MATH 180 Precalculus #0876
El Camino College
Room: MCS 205 M W 5:00 - 7:30pm
Spring 2011
Instructor: GREG FRY
Voice Mail: 310-660-3573 (5220)
email: gfry@elcamino.edu
Office: MCS 104U Office Hours: MW 12:30-1:30, 3:45-4:50 TTH 12:30-1:00
Webpage: http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/gfry
Text: Precalculus, Fifth Edition, James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, Saleem Watson. Thomson,
Brooks/Cole Publishers, 2007.
Prerequisite: Math 170 with a minimum grade of C, or the equivalent.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policy: Regular attendance is vital to success in this class. If you
have excessive absences I may drop you from the class, but if you want to drop make sure that
you take the initiative – do NOT assume I will automatically drop you – you can do it yourself via
the phone or on-line. It is your responsibility to be aware of the school’s drop policies and
deadlines. If you miss the second deadline I must assign you a regular letter grade.
Homework: Will be assigned every class. Most problems are in the textbook, but I will hand out
occasional supplemental problems, too. You can do well in this class if you regularly do the
homework. You must be diligent about doing all of the problems and asking questions about
what you do not understand. You should do enough problems so that you understand the key
ideas of each section. I do not collect the homework.
Tutoring: Is available in the math tutoring center in MCS 106. There is also computerized
tutoring in MCS 8.
Exams: There will be three exams. I will not drop any exams. All exams are closed book /
closed notes / no calculator. However, on some exams there will be two parts, a calculator part
and a non-calculator part. Bring a photo id to each exam – I may periodically check these. If you
miss an exam, then this counts as a zero and your lowest exam. You are responsible for the
material in the textbook, the homework problems, lecture examples, and handouts – any of this
could show up on an exam.
Make Up Exams: No make-ups will be allowed except in emergencies. If you have a verifiable
and documented emergency then we will try to arrange for a make up exam, but this would
require a doctor’s note, legal document, or car repair bill. You should notify me as soon as
possible about a missed exam – by email or phone! If this proves impossible, then as a last
resort I would replace the missed exam by the lowest score on the other exams, your percentage
on the final, or your quiz average, whichever is lower. Under no circumstances can there be two
make-ups or replaced grades. I don’t accommodate vacation plans.
Quizzes: There will be several quizzes throughout the semester. They may be announced or
unannounced. No make-ups are allowed. I may write a problem on the board or I may hand out
a quiz sheet. I will drop the lowest quiz grade. They may have different point values. If I write a
problem on the board, then you must give your answer on an 8x11 piece of paper (lined, plain, or
graph). Do not use paper torn out of a spiral notebook. Some will be take home.
Final: The comprehensive final exam will be over two days during the last week of classes at the
regular class time. I must keep the finals on file – I can’t return them.
Note on Grading: All answers must be justified by showing work or clearly giving a reason.
Partial credit is given at my discretion. You must use the method specified in the problem
statement to get credit for a problem. Clearly indicate your final answer by circling it or
underlining it.
Grade Breakdown: Each score will be recorded as a percent from 0 to 100
Exams: 20% each x 3 exams = 60% of grade
Quiz Average
10% of grade
Final Exam 30% of grade
Letter Grades:
A 90% B 80% C 70% D 60%
Incomplete grades are issued only in the case of an emergency and only if these three
conditions are met: i) student has missed the final exam, ii) student has a passing grade on all
other work attempted and iii) a legitimate reason (with proof) is provided in the form of doctor’s
note, court document, car repair bill, etc.
Student Misconduct: Cheating will not be tolerated. Wandering eyes or other methods of
cheating will not be tolerated. Please turn off all pagers and cell phones. Please do not talk
while I am talking or while other students are asking questions. Disruptive students will be asked
to leave. No sharing of calculators on exams or quizzes. You may not wear hats or caps during
exams. You may not wear any type of earphone during an exam. If you finish an exam early,
then you may turn the test in and leave quietly.
Time Commitment: It is suggested that for every hour of class lecture approximately two hours
is required for homework and study time. This, of course, is up to you.
Rescoring Exams/Quizzes: If you find that I have made an error in grading, then you may
resubmit the exam or quiz – do not write on the test – write a note, attach it to the exam, and give
it to me for evaluation. There is no danger of losing more points – the score will either stay the
same or it will increase.
You must earn your Grade: You will have plenty of opportunities to show me that you
understand the material. Do not beg for grades based on arguments about your GPA or your
scholarship or transfer opportunities – I do not give grades – you earn them. If you have health,
family, car, or legal problem, then you may discuss it with me, and I will try to accommodate you,
but you must do all of the work. If the problems are too great, then it is best that you retake the
class when you are not so burdened. Vacations are NOT a valid reason for missing work. I do
not deal with parents and I don’t have to.
