M151 PRECALCULUS
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Debbie Sloan
Office: Office: GH 7, the “Math Shack,” East COT Campus
Phone: 243-7905
E-mail: debbie.sloan@umontana.edu
Text: COLLEGE ALGEBRA, TRIGONOMETRY, AND PRECALCULUS
Taken from: Precalculus: Graphs and Models, 4th Edition ©2009
Bittinger, Beecher, Ellenbogen, and Penna, Custom Edition for UM
Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. ~~Will Rogers
Welcome to Precalculus! M151 is a one-semester four-credit course. This course is intended to
strengthen your algebra skills. Its main focus is the study of functions and their inverses: polynomial,
rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric. Placement in M151 is based on your individual
mathematics assessment (ALEKS level 4, ACT, COMPASS, or SAT) or completion of M095
(Intermediate Algebra) with a grade of B- or better. College Algebra (M121) and College Trigonometry
(M122) together satisfy the same degree requirements as Precalculus (M151). Credit not allowed for
both M121 and M151.
Be certain that you are enrolled in the proper math class at the beginning of the semester.
You may not be able to switch into a more appropriate class after the first week. If you have any
concerns about your placement contact me immediately.
This course has been designed for you, the student. Your willing participation is essential if
you plan to succeed in this course. No one can teach you if you are not engaged and ready to learn.
You need to do your part by preparing on your own to the best of your ability. Don’t fall behind. If you
keep up with the homework, you will find the material makes sense and the challenges are manageable.
Our “classroom” environment is based on mutual respect and appreciation. I will respect your
efforts and appreciate your contributions, and you should do the same for me and your classmates.
Support your classmates’ efforts as well as your own and it will make our entire class stronger.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to be diligent in your study habits. You
cannot learn math by wishful thinking alone; you need to put in the effort in order to be able to learn
the material. Different students have different learning styles, but every student can improve with
effort. Find the technique that works best for you.
LEARNING GOALS:
1. Manipulate polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions of
a real variable.
2. Graph polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions of a real
variable.
3. Find inverse functions for selected polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic and
trigonometric functions of a real variable.
4. Manipulate real and complex numbers.
5. Use polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions of a real
variable to model real-world phenomena and solve applied problems.
COURSE CONTENT:
1. Graphs, Functions, Applications (Distance, Circles, Linear Functions, Equations of Lines, Zeros,
Applications, Solving Linear Inequalities, Increasing, Decreasing, and Piecewise Functions,
Algebra of Functions, Composition of Functions, Symmetry and Transformations)
2. Quadratic Functions and Equations; Inequalities (Complex Numbers, Functions, Zeros, Graphs
and Applications of Quadratic Functions, Inequalities with Absolute Value)
3. Polynomial and Rational Functions (Graphs, Polynomial Division; The Remainder and Factor
Theorems, Zeros, Rational Functions, Polynomial and Rational Inequalities)
4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (Inverse Functions, Exponential Functions and Graphs,
Logarithmic Functions and Graphs, Properties of Logarithmic Functions, Solving Exponential and
Logarithmic Equations, Applications and Models)
5. Trigonometric Functions (Trigonometric Functions and their inverses, Applications, Arc Length,
Graphs and Properties, Identities, Sum, Co-function, Double-Angle and Half-Angle,
Trigonometric Equations)
6. Polar Coordinates and Graphs
CALCULATOR:
A graphing calculator is required for M151; the Department of Applied Arts and Sciences
recommends and uses Texas Instruments models TI-83 or TI-84 (regular or plus editions). Calculators
with symbolic manipulation capabilities (e.g. TI-89, TI-92) will not be allowed in testing situations.
ACADEMIC CONDUCT: All students must practice academic honesty as defined by the Student
Conduct Code, available at http://ordway.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/name/StudentConductCode.
Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the instructor and a disciplinary sanction by
the university.
DROPPING M151: Students may drop M151 up to the 30th day of instruction. After the 30th day of
instruction, petitions for dropping will be considered only for students who provide written verification
of at least one university approved excuse:
1.
Error in registration
3.
Family emergency
2.
Accident or illness
4.
Change in work schedule
Reasons that are not satisfactory include:
1.
Forgetting to turn in a drop slip
2.
