Math 123-1692 Elementary Algebra
Hartnell College
Spring 2015
Instructor: Dr. YaoTang Liao
Email: yliao@hartnell.edu
Office: N
Class meets: T TH 02:00- 04:15 PM in D261
Office hours: by appointment or e-mail
To obtain class information such as syllabus, announcements and messages, go to
http://www.hartnell.edu/directory/dr-yaotang-liao(tentative)
To access the learning material and online exercises, we will be using the website
www.connectmath.com
Instructions to register are included in this syllabus.
PREREQUISITE
Completion of Math 121: Pre-algebra or placement based on STARR test placement or
multiple measures.
MATERIALS



Miller, O’Neill & Hyde, Intermediate Algebra, 3rd Edition WITH ConnectMath
Access Code & a scientific calculator. (You can get an e-book bundled with the
access code directly from Connect Math for cheaper than the bundle at the
bookstore—and environmentally friendly!)
Scantron, form 882-E (for all exams)
A scientific calculator
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Review of elementary algebra plus more advanced problems of factoring, rational
expressions, linear and quadratic equations, functions and graphs, systems of
equations and inequalities, exponents and radicals, exponential and logarithmic
functions, conic sections, sequences, series and applications related to all the
functions of intermediate algebra. This course requires a minimum of 15 hours of
work per week including class time and homework.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
1. Students will be able to solve a 2x2 system of linear equations.
2.
Given a quadratic equation, students will draw the graph and identify intercepts and
the vertex.
3.
Given a logartithmic equation, students will choose a strategy and
solve.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
o
Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. recognize, analyze, and employ the most effective strategies to solve various
mathematical problems (both equations and inequalities) and judge the
reasonableness of their results related to the following functions: linear, quadratic,
polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic.
2. compare and contrast the equations and graphs of the following functions: linear,
quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, and the conic
sections.
3. model real world situations found in various fields of study that are related to the
following functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential,
logarithmic, and the conic sections.
4. compare and contrast expressions, relations, functions, equations, and inequalities.
5. simplify, manipulate, and evaluate expressions and functions.
6. communicate the mathematics of intermediate algebra in both oral and written form.
7. solve applications related to all of the functions of intermediate algebra.
8. use appropriate technology to enhance their mathematical thinking.
9. demonstrate the basic concepts of sequences and series and their applications.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
In compliance with equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic
accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Request for
academic accommodations should be made as soon as possible, if possible during the
first week of the semester. Students are encouraged to register with Disabled Students
Programs and Services (DSP&S) for disability verification and for determination of
reasonable academic accommodations. For more information, visit CALL building, room
107 or call (831) 755-6760.
GRADING CRITERIA
4 Exams
40%
B
80 – 89%
Online Homework
25%
C
70 – 79%
Classwork and Quizzes
5%
D
60 – 69%
Final Exam
30%
F
below 59%
A
90 – 100%
Connect Math Online Homework
Homework is your opportunity to practice what you have learned during the lectures and
the reading, which is a necessary step in understanding the concepts. Homework will be
graded for accuracy and correctness to ensure that you are practicing the skills correctly
and learning the designated concepts. Each problem will be worth one point. However,
since homework will be completed electronically, you will have unlimited opportunities to
correct your mistakes and receive on-line tutorials or hints to achieve the best score
possible before you submit it. Homework will be assigned daily and DUE weekly on
Sunday night. Late homework will not be accepted. You are strongly encouraged to work
with other students on the homework and to seek tutoring assistance at the many
available sources on campus, including myself, but make sure you know how to do all the
problems on your own and are able to perform where it really counts.
Your Course Code is:YETEX-WQG9D
Your Financial Aid Access Code is: 2869D-3377E-684B5-7DCF0
The Financial Aid Access Code does not add an additional two weeks to your account.
NOTE: This code gives you temporary access to Connect Math for a two-week period. Once the
code expires, you will be locked out of your Connect Math account until you purchase a regular
Student Access Code. It is highly recommended that you purchase the Student Access Code
BEFORE the two weeks expire to prevent interruptions with your Connect Math account.
