Napa Valley College—Fall 2014
Math 106-1298: Precalculus
(Prerequisite: Math 94/Intermediate Alg.)
TTh 9:30-11:45 p.m. Room 1807
Instructor: Yolanda Woods
*email: ywoods@napavalley.edu
Office: Bldg. 1000 Rm. 1031R
*email is the best way to reach me. I check it often
Phone: 707-256-7757
Office Hours: MW 10:30-noon; TTh 8:30-9:30
Welcome to Precalculus!
Course Content:
As a preparatory course for Trigonometry and Calculus, we study polynomial, rational,
exponential and logarithmic functions from a numerical, graphical and analytical
perspective.
Series, sequences and conic sections are also included.
Student Learning Outcomes:
A successful student of the course will be able to:
 Graph polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic equations with or
without a calculator.
 Solve polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic equations and systems of
equations.
 Manipulate and evaluate mathematical sequences and series.
Required Materials:
 Text: Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities. The hard copy is optional, but
the e-book, which includes MyMathLab (MML) access,is required and must be
purchased. Your homework and online weekly quizzes will be taken and submitted
using MyMathLab online.
You must have reliable online access to be able to fulfill the requirements of
this course and must register for MML online by this Friday.
Note that temporary access is available for over 2 weeks without having to pay
for it. There is no excuse for not enrolling. Failure to enroll in MML may
result in being dropped from the class.
A course ID is needed to enroll. The course ID for this class is: woods74536
Note: A graphing calculator is an integral part of this course: The following are
recommended TI 83, or 83 Plus, 84 or 89. Calculator rentals are available in the
library with a valid library card for $15 per semester.
Attendance:
Consistent attendance is of utmost importance. More than one week’s worth of missed
class may result in being dropped from the class. Consistent attendance will be one
measure of determining borderline grades.

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Tardies:
You are expected to come to class on time. Tardy students are a disruption to instruction.
3 tardies to class will count as an absence. Tardiness will be a factor in determining
borderline grades.
*In-Class Practice Assignments:
We will regularly do in-class problem practice.
Warm-ups: Most days we will begin class with a warm-up. You are expected to do these
when class begins. We will go over these problems as a review of the previous day’s lesson
or as an introduction to the day’s work. These should be dated. On midterm day one
warm-up problem will be selected by date to turn in as part of your test. Have your
warm-ups in order since the time given to locate the problem will be short.
Worksheets/Practice: We will also work sample problems from worksheets. These
worksheets often exemplify the types of problems you will see on the in-class exams.
Mastering these types of problems will insure the greatest possibility of success on these
important exams. This work should be kept in order in a loose-leaf participation folder (no
spiral notebooks, please). If kept up, this will serve as a valuable resource to prepare for
tests and will be collected on in-class test days for completion check. Please allow
yourself enough space to work clearly and legibly. Any unfinished class work should be done
outside of class as part of your homework.
Class work is designed to maximize the learning from each class. Working in class allows
you to learn from the understanding of your peers, to see your areas of weakness and to
ask questions based on any confusion you have as you practice. Your full participation will
help earn you a better exam grade.
*Homework:
Homework for this course is done in MML online. Due dates are online. The function of
homework is to give you an opportunity for independent practice of a variety of problems,
including more challenging problems. Use the tools on MML, tutorials and hints to aid you in
mastering material. You can also retry problems to enable you to improve a homework
score.
Late work can be submitted for one week following the due date, but will incur a 15%
penalty. Homework for the last week of classes will not have a grace period for late
work and must be submitted by the dates given in MML.
Working in MyMathLab:
If this is your first time working with MML online, you will have to get used to the
procedures. Here are a few things you should know:
After completing a problem you type in your answer and the computer will give you instant
feedback. Become familiar and use the features of the software such as “Show me an
example” to get the most out of it.
Each homework assignment will have a due date posted online. Please be aware that
computer malfunctions will not excuse you from due dates, putting off the entire
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assignment until the due date is not a good idea as you risk losing your internet connection
or having a server go down. Give yourself enough time and have a back up in mind in case of
problems. Also please note that you only have a week’s grace for late homework.
*Online Quizzes and Tests:
There will be an online quiz every Friday. The due date and time will be shown online. This
is on your own time; please plan for this. These quizzes are required and there is no
grace period for missing the due dates.
The quizzes are done in the same way as the homework, but no aids are provided. This
should give you feedback as to how well you have actually mastered the concepts tested.
MML scores your quizzes to give you immediate feedback of your progress.
*Please note that technology problems will not excuse you from your online work. Do
not email me to request additional time. I will drop the 2 lowest homework and quiz
scores to account for unforeseen emergencies. Anything beyond this will incur a point
penalty.
Also note that zeros for missed assignments are not automatically entered. Grades
therefore may temporarily appear inflated until zeros are manually entered.
In-Class Tests:
There will be 4 midterms and a final given in class. Partial credit for problems will be
given only if demonstration of understanding is clearly and legibly shown in a step-by-step
process. One 4 x 6 card with hand-written notes will be allowed on any midterm. One 5 x
7 card with hand-written notes will be allowed on the final.
Talking to a fellow classmate or having a cell-phone out during an exam is a violation
of test-taking protocol and is considered cheating. It may result in loss of points up to
a zero for the exam.
There will be no makeup exams. The lowest midterm grade will be dropped. A student
absent on a midterm day, will have that zero dropped. This option is available only with an
excused absence and is available only once.
