Chabot College
Fall 2010
Course Outline for Mathematics 104
PREALGEBRA
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Catalog Description:
MTH 104 - Prealgebra
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3.00 units
Brief review of arithmetic, including fractions, decimals, percents; order of operations, and geometric
formulas. Introduction to algebraic concepts, including signed numbers, properties of real numbers,
algebraic expressions, linear equations, and graphs.
Prerequisite: MTH 103 (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or an appropriate skill level demonstrated
through the mathematics assessment process.
Units
Contact Hours
Week
Term
3.00
Lecture
Laboratory
Clinical
Total
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3.00
3.00
1.00
0.00
4.00
52.50
17.50
0.00
70.00
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entry into this course, the student should be able to:
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perform computations with whole numbers, fractions, mixed numerals, decimals, and percents
without a calculator;
read and write whole numbers and decimals;
round numbers to the appropriate place value;
estimate an answer;
build and simplify fractions;
convert between decimals, percents, and fraction representations;
convert between mixed numerals and improper fractions;
determine the prime factorization of a natural number;
evaluate exponential expressions with natural number exponents;
apply the associative and commutative laws;
apply the order of operations in evaluating numerical expressions;
perform unit conversions in U.S. standard and metric units;
solve basic percent problems;
solve problems using ratios, rates. proportions and percents;
graph rational numbers on a number line;
classify an angle as an acute, obtuse or right angle;
recognize basic geometric figures;
find the areas and perimeters of basic polygonal figures.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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apply the commutative, associative and distributive laws;
perform computations with signed numbers without a calculator;
apply order of operations in evaluating algebraic expressions;
simplify exponential expressions with whole number exponents;
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create, interpret, and solve simple linear equations;
find area, circumference, diameter and radius of a circle;
solve a right triangle using Pythagorean Theorem;
simplify square roots of perfect squares;
solve problems using percents;
find the areas, perimeters, and volumes of geometric figures and objects;
translate between words and the mathematical symbols for variables and operations;
interpret operations and variables in algebraic expressions;
graph simple relationships between two variables;
solve word problems, including those using formulas and linear equations.
Course Content:
Course Content (Lecture)
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Laws
A. Associative, Commutative, and Distributive
B. Identity
C. Inverse
Expressions
A. Translating from words to algebraic expressions
B. Combining like terms
C. Removing parentheses
D. Evaluating
E. Linear equations in one variable
F. Solving
G. Translating from words to linear equations
H. Solving word problems
Signed Numbers
A. nterpreting signed numbers
B. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
C. Using order of operations
D. Graphing on number line
E. Fractions
F. Decimals
G. Applications
Whole Number Exponents
A. Interpreting whole number exponents
B. Simplifying
C. Percents
D. Review solving percent problems
E. Applications
Graphing
A. Describing relationships using graphs
B. Using the Cartesian coordinate system
C. Plotting points
D. Graphing a line
E. Square roots
F. Perfect squares
G. Finding square roots with a calculator
Geometry
A. Review finding area and perimeters
B. Calculating volume
C. Calculating area, circumference and diameter of a circle
D. Knowing and using approximations for pi
E. Using Pythagorean Theorem
Course Content (Laboratory)
7.
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Laboratory activities may include, but not limited to, computer programs, problem sessions, and
collaboratives, reinforcing course content from the lecture or study skills.
Methods of Presentation
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Lecture/Discussion
Computer software
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
1. Typical Assignments
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A circle has a diameter of 6 meters. Find the area, circumference and radius of the circle.
A business person ordered a salad and a glass of iced tea for lunch. If the salad cost
$5.98 and the iced tea cost $1.49, how much did the business person pay if the tax rate is
7.25% and a 15% tip was left?
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
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B.
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Textbook (Typical):
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Quizzes
Home Work
Midterm Examination
Collaboratives
Final Examination
Baratto/Bergman (2010). Prealgebra McGraw Hill Publishing Company.
Special Student Materials
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Scientific calculator