Walla Walla Community College
MATH 76D – Beginning Algebra II (Polynomials & Quadratics)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: On Monday, February 10th, all students enrolled in Math 76D will take
a one hour comprehensive exam on campus. Students who pass this exam will progress to
Math 78E for the remainder of the quarter. Students who do not pass this exam will repeat the
content from Math 76D for the remainder of the quarter.
Instructor: Sara Egbert, Ph.D.
Office: Room 163B (Clarkston)
Office Hours: T & Th 10:30-11:30 am
Phone: (509) 751-4050
Email: sara.egbert@wwcc.edu
Course Meeting Time: M-F 11:30 – 12:20 pm
Course Location: Room 129
Course Description: Math 76D is designed to introduce students to concepts in beginning
algebra. The course emphasizes problem solving and modeling with polynomial expressions,
expressions with integer exponents, expressions and equations involving square roots and
quadratic equations.
Prerequisites: Math 76D has a prerequisite of Math 65, Math 74C, or appropriate score on the
placement exam.
Required Text: You must purchase a MyLabsPlus (MLP) code for the text “Developmental
Mathematics” by Rockswold. The code may be purchased at the bookstore or online at
wwcc.mylabsplus.com. You will be able to use the same code throughout the pre-college
mathematics sequence. Therefore, if you have already purchased an access code for Math
74C you will not be required to purchase an additional code.
Calculator - You will need a scientific (NON-GRAPHING) calculator. For the cumulative exam
you will not be able to use your own calculator unless it is non-graphing. In addition, you may
NOT use your cell phone as your calculator. Therefore, it is recommended that you purchase a
non-graphing scientific calculator and become familiar with it at the beginning of this course.
Recommended calculators are the TI-30Xa ($10) or the TI-34 Multiview ($20) or similar model.
These can be purchased at most major retail stores.
Web Browser - In addition, you will want to make sure that your web browser is either Firefox or
Goggle Chrome. MyLabsPlus does not run well on Internet Explorer.
A word about math. Although you will probably use only a small percentage of the actual
material taught in this class regularly, it is my hope that you will use 100% of what you learn on a
daily basis – problem solving, attention to detail, organizational skills, logical and critical thinking,
abstract reasoning, good communication, the ability to learn quickly and recall accurately, the
ability to follow directions, perseverance, the ability to analyze and interpret data encountered
as it pertains to your life or career and make logical decisions based on that data. While it is up
to you to develop these skills, it is my job as an instructor to provide you with the tools to improve
these skills in a safe and friendly environment.
Adapted from John McHugh, Lincoln Campus
Gaston College
NISOD, Volume XXXIV, Number 13, Innovation Abstracts, “Why Study Math?”
Student Learning Outcomes: Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) have been developed by the
mathematics department faculty at Walla Walla Community College so that you, the student,
have a very clear picture of the skills you should be not only developing, but mastering, in this
course. Since the cumulative exam is designed to assess how well you have met the SLOs
(below), it is likely that mastery of the SLOs prior to the exam will result in a passing grade for the
course. If at any time your are struggling with an SLO or are unsure of what a particular SLO is
referring to, it is your responsibility as the student to contact your instructor or seek assistance at
the Tutoring and Learning Center as soon as possible.
Student Learning Objectives for MATH 76D: The student will be able to…
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simplify products, quotients and rational powers of terms that involve integer exponents
(Sections 12.1 and 12.5).
add, subtract, multiply and simplify polynomial expressions using the distributive property
(Sections 12.2 and 12.3).
multiply and simplify polynomial expressions by using the distributive property and
collecting like terms (Section 12.3).
convert between scientific notation and standard decimal notation (Section 12.5).
factor the greatest common factor (GCF) from a polynomial expression (Section 13.1).
factor monic quadratic polynomial expressions of the form x2 + bx + c with integer roots
(Section 13.2).
solve monic quadratic equations with integer roots by factoring and using the zero
property of multiplication (Section 13.6).
generate a quadratic equation and use it to answer questions (solve for the unknown(s))
about a situation that can be modeled using a quadratic equation (Section 13.6).
solve a multivariable equation for a given variable where the solution involves adding,
subtracting, multiplying, dividing, factoring out the GCF, and/or taking square roots
(Sections 14.6 and 18.3)
simplify square root expressions using a calculator (Sections 17.1 and 17.3).
solve equations involving square roots (Section 17.6).
identify the vertex and the axis of symmetry, if given a quadratic equation in the form y =
a(x – h)2 + k (Section 18.1).
translate the quadratic equation y = ax2 + bx + c into to form y = a(x – h)2 + k (Section
18.2).
find the x- and y-intercepts of a parabola if given then equation (Section 18.3).
y = a(x – h)2 + k (Section 18.1).
solve a quadratic equation by using the quadratic formula (Section 18.4).
Grading Policy: To receive a C– or higher in Math 76D and progress to Math 78E, students
MUST pass the comprehensive common exam written and graded by the mathematics
department.
IF YOU DO NOT PASS THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM, you will repeat Math 76D for the second
half of the quarter.
