Math 55.1, Elementary Algebra – Part 1

 

 

Course Syllabus

Required Materials:

·         Text: Introductory Algebra for College Students, 5th ed., Robert Blitzer (on reserve at the library).

·         Non-graphing scientific calculator for basic number arithmetic.

Advice: save yourself from the angst, and get a newer calculator with “2-line display”, they’re much easier to use than your grandmothers’ 1-line display calculator.

Suggested models: (available at the college bookstore, Staples, Wal-Mart, or Radio Shack)

Texas Instruments: TI-34II, TI-30XII

      Casio: FX-300W, FX-115MS

      Sharp: EL-531WBBK, EL-520V

 

Optional Materials:

·         Student's Solutions Manual, 5th ed., Blitzer.

·         Various purchasable materials available online, at http://www.mypearsonstore.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0132356791 (check this out, there's all sorts of goodies for purchase here to help you outside of class.)

 

Note: a companion lecture CD series for the text is available for your use at the Learning Center, a great resource for those that like repetition, or for those that miss the lecture due to absence.

 

Recommended Companion Website:  http://www.prenhall.com/blitzer/ (good for practice problems, quizzes, vocabulary, calculator help, etc.)

 

Prerequisites: Mth 54 or qualification for Mth 55 through the assessment process.  This means you should know how to do things like adding fractions, changing from decimal to percent, adding/subtracting signed numbers, and using a calculator.  Some review will be done in class, but you are basically responsible for knowing subjects similar to those just listed.

 

Topics: This being the first part of a two-course sequence, we will cover most of chapters 1 through 5, with some omissions (specifically, we'll skip at least sections 4.6 and 5.5)

 Generally, we will:

·         Review real number arithmetic

·         Analyze/gather/convey information via various graphs

·         Learn the rules of algebraic manipulation of types of expressions, equations, and inequalities

·         Use these techniques and objects to model/solve real-world problems.

 

Evaluation: The grade that you earn in the course will be obtained through completing homework, short chapter quizzes, and a cumulative final exam in the following proportions:

 

Homework: 20%

Four chapter quizzes: 15 % each

Final: 20%

 

Homework will be assigned at each class meeting, but only every second assignment will be collected and graded.  You'll be notified at the time of assignment whether or not to submit work by the next class meeting.  Each turn-in assignment will be given a grade based on four randomly chosen problems, which will each be graded on a 5 point scale.

 

Test coverage:

  • Each of chapters 1 through 4 will be followed by a short quiz of no more than 40 minutes in length.
  • The final will cover all material presented during the semester.

 

Late policy: Late homework/tests may be submitted/taken only with the permission of the instructor.  This means you need to check with me well in advance of the due/test date.  A sufficient reason must be given for missing tests.

 

Cell Phone Policy: Use of cell phones is prohibited at all times.  A first infraction will result in a warning, a second infraction will result in removal from the class for the day, and a third will result in removal from the class for the remainder of the semester.  Forgetting to turn off a cell phone and receiving a call ring will constitute an infraction.

 

Final comments:

  • Come to class regularly and don't procrastinate on assignments.
  • Work on extra problems: complete the mid-chapter checkpoints, review exercises, and practice tests provided in the text.  Ideally, you should put in about 6 hours a week on work outside of class.
  • Get help quickly if you need it: ask questions in class, work with classmates, see your instructor in office hours, or get tutoring.  If your study habits are poor, or you have test anxiety, consider taking GDN 60 or GDN 123.
  • Keep your course grade in mind and act accordingly (a progress report of sorts will be passed out occasionally for your information).
  • Relax: you'll learn better if you're not tense about the subject.

 

Homework Assignments

In the following list, turn-in assignments are preceded by TI, and their respective due dates will be announced in class and on my main website.  Assignments preceded by DNTI are intended for your benefit only, and do not need to be turned in.

 

1.      1.1 TI p. 10: 2-12, 16-22, 26-68, 84-88 even.

2.      1.2 DNTI p. 28: 1-109, 113, 123-129 odd.

3.      1.3 TI p. 39: 2-76, 96 even.

4.      1.4 DNTI p. 50: 1-77 odd.

5.      1.5 TI p. 59: 2-60, 72-80 even.

6.      1.6 DNTI p. 66: 5-67, 73-83, 95-103 odd.

7.      1.7 TI p. 79: 2-42, 48-96, 102, 108-116 even.

8.      1.8 DNTI p. 93: 1-87, 97-103 odd.

9.      2.1 TI p. 114: 12-66, 84, 86 even.

10.  2.2 DNTI p. 122: 1-53, 59-71, 89 odd.

11.  2.3 TI p. 132: 2-44, 52, 58, 70-78, 96, 98 even.

12.  2.4 DNTI p. 143: 1-55, 69-87, 105, 107 odd.

13.  2.5 TI p. 155: 2-24, 30-46 even, 63, 64, 65.

14.  2.6 DNTI p. 170: 1-79 odd, 109, 111, 129, 130, 131.

15.  3.1 TI p. 191: 2-8, 20-26 even, 51, 52, 53.

16.  3.2 DNTI p. 200: 1-21, 29-41 odd, 60, 61, 62.

17.  3.3 TI p. 211: 2-28, 60-64, 68 even, 92, 93, 94.

18.  4.1 DNTI p. 233: 1-79, 87-93 odd, 117, 118, 119.

19.  4.2 TI p. 244: 2-62 even, 76, 98, 99, 100.

20.  4.3 DNTI p. 254: 1-25 odd, 47, 49, 72, 73, 74.

21.  4.4 TI p. 262: 2-46 even, 66, 79, 80, 81.

22.  4.5 DNTI p. 270: 1-27, 39, 41 odd, 57, 58, 59.

23.  5.1 TI p. 298: 2-24, 28, 32, 52, even, 81, 82, 83.

24.  5.2 DNTI p. 307: 1-11, 17, 19, 23, 31, 41 odd, 58, 59, 60.

25.  5.3 TI p. 315: 2-28, 36, 40, 46-50, 54, 56, 66 even, 82, 83, 84.

26.  5.4 DNTI p. 324: 1-7, 11-17 odd.