To sign up to Connect Math using the Financial Aid Access Code, go to:
http://www.connectmath.com
Click on the "Sign up now!" link located under “NEW USER?”
Enter your "Course Code" and press "Continue".
Verify that you are registering for the correct course and click on "Continue." Enter the 20character Financial Aid Access Code.
Continue with the registration process until your account has been set up successfully.
After you complete your account set up you will be logged into Connect Math and can
immediately begin working in the course.
You can extend your Connect Math account at any time by clicking on “extend your account” and
entering a purchased Student Access Code. If your temporary access expires before you
purchase a Student Access Code, simply log in to Connect Math and you will be directed on how
to extend your current account.
Attendance
According to Hartnell College’s attendance policy “Absences in excess of two weeks
(consecutive or non-consecutive) may result in the student being dropped. It is the
responsibility of the student to drop from courses they do not wish to attend. DO
NOT assume instructors will submit the drop for you”. Therefore, instructors have the
right to drop you if you miss more than two weeks, but are not responsible for dropping
students. If you decide to drop the class, you will need to fill out a drop card with
Admissions and Records or use PAWS online to avoid receiving a grade of F.
Also keep in mind that everything we do in this course builds upon the previous concepts.
Be sure to attend every class meeting. If you miss even one day, you will miss a great
amount of crucial information that will affect you in the lessons to come.
Exams
There will be four to four exams worth 100 points each as well as a comprehensive final
exam. Make up exams after the exam date will not be given; therefore you must plan to
attend class for all exam dates. However, if you know ahead of time you will not be able to
attend class on an exam day; you may make arrangements with me so that you can take
an exam before your absence. If an emergency occurs during an exam date, speak with
me and we can make arrangements together. If you cheat on a test, you will receive a
zero. A scientific calculator may be necessary during exams and you MAY NOT use your
phone as a calculator nor have it out during an exam.
Notes and calculators will not be allowed during exams. Exam dates are(tentative):
 Exam #1 Friday February 13, 2015
 Exam #2 Friday March 13, 2015
 Exam #3 Friday April 17, 2015
 Exam #4 Friday May 15, 2015
Final Exam TBD
The exams will be multiple choice, and short answer and will require that you purchase
scantron sheets form 882-E. Please remember to bring the scantron and a #2 pencil
to the exam. Exams will be closed book, closed notes. Absolutely no cell phones
are allowed during the exam.
The week before the exams, I will pass out a practice midterm exam, which will contain
questions that you can use as a guide to study for the midterms. The questions on the
exam will cover what I talked about in class so it is important to take good notes during the
lectures as some of the material will not be covered in the book. The questions on the
actual exam will be similar (but not necessarily the same) as the practice exam
questions so be sure to look up the answers for all the questions on the practice
exam. The actual exam will also contain between 20% additional questions that will
not be covered on the practice exam.
The final exam will be cumulative (will cover everything!) and must be taken in order
to pass the class.
Homework (to be done electronically, using CONNECT tool)
Homework is your opportunity to practice what you have learned during the lectures and
the reading, which is a necessary step in understanding the concepts. Homework will be
graded for accuracy and correctness to ensure that you are practicing the skills correctly
and learning the designated concepts. Each problem will be worth one point. However,
since homework will be completed electronically, you will have unlimited opportunities to
correct your mistakes and receive on-line tutorials or hints to achieve the best score
possible before you submit it. Homework will be assigned daily and DUE weekly on
Sunday night. Late homework will not be accepted. You are strongly encouraged to work
with other students on the homework and to seek tutoring assistance at the many
available sources on campus, including myself, but make sure you know how to do all the
problems on your own and are able to perform where it really counts: EXAMS.
