Chabot College
Fall 2005
Course Outline for Mathematics 105
BASIC MATHEMATICS
Catalog Description:
105– Basic Mathematics
3 units
Fundamental concepts in arithmetic, including fractions, ratios, proportions, percents; order of operations,
measurement, geometric formulas. Introduction to algebraic concepts, including signed numbers, properties of
real numbers, algebraic expressions, linear equations, and graphs. May be offered in Distance Education
delivery format. 3 hours lecture, 0-1 hours laboratory.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the students should be able to:
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perform computations with fractions, decimals, and signed numbers without a calculator;
build and simplify fractions;
convert between decimals, percents, and fraction representations;
determine the prime factorization of a natural number;
interpret natural number exponents;
apply the associative, commutative, and distributive laws;
apply the order of operations in evaluating expressions;
perform unit conversions in U.S. standard and metric units;
solve problems using ratios, proportions and 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;
create, interpret, and solve simple linear equations;
graph simple relationships between two variables;
solve word problems, including those using formulas and linear equations.
Course Content:
1. Variables, Expressions, and Equations
a. Translating from words to algebraic expressions
b. Writing and solving linear equations involving one operation
c. Solving word problems
2. Signed Numbers and Order of Operations
a. Interpreting signed numbers
b. Performing calculations with signed numbers
c. Using order of operations
d. Writing expressions and equations with two operations
e. Solving equations involving signed numbers and two operations
f. Using the commutative, associative, and distributive laws
g. Solving word problems
3. Whole Number Exponents
a. Interpreting whole number exponents
b. Using order of operations
4. Fractions
a. Using prime factoring to build and simplify fractions
b. Multiplying and dividing
c. Adding and subtracting
5. Graphing
a. Describing relationships using equations and graphs
b. Using the Cartesian coordinate system
Chabot College
Course Outline for Math 105, page 2
Fall 2005
Course Content – continued:
6. Ratios, Proportions, and Percents
a. Interpreting rates, ratios, and percents
b. Solving word problems involving rates, ratios and percents
c. Recognizing proportional variables
d. Solving proportions
e. Using proportions to solve word problems
f. Converting between percents, decimals, and fractional notations
7. Decimals
a. Performing operations
b. Distinguishing between terminating and repeating decimals
8. Measurement and Geometry
a. Recognizing basic geometric figures
b. Calculating perimeter, circumference, area, and volume
c. Using the U.S. Standard and metric systems
d. Converting between units
e. Knowing and using approximations for pi
Methods of Presentation:
1. Lecture
2. Classroom discussion
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments:
a. A swimming pool is 20 feet wide and 40 feet long. If it is surrounded by square tiles, each of which is 1
foot by 1 foot, how many tiles are surrounding the pool
b. A person has a yearly income of $23,256. What is the person’s monthly income?
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
a. Quizzes
b. Midterm(s)
c. Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Prealgebra, Katherine Yoshiwara and Bruce Yoshiwara, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 2003.
Prealgebra: Journey into a Mathematical World. James M. Sullivan, Prentice-Hall, 2002.
Special Student Materials:
Scientific calculator
AW
Revised: 10/2004