MATH 80 Intermediate Algebra #0626
El Camino College
Room: MCS 219A T TH 2:00 – 4:30pm
Spring 2011
Instructor: GREG FRY
email: gfry@elcamino.edu
Voice Mail: 310-660-3573 (5220)
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: Intermediate Algebra, Fourth Edition, Alan Tussy and David Gustafson, Brooks/Cole
Cengage Publishing, 2009. Also, a scientific calculator is required for some sections. No
calculators will be allowed on most exams and quizzes.
Prerequisite: Math 40 or Math 41B 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: You can do well in this class if you regularly do the homework. It is crucial that you
are 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 supplement the book’s problems from time to time – you are responsible for any
supplementary problems that I hand out. I do not collect the homework, although there may be
take-home quizzes involving problems from the book or my handouts.
Tutoring: Is available in the math tutoring center in MCS 106.
Exams: There will be four exams. No make-ups will be allowed. I will not drop any exams. 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 or legal document – it is your responsibility to make time for
such a make-up – if you must miss work or another class, then that is better than getting a zero
for the exam. If it proves impossible to schedule a make-up, then I would replace a missed
exam by your lowest exam score – this can only happen once (with proper documentation). All
exams are closed book / closed notes / no calculator. However, a scientific calculator will be
allowed for some sections – the calculator will be necessary on short calculator sections of some
exams. Bring a photo id to each exam – I may periodically check these.
Quizzes: There will be 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 do not drop any scores. There may be double quizzes – worth two quiz scores. 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 may be take-home.
Final Exam: The comprehensive final exam will be on the last two days of class. If you don’t get
at least 60% on the final, then you can’t earn an A, B or C as your semester grade.
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. It is wise to use the procedures and notation that I like – these things will be
obvious if you attend lectures and study all handouts carefully.
Solutions to Exams and Quizzes: Find these on my website.
Grade Breakdown: Each score will be recorded as a percent from 0 to 100
Exams: 15% each x 4 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.
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.
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 or
earphones during exams. Again, NO EARPHONES can be attached to your ears during
exams.
Time Commitment: It is expected that for every hour of class lecture approximately two hours is
required for homework and study time.
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.
Math 80 - # 0626
Spring 2011 Schedule
(subject to changes if necessary)
TUESDAY
2/15
THURSDAY
2/17
1.2 1.3 1.5 1.6 5.1 5.2
2/22
2.2-2.4
5.3-5.5
2/24
5.6-5.9
6.1-6.4
3/1
6.7
3/3
1.7 1.8
EXAM #1
3/8
3/10
6.8 2.5 2.6
6.5 6.6
3/15
4.1
3/17
4.2 4.3 4.4
7.1-7.4
3/22
3/24
3/29
3/31
EXAM # 2
7.5
7.6
7.7
8.1-8.2 8.4
4/5
4/7
8.3 8.5
4/12 *** Spring Break ***
4/19
9.2
4/26
9.1
4/14 *** Spring Break ****
4/21
9.3 9.4
4/28
EXAM # 3
5/5
9.7-9.8
5/12
3.4 3.5 3.6
5/19
EXAM # 4
5/26
10.3
6/2
5/3
9.5-9.6
5/10
3.2 3.3
4.5
5/17
5/24
10.1
10.2
5/31
6/7
6/9
*** FINAL EXAM 1***
*** FINAL EXAM 2***
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 80 – Homework – Tussy & Gustafson, 4th Edition
1.2 Real Numbers
p21 27-53odd
1.3 Order of Operations p36 63-89odd
1.5 Solve Equations p61 55-73odd, 79-105odd
1.6 Solve Formulas p71 31-77 EOO
1.7 Word Problems p83 15, 21, 23, 27, 39, 41, 43
1.8 Word Problems p97 25, 27, 37-53odd, 57-61odd
2.2 Graph Lines p143 21-47 EOO, 53-63EOO, 73
2.3 Slope
p157 17-51odd, 59-63odd, 73, 74, 75
2.4 Equations of Lines p172 15-85odd
2.5 Functions p188 17-99odd
2.6 Function Graphs p202 15-61odd
3.2 System of 2 Equations p245 13-59odd, 73
3.3 Word Problems p257 9-59odd, 74
3.4 System of 3 Equations p272 11-57odd
3.5 Word Problems p279 7-27odd, 39
3.6 Solve with Matrix p292 13-51odd, 55, 57
4.1 Inequalities p331 17-75odd, 99
4.2 Compound Inequalities p344 17-71odd, 89, 90
4.3 Absolute Value p358 17-99odd, 113
4.4 Inequalities Two Variables p368 11-41odd, 63, 64
4.5 Systems of Inequalities p377 9-39odd, 61, 62, 64
5.1 Exponents p406 15-113odd, 131, 133
5.2 Scientific Notation p415 9-43odd
5.3 Polynomials p430 21-27odd, 31-81EOO, 87, 89, 104
