Cleveland State University
Spring 2015
Syllabus
Applied Algebra (MTH 115 S1, SPRING 2015)
Course Information
Instructor: Mohammad Reza Faryani
Course Meeting Time: MWF 10:15am-11:05am
Course Meeting Location: RT 230 (MTH EMPORIUM)
Contact Information: m.faryani@csuohio.edu(email)
(PLEASE USE EMAIL. I CHECK IT A LOT EVERYDAY)
(216) 687-4657 (office)
Office Location: RT 1532
Office Hours: MWF 9:30am – 10:10am
Emporium Hours: MWF 10:15am-11:05am
Course Description: Prerequisite(s): MTH 87 or MTH 88, or suitable placement test score, is
required for eligibility. Extension of basic algebra techniques, linear equations, and linear
inequalities, an introduction to functions, roots, radicals, exponents, quadratic equations, solution
of second degree equations and applications, and the analysis and solution of word problems.
This course does not fulfill the university general education requirement in quantitative literacy.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable
 graph linear equations and find slope and intercepts
 simplify expressions involving exponents and radicals
 perform operations with polynomials and rational expressions
 solve quadratic, rational, and radical equations
 understand functions and function notation
 work with quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions
 solve various types of equations and application problems
MTH 115 will be graded on a mastery basis. To PASS a student must complete ALL minimods with an 70% or higher (for post tests) and the final exam with a 70% or higher
Additionally, the student must attend 80% of in class time until ALL mini-mods are
completed or they will receive a 5% final grade deduction.
THERE IS A TOTAL OF 11 MINI-MODS TO COMPLETE.
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Cleveland State University
Spring 2015
Course grade
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
Percent
Course grade
92-100%
A
90-91.9%
A88-89.9%
B+
82-87.9%
B
80-81.9%
B78-79.9%
C+
70-77.9%
C
60-69.9%
D
Below 60%
F
The average of the highest scores for each of the six Mini-Mod tests is taken to determine
90% of the final grade. The final exam grade counts for 10% of the final grade. If the final
exam grade is an “A”, it will replace this average as the final grade in the class. If the final
exam is an “F” after multiple (3) attempts, the class will be repeated.
COURSE DESIGN:
Students will use MyLabPlus (MLP) to complete this course. Instruction will be delivered via
videos on MLP as well as through on-demand assistance from the instructor and tutors. Students
will complete the following for each of the 11 mini-mod. Each Test will have material from both
current and previous Mini Mods.
1. Pre-Test on All Previous Mini Mods
a. If a student earns an 85% (letter grade of B) or above on the pre-test the
student can move on to the next mini-mod. If a student wants a higher
grade they can do what is required to take the post-test.
b. A student is allowed ONE pre-test attempt per pre-test. Pre-Test 1 allows
2 tries.
2. Mini-Mod Topics Videos and accompanying Notebook
a. To be eligible to take the post-test all associated topics notes must be
completed.
3. Mini Mod Topics Homework
a. To be eligible to take the post-test all associated mini-mod topic
homework must be completed with an 85% or above.
4. Test on All Current and Previous Mini Mods
a. To complete the mini-module test a student must earn a 70% or higher on
the comprehensive test. A student may re-take tests as needed. After the
third try, the student must conference with the instructor before being
allowed to take the test again. Each exam is 15 questions and a student has
45 minutes to complete it.
For the test appropriate work and reasoning must be shown. Any student not completing all of
the material by the end of the semester will FAIL. However, the student will have the ability to
register for and continue the course in the next semester (and only the next semester) and
continue where they left off.
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Cleveland State University
Spring 2015
Additionally, students are expected to make minimal progress on the course requirements. A
schedule of minimum daily progress is included in this syllabus
THINGS TO NOTE:
 A total of 6-12 hours should be spent on this course per week outside of class.
 Calculator Lending Policy:
o TI-84 Calculators will be lent for EMPORIUM use on a first come first serve
basis. They may not be removed from the EMPORIUM. If they are lost, you
must pay $149 to have it replaced. Students who have not signed the Lending
Agreement may not borrow a calculator.
 Testing Policy:
o Pre and Post Tests can only be taken in the EMPORIUM. Tests are closed notes
and book. No cell phones are allowed during testing. A student can take tests
outside of class time when the EMPORIUM is open. To take a test out of class
time, the student must present their student ID at the time of test. For a test to be
reviewed for partial you MUST have taken the test on or before the test date, the
test can be reviewed for partial credit only by your instructor.
