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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 101"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Algebra"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Margaret Kneller
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: Remote Learning
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a review of elementary algebra for students who need further preparation for pre-calculus. Students enroll in this course on the basis of a placement examination. The course covers the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving algebraic expressions; factoring of polynomial expressions; exponents and radicals; solving linear equations, quadratic equations and systems of linear equations; and applications involving these concepts. This course does not satisfy the General Distribution Requirement in Mathematics and Science.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is a review of intermediate algebra and has few prerequisites other than elementary familiarity with numbers and simple geometric concepts such as: finding the least common multiple of two or more numbers, manipulating fractions, calculating the area of a triangle, square, rectangle, circle, etc. Its objective is to prepare students for Pre-calculus. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course the students should be able to:
1. Solve different types of algebraic equations and write down their solution sets.
2. Produce solutions to first-degree inequalities, using interval notation to represent solution sets.
3. Solve systems of linear equations and write down their solution sets.
4. Demonstrate the use of elementary graphing techniques.
5. Factor polynomials and simplify simple rational expressions. 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Beginning and Intermediate AlgebraTyler WallaceTyler Wallace is licensed under Creative Commons78-1-4583-7768-5 An open source (CC-BY) textbook. Available for download, no cost, at http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/Beginning_and_Intermediate_Algebra.pdf   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Intermediate AlgebraK Elayn Martin-GayPearson International978-0134193090 JCU Library has a 2009 edition, maybe the edition will be updated?

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
TestsThere will be 4 tests. Each tests will be based on the most recent material studied in class. Each test is worth 15% of the total grade. Tests will be taken on the day scheduled, and in class—there are no make-ups, even for justified absences. Justified absences for a test, will adjust the percentage weight of the tests taken. 60%
Final exam (comprehensive)FINAL comprehensive Exam, Registrar Decides Date, No Rescheduling.40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AAn excellent understanding of material covered in class, and in the text, and; the ability to apply that understanding to new (but related) material
BAbove average understanding of material covered in class, and in the text.
CModerate understanding of material covered in class, and in the text.
DBelow average understanding of material covered in class, and in the text.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the class and text.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is required.

CALCULATORS: hand-held calculators may be used.  Calculators within mobile devices may not be used in exams. During exams, calculators may not be shared.

CHEATING: cheating on a test, quiz or final will result in an F for the course. Allowing a colleague to copy answers during tests/exams, is also cheating.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Session

Session Focus

Check Your Knowledge we will work with these (and similar) problems

 

 

Unless noted otherwise, the chapter and problems all refer to the Tyler Wallace text.
The MG prefix refers to the Martin-Gay text.

Week 1

Order of Operations, Chapter 0.3

Properties of Algebra, Chapter 0.4

Intro. to Problem Solving, MG 2.2
Linear Equations and Inequalities (Chap. 1 and 3): Linear Equations in one variable, Linear Inequalities in one variable, Compound Inequalities, Absolute Value Equations, Absolute Value Inequalities.
[Inequalities and Absolute values are also covered in MG 2.4 to 2.7]

0.3: numbers 7 – 16
0.4: 5 - 15, 53, 57, 61,67,71,73,81
MG 2.2: 1-22
1.1: 18-20, 37-40
1.2: 15-20, 37-40
1.3: 30-36, 44-46
1.4: 1-4, extra 19-21
1.5: extra 9-14
3.1: 1-10
3.2: 1-10
1.6: 5-12
1.8 extra 1-10, 33
[MG: 56 to 103 in Chapter 2 Review]

Week 2

Graphing (Chap. 2): Graphing Equations, Graphing Linear Functions, The slope of a Line, Equations of Lines.

Systems of Equations (Chap. 4): Solving systems of Linear equations in Two Variables, Solving systems of Linear equations in Three Variables.

 2.1: 11-16
2.2: make sure you can do these
2.3: also these
2.4: 1, 9, 16, 28, 39-42, 43, 44
2.5: 1-4, 9-12, 17, 33, 36, 43-45
4.1 try these until you can graph
4.2 try 1, 19-24
4.3: select from first 20
4.4: 1-4
4.5: 1-5

Week 3

Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions (Chap. 5 and 6): Exponents and their laws, Introduction to polynomials, operations with polynomials, Multiplying Polynomials, The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping, Factoring Trinomials, Factoring by Special Products and Factoring Strategies, Solving Equations by Factoring.

 5-1: 1-26 (select as necessary), 26, 28
5-2: 1-8 (select as necessary), 16, 18, 26
5.3: 1-20 (select as necessary)
5.4 1-12 (select as necessary)
5.6 1-4, 19-22
5.7: 1-4
6.1: 1-10
6.2: 1-4
6.3 1-14 (select as necessary)
6.4 1-4
6.5: 1-8, 21, 28, 34, 41, 44
6.7: a few of these

Week 4

Rational Expressions (Chap. 7): Multiplying and Dividing, Adding and Subtracting, Simplifying Complex Fractions, Dividing Polynomials, Synthetic division and the Remainder Theorem, Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions.

Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers (Chap. 8): Radicals and Radical Functions, Rational Exponents, Simplifying Radical Expressions, Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions, Radical Equations.

 7.1: 3, 4, 9, 10, 19, 20
7.2: 5, 6, 15, 16
7.3: 3-4, 23-24
7.4: 9-10, 13-14
7.6: 5-8, 33
7.7: 3-4, 7
7.8: 1, 8, 25, 28
8.1: 2, 6, 8, 22, 28
8.2: 4, 6, 17
8.3: 6, 12, 14, 15: 8.4: 7-8, 21-24
8.5: 3-6, 13-14
8.6: 1-16

Week 5

Quadratic Equations and Functions (Chap. 9 and 10): Solving Quadratic Equations by completing the square. Solving Quadratic equations by the Quadratic Formula, Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods. An introduction to functions.

 9.2: 1-4
9.3: 1-4, 9-12
9.4: 1-6
9.7: 1-4
9.11: selected graphs
10.1: 1-7

Final

FINAL comprehensive Exam, last day of the Semester—decided by Registrar.