Spring 2007

MTH 105  - Intermediate Algebra (3 credit hours)

                                                  

Class Meets:   11:00 – 12:30 Tuesdays/Thursdays in BMH B125

Instructor:      Dr. Jiashi Hou

Office Location:   BMH B183

Phone:            823-9135

E-mail:            jhou@nsu.edu

Office Hours: M: 9-11; T: 3-4; W: 10-12; R: 9:30 – 11; F: 9-11, 2-3.

 

Course Description: 

Topics include linear and quadratic equations, graphing, polynomials, roots, radicals, and system of equations.  A lab component is used to reinforce the concepts of the topics introduced in class.

 

Prerequisites:  

Completion of MTH 101 with a minimum of  “C” or a satisfactory level of competence on the SAT.

 

Course Rationale:

This course is designed for students who need additional preparation to attain entrance level requirements for the pre-calculus sequences:  MTH 131/132,  MTH  151/153.  It will also satisfy the minimum general education mathematics requirement.  Students will be given the skills to appreciate mathematics for its beauty and power.

 

Goals & Measurable Intended Student Learning Outcomes:

To provide an adequate foundation for the student’s success in pre-calculus. At a competence level not less than 70%, the student will be able to:

1.      Interpret graphs

2.      Graph linear equations

3.      Factor polynomials

4.      Solve nonlinear equations

5.      Multiply & divide rational equations

6.      Add & subtract rational equations

7.      Solve rational equations

8.      Solve radical equations

 

Course Materials/Requirements/Required Text:

Each student should:

1.      prepare for each lecture by reading the appropriate topic(s).

2.      devote a minimum of  6 hours per week for preparation.

3.      attend all lectures and keep a notebook of lecture notes and solved problems.

4.      complete and turn in all assignments on time.

5.      have a scientific calculator.

Text: INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA” by Tussy and Gustafson, 3nd edition

            Course Key/ID (www.ilrn.com): E-48WEBZUZS9Q9R

Available Supplements:

An Interactive Video Skillbuilder CD is included with the purchase of a new textbook

 

Primary Method(s) of Instruction/Methods to Engage Students:

The course will consist of lectures on relevant topics, followed by class discussion associated with the subject.  Assigned homework problems will aid the student in mastering the algebraic concepts presented in class.

 

Coursre Outline:

Week Number                                  Topics                                                                         Sections

 

            1          The Rectangular Coordinate System, Graphing Linear Equations     2.1, 2.2

            2          Rate of Change and the Slope of a Line                                            2.3

            3          Writing Equations of Lines                                                                 2.4

            4          Introduction to Functions (Terminology and notation only)              2.5, 2.6

                        Graphs of Functions (Examples 2, 3, 4 only)

                                    Test 1

5                    Solving systems by Graphing, Solving Systems Algebraically                       3.1, 3.2

                                                              (Substitution Method Only)

6          The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping                5.5, 5.6

            Factoring Trinomials

7          The Difference of Two Squares; Sum and Difference of Two Cubes; 5.7 - 5.8

            Summary of Factoring Techniques

8          Test 2, 

            Solving Equations by Factoring                                                          5.9      

9          Rational Functions and Simplifying Rational Expressions                 6.1, 6.2           

Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

            10        Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions                                               6.3

            11        Test 3,

                        Complex Fractions                                                                              6.4

            12        Solving Rational Equations,                                                               6.7, 7.1

                        Radical Expressions and Radical Functions                                                              

            13        Rational Exponents                                                                             7.2, 7.5, 7.7

                        Radical Equations (Single radicals only),                                          

                        Complex Numbers (Introduce i only)

            14        Test 4;  

                        Completing the Square                                                                                   8.1

            15        The Quadratic Formula; Review for Final Exam                                8.2

Final Exam:           Monday, April 30, 2007       8:00-10:00am

   The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor or depending upon the progress of the class.

 

Related University – Wide and Course – Specific Requirements

 

Quantitative Reasoning:  Most of the math concepts have applications that require quantitative reasoning.

Scientific Reasoning:  Most of the math applications require the use of scientific reasoning.

Oral Communication:  The student demonstrates this through classroom discussions and explanations at the board.

Critical Thinking;  Most of the math concepts and applications require critical thinking.