Math 180 - # 0876
Spring 2011 Schedule
Monday
Wednesday
2/14 1.1-1.5, 1.7-1.8
2/16
1.10 2.1-2.5
2/21 WASHINGTON’s DAY – no class
2/23
2.6-2.8
2/28
4.1-4.3
3/2
4.4-4.5 3.2
3/7
3/9
EXAM #1
3/14
3.1 3.3-3.5
3/16 3.6 5.1 6.1
3/21
5.2 6.2 6.3
3/23
5.3 5.4 7.1
3/28
7.2 7.3
3/30
7.4
4/4
4/6
EXAM # 2
4/11 SPRING BREAK – no class
4/13 SPRING BREAK – no class
4/18
7.5
4/20
6.4 6.5
4/25
11.1 – 11.3
4/27
11.5 11.6
5/2
5/4
EXAM # 3
5/9
9.1 – 9.4
5/11
9.5 – 9.7
5/16
9.8 9.9
5/18
8.1 8.2
5/23
10.7 10.1
5/25
10.2 10.3 10.4
5/30 Memorial Day – no class
6/1
6/6
FINAL EXAM I
6/8
FINAL EXAM II
Note: Schedule is subject to change – I will give plenty of warning if it does.
Important Dates:
Last drop day with no notation: Friday, March 11
Last drop day with a W : Friday, May 13
MATH 180
Homework
Fall 2008 5th Edition
1.1 p10 39-59odd, 76, 79
1.3 p31 53, 67-70, 83-99odd, 101-104
1.4 p41 7-59 odd, 61-72, 73-91odd, 95, 97
1.5 p55 25-35odd, 75-83odd, 85-94, 99-102
1.7 p84 27-85odd, 87-92
1.8 p99 71-80, 81-93odd
1.10 p120 27, 31, 33, 53, 55, 57, 59
2.1 p155 13-57odd
2.2 p167 17, 23, 24, 25, 37-71odd, 93
2.3 p179 1,3, 13-27odd, 37, 38, 39
2.4 p190 1-47, 53-57, 61-73odd
2.5 p200 15, 17, 47-50, 59
2.6 p210 1-23odd, , 26, 29, 30a, 31a, 32, 33
2.7 p219 7-10, 17-53odd
2.8 p230 33-53odd, 69, 81
3.1 p262 5-10all, 11-45odd, 73, 79ab
3.2 p270 1-65odd
3.3 p279 1-63odd, 73-81odd, 96
3.4 p289 1-77odd
3.5 p298 1-63odd
3.6 p312 1-63odd
4.1 p336 15-43odd
4.2 p349 3-57odd, 59-64, 75, 76, 77
4.3 p356 1-55odd, 59, 60, 61, 66
4.4 p366 1-71odd
4.5 p379 1-25odd, 33, 35, 37
5.1 p407 1-49odd
5.2 p416 1-77odd
5.3 p429 1-47odd, 73abd, 75, 77, 80
5.4 p441 1-51odd
6.1 p474 1-85odd
6.2 p484 1-59odd
6.3 p495 1-59odd, 62a, 63a, 68a
6.4 p506 1-39odd
6.5 p513 1-49odd
7.1 p533 1-93odd
7.2 p539 1-45odd
7.3 p548 1-39odd, 59-70odd
7.4 p557 1-47odd, 53, 55
7.5 p568 1-67odd
8.1 p586 1-59odd
8.2 p594 1-35odd, 43-46all
9.1 p642 1-35odd, 47-53odd
9.2 p649 1-33odd, 39-57odd
9.3 p657 5-35odd
9.4 p673 1-51odd
9.5 p684 1-47odd, 55, 57
9.7 p713 1-27odd, 35, 37, 45, 47, 49
9.8 p720 1-45odd
9.9 p726 1-39odd
10.1 p751 1-17odd, 25-45odd
10.2 p759 1-23odd, 29-43odd
10.3 p768 1-21odd, 27-37odd
10.4 p781 1-29odd
10.7 p807 1-33odd, 47-50
11.1 p831 1-15odd, 23-45odd, 53-75odd
11.2 p837 1-55odd, 58, 61, 63
11.3 p844 1-73odd
11.5 p859 1-23odd
11.6 p868 1-49odd
Catalog Description:
This course is preparation for Calculus. Topics of study include polynomial, rational, exponential,
logarithmic and trigonometric functions as well as their inverses. An introduction to matrices, analytic
geometry, and sequences and series are also included. The application of these topics is stressed to enhance
conceptual understanding of the material.
Course Objectives
1) Analyze functions (including polynomial, algebraic, rational, exponential, logarithmic,
trigonometric) for critical features, including: intercepts, asymptotes, domain, range, and average
rate of change.
2) Determine the inverse of a function (polynomial, algebraic, rational, exponential, logarithmic,
trigonometric) and analyze it in terms of critical features.
3) Graph relations (including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions
and conics), using transformations (shifting, stretching, reflection).
4) Determine functions (including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric) that
model data.
5) Solve equations involving polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions.
6) Use polar and parametric functions to solve a variety of problems.
7) Use arithmetric and geometric series and sequences to solve a variety of problems.
8) Use matrices and systems of equations to solve a variety of problems.
9) Solve application problems using the topics of the course.
10) Use technology (graphing, scientific calculators or computer software) to solve problems.
SLO Statements
1) Students will find zeros of polynomial functions by factoring polynomials using polynomial
division and the factor theorem.
2) Students will solve algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, absolute value equations,
and systems of equations using matrices.
3) Solve problems involving arithmetic and geometric sequence and series.
4) Students will graph algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, and sketch
functions in polar and parametric forms.
5) Students will prove trigonometric identities using the sum, difference, double-angle, and halfangle formulas.
6) Students will solve application problems at the pre-calculus level and use mathematical induction
to write proofs.
7) Students will solve quadratic and rational inequalities and inequalities with absolute values.