Curriculum Committee Approval: 11-4-14
CUYAMACA COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD
MATHEMATICS 088 – PRE-ALGEBRA
4 hours lecture, 1 hour laboratory, 4 units
Total contact hours: 64-72 lecture, 16-18 laboratory
Catalog Description
Operations with signed numbers are emphasized. The derivation and use of selected measurement concepts and the development of
pre-algebra ideas such as variable and equations are included. Measurement, area and volume formulas for fundamental shapes are
stressed. These topics are explored in the context of problem solving and appropriate calculator use. Pass/No Pass only. Non-degree
applicable.
Prerequisite
None
Course Content
1) Operations with signed numbers
2) Whole number exponents and roots
3) Definitions of shapes, perimeter, area, volume and units of measurements
4) Derivation, use and conversion of measurement formulas
5) Metric system
6) Identify and manipulate variables using arithmetic operations
7) Solving equations in one variable
8) Appropriate use of calculators to factor integers and simplify expressions with combined operations, power and roots
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
1) Formulate tools for success in future mathematics courses.
2) Recognize and correct computational errors.
3) Order signed numbers.
4) Perform the following fundamental arithmetic operations using Integers:
a. Addition
b. Subtraction
c. Multiplication
d. Division
e. Exponents
5) Perform fundamental arithmetic operations using signed decimals.
6) Apply the order of operations on problems involving:
a. Exponents,
b. roots of whole numbers, and/or
c. absolute value.
7) Perform calculations with signed fractions and signed mixed numbers that involve:
a. fundamental arithmetic operations,
b. reducing fractions,
c. simplifying complex fractions,
d. simplifying powers of fractions,
e. simplifying roots of fractions, and
f. converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers.
8) Convert between:
a. fractions and decimals,
b. fractions and percents, and
c. decimals and percents.
9) Write linear equations to solve word problems involving
a. percents,
b. geometric measurements such as linear measurements, perimeter, area or volume, and
c. proportions.
10) Solve linear word problems completely.
11) Simplify algebraic expressions.
12) Solve single variable linear equations involving each of the following.
a. Integers
b. Fractions
c. Decimals
d. Distributive property
13) Apply coursework management skills to succeed.
14) Make consistent and regular preparations to maximize learning inside and outside the classroom.
MATH 088
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Method of Evaluation
A grading system will be established by the instructor and implemented uniformly. Grades will be based on demonstrated proficiency in
subject matter determined by multiple measurements for evaluation, one of which must be essay exams, skills demonstration or, where
appropriate, the symbol system.
1) Independent exploration activities which measure the student’s ability to analyze the connections between the numeric and verbal
representations of various types of problems.
2) Quizzes and exams (including a comprehensive in-class final exam) which measure the student’s ability to work independently to
perform arithmetic operations including powers and roots on real numbers; convert between fractions, decimals and percents; solve
word problems; simplify algebraic expressions; solve linear equations.
3) Homework assignments in which students apply arithmetic principles and operations discussed in class to a series of practice
problems to help them formulate questions and receive feedback from the instructor, tutors or classmates.
4) Computer laboratory assignments in which students apply arithmetic principles and operations discussed in class to a series of skill
and drill problems to help them improve their symbolic manipulation abilities.
Minimum Instructional Facilities
1) Smart classroom with whiteboards covering three walls, graphing utility and viewscreen, overhead projector
2) Smart computer lab with whiteboards covering three walls, overhead projector
Special Materials Required of Student
Scientific calculator
Method of Instruction
1) Lecture and discussion
2) Teamwork
3) Instructor-guided discovery
4) Computer-facilitated instruction
Out-of-Class Assignments
1) Problem sets
2) Exploratory activities and/or projects
3) Reading and/or writing assignments
Texts and References
1) Required (representative example): Consortium for Foundation Mathematics, Mathematics in Action. 1st edition. Pearson, 2013.
2) Supplemental: None
Exit Skills
Students having successfully completed this course exit with the following skills, competencies and/or knowledge:
1) Using the basic operations over the integers, decimals, and rational numbers.
2) Evaluate exponents and square roots of whole numbers.
3) Solving basic calculations involving geometric measurement and formulas of two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects in
English and metric units.
4) Relationships between decimals, fractions and percents and their application in problems involving proportions.
5) The concepts of factors, multiples and the Distributive Property.
6) Solving linear equations.
7) Solving application problems involving linear equations.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) Recognize and correct computational errors.
2) Order signed numbers.
3) Perform fundamental arithmetic operations using Integers and signed decimals.
4) Apply the order of operations.
5) Perform calculations with signed fractions and signed mixed numbers.
6) Convert between and among fractions, decimals, and percents.
7) Set up or solve linear application problems.
8) Simplify algebraic expressions.
9) Solve single variable linear equations.