 EMPORIUM Hours of Operation
o Monday – Friday 9am -3pm
o Monday , Wednesday 6:00pm -7:50pm


Students who pass this class can enroll in MTH 167, MTH 116, or MTH 148.
TEXTBOOK: Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra Notebook. Custom Edition

for Cleveland State University, Pearson (2013) can be found only at the bookstore.
Calculator: The TI-84 scientific calculator is recommended for this class. It is the required



calculator for MTH 167, MTH 116 and MTH 148.
Bring your notebook, calculator and headphones to every class. These materials WILL NOT be
provided for you. Retain all graded work until the end of the semester.
Educational access is the provision of classroom accommodations, auxiliary aids and services to
ensure equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of their disability. Any student
who may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of
Disability Services at (216) 687-2015. The Office is located in MC147. Accommodations need to
be requested in advance and will not be granted retroactively.
Mathematical Learning Center
If you need (free) mathematical tutoring, contact the Mathematics Learning Center
Main Classroom Building 230 or 216-687-4549/4543.
Monday – Thursday, 9:30am-8pm; Friday 9:30am-3pm and Saturday, 11am-2pm
(http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/mathematics/learning_center.html)
Attendance
Attendance is a fundamental component of success in this course. Therefore, class attendance is
mandatory until the course is finished and is worth 5% of the course grade. Daily attendance
will be monitored and reported to the university. Please be aware that tardiness; leaving early;
long periods of time from stepping outside of class; as well as standard absences will be
considered unexcused absence and reported as such. There is no difference between excused and
unexcused absences. Additionally, the student must attend 80% of in class time until ALL
mini-mods are completed or they will receive a 5% final grade deduction.
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Cleveland State University
Spring 2015
Mini-Mod Pre-Test, Videos, Notebook and Homework
Pre-Test: At the beginning of each unit students will take a pre-test on all current and previous
mini mod content. If the student earns a score of at least 85% on the pre-test, the student will
then be allowed to skip the entire associated mini-mods. The score earned on the pre-test will be
the final score for the test. A student is allowed ONE pre-test attempt per mini mod. All pre-test
MUST be taken in class.
Videos and Notebook: Every topic has a video to be accompanied by notes. The notes are to be
completed with work shown. These notes will be reviewed by instructor before post-test can be
taken.
Homework: Every topic will have homework to complete. To finish the topic homework the
student must earn an 85% or above on the homework. Students will be allowed many attempts
on each homework problem.
Mini-Mod Post-Test on All Current and Previous Mini Mods
Once the videos have been viewed, and the notes and homework have been completed with an
85% or above, then the student may attempt the mini-module test on all current and previous
mini mod content. If the student earns a score of at least 70%, then the student may proceed to
the next mini module. The student may not proceed to the next mini-module until earning at
least 70% on the post test and completing the instructor generated study plan. There is no
limit to the number of attempts. Multiple failures may result in the student being required to
complete additional work at the instructor’s discretion. All tests MUST be taken in the
EMPORIUM, in ONE sitting.
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Cleveland State University
Spring 2015
MANAGE YOUR TIME
REMEMBER IF YOU FINISH EARLY YOU ARE DONE AND NO LONGER
REQUIRED TO ATTEND. If all modules are not completed by the end of the semester, the
student can register for MTH 115 again for the subsequent semester and start where they left off.

Important Dates:
o The final day to drop any course without a “W”: Friday, January 23th, 2015
o The last day to withdraw:
Friday, March 27th, 2015.
o No Classes
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 19th, 2015.
