Syllabus
Math 116, Fall 2007
Pre-Calculus II, Trigonometry
Time:
M-F 9:30 – 10:20 am
Section:
5862
Location:
27-150
Instructor: Meredith LaFlesh (Please call me Meredith.)
E-mail: MLaFlesh@TacomaCC.edu
Phone: (253) 460-4337
Office: 9-55
Office Hours: MWF 10:30 – 11:15am and by appointment
Also available in the MARC (19-22) MTuWTh 12:30 – 1:20.
Course Overview: Welcome to trigonometry! In this course, you will get to know a family of functions that describes
the motion of water, light, electricity, and many other natural phenomena. You will also see some techniques for
graphing relations that are not functions.
Course Description: This course covers functions expressed in words, symbols, graphs, and tables of values, with an
emphasis on trigonometric functions. Also included are trigonometric identities, equations, inverse trigonometric
functions, and solutions of triangles. Other topics may include the complex plane, polar coordinates, vectors in the
plane, and parametric equations. The course is intended to prepare the student for calculus. Above average symbolic
manipulation skills are assumed as a prerequisite. Technical reading and writing are an important part of the course.
Instructional Methods Used: In class, we will use a combination of lecture and small group work. In the computer
lab, we will use Maple®. Outside of class, projects will require the use of Maple® and some web research.
Learning Objectives: The abbreviation following each objective refers to the College-Wide Learning Outcomes:
COM=Communication; CRT=Critical Thinking; IIT=Information and Information Technology.
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. use trigonometric functions and their inverses to solve equations (CRT);
2. graph trigonometric functions and understand transformations (CRT);
3. describe the relationships between trigonometric functions as expressed in words, equations, graphs and
tables of values(CRT, COM);
4. use trigonometric identities to simplify expressions and solve equations (CRT);
5. solve trigonometric equations both graphically and algebraically (CRT);
6. use trigonometric functions to model various application problems (CRT);
7. describe conic sections algebraically, numerically and graphically(CRT);
8. perform basic operations on vectors (CRT);
9. perform basic operations on complex numbers (CRT);
10. learn math concepts and applications from reading their textbook (CRT, COM);
11. write clear and understandable solutions to assigned problems (CRT, COM); and
12. use a graphing calculator and Maple® appropriately to facilitate the above. (CRT, IIT)
Required Text: Contemporary Precalculus, A Graphing Aproach, 4th Edition Hungerford
Optional Text: Student Solutions Manual for Contemporary Precalculus
Calculator: A graphing calculator is required for this course. The TI-83+ or TI-84+ (Silver) are strongly
recommended. These are the types of calculator that will be used during lectures and the only calculator that will be
supported in this class. If you choose to use another calculator, I will not be able to help you learn it. You are
responsible for knowing how to operate it. Calculators with symbolic manipulation capability such as the TI-89 and TI93 are not allowed on exams, quizzes, or Group Solves.
Additional Supplies: Graph paper (¼ inch squares), colored pencils, and a 6-inch ruler for graphing are required.
Class Rules
Each person in this class is entitled to respect. It is important to me that you show respect for your fellow students and
for the learning process. These rules are designed to ensure that all students get the respect they deserve and the
learning they have paid for.
1. When one person is talking, please listen quietly.
2. Please turn off your cell phone, pager, etc. before class begins, as the noises they make distract people who are
trying to learn.
3. Please do not engage in disruptive behaviors (unacceptable talking, arriving late, leaving during class, etc.).
The first time, you will receive a verbal warning.
The second time, you will be required to leave class.
You may not return to class until you have made an appointment with me, and we have come to an
agreement as to how to better support learning in the class. Assignments missed because of behavior
cannot be made up.
4. If you intend to bring people (especially children) who are not enrolled to class, you must get permission from the
instructor first, and the visitors must follow all class rules.
5. You are welcome to bring food and beverages to classes held in most buildings on campus as long as you do not
distract other students and you clean up after yourself.
6. If you want to succeed in this class, you need to attend regularly. If you cannot be in class on a given day, let me
know ahead of time, otherwise, there will be no way for you to make up credit for missed in-class assignments. But,
notifying me does not guarantee you can make up the missed assignment.
7. Come to class on time. Arriving late to class distracts your fellow students and disrespects the learning process.
8. Late work will be accepted for half credit as long as the work is turned in before the beginning of the next class after
the deadline. If you are late (even one second), your work will be late. Work turned in after the start of the next class
will receive no credit.
9. TCC e-mail accounts are provided for each student. You can check your TCC e-mail from any computer on
campus as well as from any off-campus computer that has access to the Internet. You should check your e-mail at
least once a day because I will use your TCC e-mail account to send you class assignments and information. If class
is canceled due to weather, or if I will not be able to attend class due to illness, I will e-mail you no later than 7:30am. I
will also occasionally send information about scholarships and other things I think you could use, but I will never send
spam.
