Springfield Technical Community College
School of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering Transfer
Department: Mathematics
Course Title: Introductory Algebra I Lecture
Course Number: ALGB-087
Semester: Fall 2008
Credits: 3 Non-Graduation Credits
Prerequisites: Completion of ARTH 073 or ARTH 078 with C- or better,
or Placement Level ALGB 081
Textbook: Introductory Algebra, 4th Custom Edition, by Bittinger,
Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 2007
Instructor: Susan Barocas
Office: None
Office Hours: By Appointment
Telephone: 413 210 6188
E-Mail: SBarocas@stcc.edu
Class webpage basiccoolstuff.com/ follow STCC links
COURSE DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a lecture course in elementary algebra. It is a pre-college course equivalent to self-paced modules 081, 082 and 083. Topics include the real number system, operations with real numbers, simplification of algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities. Topics also include graphing linear equations, slopes, equations of lines, graphing inequalities in two variables, systems of linear equations, applications and problem solving. Additional topics are exponents, scientific notation, and operations with polynomials.
This is a developmental course. Credit for this course will not be counted toward fulfilling graduations requirements at STCC.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required. A student having more than three absences coupled with unacceptable progress risks withdrawal from this course. A student absent from class bears full responsibility for all subject and procedural information discussed in class, including any changes in exam dates and assignments. A student who arrives 10 minutes or more late for class or who leaves before class is dismissed without prior permission will be marked for one half absence.
Prior permission requires notification before class begins by calling 413 210 6188. Leave a message.
TESTING AND GRADING
The final grade will be based on 50% of the quiz average, and 50% of the examination average. If a student’s modular exam grade is greater than the corresponding quiz average, the exam grade will replace the quiz average. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped for final grade calculation. Students must achieve a minimum of 70% in the course in order to pass and progress to the college level math.
If at any time during the semester, there is any evidence of academic dishonesty or collusion by students on an exam or quiz, the Dean of Students and other relevant college authorities will be notified and the students involved may be dismissed from the course with an automatic grade of F.
Make-Up for missed quizzes due to excused absences
If you have missed a quiz or module because of an excused absence you may request permission to take the missed quiz or module at the Math Center. Be sure to bring a picture ID with you. It will be available on the Tuesday following the Tuesday of your absence and must be completed before the next Tuesday class. There will be no make ups after the final exam date.
INDIVIDUAL HELP
I will meet with students by appointment.
STCC POLICY ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Behavior, which disrupts the establishment or maintenance of the learning environment, may result in the student causing the behavior, to excluded from the classroom by the instructor. The student may be subject to further punitive action by the Dean of Students.
SPECIAL NEED
Students with special needs that require accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services for processing of necessary documentation, and then speak to me.
Chapter 1A: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
Objectives:
1. Evaluate variable expressions.
2. Translate phrases to algebraic expressions.
3. Solve problems involving order.
4. Find the absolute value of a number.
5. Evaluate expressions involving addition of signed numbers.
6. Find the opposite of a number
7. Evaluate expressions involving subtraction of signed numbers.
8. Simplify numeric expressions.
Chapter 1B: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
Objectives:
1. Evaluate expressions involving multiplication of signed numbers.
2. Evaluate expressions involving multiplication or more than two signed numbers.
3. Evaluate expressions involving division of signed numbers.
4. Find the reciprocal of a number.
5. Divide signed fractions.
6. Remove common factors from an expression.
7. Combine like terms.
8. Apply distributive law to expand a product.
9. Simplify expressions involving grouping symbols.
10. Apply order of operations to evaluate an expression.
hapter 2A: Solving Equations and Inequalities
Objectives:
1. Solve equations of the form x + a = b.
2. Solve equations of the form x - 2.4 = 5.7.
3. Solve equations of the form a x = b.
4. Solve equations of the form a/x = b.
5. Solve equations of the form (a/b) x = c.
6. Solve linear equations.
7. Solve equations with parentheses.
8. Solve number word problems.
9. Solve other simple word problems
Chapter 2B: Solving Equations and Inequalities
Objectives:
1. Find percent of a number.
2. Solve numeric problem involving percent.
3. Solve word problems involving percents.
4. Solve formula equation.
5. Solve linear inequalities.
6. Graph number line inequality.
7. Translate verbal statement to an inequality.
Chapter 3A: Graphs of Linear Equations
Objectives:
1. Locate the quadrant for a given point.
2. Determine if a given point satisfies an equation.
3. Find y given a x + b y = c.
4. Find intercepts given an equation.
5. Find intercepts given a graph.
6. Given an equation plot its graph.
7. Determine if an equation has a vertical line graph
8. Determine if an equation has a horizontal line graph.
9. Given a horizontal or vertical line graph, determine the equation.
10. Find the slope of the line through 2 points.
11. Find the slope given the equation of the line.
Chapter 3B: Graphs of Linear Equations
Objectives:
1. Find the equation of the line given a point and the slope.
2. Find the equation of the line through 2 given points.
3. Identify parallel and perpendicular lines given the equations of 2 lines.
4. Determine if a point is a solution of a linear inequality.
5. Plot the graph of a linear inequality.
Chapter 3C: Systems of Equations
Objectives:
1. Determine if a point is a solution to a system of equations
2. Determine whether paired lines are the same, parallel, or intersecting at one point.
3. Solve a system of equations by the substitution method.
4. Solve a system of equations by the elimination method.
5. Solve mixture problems.
6. Solve coin/value problems.
Chapter 4A: Polynomials: Operations
Objectives:
1. Evaluate exponential expressions.
2. Evaluate x0.
3. Simplify expressions involving negative exponents.
4. Multiply like bases.
5. Divide like bases.
6. Express a number in scientific notation.
7. Apply exponent laws to simplify an expression.
8. Collect like terms.
9. Add polynomials.
10. Subtract polynomials.
Chapter 4B: Polynomials: Operations
Objectives:
1. Multiply monomials.
2. Multiply binomials.
3. Multiply the difference of two squares.
4. Multiply perfect squares.
5. Evaluate polynomials involving more then one variable.
6. Collect like terms for expressions involving more than one variable.
7. Multiply binomials for expressions involving more than one variable.
8. Divide a monomial by a monomial.
9. Divide a polynomial by a monomial.
COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter 1A: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
1.1 Introduction to Algebra
1.2 The Real Numbers
1.3 Addition of Real Numbers
1.4 Subtraction of Real Numbers
Quiz 201A
Chapter 1B: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
1.5 Multiplication of Real Numbers
1.6 Division of Real Numbers
1.7 Properties of Real Numbers
1.8 Simplifying Expressions; Order of Operations
Quiz 201B
Chapter 2A: Solving Equations and Inequalities
2.1 Solving Equations: The Addition Principle
2.2 Solving Equations: The Multiplication Principle
2.3 Using the Principles Together
2.4 Applications and Problem Solving
Quiz 202A
Chapter 2B: Solving Equations and Inequalities
2.5 Applications with Percents
2.6 Formulas
2.7 Solving Inequalities
Quiz 202B
Examination 1 (Based on Chapters 1 and 2) – Test Code 781
Chapter 3A: Graphs of Linear Equations
3.1 Graphs and Applications of Linear Equations
3.2 More with Graphing and Intercepts
3.3 Slope and Applications
Quiz 203A
Chapter 3B: Graphs of Linear Equations
3.4 Equations of Lines
3.5 Graphing Using Slope and y-intercept
3.6 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
3.7 Graphing Inequalities in Two Variables
Quiz 203B
Chapter 3C: Systems of Linear Equations
3.8 Systems of Equations in Two Variables
3.9 The Substitution Method
3.10 The Elimination Method
3.11 Applications and Problem Solving
Quiz 203C
Examination 2: (Based on Chapter 3) – Test Code 782
Chapter 4A: Polynomials: Operations
4.1 Integers as Exponents
4.2 Exponents and Scientific Notation
4.3 Introduction to Polynomials
4.4 Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
Quiz 401A
Chapter 4B: Polynomials: Operations
4.5 Multiplication of Polynomials
4.6 Special Products
4.7 Operations with Polynomials in Several Variables
4.8 Division of Polynomials
Quiz 401B
Examination 3 – Test Code 783 - This examination is comprehensive and serves as the final examination.