MATH 0308 Introductory Algebra
Description
Topics include basic algebraic operations, solving linear equations and inequalities, laws of integer exponents, factoring,
rational expressions, and the Cartesian coordinate systems, graphing lines, finding equations of lines and solving linear
systems.
Math 0308 Outcomes
 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials.
 Factor polynomials.
 Simplify, multiply and divide rational expressions.
 Simplify expressions using definitions and laws of integer exponents.
 Sketch graphs of linear relations and determine a linear equation in two variables given pertinent
information.
 Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable and compound inequalities in one variable.
 Solve quadratic equations using the factoring method.
 Solve systems of linear equations in two variables, including applications.
 Use linear equations to solve applications.
 Find the slope and x- and y-intercepts of a linear relation.
 Geometry
Math 0308 Topics
Introduction to Equations and Inequalities
a) Determine whether a given number is a solution of an equation.
b) Solve an equation of the form x  a  b , ax  b , ax  b  c , ax  b  cx  d , equations containing
grouping symbols such as 4[ x  2(2 x  3)]  1  2 x  3
c) Translate sentences into equations.
d) Use equations to solve application problems including mixture problems, uniform motion problems,
and application problems using formulas.
e) Solve linear inequalities in one variable. Express solution using an inequality, in set form, using
interval notation, and graph on number line.
f) Solve compound inequalities of the form 14  5x 12  19 , x  2  1 and x  2  3 ,
x  4  1 or x  2  3 . Express solution using an inequality, in set form, using interval notation, and
graph on number line.
Review of Geometry
a) Review concepts/definitions of point, line, plane, ray, angle, parallel and intersecting lines, types of
angles based on measure, adjacent angles, complementary angles, supplementary angles,
relationships of angles formed by parallel lines cut by a transversal, relationship of angles of a
triangle.
b) Set up equations and find solutions to solve problems involving lines and angles using drawings,
relationship of angles, etc.
c) Set up equations and solve to find measure of angles formed by intersecting lines, by parallel lines
cut by a transversal, angles or a triangle.
d) Review definition of polygon, names of polygons based on number of sides, classification of
triangles based on angle measure or side lengths, definition of circle, radius, diameter, area of
rectangle, square, triangle trapezoid, circle
e) Set up and solve equations involving perimeter, circumference, area
f) Review characteristics of a right triangle. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find both exact answers
in simplified radical form and approximated values.
g) Solve problems involving similar triangles.
h) Determine whether two triangles are congruent.
i) Find the volume of a solid figure including rectangular solid, cylinder, cube cone, pyramid, and
sphere.
Polynomials
a) Terminology related to polynomials such as monomial, binomial, trinomial, standard form,
descending order, degree, and opposite of a polynomial.
b) Addition and subtraction of polynomials
c) Multiplication of monomials, polynomials
d) Exponent rules
e) Integer exponents
f) Scientific notation
g) Division of polynomials
Factoring
a) Common factors
b) Factoring by grouping
c) Factoring polynomials of the form x 2  bx  c
d) Factoring polynomials of the form ax 2  bx  c
e) Special factoring – difference of two squares, perfect-square trinomials
f) Solve equations by factoring
g) Solve application problems using factoring
Rational Expressions
a) Simplify, multiply, and divide rational expressions
The Rectangular Coordinate System
a) Terminology related to the rectangular coordinate system including x and y axes, plane, origin,
quadrants, coordinates, ordered pair.
b) Graph points in the coordinate plane
c) Determine ordered-pair solution of an equation in two variables
d) Determine whether a set of ordered pairs is a function
e) Using function notation, evaluate a function
f) Graph a linear equation in two variable – in standard form, in slope-intercept form, by plotting
points, by using intercepts, graph horizontal and vertical lines from equation
g) Find slope of line from graph, using 2 points, from equation in slope-intercept form
h) Slope of parallel lines, perpendicular lines, vertical lines, horizontal lines
i) Write equation of lines in both slope-intercept form and standard form, given the slope and yintercept, the slope and a point, two points, point and parallel/perpendicular to a given line.
Systems of Linear Equations
a) Terminology related to systems – independent, dependent, consistent, inconsistent, solution
b) Determine if an ordered pair is a solution to a given system of equation
c) Solve systems of linear equations by graphing.
d) Solve systems of linear equations by substitution
e) Solve systems of linear equations by addition (elimination)
f) Solve application using systems of linear equations