Presidents Day
Monday, February 16th, 2015
Spring Recess
March 8-15th, 2015
Week
1
Monday
1.1,1.2
Tuesday
1.3
Wednesday
2.1
Thursday
2.2
Friday
2.3
2
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
Test1 MM1-2
3
3.1-3.2
3.3-3.4
3.5-3.6
3.7-.38
Test2 MM1-3
4
4.1
4.2
4.2
4.3
4.4
5
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.7
Test3 MM1-4
6
5.1
5.1
5.2
5.2
5.3
7
5.4
5.5
5.5-5.6
5.6
Test4 MM1-5
8
6.1, 6.2
6.3, 6.4
6.5
6.6
7.1
9
7.2
7.3, 7.4
7.5
7.6
Test5 MM1-7
10
8.1, 8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
11
9.1
9.1
9.2
9.2
9.3
12
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.5
Test6 MM1-9
13
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
14
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
15
11.5
11.6
11.6
11.7
11.7
16
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL
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Cleveland State University
Spring 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mini-Mod 1 MTH 87 Review Graphing lines
•
Topic 1.1 Graphing linear equations by plotting points
▪
Topic 1.2 Graphing linear equations using intercepts
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Topic 1.3 Graphing linear equations of the form x=a, y=b, and y=mx
Mini-Mod 2 MTH 87 Review Introduction to functions
•
Topic 2.1 Relations and functions
▪
Topic 2.2 The vertical line test
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Topic 2.3 Function notation
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Topic 2.4 Evaluating functions
▪
Topic 2.5 Graphing linear functions
▪
Topic 2.6 Applications of functions
▪
Topic 2.7 Using the Graphing Calculator
Mini-Mod 3 Absolute value equations and Linear inequalities
▪
Topic 3.1 Introduction to absolute value equations
▪
Topic 3.2 Solving basic absolute value equations
▪
Topic 3.3 Solving multiple absolute value equations
▪
Topic 3.4 Solving and graphing linear inequalities
▪
Topic 3.5 Solving absolute value inequalities
▪
Topic 3.6 Interval notation
▪
Topic 3.7 Graphing compound inequalities
▪
Topic 3.8 Solving compound inequalities
Mini-Mod 4 Rational expressions
▪
Topic 4.1 Introduction to rational expressions and functions
▪
Topic 4.2 Simplifying rational expressions
▪
Topic 4.3 Multiplying rational expressions
▪
Topic 4.4 Dividing rational expressions
▪
Topic 4.5 Adding and subtracting rational expressions
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Topic 4.6 Finding the LCD for rational expressions
▪
Topic 4.7 Adding and subtracting unlike rational expressions
Mini-Mod 5 Rational expressions and equations
▪
Topic 5.1 Simplifying complex rational expressions by adding and subtracting
▪
Topic 5.2 Simplifying complex rational expressions by multiplying by LCD
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Topic 5.3 Solving rational equations
▪
Topic 5.4 Solving formulas for a variable
▪
Topic 5.5 Work problems
▪
Topic 5.6 Distance, rate, time problems
Mini-Mod 6 Radicals and applications
▪
Topic 6.1 Square roots
▪
Topic 6.2 Higher-order roots
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Cleveland State University
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Spring 2015
Topic 6.3 Simplifying radical expressions
Topic 6.4 Rational exponents
Topic 6.5 Pythagorean Theorem
Topic 6.6 Distance formula
Mini-Mod 7 Radical functions, expressions, and equations
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Topic 7.1 Introduction to radical functions
▪
Topic 7.2 Adding and subtracting radical expressions
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Topic 7.3 Multiplying radical expressions
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Topic 7.4 Dividing radical expressions
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Topic 7.5 Rationalizing the denominator
▪
Topic 7.6 Solving radical equations
Mini-Mod 8 Quadratic equations
▪
Topic 8.1 Introduction to solving quadratic equations
▪
Topic 8.2 Solving quadratic equations by factoring
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Topic 8.3 Solving quadratic equations using square root property
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Topic 8.4 Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
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Topic 8.5 Solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula
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Topic 8.6 Applications of quadratic equations
Mini-Mod 9 Graphing quadratic functions
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Topic 9.1 Introduction to graphing quadratic functions
▪
Topic 9.2 Finding the vertex of quadratic functions
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Topic 9.3 Finding the intercepts of quadratic functions
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Topic 9.4 Graphing quadratic functions summary
▪
Topic 9.5 Applications of quadratic functions
Mini-Mod 10 Logarithmic and exponential functions
▪
Topic 10.1 Composite functions
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Topic 10.2 Inverse functions
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Topic 10.3 Evaluating exponential and logarithmic expressions
▪
Topic 10.4 Graphing exponential functions
▪
Topic 10.5 Converting between exponential and logarithmic forms
Mini-Mod 11 Exponential and logarithmic equations
▪
Topic 11.1 Properties of logarithms
▪
Topic 11.2 Common and natural logarithms
▪
Topic 11.3 Change of base of logarithms
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Topic 11.4 Solving simple exponential equations and applications
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Topic 11.5 Solving exponential equations and applications
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Topic 11.6 Solving simple logarithmic equations and applications
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Topic 11.7 Solving logarithmic equations and applications
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