5.4 Multiply Polynomials p445 11-65EOO, 67, 69, 71-105EOO, 121-125odd
5.5 Greatest Common Factor p456 11-105EOO, 123, 125
5.6 Factoring Trinomials p471 17-107EOO, 121, 123
5.7 Special Product Factoring p481 9-101EOO, 113-117odd
5.8 Summary of Factoring p487 13-63EOO, 75, 79
5.9 Solve Equations by Factoring p498 15-41EOO, 43, 45, 47-85EOO, 87, 99, 113, 115
6.1 Rational Expressions p527 15-25odd, 27-61EOO, 67-89EOO, 103
6.2 Multiply/Divide Rationals p539 11-85EOO
6.3 Add/Subtract Rationals p551 17-99EOO, 111
6.4 Complex/Compound Fractions p562 9-63EOO
6.5 Polynomial Division p573 15-81EOO
6.6 Synthetic Division p582 13-85EOO
6.7 Solve Rational Equations p592 9-83EOO, 103, 105
6.8 Word Problems p603 11-41odd, 53
7.1 Radical Expressions p655 49-55odd, 69, 71, 73-81odd, 85-95odd, 123
7.2 Rational Exponents p668 15-25odd, 43-129EOO
7.3 Simplify/Combine Radical Expressions p680 13-103EOO, 119
7.4 Multiply/Divide Radical Expressions p693 11-117EOO, 131
7.5 Solve Radical Equations p705 13-39EOO, 41, 43, 45-95EOO, 117, 119
7.6 Pythagorean Theorem p717 15-21odd
7.7 Complex Numbers p731 17-115EOO
8.1 SquareRootProperty/CompleteSquare p759 15-93EOO
8.2 Quadratic Formula p770 13-71EOO
8.3 Discriminant/QuadraticForm p781 11-81EOO, 87
8.4 Quadratic Functions/Graphs p796 15-73EOO
8.5 Quadratic/Nonlinear Inequalities p809 15-33odd, 47-61odd
9.1 Algebra/Compostion of Functions p835 13-35EOO, 37-71odd
9.2 Function Inverse p848 19=67EOO
9.3 Exponential Functions p862 23-37odd, 49-53odd, 57, 59
9.4 Natural Exponential e p872 27-33odd, 37, 39
9.5 Logarithms p887 21-95odd
9.6 Natural Logarithm p895 15-41odd
9.7 Properties of Logs p907 19-77odd, 87-93odd, 105-108all
9.8 Log Equations
p919 21-85odd, 97-111odd
10.1 Circles, Parabolas p949 15-49EOO, 59-81EOO
10.2 Ellipse p960 17-31odd, 37-51odd
10.3 Hyperbola p971 17-35odd, 41-59odd
Course description:
This intermediate algebra course is designed for students who are considering further study in the sciences,
technology, engineering, or mathematics. In the context of studying a large library of basic functions and
their graphs, students strengthen and expand their algebra skills. This library includes linear, quadratic,
polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions, as well as inverse functions and the
absolute value function. Particular emphasis is placed on the operations on functions, as well as solving
equations and inequalities. Other topics include solving systems of equations, operations on complex
numbers, and applications.
Note: Mathematics 80 serves as a prerequisite course for all transfer-level mathematics course sequences,
INCLUDING the calculus sequence (Mathematics 170, 180, 190, 191 and 220).
Course Objectives:
1. Carry out numerical operations and manipulate algebraic expressions, including
expressions with rational and negative exponents, complex numbers, and
logarithms.
2.
Recognize functional relationships in the form of graphs, data or symbolic
equations.
3.
Solve problems involving a variety of function types, including linear, quadratic,
polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
4.
Graph a variety of functions and relations and draw connections between these
graphs and solutions to problems.
5.
Solve a variety of equations and inequalities, as well as systems of equations and
inequalities, using algebraic and graphical methods. Types of equations include
linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic
equations.
6.
Using numerical, symbolic and graphical methods, model application problems,
solve them and interpret the results in the contact of the problem.
SLO Statements:
1. Students will be able to solve linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, absolute value,
exponential and logarithmic equations.
2. Students will be able to solve linear, quadratic, polynomial ,rational and absolute value inequalities.
3. Students will be able to graph linear, quadratic, polynomial , absolute value ,radical, exponential and
logarithmic functions.
4. Students will be able to evaluate numerical operations and manipulate algebraic expressions involving
rational and negative exponents, radicals, complex numbers, exponents or logarithms.
5. Students will be able to solve application problems involving linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational,
radical, exponential or logarithmic functions.
6. Students will be able to solve systems of linear and nonlinear equations as well as system of linear
inequalities using algebraic and graphical methods.
7. Students will be able to graph conics sections.