT96
Spring 2016
Note: The following syllabus is a guide for classroom instruction. It is subject to
change based on the College’s academic calendar.
Week
Lesson
TOPIC
Section
Suggested Textbook problems
Pie Homework
1
1
2
3
4
Absolute value
Order of operations with integers
Simplifying fractions
Multiplication and division of fractions
LCD; Adding and subtracting fractions
5
2.1
2.5
4.2
4.3
p. 91: 50,51, 52,61,64
p. 120: 10,11,23,26,34,38,41,44
p. 198: 55,57,63,67,75,78,81
p. 210: 10,14,19,23,24,47,52
Objective 1 Pie:
Integers and
Fractions
4.4-4.5
p. 220: 9,10,14,20,27,30,41,47
p. 229: 14,23,31,37,40,43,56,51
6.3
6.4
6.6
6.7
9.2
p. 381: 3,21,23,35,36,65,66,69,77,80
p. 394: 14,15, 22,32,45,52,56,58
p. 412: 11,12,14,17,18,20,21
p. 424: 15,19,26, 33,35,39,44,49
p. 609: 5,20,26,29,35,47,50
Objective 2 Pie:
Ratio, Proportion
and Percent
9.3
9.4
9.6
9.7
p. 617:
p. 625:
p. 640:
p. 655:
Objective 3 Pie:
Linear Equations
and
Inequalities
10.110.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
p. 677: 7,9,11,13,15,17
p. 691:10,21,23,25,26,27,50,57,70,71
p. 704: 17,18,22,24,26,29,35,42
p. 714: 11,18,19,22,31,35-40,69,72
p. 655: 13,16,23,26,30,45-50
2
6
7
8
9
10
Proportions and their applications
Percents, fractions and decimals
More on percents
Applications of percents
Solving linear equations
Professor’s Test 1
Lab Sheet # 1
3
11-12
13
14
15
More on linear equations
Translating phrases and sentences
Literal equations
Linear inequalities
15,18,20,22, 26,33
3,5,7,9,11,13,15
10,11,16,17,23,29
37,47,51,69,71,73
Lab Sheet # 2
4
16
17
18
19
20
21
Rectangular coordinates and graphing
equations in two variables
Slope of a line
Slope-intercept form of a line
Point-slope formula
Review
Lab Sheet # 3
Departmental Exam 1
Objective 4 Pie:
Linear Equations in
Two Variables
Fall 2016
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5
22
23
24-25
Solving systems by graphing
Solving systems by substitution
Solving systems by addition
11.1
11.2
11.3
p. 754: 3,6,15,27,30,34,35,45
p. 766: 7,13,15,21,23,25,28
p. 774: 10,11, 17,20,33,34
Objective 5 Pie:
Systems of
Linear Equations
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
p.817: 14,39,61,63,70,76,78,92,103
p. 823: 12,16,21,28,33,45,53,57,64
p. 831: 12,27,34,41,53,57,58,74
p. 837: 19,24,39,41,55,60,62,66
Objective 6 Pie:
Polynomials and
Exponents
12.5
12.6
Objective 6 Pie:
Polynomials and
Exponents
12.7
p.846: 14,20,29,33,35,45,51,56,59,61
p. 852:14,15,22,27,30,40,43,45,54,
56,65,67,69
p. 863: 15,23,25,26,28
13.1
13.2
13.4
p. 882: 3,5,8,10,19,27,47,56,60,62
p. 891: 8,10,16, 20,32,37,44
p. 907: 16,21,23,36,43,54,56
Objective 7 Pie:
Factoring
Polynomials
13.5
p. 913: 16,18,28,33,34,52,58,61,62
13.6
p. 921: 8-12,14,18,20,26,29,32,60
Objective 7 Pie:
Factoring
Polynomials
15.115.2
15.3
15.4
15.5
p. 1021: 3,8,18,37,44,111,117,119
p. 1031: 16,18,21,55,57,87,88
p. 1038: 15,16,33,34,46,53,54
p. 1044: 15,16,35,53,54,62,68
p. 1053: 11,23,24,32,34,57,60
16.1
16.3
16.5
p. 1078: 21,23,26,27,31,38
p. 1092: 15,17,18,19,33
p. 1113: 5,7,15,16,17,29,30,31,33
Lab Sheet # 4
6
26
27-28
29
30
Multiplying and dividing exponents
More properties of exponents
Negative exponents
Scientific notation
Lab Sheet # 5
7
31-32
33-34
35
Addition and subtraction of polynomials
Multiplication of polynomials and
special products
Division of polynomials by monomials
Lab Sheet # 6
8
36
37-38
39-40
GCF and factoring by grouping
Factoring monic trinomials
Factoring trinomials: AC-method
Lab Sheet # 7
9
41
42
43-45
45
10
46
Difference of squares and perfect square
trinomials
Solving equations by factoring
Review
Lab Sheet # 8
Departmental Exam 2
47
48
49
Introduction to square roots; simplifying
roots
Addition and subtraction of radicals
Multiplication of radicals
Division of radicals and rationalization
50
Lab Sheet # 9
Professor’s Test 2
51
52
53
The square root property
The quadratic formula
Introduction to functions
Objective 8 Pie:
Radicals
11
Objective 9 Pie:
Quadratic
Equations and
Functions
Lab Sheet # 10
12
54-59
Cumulative review for
the CUNY Final Exam
60
Final Online Pre-test
Fall 2016
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Fall 2016