Course Plan
Date: August 1, 2012 - 2013
Math 171, Precalculus Algebra
3 lecture hours for 3 semester hours credit
Course Description: This is the first of two courses (MAT 172 being the other) designed to
emphasize topics which are fundamental to the study of calculus. Emphasis is placed on
equations and inequalities, functions (linear, polynomial, rational), systems of equations and
inequalities, and parametric equations. Upon completion, students should be able to solve
practical problems and use appropriate models for analysis and predictions.
Course Objectives:
 Student will demonstrate proficiency with expressions, equations, and inequalities; and
use expressions, equations, and inequalities to develop mathematical models to solve
application questions.
 Student will understand the following concepts relating to functions and their properties:
Rates of change, function transformations, extrema of quadratic functions, function
composition, and function inverses.
 Student will be able to find the zeros (real and complex), intercepts, and graph
polynomial functions.
 Student will be able to graph rational functions and analyze their behavior at asymptotes.
 Student will demonstrate ability to solve systems of equations and inequalities.
 Student will be able to use parametric equations to graph plane curves.
Student Learning Outcomes:


Model and solve real-world applications mathematically
Perform mathematical calculations appropriate for the discipline of study
Prerequisites: MAT 080, or a sufficiently high score on the ASSET placement test or Math SAT ≥
500.
Corequisites: none
Textbook and Required Materials:
Precalculus., 1st ed., by Cynthia Young, Wiley Publishers, 2010. Graphing Calculator
Course Outline:
 Fundamentals
 Real Numbers
 Exponents and Radicals
 Algebraic Expressions
 Rational Expressions
 Equations
 Modeling with Equations
 Inequalities
 Coordinate Geometry
 Lines
 Modeling Variation

Functions
 Graphs of functions
 Properties of functions
 Transformations of Functions
 Quadratic Functions
 Combining Functions
 Inverse Functions

Polynomial and Rational Functions
 Polynomial Functions
 Dividing Polynomials
 Real Zeros of Polynomials
 Complex Numbers
 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
 Rational Functions

Systems of Equations and Inequalities
 Systems of Equations
 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
 Systems of Linear Equations in Several Variables
 Partial Fractions
 Systems of Inequalities
 Plane Curves and Parametric Equations
Grading Policy: Grading policies will be included in the syllabus and distributed to all students
at the beginning of each semester. In all curriculum math courses the grading scale is the
same: A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59 - 0.
Disability Services: Alamance Community College is committed to providing equal educational
opportunities for students with documented disabilities. Students who require disability services
or reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and provide
current diagnostic documentation to the Disability Services Office located in the Gee Building,
Room 128. All information is confidential. Please contact Monica Isbell, Coordinator of Special
Needs & Counseling Services for more information at 336-506-4130 or email at
isbellm@alamancecc.edu.
Student Access to Faculty: Instructors will provide students with a written syllabus that
includes their name, office number, telephone number, e-mail address and office hours.
Attendance Policy: The standard ACC attendance policy will be followed (see the ACC
Student Handbook for details.) The attendance policy may be modified by departments as
approved by the Associate Dean. The specific attendance policy for this course will be provided
in the syllabus.
Academic Integrity: Students should review the Student Code of Conduct section of the Student
Handbook.
Course Evaluation: This course will be regularly evaluated in accordance with college policy.
Endorsement of the Department Head and Associate Dean
Department Head: Sonya McCook
Date: August 1, 2012
Associate Dean: Cathy Johnson
Date: August 1, 2012