Math 118 Precalculus Algebra
Course Information
Instructor: Christopher Valdez
Office: Building 38, Room 212
E-mail: cvalde07@calpoly.edu
Phone: 831 313 7534
Office Hours: M 12-1, W 3-4
Textbook
Stewart, Precalculus 7th edition, 2016, customized for Cal Poly, Cengage.
Course Description
Precalculus algebra without trigonometry. Factoring, exponents, and radicals. Real and
complex numbers. Modeling with equations and inequalities. Rational, exponential, and
logarithmic functions. Matrices, determinants, and systems of linear equations.
Learning Objectives
The student should be able to:
a. Use and understand the language and notation of the algebra of functions.
b. Use and understand the basic properties of the elementary functions: polynomials,
rational, exponential, and logarithmic.
c. Use and understand the basic algebraic principles of graphing.
d. Solve linear and quadratic equations and inequalities.
e. Perform arithmetic operations with complex numbers.
f. Perform the basic operations with matrices and determinants.
g. Solve systems (n < 4) of linear equations using matrices and determinants.
Quizzes
15%
Weekly quizzes will cover material from lectures and homework and timed for 40 minutes.
Students must be present when groups are formed to take the quiz in groups of 3 or 4. Otherwise,
quizzes are taken individually. The lowest score will be dropped and there are no make-up quizzes.
Homework
bonus/penalty
Homework is due nearly every class and will be graded as “complete” or “incomplete” and late
homework will not be accepted. Points will be added or deducted from the final course percentage
according to the following formula:
Bonus points = 3/50*[percent homework completed]-3
(For example, completion of all homework assignments will earn a 3% extra credit. No
homework completed will result in a 3% deduction from your final course grade. If half of the
homework is complete, then there is no impact on the final grade.)
Homework will be collected through Canvas as a single pdf file. The deadline for each
homework assignment will be 11:59pm.
Midterms
25% each
There will be two 50-minute midterms on January 28, and February 25. To be able to assess
your understanding, you must show your work on exams. Writing your solutions as you would like
to see on a solution key, clearly with step-by-step detail, is a good guideline to getting full credit.
Final Exam
35%
A cumulative final exam will be given on Wednesday, March 18 from 4:10pm to 7:00pm
according to the official Cal Poly final exam schedule, in our classroom. Final exam scores may be
used to replace a midterm.
In the Classroom
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is expected and important for classroom success.
Students are held responsible for the material and announcements made during class. If you
must miss class, please read through the sections in the book and seek notes from classmates for
review.
To minimize disruptions in class, students should turn off cell phone ringers and laptops must
be put away during class times. Please try to be on time and unless given prior approval, it is the
expectation that you stay through to the end of class. Chronically leaving class early or arriving late
may result in points lost on quizzes.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, please
contact both your instructor and the Disability Resource Center in Building 124 at (805) 756-1395,
as early as possible in the term. Special testing accommodations require documentation and must
be arranged at least one week in advance of an exam date.
Letter Grades
Your letter grade for the course will be assigned using the standard +/- scale. For a course
percentage X:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93 ≤ 𝑋
90 ≤ 𝑋 < 93
87 ≤ 𝑋 < 90
83 ≤ 𝑋 < 87
80 ≤ 𝑋 < 83
77 ≤ 𝑋 < 80
73 ≤ 𝑋 < 77
70 ≤ 𝑋 < 73
67 ≤ 𝑋 < 70
63 ≤ 𝑋 < 67
60 ≤ 𝑋 < 63
𝑋 < 60
Note: The syllabus may be modified by the course coordinator with reasonable notice of the
modification.
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