MATH 1314-10
College Algebra
MWF 9:00 - 9:50
Spring 2010
Instructor: Randal Hoppens
Phone: 830-4186
E-mail: rhoppens@blinn.edu
Office A-31
Office Hours: MW
TR
1:00 – 3:00
1:00 – 4:00
Course Description: College Algebra is the study of real and complex numbers, factoring, exponents, radicals,
fractional and quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing techniques, functions, graphs of polynomial and
rational functions, systems of equations, matrices, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Prerequisites: MATH 0312 with a grade of “C” or better or high school Algebra I, high school Algebra II,
high school Geometry, high school Precalculus, and a score of 270 or higher on the mathematics section of
THEA (TASP), or an appropriate score on the math section of the SAT or ACT or an alternative test instrument.
Core Course: This is a Core Course in the 42-Hour Core of Blinn College. As such, the students will develop
proficiency in the appropriate Intellectual Competencies, Exemplary Educational Objectives, and Perspectives.
See www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum.
Course Objectives: The student should attain at least a 70% average on examinations, quizzes, and other work
covering the study of real and complex numbers, factoring, exponents, radicals, fractional and quadratic
equations, inequalities, graphing techniques, functions, graphs of polynomial and rational functions, systems of
equations, matrices, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Required Material
Textbook: College Algebra, 10th Ed. by Lial, Hornsby, Schneider: Addison Wesley, 2009.
Graphing Calculator: A graphing calculator is required in this course and I will be using the (TI – 84 or 86) in class.
Other calculators may be used; however the student is responsible for learning how to operate them. Symbolic calculators
such as the TI-89 and the TI-92 will not be allowed. The instructor reserves the right to limit the type and/or use of
specific calculators and programs on exams.
Grading Policy: Homework will be assigned throughout the course. You are encouraged to keep your homework in a
loose-leaf folder, separate from your notes. Quizzes will be given and the appropriate homework will be collected for a
daily grade. Your final grade will be based on the following percents
MathXL - 15%
Grading %s are:
Daily quizzes and homework – 15%
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
4 Majors – 50%
C 70 – 79
Comprehensive Final - 20%
D 60 – 69
F 0 – 59
Make-up Policy: Students are not assessed absences when representing Blinn College or observing a holy day but are
responsible for class work missed. It is the student's responsibility to meet with the instructor prior to or immediately after
any absences and make arrangements to turn in completed work. A makeup exam will be scheduled during the last week
of the semester and will be comprehensive to take the place of a missing exam grade or to replace the lowest grade on an
exam. Twenty percent of the daily grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Accommodations for Students With Disabilities:
Blinn College would like to help students with disabilities
achieve their highest potential in college. In order to receive accommodations on exams or assignments, proper
documentation must first be provided to the Office of Disability Services. This office is located on the bottom floor of the
new Administration Building in room 104 (phone # 830-4157).You must then self-identify and conference with me during
my posted office hours to begin receiving accommodations in the class.
Attendance Policy: The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students
are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent
class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe
disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course
grade. It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how
participation is achieved in his or her class. Participation in the Division of Mathematics is measured by quizzes and
homework assignments, which count at least ten percent of the of the semester grade. If a student has the equivalent of
one week’s worth of unexcused absences during the semester, s/he will be sent a message to her/his Blinn e-mail account
by the College requiring the student to contact her/his instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss her/his
attendance issues. Should the student accumulate the equivalent of two weeks’ worth of unexcused absences, s/he will be
administratively withdrawn from class. For a MWF class students will receive the first notification via Blinn student
email after 3 days of unexcused absences and a 2nd notification via Blinn student email after 6 days of unexcused
absences. If a student is dropped from a class prior to the “W” date, they will receive a “W” in the class. When the
student is administratively dropped after the “W” date, students will receive a “WF” as stated in current policy. Students
will be able to access their Student e-mail account by logging into BORIS.
Civility Statement: Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff, and other students, are
expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for
their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes
personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College
community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others. If a student is
asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a
conference with the instructor: it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference.
Electronic Device Policy:
All the functions of all personal electronic devices designed for communication and/or
entertainment (cell phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, and similar devices) must be turned off and kept out of sight in all
Blinn College classrooms and associated laboratories. Any noncompliance with this policy will be addressed in
accordance with the Blinn College civility policy. Additionally, any communication understood by the instructor to be in
the nature of cheating will have consequences in accordance with this Blinn College policy section regarding academic
dishonesty. Students exempted from this policy section include, active members of firefighting organizations, emergency
medical services organizations, commissioned police officers, on-call employees of any political subdivision of the state
of Texas, or agencies of the federal government. Exempted students are expected to set the emergency-use devices on
silent or vibrate mode.
Classroom Policy: No food, drinks, or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Cellular telephones and
beepers/pagers must be disengaged while the student is in the Blinn College Library or any classroom/lab. Please do not
prevent others from learning by talking or interrupting.
Scholastic Dishonesty: The policy as stated in the 2009-2010 Student Handbook, will be followed.