Electronic Devices:
During class, cell phones or any other portable electronic device must be turned off and be
out of sight. Under no circumstances will a cell-phone calculator be allowed during an
exam. Violation of this rule will result in a deduction of points on a test and may result in
a zero for the exam.
Resources:
Please note my office hour availability if you need one-on-one help with a concept. Do not
wait until you are hopelessly lost to get clarification.
Napa Valley College also offers valuable resources for student success. I encourage you to
take advantage of the Math Center located in the 800 building. Tutoring is recommended
for all whether or not you are experiencing difficulty. Discussion with an able tutor or
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study partner enhances student understanding. Additionally MML offers online
instructional videos to reinforce class instruction.
Students in need of accommodations in the college learning environment:
Any student who feels she or he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a
learning disability should contact Learning Services in the Library and Learning Resource
Center (LLRC), room 1766, phone (707) 256-7442. A Learning Disability Specialist will
review your needs and determine appropriate accommodations. If you need
accommodations for physical or other types of disabilities, schedule an appointment with
DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department located in the General
Counseling Center in the 1300 building, phone (707) 253-3040 for appointment. All
information and documentation is confidential. Please feel encouraged to make an
appointment with me privately to discuss your specific learning needs in my class.
Miscellaneous Classroom Norms:
 Raise your hand to ask or answer questions. Avoid the temptation to always be the
student who shouts out the answer. Whereas it is good that you know and are an
enthusiastic participant, answering too quickly and often does not allow others the
opportunity to think a problem through.
 If you have a question, please ask the instructor for clarification. Do not ask a
classmate for help during a lecture. You are interrupting that student’s focus on
important concepts and likely disturbing the students around you. Others in the
class may likely have the same or similar question.
 Please do not chat with your classmates, even if it is about the math; this is
disruptive to those around you. You may be asked to leave if chatting continues.
 There will be no eating allowed during class. Please keep food put away.
Further Suggestions for Success:
 Practice is an essential element of success. Watching teacher performance of
operations alone does not offer the student insight into his/her own areas of
weakness. Making common student errors through practice gives insight into your
particular misunderstandings before the test or quiz.
 Along with visiting the Math Center, studying with a partner often is a useful way
to discuss and clarify confusion. Research has shown that group work in math leads
to better understanding. Copying other’s work however is cheating and will result in
a zero for any assignment or test.
 Be patient with the learning process. Do not expect to get it right away.
Learning takes time and it is common to feel confused at first. Develop coping
strategies to get you through some initial uncertainty. Difficult courses have a
learning curve and require persistence and effort. Ask for help.
 Lastly, read the book, use the online resources, ask questions and persevere.
It bears remembering that a good rule of thumb for a college-level course is to
spend 2 hours at home studying for every hour in class. Do not expect success just
by passively sitting in class taking notes. Math is often difficult, but for most,
reward follows effort.
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Grades:
Online Homework: 10%.
Weekly Quizzes: 20% cumulative.
In-Class Tests and Final: 60%
Class Work Notebook: 10%
Grades (continued): A: 100-90% B: 89-80%
C: 79-70%
D: 69-60%
F: 59% &
below
Please note that your grade progress is accessible online via MML at any time during
the semester. You can monitor your own progress in the class this way. The instructor
assumes that no further progress report is needed and none will be given.
Lastly you will be given the grade you earn. Borderline grades to the next highest level will
be determined by in-class exam averages, attendance and promptness, at the discretion of
the instructor.
Please keep this document handy to review throughout the semester. You should
refer to this before you email me a question about class protocol. I will refer you to
this document if you do. Most of your questions have been anticipated. This is your
guiding document for the course.
Week #
1
2
3
4
**5
6
7
**8
9
*Tentative List of Topics for Fall 2014 (Weeks 1-9)
Wk of:
Main Concepts / Sections
8/18
Introduction to the Course
The Distance Formula; Graphs: Graphing Utilities; Symmetry
Section 1.1 - 1.4
8/25
Graphs: Lines, Circles: Sections 1.5; Functions: Section 2.1
9/1
Functions: Graphs and Properties: Sections 2.1– 2.3
9/8
Functions: Piecewise-defined; Graphing Techniques: Transformations:
Sections 2.4 -2.5
9/15
Linear and Quadratic Functions: Linear Models; Quadratic Functions &
graphs: Sections 3.2 - 3.4 **Midterm #1: Chapters 1-3
9/22
Polynomial and Rational Functions; Polynomial Functions; Real Zeros of
a Function: Sections 4.1 – 4.2
9/29
Complex Zeros; Fundamental Theorem of Algebra; Properties of
Rational Functions: Sections 4.3 – 4.4
10/6
Properties and Graphs of Rational Functions: Section 4.4 – 4.5/
Review and Catch-up
**Midterm #2: Chapter 4
10/13 Composite Functions; One-One and Inverse Fcns: Section 5.1 – 5.2
*The table above reflects an approximate schedule of topics for the first 9 weeks of the
semester. These topics will all be covered, but there may be some variation in the pacing
as the semester progresses.
It is part of your homework to read the sections listed to improve your understanding of
the topics and to gain practice in reading math textbooks. If you are absent, you should
also watch the video available through the MyMathLab website for the day of your
absence.
** In-class tests are scheduled for this week.
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Notes:
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