Quizzes, Class Activities & Projects
It has been shown that students retain more information when they are actively engaged in
their own learning. In this class, you will learn to think critically and work together in small
groups to solve problems. Attendance and participation are very important factors that will
determine your success in this class. Obviously, you must be present to participate in
class quizzes, group activities and explorations; therefore, you may not make up the work
in case you are absent. Other projects or activities may be completed individually or by
working with peers. In any case, each student is responsible for turning in his or her own
work.
Academic Integrity Policy (AIP)
Please note that cheating on an exam, quiz, and homework will result in an automatic zero
for that assignment. Any incident of cheating will be reported to the department and the
Vice President of Student Affairs where it will remain in your file permanently. Academic
dishonesty (or cheating) is defined as, but not limited to, copying others’ work, looking at
another’s paper during an exam, using written notes during an exam when you are not
supposed to, reading or knowledge of test questions prior to test date, changing any
portion of a returned graded test for regarding, or assisting another to do any of the
mentioned items.
Expectations
Just as you can expect me to be on time to every class and come prepared, I expect the
same from you. Be on time. This means you must arrive a few minutes early so you can
be settled and ready to take notes at exactly our scheduled start time. Ear buds and cell
phones are not allowed during class unless you are taking a picture of the whiteboard for
your notes. Please refrain from texting, taking calls, or any activity on social networks and
games/apps. This is both out of common courtesy as well as to enhance your learning
experience during each class. If you are expecting an important phone call or text,
please let me know in advance so that we can make an exception and please
remember to step outside to minimize distractions.
Resources
This is a demanding class, and many of you will need assistance at some point or another.
It is extremely important that you seek help immediately. There is no such thing as a
dumb question and I believe you ALL can learn Mathematics with the proper support, time
commitment, dedication, and perseverance. I am your first line of support so come see
me during office hours! Other suggestions are:
o Ask questions during class; don’t let doubts linger.
o Form study groups to do homework and study for exams.
o The Tutoring Center is located in the second floor of the library. They provide free
drop-in tutoring as well as individual and group math. Pick up an application and bring
it back to me so that I can sign it.
o The MESA program, located on the 2 nd floor of Merrill Hall also provides support,
but there are some requirements. You can find more information at
www.hartnell.edu/mesa/apply.html
o Are your study skills up to par? Find out by taking this survey available at
purplemath.com: http://www.purplemath.com/stdysrvy.htm
o Algebra videos are available on the internet in abundance. All you have to do is
Google a question, but here are some suggested sites:
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra
http://www.mathtv.com/
Course Calendar
Tentative Schedule and Homework Assignments
Week #
All homework will be completed using Connect Math(CM).
Classwork (CW) will be completed during class working in groups
or individually.
Due Date
Week 1
Week 2
CW: Syllabus & Expectations
Section 2: Sets of Numbers and Interval Notation
Section 3: Operations on Real Numbers
Section 4: Simplifying Expressions
Section 1: Linear Equations in One Variable
Section 2: Applications of Linear Equations in One Variable
Section 3: Applications to Geometry and Literal Equations
Section 4: Linear Inequalities in One Variable
Section 5: Compound Inequalities
Section 6: Absolute Value Equations
Section 7: Absolute Value Inequalities
HW1-CM
HW2-CM
HW3-CM
Week 3
TBD
Week 4
HW4-CM
TBD
Exam #1
HW5-CM
Week 5
TBD
Week 6
HW6-CM
TBD
Week 7
HW7-CM
TBD
Week 8
HW8-CM
TBD
Exam #2
Week 9
HW9-CM
TBD
Week #
All homework will be completed using Connect Math. Classwork
(CW) will be completed during class working in groups or
individually.
Due Date
HW10-CM
Week 10
TBFD
Week 11
Spring Break March 30 to April 3, 2015
Week 12
HW11-CM
TBD
Week 13
HW12-CM
TBD
Exam #3
Week 14
HW13-CM
TBD
HW14-CM
Week 15
TBD
HW15-CM
Week 16
TBD
Week 17
HW16-CM
TBD
Exam
HW17-CM
Week 18
TBD
Final Exam
This is syllabus will be subjected to c as needed during the course of the semester.