Academic Support:
Learning Center Hours are as follows:
Mon –Thurs. 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Check for holiday closings at “Learning Center - Brenham” in Quick Links on the Blinn Homepage
Computers, videos, and tutors are available to assist students. A student ID must be presented upon entering the Learning
Center. Rules are posted in the Learning Center and all students are expected to abide by them.
You are encouraged to go to the Learning Center, study in groups, and/or see your instructor for help outside of class.
Students that get help outside of class are more successful than those that do not.
Tentative Daily Schedule
College Algebra
42 Days
th
Lial, Hornsby, Schneider - 10 Edition,
Dates
Sections
Content
Jan.
20
Course Introduction and Pre-Req. Review
22
2.3
Functions
25
2.6
Graphs of Basic Functions
25
2.2
Circles
27-29
2.7
Graphing Techniques
Feb.
01-03
2.8
Function Operations and Composition
05
Review and Practice
08
Major Test 1 – Chapter 2
10
3.1
Quadratic Functions and Models
12-15
R.3
Dividing Polynomials
17
3.2
Synthetic Division
19
3.3
Zeros of Polynomial Functions
22
3.4
Polynomial Functions: Graphs, Applications, and Models
24-26
3.5
Rational Functions: Graphs, Applications, and Models
Mar.
01
Review and Practice
03
Major Test 2- Chapter 3
05
4.1
Inverse Functions
08
4.2
Exponential Functions
10-12
4.3
Logarithmic Functions
22-24
4.2 – 4.3
Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
26
4.4
Evaluating Logarithms and the Change-of-Base Theorem
29-31
4.5
Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
Apr.
05
4.6
Applications and Models of Exponential Growth and Decay
07
Review and Practice
09
Major Test 3- Chapter 4
12
5.1
Systems of Linear Equations
14-16
5.5
Nonlinear Systems of Equations
19
5.2
Matrix Solutions of Linear Systems
21
5.2
Matrix Solutions of Linear Systems
23
No Class
26
5.7
Properties of Matrices
28
Review and Practice
30
Major Test 4- Chapter 5
May
03
Return Major Test 4 and QEPs on Math XL
05
Questions over Make-Up
12
Final
Wednesday 8:00 – 10:00 (Bring a Scan-Tron)
Tentative Daily Assignment
College Algebra
Lial, Hornsby, Schneider
10th Edition, 2009
Work all problems below in MathXL. Also, the * problems from the textbook should be worked out on paper
and ready to turn in as part of your daily quiz grade.
Section
Page
Problems
2.3
213
2.6
255
3, 5, 7, 13, 15, 19, 21, 25, 27
1, 3*, 9, 11, 13*, 19, 21, 23 25*, 35, 37, 43, 45*, 47, 51, 53, 63, 65, 75*, 77,
81
1, 3*, 5, 11, 13*, 17, 19*, 25, 27*, 29, 31*
2.7
270
3, 5*, 7, 9, 19, 21, 23*, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33*, 35, 37*, 43, 45*, 51
2.8
282
3, 5*, 7, 9*, 27, 29, 35, 37*, 43, 45, 47*, 49, 51, 53*, 57, 59, 65
3.1
311
1, 3*, 5, 7, 9, 11*, 13, 15*, 17, 19, 21*, 25, 31, 33*
R3
31
87*, 89*, 91*, 93*
3.2
326
1,5*, 7, 9, 13*, 17, 27*, 31, 33, 41*, 43, 45, 47*
3.3
337
5, 9*, 13, 17, 19*, 29*, 35, 37*, 39, 43*, 45, 51*, 79, 81, 85*, 87
3.4
351
13, 15*, 23, 25*, 27, 33, 35*, 37, 41, 47*, 49, 79, 85, 87*
3.5
371
9*, 11, 19, 21*, 23, 37, 39*, 41, 43*, 53, 55, 63, 67*, 73, 89, 93*
4.1
411
3, 5*, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 39, 43*, 45, 55, 57*, 59, 65*, 69, 71, 73*, 75
4.2
427
4.3
441
13, 15*, 21, 43, 45*, 49, 51*, 53, 55, 57, 59, 63, 65*, 67, 71*, 77, 79, 83*
1, 3*, 5, 7*, 9, 13, 15*, 17, 19, 23, 25*, 27, 29, 51*, 61, 63, 65, 73*, 75, 77,
79
Math XL assignment only
4.4
453
3*, 11*, 51*, 61, 67*, 69, 73*
4.5
464
5, 7, 13*, 21, 23, 29*, 31, 33, 37, 39*, 41, 45, 47, 49, 71*, 73, 87*
4.6
475
5*, 7, 9, 13*, 19, 21, 27*, 31, 35, 43*
5.1
504
7, 13, 19, 23*, 25, 27, 31, 37*, 47, 53*, 55, 65, 67*, 93, 95*
5.5
549
1*, 9, 13*, 15, 17*, 19, 25, 31*, 37, 47, 49*
5.2
518
5, 7*, 9, 11*, 19, 25*, 27, 37*, 51, 53*
5.7
574
1, 5*, 13, 15*, 21, 27, 29*, 35, 37, 41*, 43, 51, 57*, 63, 75, 81*
2.2
4.2-4.3
QEP Activities in MathXL: Domain and Asymptotes, Functions, Logarithmic and Exponential Equations.