You MUST be present on February 10th to take the comprehensive final. This exam CAN NOT
be rescheduled or made up. If you fail to show up during your scheduled time to take the
exam you will automatically receive a failing grade.
If you pass the comprehensive final exam, grades will be assigned based on the following
weighted categories:
MyLabsPlus Homework
In-class Skills Checks
In-class Projects
Attendance
Comprehensive Exam
TOTAL:
40%
30%
10%
10%
10%
100%
If you fail the comprehensive final exam, you will be assigned a D letter grade if you have a
passing grade (C- or higher) for the work outlined above. You will be assigned an F letter
grade if you have a failing grade (D or lower) for the work assigned in this course.
Assignment of letter grades for the course will be based on the following percentages:
A
A–
B+
B
B–
C+
C
C–
D
F
At least 93% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
90 - 92.99% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
87 - 89.99% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
83 - 86.99% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
80 - 82.99% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
77 - 79.99% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
73 - 76.99% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
Fewer than 73% of class points and pass comprehensive exam.
At least 70% of class points and fail comprehensive exam.
Fewer than 70% of class points and fail comprehensive exam.
Access: All of the online homework assignments will be made available at the start of the
quarter. Therefore, you are more than welcome to work at your own pace in this course.
However, you should be aware that each assignment will have a due date and needs to be
submitted before the due date and time in order to receive full credit.
MyLabsPlus (MLP) Homework: MLP Homework will be assigned daily and completed online
through MLP. A typical assignment will range from 20-30 questions related directly to the
learning objectives for each section. For online homework assignments you will have access to
all of the help options available in MML. In addition, you may work or re-work problems after the
assigned due dates to improve your grade, but a 10% penalty will be deducted for each
question submitted after the due date. Dates of completion are listed on the course calendar.
It is expected that each assignment will be submitted by 11:59 pm on the due date listed on the
calendar.
Skills Checks: Skills Checks will be assigned daily and will be taken directly from the study guide.
On Monday you will be given a list of the study guide questions to focus on for the week. On
Wednesday you will be given a quiz. If you do not pass the quiz the first time, you will be given
the opportunity to re-take a similar quiz on Friday.
NOTE TO STUDENTS ABOUT HOMEWORK: Take homework seriously. It is one of the main vehicles
for learning the material presented in this math class. It is your chance to practice. If you get
help on a homework problem, you should hit “similar exercise” and make sure you can
complete another problem without any assistance. There is no set amount of time that
homework should take.
Comprehensive Exam: The comprehensive exam is scheduled for Monday, February 10 th. It is a
50-minute comprehensive exam. This exam cannot be made up so you should plan on being in
the class on this date. Failure to show up for the comprehensive exam will result in a failing
grade for the course and result in an automatic repeat of Math 76D.
Assignment Due Dates: A Course Calendar with a list of all of the Sections and due dates has
been created for you. You can access the Course Calendar on the tool bar on the left-hand
side of the screen in MLP. In addition, a weekly course calendar automatically uploads on the
MLP home page with all of the assignments for the week.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is critical to your success in this course. There is a frequently
observed direct correlation between attendance and student grades. This means that the
better your attendance, the higher the probability of a passing grade in this course.
Policy on Due Dates and Make-Up Work: No late or make-up work will be accepted with the
exception of the MLP Homework which can be re-worked for practice at a deduction.
Important Dates:
January 6th – Class begins
January 20th – MLK Holiday (campus is closed)
February 10th – Comprehensive Final Exam
Academic Integrity: The mathematics department does not tolerate cheating as define in the
WWCC Student Code of Conduct. Students who have questions or concerns about academic
integrity should talk to their instructor.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: A Walla Walla student with a documented
disability may request accommodations by contacting Claudia Angus, Coordinator of Disability
Support Services, by phone at (509) 527-4262 or by email at claudia.angus@wwcc.edu. A
Clarkston student with a documented disability may request accommodations by contacting
Carol Bennett, Coordinator of Disability Support Services, by phone at (509) 758-1718 or by email
at carol.bennett@wwcc.edu.
Creating Conditions for Successful Learning: Research shows success in math class depends
very much on two factors: the amount of time spent working on the material, and the student's
beliefs about mathematics and what it means to understand and do mathematics. With this in
mind, here are some suggestions:
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Go online and work in your class every day.
Spend at least 3-4 hours every day looking at the videos, reading the text, working on
homework assignments, and studying.
Realize that mathematics is not just a set of procedures; mathematical concepts involve
a lot of thinking and reasoning. Consequently, being able to execute procedures
accurately is only one part of doing well in this class.
Realize that success in mathematics is less about "ability" and more about willingness to
think and to work hard to make sense of things.
Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC): The Tutoring & Learning Center (TCL) is a service that
is offered free of charge to WWCC students. At the TLC you can expect to find peer
tutors who are available to help you with subjects related to mathematics, science, and
writing. Please take advantage of this free service, especially if you are someone who is:
Returning to college after an extended period of time, new to the independent structure
of a college course, or struggling with homework. The TLC is a nice, welcoming, and
quite environment. Even if you don’t have immediate questions, I encourage you to
consider spending time in the TLC working on homework so you can have immediate
access to tutors when questions arise.