10. Cheating is unacceptable. As stated in the TCC catalog: “students are expected to be honest and forthright in
their academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or other forms of academic dishonesty corrupt the
learning process and threaten the learning environment for all students.” Students who engage in behaviors that may
be interpreted as cheating will receive a zero score on the assignment in question. A second offense will result in an
“E” course grade. Common "cheating" behaviors include
 communicating with another person while an exam is going on in the room,
 using notes, cell phones, or other resource material not specifically allowed during an exam,
 copying or allowing another student to copy answers during an exam,
 talking to someone outside of your group during a Group Solve, and
 presenting any other person’s work as your own.
It is your responsibility to be honest and to appear honest.
2
General Information
Students with Special Needs: All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet
these requirements may vary. If you need specific academic auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please
contact the Access Services Office in Building 7 (253) 566-5238. They will require you to present formal, written
documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. When this step has been completed, arrangements
will be made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation documentation
prepared by Access Services must be given to me a minimum of one week before the accommodation is needed so
that appropriate arrangements may be made.
Withdrawing From The Class: If you decide for any reason to stop attending class, you should withdraw. It is your
responsibility to withdraw yourself. No one else can do it for you. This may allow another student who wants to take
the class to enroll. If you do not withdraw yourself, you will receive a “V” or an “E” grade for the class.
For Help With Homework
The Al-Kwarizmi Math Advising and Resource Center: The Math Center is located in 19-22.
 Math instructors are available to help with math questions 8:30am-1:30pm Monday through Friday and 5:308:30pm Monday through Thursday.
 Math tutors are available Monday through Thursday from 7:30am to 8:30pm and from 7:30am to 2:30pm.
 For best results, bring specific questions or problems you are working on to ask about. Even if you do not
have any problems, the Math Center is a pleasant place to study. You are always welcome there!
The Tutoring Center: The Tutoring Center is located in building 7, room 221. Student tutors are available by
appointment for one-on-one tutoring. The hours during which tutoring is available in specific subjects may vary from
quarter to quarter. Call the Tutoring Center at (253) 566-6032 to find out what their current schedule is. Drop-in
tutoring is available Fridays from 1:00 to 4:30.
The Open Door Policy: I want you to get the help you need when you need it. If my door is open, please come
in, sit down, and tell me what I can do for you. I am, of course, always available during my scheduled office hours.
Getting Your Grade: If you want to know your grade on the Final Exam, or your course grade before it appears on
your records, you may e-mail me after you finish the exam. Your course grade will appear on-line on your class
schedule as soon as I have posted it.
Chain of Command: If you have questions or complaints about your grade or any other aspect of the class, please
follow the steps below:
1. See me and present your case in a professional, unemotional manner. I am always willing to listen to a good
argument. If I am wrong, I will admit it. If you are not satisfied, go to step 2.
2. See the Mathematics Department Chair, Greg Ferenko, in Building 29. If you are still not satisfied, go to step 3.
3. See the Dean of the Science Division, Mike Flodin, in Building 29.
Good Websites
For Calculator Help:
http://education.ti.com/us/product/tech/84pse/guide/84pseguideus.html
For nice graph paper:
http://printfreegraphpaper.com
3
Grading System: Letter grades will be assigned based on the following:
Percent Letter Percent Letter Percent Letter Percent
Grade
Grade
Grade
87 – 89 B+
77 – 79 C+
67 – 69
93 - 100 A
83 – 86 B
73 – 76 C
63 – 66
90 – 92 A80 – 82 B70 – 72 C60 – 62
Letter Percent Letter
Grade
Grade
D+
D
0 – 59 E
D-
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grade: A grade of "Satisfactory" will only be given for grades of D or above (that is, 63%
or above). If you are planning on taking another math class for which this course is a prerequisite, you must receive a
C- or above (that is, 70% or above) to go on. A "Satisfactory" will not be sufficient to get you into the next class.
A grade of Incomplete, I, will be given only in emergency situations, at the instructor’s discretion, and only if at least
75% of the work has been completed with a passing grade.
A grade of WI is given at the instructor’s discretion when a student has completed all assigned work and is forced, due
to circumstances beyond her control, to withdraw from class after the 50th day of the quarter.
A grade of V is given to a student who has attended class at least once and stops attending before doing enough work
for the instructor to evaluate the student’s performance.
A grade of Z is given to a student who has never attended class.
Grades: Your final grade will be determined by your performance on the following graded events:
3 Exams
100 points each
4 Group Solves
50 points each
Project
100 points each
Final Exam
200 points
Class Participation
70 points
Homework
80 points
All work that is not word-processed must be in pencil!
