Chabot College
Fall 2003
Replaced Fall 2006
Course Outline for Mathematics 65B
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA B
Catalog Description:
65B – Elementary Algebra B
3 units
Concepts covered in the second half of Mathematics 65, including factoring, rational expressions and
complex fractions; system of linear equations; quadratic and rational equations; graphing.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 65A (completed with a grade C or higher). May not receive credit if
Mathematics 65 or 65L has been completed. 3 hours lecture, 0-1 hour laboratory.
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
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write using set theory notation;
apply order of operations to simplify algebraic expressions;
solve linear equations in one variable;
solve and graph linear inequalities in one variable;
graph linear equations in two variables by various methods;
add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials;
apply the formula for squaring the binomial;
apply algebraic methods to solve word problems;
solve formulas for any given variable;
apply the properties of integral exponents;
convert between scientific notation and standard notation;
find the slope of a line from the graph and from the definition.
Expected Outcome for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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factor special products, general trinomials, and four terms;
add, subtract, multiply, divide and simplify rational expressions;
solve rational equations;
apply algebraic methods to solve word problems;
solve quadratic equations by factoring;
find the slope of a line from the slope-intercept equation of the line;
find the equation of the line using the point-slope equation;
solve quadratic equations by factoring, using the principle of square roots and using the quadratic
formula
Course Content:
1. Factoring
a. Removing common factors
b. Trinomials
c. Difference of two squares
d. Grouping
2. Rational expressions
a. Simplifying
b. Operations
c. Complex fractions
3. Solving rational equations
4. Introduction to systems of linear equations
a. Graphing method
b. Elimination method
c. Substitution method
Chabot College
Course Outline for Mathematics 65B, Page 2
Fall 2003
d. Applications
5. Graphing linear equations in two variables
a. Review plotting points
b. Review plotting intercepts
c. The slope-intercept method
6. Finding linear equations given the graph of the line of information about the line
7. Finding slope from the slope-intercept equation
8. Quadratic equations
a. Solving by factoring
b. Solving by principle of square roots
c. Solving by using the quadratic formula
Methods of Presentation:
1. Informal lectures
2. Classroom discussion of problems, solutions and student’s questions
3. Audio-visual materials
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Exercises from the text book
The length of a rectangular garden is 4m greater than the width. The area of the garden
is 96m2. Find the length and width.
b. Collaboratives
Collect (linear) data from an experiment, plot the data, and find an equation to model the
data.
2. Methods of Evaluation Student Progress
a. Homework
b. Quizzes
c. Class participation
d. Midterms
d. Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Elementary Algebra Concepts and Applications, Bittenger and Ellenbogen, Addison Wesley, 2002
Special Student Materials:
Scientific calculator