Protecting your grade point average
GRADING POLICIES: M151 must be completed with a grade of C or better in order to contribute
towards satisfying the UM Math Literacy requirement. Auditing M151 or taking it as a Credit/No
Credit course will not fulfill the requirement.
The final grade will be computed as follows:
MyLabsPlus quizzes:
450 points (9 @ 50 points each)
MyLabsPlus homework:
200 points (40 @ 5 points each; lowest 3 dropped))
Final exam:
150 points
TOTAL
800 points
Letter grades correspond to numerical scores according to this plan:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%
M151 COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 0: Be Prepared for M151
Review §R.4 – R.7 Chapter R Quiz See note below
Week 1
§1.1 – 1.4 (omit regression)
Week 2
§1.5 – 2.1 Chapter 1 Quiz
Week 3
§2.2 – 2.5 Chapter 2 Quiz
Week 4
§3.1 – 3.3
Week 5
§3.4 – 4.1 Chapter 3 Quiz
Week 6
§4.2 – 4.5 (synthetic division is optional)
Week 7
§4.6 – 5.2 Chapter 4 Quiz
Week 8
§5.3 – 5.5
Week 9
§5.6 – 6.2 Chapter 5 Quiz
 Spring Vacation 
Week 11
§6.3 – 6.5
Week 12
§6.6 – 7.2 Chapter 6 Quiz
Week 13
§7.3 – 7.5 Chapter 7 Quiz
Week 14
§8.1 – 8.3
Week 15
§8.4 Chapter 8 Quiz
Final Exam Week May 10 - 14
The final exam for this class is scheduled for May 12th from 6-8 pm in HB 11 UM-COT East Campus.
Note: All students should pass the MyLabsPlus Chapter R Quiz with a grade of 75% or better to remain in M151.
See the MyLabsPlus calendar to find the opening and closing dates for MyLabsPlus tests and homework.
Chapter R Basic Concepts of Algebra
R.4 Factoring
R.5 The Basics of Equation Solving
R.6 Rational Expressions
R.7 Radical Notation and Rational Exponents
Chapter 1 Graphs, Functions, and Models
1.1 Introduction to Graphing
1.2 Functions and Graphs
1.3 Linear Functions, Slope, and Applications
1.4 Equations of Lines and Modeling
1.5 Linear Equations, Functions, Zeros, and Models
1.6 Solving Linear Inequalities
Chapter 2 More on Functions
2.1 Increasing, Decreasing, and Piecewise Functions;
Applications
2.2 The Algebra of Functions
2.3 The Composition of Functions
2.4 Symmetry and Transformations
2.5 Variation and Applications
Chapter 3 Quadratic Functions and Equations;
Inequalities
3.1 The Complex Numbers
3.2 Quadratic Equations, Functions, Zeros, and Models
3.3 Analyzing Graphs of Quadratic Functions
3.4 Solving Rational and Radical Equations
3.5 Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 4 Polynomial And Rational Functions
4.1 Polynomial Functions and Modeling
4.2 Graphing Polynomial Functions
4.3 Polynomial Division; The Remainder and Factor
Theorems
4.4 Theorems about Zeros of Polynomial Functions
4.5 Rational Functions
4.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
Chapter 5 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
5.1 Inverse Functions
5.2 Exponential Functions and Graphs
5.3 Logarithmic Functions and Graphs
5.4 Properties of Logarithmic Functions
5.5 Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
5.6 Applications and Models: Growth and Decay;
Compound Interest
Chapter 6 The Trigonometric Functions
6.1 Trigonometric Functions of Acute Angles
6.2 Applications of Right Triangles
6.3 Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle
6.4 Radians, Arc Length, and Angular Speed
6.5 Circular Functions: Graphs and Properties
6.6 Graphs of Transformed Sine and Cosine Functions
Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities, Inverse Functions,
and Equations
7.1 Identities: Pythagorean and Sum and Difference
7.2 Identities: Cofunction, Double-Angle, and Half-Angle
7.3 Proving Trigonometric Identities
7.4 Inverses of the Trigonometric Functions
7.5 Solving Trigonometric Equations
Chapter 8 Applications of Trigonometry
8.1 The Law of Sines
8.2 The Law of Cosines
8.3 Complex Numbers: Trigonometric Form
8.4 Polar Coordinates and Graphs