Exams: Each exam is comprehensive and may cover material from previous chapters; however, most of the material
tested will be from the most recently covered topics. There are no make-up exams. If you must miss an exam due to
an emergency, you must leave a message on my voice mail or send me an e-mail explaining the reason for missing
the exam before the time of the exam. If it is a genuine emergency, I will then give you 95% of your final exam
percentage for the exam you missed. A second missed exam will result in a 0 grade.
Group Solves: The ability to work effectively in a group is essential in many industries. Group Solves are designed to
challenge you and motivate you to work with others. You will be grouped with a few other students in the class and
given a set of problems to work out within a designated time frame. Each group will submit one set of solutions to be
graded. Group Solves are scheduled shortly before exams and are designed to prepare you for the exam. Group
Solves may not be made up. Attendance is mandatory. If you miss class the day of a Group Solve, you
will receive no credit for the Group Solve.
Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive and will assess your mastery of course objectives.
Substituting the Final Exam grade for the course grade: If you complete all Group Solves, projects and exams,
miss no more than one class participation event, earn at least 80% of the possible homework points, and earn a final
exam score that is higher than your computed course grade, I will assign your final exam score as your course grade.
4
Study Groups: Students who score in the top 90% of the class on the first exam will be invited to be Study Group
Leaders. Study Group Leaders will hold a 1-hour study session at a regularly scheduled time once a week on campus.
Students wishing to participate in a study group will choose a Study Group Leader. The groups will meet together
regularly to study, work homework problems, etc. Each Study Group Leader who (1) meets the requirements for
substituting the final exam grade for the course grade, (2) maintains a 90% course average, and (3) conducts a 1-hour
study group session each week will not have to take the final exam.
Project: A description of the project will be distributed. You will be given a choice of topics. Write up the solution,
answering all questions and explaining the answers. Part of the grade will be based on correct use of the English
language.
Class Participation: Pop quizzes and small group activities will earn you class participation points. Pop quizzes are
essentially free points for students who arrive ready to work on time, stay until the end of class, and attend regularly.
Pop quizzes may be given at any time during the class period.
Extra Credit
1. You earn one point for every hour you study with a designated Study Group Leader (maximum of 1 point per week).
You must sign in with the Study Group Leader each time you attend.
2. You may earn as many as ten points for each written response to an article or chapter from a book about math. I
will pass out a list of readings that qualify for this extra credit and a description of the requirements for the writing
assignment after the first exam. A maximum of 3 written responses may be written.
5
Warning: This is a challenging class. Expect to
spend at least three (3) hours a night on homework.
Homework will be collected before the beginning of class on the last class day of each week.
Homework assigned that day and the prior day is not due till the following week.
Late homework will receive half credit if it is turned in by the start of the next class. Homework that is one
minute late is late. Homework that is one second late is late. Homework that is turned in after the start of the next
class after it is due will not be accepted.
I expect a professional job.
Homework must be done in pencil.
Homework must be neat. (The instructor’s aesthetics are the criteria for neatness.)
To get credit, your homework must be stapled, written neatly and organized, in sequence, with each
problem clearly identified and copied completely, including the instructions.
When you have used a calculator to solve the problem, a narration of all steps needed to complete the
problem, not calculator key strokes, as well as a clear statement of the solution must be included.
Abstract, symbolic problems (problems that do not involve words) must have all work shown vertically in
columns with at least one inch of blank space between the columns.
Fractions and rational expressions must be written vertically, like this
54
or
31
9  x2
.
x3
Problems requiring explanations must include complete explanations in complete sentences. “Yes” and
“No” are not complete explanations.
For word problems, a brief description of the problem may be used instead of copying the whole problem. A
narration of all steps needed to complete the problem as well as all supporting work must be included.
All problems that involve graphs must be on graph paper. That is, the problem, the work needed to graph
the equations, and the graph must be on the same page. The words “see graph” are not acceptable. See the
following page for Graphing Guideliines.
 If the homework fails to meet any one of these requirements, it will
receive 0 points.
Answers to virtually all homework problems are at the back of the text book, and solutions to all the odd problems are
in the Student Solutions Manual, a recommended text book. Additionally, students may ask questions on homework at
the beginning of most class sessions and attend study groups. Therefore, I expect that all problems will be correct;
and I will grade homework based mainly on clarity, organization, and completeness.
6
Graphing Guidelines
The following requirements are those of the TCC Mathematics Department and your instructor.
AXES: 1. Axes and any straight lines are drawn with a straight edge.
2. If either axis requires a scale other than one square = one unit, both axes must have the scale clearly
indicated.
3. Axes are labeled with appropriate letters and with the meaning and units of the axis. (See Graph B.)
ACCURACY: 1. Graph paper is used.
