Houston Community College
Course Syllabus
College Algebra
Math 1314 Spring 2011
Time and location: CRN#62792 MW 11:00 – 12:30 pm; Katy, room #228D
Instructor: Branson Brade Phone #: (713) 718-5525; E-mail: Branson.Brade@hccs.edu
Textbook: Essentials of College Algebra Alternate Edition by Lial, Hornsby, and
Schneider, Addison Wesley, 2008
Course Intent: This course is designed as a review of advanced topics in algebra for
science and engineering students who plan to take the calculus sequence in preparation
for their various degree programs. It is also intended for non-technical students who need
college mathematics credit to fulfill requirements for graduation and prerequisites for
other courses. It is generally transferable as math credit for non-science majors to other
disciplines.
Catalog Description: Topics include quadratics, polynomial, rational, logarithmic and
exponential functions, system of equations, sequences and series, matrices and
determinants. A departmental final examination will be given in the course. 3 credit (3
lecture).
Course Objective: At the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
 Solve quadratic equations in one variable by the method of factoring, completing
the square, and the quadratic formula;
 Find the distance and midpoint between two point in the Cartesian plane;
 Solve radical equations, fractional equations, and equations of quadratic form;
 Recognize the equation of a straight line, graph the equation of a straight line, find
the slope and intercepts of a line, know the relationship between the slopes of
parallel and perpendicular lines, and be able to determine the equation of a line
from information such as two points on the line, or one point on the line and the
slope of the line;
 Know the definition of a function, determine the domain and range of a function,
evaluate expressions involving functional notation, simplify expressions involving
the algebra of functions, graph functions by plotting points, know the definition of
inverse functions, and given a function find its inverse;
 Graph linear functions and quadratic functions, piece-wise defined functions and
absolute value functions, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential
functions, and logarithmic functions;
 Solve linear inequalities and equations involving absolute value, state the solution
in interval notation and graph the solution;
 Solve non-linear (quadratic and rational) inequalities, state the solution in interval
notation and graph the solution;
 Understand vertical and horizontal shifts of graphs and stretching, shrinking, and
reflection of graphs of functions;
 Recognize the equations of a circle, sketch the graphs of a circle, and find the
equation of circle;
 Determine the rational zeros of a polynomial;
 Understand the inverse relationship between the exponential and logarithmic
functions;
 Solve exponential and logarithmic equations;
 Solve systems of linear and non linear equations in two variables;
 Perform operations with matrices;
 Recognize the conic sections.
SLO: Student Learning Outcomes
1. Solve algebraic equations and inequalities involving linear and nonlinear
expressions.
2. Examine and interpret the graphs of circles, polynomial functions, rational
functions, basic functions, and transformations.
3. Apply the basic knowledge of a function to simplify functions, combine
functions, and solve application problems involving linear and non linear
functions.
4. Perform basic matrix operations.
Policy on Attendance: Sixteen weeks; January 19th – May 9th. Any student who misses
12.5% of the classes could be administratively withdrawn. Last day to be withdrawn by
the student or the instructor is April 21st. Students are expected to be on time for each
class and will be considered absent for repeated and /or extreme tardiness.
Policy on grading: Four exams and a final will be given. The exams will count for 80%
of the grade, and the final, 20%. The semester average will be calculated
.20*(E1+E2+E3+E4+F) where E1, E2, E3 and E4 are the four exam grades, and F is the
final exam. Students must take the final exam.
Grading Scale: Scale for the final course grade is: 90-100% A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C;
60-69% D; 0-59% F.
Policy on make-up exams: THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.
Disability: Any student with a documented disability who needs to arrange reasonable
accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations required by the
Disability Services Office.
Policy on conduct: Students should conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for the
learning environment. Excessive talking during instruction is viewed as disruptive
behavior. Cheating or disruptive behavior are viewed as very serious offences and may
result in removal from the class and a grade of F.
Policy on homework: Students are encouraged to do assigned problems. MyMathLab
course ID: brade86577.
Assistance: Students are encouraged to make full use of the Learning Resource Center.
Free tutoring and material resources that support, enhance, and supplement the classroom
learning experience are available to students.
Office hours: 12:30 – 3:00pm MW, room #215A; 1:00 – 3:00pm TR, Tutoring room or
by appointment, Katy.
Course Schedule:
Chapters and Sections
Approximate Time
Chapter 1 Equations and Inequalities
1.4 Quadratic Equations (Omit Example 8.)
1.5 Applications and Modeling with Quadratic Equations (Pythagorean
Theorem and simple area problems ONLY)
1.6 Other Types of Equations (Omit Example 5 and Example 8.)
1.7
Inequalities
1.8
Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities
Test #1
Chapter 2 Graphs and Functions
2.1 Graphs of Equations
2.2 Functions
2.3 Linear Functions
2.4 Equations of Lines; Curve Fitting
2.5 Graphs of Basic Functions (Omit Greatest Integer Function.)
2.6 Graphing Techniques
2.7 Function Operations and Composition
Test #2
Chapter 3 Polynomial and Rational Functions
3.1 Quadratic Functions and Models (Include applications like
problems 51 & 63.)
3.2 Synthetic Division
3.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions (In Example 6, use an
imaginary zero with 1 term.)
3.4 Polynomial Functions: Graphs, Applications, and Models
(Omit Intermediate Value and Boundedness Theorems.)
3.5 Rational Functions: Graphs, Applications, and Models
3.6 Variation
Test #3
Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 Inverse Functions
4.2 Exponential Functions
4.3 Logarithmic Functions
4.4 Evaluating Logarithms and the Change-of-Base Theorem (Omit
application problems.)
4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations (Omit application problems.)
4.6 Applications & Models of Exponential Growth & Decay
(Doubling time type problems ONLY)
Chapter 5 Systems and Matrices
5.1 Systems of Linear Equations (two variables only)
5.5 Nonlinear Systems of Equations
5.7 Properties of Matrices
5.3 Determinant Solution of Linear Systems (Omit Cramer’s Rule.)
Test #4
FINAL