Springfield Technical Community College
Department: Mathematics
Course Title: Introductory Algebra II Lecture
Course Number: ALGB 097
Semester: Spring, 2008
Credits: 3 Non-Graduation Credits
Prerequisites: Completion of ALGB 083 or ALGB 087 with C- or better,
or Placement Level ALGB 091
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 link
COURSE DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a lecture course in elementary algebra. It is a pre-college course equivalent to audio-tutorial modules 091, 092 and 093. Topics include factoring polynomials, solving quadratic equations and applications of quadratic equations, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, applications and graphs of quadratic equations, and an introduction to functions. This is a developmental course. Credit for this course will not be counted toward fulfilling graduation 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. Attendance is weighted as 10% of the final grade. 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 module 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-UPS for missed quizzes due to excused absences
If you have missed a quiz or module because of an excused absence you may request permission from your instructor to take the missed quiz or module at the Math Center at the next class meeting or at a pre-arranged time. Be sure to be prepared for the scheduled quiz upon your return to class. There will be no make ups during the exam period or after the final exam date.
INDIVIDUAL HELP
I will meet with students by appointment.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Students with special needs that require accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services for processing of the necessary documentation, and then speak to the instructor
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 be excluded from the classroom by the instructor. The student may be subject to further punitive action by the Dean of Students.
Late arrival and early departure from class is considered disruptive behavior. Students are expected to arrive on time for class, and to seek permission from the instructor if they need to leave class early.
All quizzes are based on the objectives for that chapter.
Chapter 5A: Polynomials: Factoring
Objective:
1. Factor out common factors.
2. Factor trinomials of the form x2 + bx + c.
3. Factor trinomials of the form ax2 + bx + c.
4. Factor the difference of two squares.
5. Factor perfect square trinomials.
Chapter 5B: Polynomials: Factoring
Objectives:
1. Factor out common factors.
2. Factor trinomials of the form x2 + bx + c.
3. Factor trinomials of the form ax2 + bx + c.
4. Factor the difference of two squares.
5. Factor the above forms with a common factor.
6. Solve quadratic equations.
7. Solve applications of quadratic equations.
Chapter 6A: Rational Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Simplify rational expressions.
2. Multiply and simplify rational expressions.
3. Divide and simplify rational expressions.
Chapter 6B: Rational Expressions and Equations
1. Add rational expressions.
2. Subtract rational expressions.
Chapter 6C: Rational Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Solve rational equations.
2. Solve rational formulas.
3. Simplify complex fractions.
4. Solve applications of rational equations.
5. Find an equation of direct variation given a point
6. Find an equation of inverse variation given a point
7. Solve application involving direct and inverse variation
Chapter 7A: Radical Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Find the square root of perfect squares and opposite of the square root of perfect squares.
2. Approximate the square root of a number.
3. Simplify square roots.
4. Multiply and divide square roots.
5. Rationalize the denominator having one term.
Chapter 7B: Radical Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Add and subtract (combine and simplify) square roots.
2. Multiply two-term square root expressions together.
3. Solve square root equations.
4. Solve application problems involving right triangles.
Chapter 8A: Quadratic Equations
Objective:
1. Write a quadratic equation in standard form, identifying the “a”, “b”, and “c”.
2. Solve quadratic equations by the factoring method.
3. Solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
4. Solve formulas of the types: square roots and quadratic.
Chapter 8B: Quadratic Equations
Objective:
1. Solve application problems resulting in quadratic equations.
2. Determine whether the graph of a quadratic equation (a parabola) opens up or down.
3. Find the vertex of a parabola.
4. Given a function, find the function value at a point.
COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter 5A: Polynomials: Factoring
5.1 Introduction to Factoring
5.2 Factoring Trinomials of the type x2 + bx + c
5.3 Factoring Trinomials of the type ax2 + bx + c, a not equal to 1, FOIL Method
5.4 Factoring Trinomial Squares and Difference of Squares
Quiz 205A
Chapter 5B: Polynomials: Factoring
5.5 Factoring: A General Strategy
5.6 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
5.7 Applications of Quadratic Equations
Quiz 205B
Exam 1- Code 791 ( Based on Chapters 5A and 5B)
Chapter 6A: Rational Expressions and Equations
6.1 Multiplying and Simplifying Rational Expressions
6.2 Division and Reciprocals
Quiz 206A
Chapter 6B: Rational Expressions and Equations
6.3 Least Common Multiples and Denominators
6.4 Adding Rational Expressions
6.5 Subtracting Rational Expressions
Quiz 206B
Chapter 6c: Rational Expressions and Equations
6.6 Solving Rational Equations
6.7 Applications Using Rational Equations and Proportions
6.8 Complex Rational Expressions
6.9 Direct and Inverse Variation
Quiz 206C
Exam 2 – Code 792 (Based on Chapters 6A, 6B and 6C)
Chapter 7A: Radical Expressions and Equations
7.1 Introduction to Square Roots and Radical Expressions
7.2 Multiplying and Simplifying with Radical Expressions
7.3 Quotients Involving Square Roots
Quiz 207A
Chapter 7B: Radical Expressions and Equations
7.4 Addition, Subtraction, and More Multiplication
7.5 Radical Equations
7.6 Applications with Right Triangles
Quiz 207B
Chapter 8A: Quadratic Equations
8.1 Introduction to Quadratic Equations
8.2 The Quadratic Formula
8.3 Formulas
Quiz 208A
Chapter 8B: Quadratic Equations
8.4 Applications and Problem Solving
8.5 Graphs of Quadratic Equations
8.6 Functions
Quiz 208B
Final Examination – Code 793
This final examination is comprehensive, including all units covered this semester.