2. If the graph of a function continues infinitely, the ends of what is drawn must have arrows
(see Graph A). If a graph terminates, the ends will have closed circles or dots (see Graph B).
3. The vertex of a parabola is rounded, not pointed. (See Graph C).
4. Asymptotes are drawn with a dashed line. Graphs approaching asymptotes appear to get closer and
closer, not touching the asymptote and not pulling away from the asymptote. (See Graph D.)
CLARITY: 1. The coordinates of important points: intercepts, maximum or minimum points, vertices, and points of
intersection, are clearly labeled on the axes or the point itself is labeled with an ordered pair.
2. If multiple equations are graphed on a single set of axes, each graph is labeled with its equation.
3. Separate problems should be graphed on separate axes.
4. Each graph is neat, big, and dark enough to be easily read and understood.
7
Very Tentative Course Schedule
Section
Topic
Covered
In Class
Date
Homework Problems*
Sept. 24
Sept. 25
Sept. 26
Sept. 27
Sept. 28
Oct. 1
Oct. 2
Oct. 3
Oct. 4
Oct. 5
Oct. 8
Oct. 9
Oct. 10
Oct. 11
Oct. 12
Oct. 15
Oct. 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 18
Oct. 19
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Introduction
Angles and Their Measurement
Angles and Their Measurement
The Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions
The Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions
Algebra and Identities
Algebra and Identities
Basic Graphs
Basic Graphs
Group Solve 1
Review
Exam 1
Introduction to Maple®
Periodic Graphs and Simple Harmonic Motion
Periodic Graphs and Simple Harmonic Motion
Other Trigonometric Graphs
Other Trigonometric Functions
Other Trigonometric Functions
Basic Identities And Proofs
Basic Identities And Proofs
Addition And Subtraction Identities
Addition And Subtraction Identities
6.1
6.1
6.2
6.2
6.3
6.3
6.4
6.4
1, 6, 7 – 17, 27, 31,
43, 47 – 53, 61, 63, 73
1 – 35 eoo**
37-45, 49, 57 – 61
1 – 35 eoo
37 – 43, 47 – 51, 59 –63, 64
1-5, 11 - 21
7, 9, 23 – 35, 43
6.5
6.5
6.5A
6.6
6.6
7.1
7.1
7.2
7.2
Oct. 24
Other Identities
7.3
Oct. 25
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric Equations
7.4
7.5
1 – 17, 19, 23 – 33
39, 41, 43, 47 – 51
11, 19, 21
1 – 7, 17, 57
21 – 27, 31, 33, 39 – 45
5, 7, 17 – 31
33 – 55
1, 2, 7, 13, 15, 19, 21, 25, 29, 33
35, 37, 45 – 55
1, 3, 7, 13, 15, 23, 29, 31, 35 – 45,
51, 53
Be sure to read Product Identities
1, 5, 13, 15, 19, 21, 43, 51
1 – 9, 13, 15, 19, 27, 31
Trigonometric Equations
Trigonometric Equations
Group Solve 2
Review
Exam 2
Project due today!
Trigonometric Functions Of Triangles
Educational Planning Day – Register for
Math 124
Applications Of Right Triangle Trigonometry
The Law Of Sines
The Law Of Cosines
Veteran’s Day Observed – No Class
Applications Of The Law Of Cosines
Applications of The Law Of Sines
More Applications
7.5
7.5
35 – 43
65, 69, 79, 87
8.1
1 – 39 eoo
8.2
8.4
8.3
7 – 13, 17
1 – 17 eoo
1 – 17 eeo
8.3
8.4
19, 21, 25 – 29
31, 41, 43, 47
TBA
Oct. 26
Oct. 29
Oct. 30
Oct. 31
Nov. 1
Nov. 2
Nov. 5
Nov. 6
Nov. 7
Nov. 8
Nov. 9
Nov. 12
Nov. 13
Nov. 14
Nov. 15
8
Nov. 16
Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Nov. 21
Nov. 22
Nov. 23
Nov. 26
Nov. 27
Nov. 28
Nov. 29
Group Solve 3
Review
Exam 3
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
Thanksgiving Day – No Class
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
Circles and Ellipses
Hyperbolas
Parabolas
The Complex Plane And Polar Form Of
Complex Numbers
The Complex Plane And Polar Form Of
Nov. 30
Complex Numbers
Dec. 3
Polar Coordinates
Dec. 4
Vectors In The Plane
Dec. 5
Group Solve 4
Dec. 6
Review
Dec. 7
Review
Dec.11 Final Exam (2 hours)
* All problems are odd unless otherwise specified.
** eoo = every other odd, for example 1, 5, 9, …
10.1
10.2
10.3
TBA
TBA
9.1
1 – 21
9.1
25 – 39
10.6
9.3
1-35
11 – 17, 21 – 25
9