 

Evaluation:  Student’s final grades will be determined as follows:

 

·         Lab Tests:                    15%*                       Grades Assigned;           A: 90-100   A-:  88-89

·         Tests:                           50%                                                     B+: 86-87  B: 80-85  B-:78-79

·         Quizzes-Homeworks: 15%                                                     C+: 76-77  C: 70-75  C-: 68-69

·         Final:                           20%                                                     D+: 66-67  D: 60-65  D-: 58-59

                                                                                                            F: 58 or Below

The instructor reserves the right to revise the grading criteria as appropriate and will make reasonable attempts to notify students as time permits.

 

*The Lab Component is a Computer Technology Requirement for MTH 105.  Students will report to BMH, Room C227, to complete the Lab Tests

 

 

Academic Integrity Policies: 

Information regarding academic misconduct, disciplinary procedures, and sanctions regarding such misconduct may be obtained by consulting the NSU Student Handbook.

 

In accordance with section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, we ask if you have a disability or think you have a disability please make contact with Supporting Students through Disability Services (SSDS) Office.

 

Location: Lyman Beecher Brooks Library

                  Rm. 240 (2nd Floor) – Assistive Technology Lab

 

Contact Person: Marian E. Shepherd, Coordinator

Telephone: 823-2014

 

Code of Conduct

 

1.      Students are required to remove any type of head covering before entering the classroom.

2.      All cell phones should be turned off before entering the classroom.

3.      Failure will occur if absences total 20% of class time.

 

 

University Assessment Statement

As part of NSU’s commitment to provide the environment and resources needed for success, students may be required to participate in a number of university-wide assessment activities.  The activities may include tests, surveys, focus groups and interviews, and portfolio review.  The primary purpose of the assessment activities is to determine the extent to which their university’s programs and services maintain a high level of quality and meet the needs of the students. Students will not be identified in the analysis of results.  Unless indicated otherwise by the instructor, results from University assessment activities will not be computed in the student grades.

 

Homework Assignments to be collected:

Sec. 2.1           #1-8,19-31odd,35,37,39,41,43,47,49

Sec. 2,2           #7,10,13,19,23,25,29,31,33,35,41,45,51

Sec. 2.3           #9,10,15,15,17,23,27,29,31,35,37,39,40,43,45,47,49,53

Sec. 2.4           #7,8,9,11,13,17,18,19,21,27,29,33,35,37,38,39,41-49odd,57-63odd

Sec. 3.1           #,7,11,12,17,19,21,23,27,31,32,35,41,45,49,54,58

Sec. 3.2           #5,10,11,13,15,19,20,23-35odd,39,43,45,49,51,53,61,65,67,69

Sec. 5.5           #1-6,15,17,21,23,27-37odd,41,45-51odd,55-63odd,69-85odd,91-101odd

Sec. 5.6           #11,17-31odd,39,43,47,49,53-61odd,65,71,77,81,87,89,91

Sec. 5.7           #3,4,9,13,17,19,27,29,31,35,37,43,45,49,53,63-66,71,74,77,81,83

Sec. 5.8           #13,15,17,23,28,29,32,33,39,41,43,45,47,51

Sec. 5.9           #1,2,3,7,17,19,23,25,31,35,39,41,47,49,55,59,61,67,77,79,81

Sec. 6.1           #1-6,7,9,13-25odd,31,33,35,39,41,47,57,63,67,69,73,79,83,85

Sec. 6.2           #17,21,27,31,33,35,37,43,45,55,59

Sec. 6.3           #5,17,23,29,31-37odd,41,43,49,51,55,57,61,65,69,71,76,77

Sec. 6.4           #1,2,9,11,13,15,18,21,23,33,39,43,49,57,58

Sec. 6.7           #13,19,23,27,31,35,37,41,42,45,51,53,55,57,59,63,65,69,71

Sec. 7.1           #1-6,9,19,21,23-45od,49,53,55,59,61,63,67,71,79,83,85,89,93,97,103,107

Sec. 7.2           #15,17,21,23-29odd,33,39-45odd,49,53,55,59,65,67,69,73,77,79,85,91,93,99,101,105,107

Sec. 7.5           #6,7,8,17,19,21,25,31,33,35,39,43,61,63,67,73,77,81,84,85,86

Sec. 8.1           #8,9,11a,12a,17,21,25,29,33,37,41,43,55,57,59,63,67,73,79,81,83,89,94,95

Sec. 8.2           #7,9,13,15,19,25,27,31,37,39,43,45,51,52,55,61,65,67,71,72

 

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:

January 12:                  Last day for late registration/adding courses

January 15:                  Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (No classes)

February 26–March 3: Mid-semester advisory exam period

March 5 - 11:               Spring Break

March 23:                    Last day to drop a course

April 27:                      Last day of class