Math 131 XL Intermediate Algebra - Section # 5810 Spring10
Instructor:
Book:
Office:
Office hours:
Supplies:
Prerequisites:
PCC
R319 9:40 am – 12;10 am
T,Th
Jorge Encinas
Intermediate Algebra, 10th Edition by Lial, Hornsby and McGinnis
We will cover chapters 1– 12 with some omissions.
R322–F, office phone and voice mail: 626-585-3128
Math Dept. phone: 585-7331
Email: jaencinas@pasadena.edu
Tu: 1:10- 2:10 pm. W, F: 09:30 am-11:45 am (R322).
Or by Appointment
Scientific calculator, three-ring binder, paper with smooth edges, small stapler.
Math 125 or 126C or 128B or Math127B or placement based on the Math assessment process.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Students will simplify nonlinear expressions.
2. Students will solve nonlinear equations and inequalities.
3. Students will evaluate, graph, and perform operations on functions.
4. Students will model and solve real world appkcations.
OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Solve, linear equations and inequalities involving absolute value and find the equation of a line from specified
information.
2. Factor polynomials by grouping and factor the sum and difference of two cubes.
3. Use of the properties of rational and negative exponents to simplify expressions.
4. Perform the fundamental operations on rational expressions and complex numbers.
5. Use the discriminant to determine the number and kind of solutions in a quadratic equation.
6. Solve equations and inequalities which are quadratic or quadratic in form.
7. Solve problems involving direct and inverse variation.
8. Solve systems of linear equations in three variables by the elimination and substitution methods and by using
Cramer's Rule.
9. Graph second-degree inequalities in two variables centered at the origin.
10. Solve nonlinear systems of equations in two variables using graphical and algebraic methods.
11. Perform the fundamental operations on functions and graph a function and its inverse.
12. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations and related application problems.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
1.
I take roll each session. Students are expected to attend all class meetings.
2.
Students with repeated absences may be dropped from the course. See Spring 10 Class Schedule.
3.
Be on time to class.
CLASS-WORK POLICY
It will be assigned daily, and it is to be done daily. Instructor will collect class-work weekly. Label first page of weekly
class-work with your name, course name and date on the upper right hand corner the. For each section indicate
class-work assigned. No late work will be accepted. Each week of class-work is worth 5 pts.
HOMEWORK POLICY (On-line Math XL)
Homework will be organized and graded by MathXL course management system. The total homework grade will be
calculated as a percentage, and will be the equivalent of one test grade: 100 pts. Homework will be assigned daily
through Math XL. Late homework will not be accepted late by the computer. Some occasional homework will be
handed in to instructor.
QUIZZES and GROUP WORK
1.
Random Quizzes will be given in class.
2.
Each quiz is worth 5pts. Missed -in-class quizzes will be scored zero.
3.
Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.
When assigned to work in groups:
4.
Four or five students will be assigned per group.
5.
I will not generally entertain individual questions; all members of the group should discuss a problem
with me if nobody has an idea on how to start.
6.
Each student should write and turn in their answers on their own paper. If collected, group work is worth 5 pts.
ONCE AGAIN, HOMEWORK AND ATTENDANCE ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS
CLASS
TESTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
You will have five tests, worth 100 points each and to be announced in class.
NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS WILL BE ALLOWED IN TESTS.
A cumulative final exam, worth 200 points.
Don’t miss them. There will be no make-ups and no tests are dropped.
If your grade on the Final Exam(%) is higher than your lowest grade(%) on a test, the Final Test (%) will
replace your lowest test grade (%). You are responsible to bring to the attention of the instructor any
question about your test score within one week of it being returned to you.
GRADING: Your grade will be computed from your homework, quizzes, chapter tests, final and, any other
assignment given during the semester. ANY MISSING TESTS WILL BE SCORED ZERO.
TO COMPUTE YOUR GRADE
ADD ALL YOUR SCORES
X 100
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS
Approximate Total Possible Points
10 Quizzes**:
50
pts
15 Hw’s** (online)
100
pts
12 Class-works
60
pts
5 Tests:
500
pts
1 Cumulative test:
200
pts
Any other assignments
TBA
pts
About 910
pts
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
908070600-
Letter Grade
100
%
89.9
%
79.9
%
69.9
%
59.9
%
**This is an example and not a fixed outcome: Keep track of your grade with a Grade Sheet that your instructor
will make available.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Please limit your talking to discussions with the instructor. Talking to the person next to you disturbs the whole class.
No headphones are allowed in class.
CHEATING POLICY
Cheating constitutes academic dishonesty and, in general will be handled as part of the course grading process.
Penalty may range from no credit for the assignment up to and including exclusion and/or a “F” grade for the course.
Signing in for somebody else on the attendance roster is a serious offense and you may be dismissed from the class.
RESOURCES:
1.
Form study groups.
2.
Math Resource Centre (MRC), R409, provides FREE tutoring. Call for tutoring schedule.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Sat., 3/6/2010
Fri., 5/14/2010
Fri., 5/21/2010
Thur. Jun 17, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Add or drop ( Without a ‘W’)
Drop
(With a ‘W’)
Last day to withdraw from all classes
Final Cumulative examination
GOOD LUCK THIS SEMESTER
We learn
10% of what we READ
20% of what we HEAR
30% of what we SEE
50% of what we SEE and HEAR
70% of what is DISCUSSED with OTHERS
80% of what is EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
95% of what we TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE
William Glasser