MA112 – Section 106
Lab-Enhanced Precalculus Algebra
10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MWF
Dr. Maria Byrne
As you enter, please introduce
yourself to a couple other people
in the class. Pick up a syllabus.
Today We Will
• Go over syllabus.
• Take pre-test.
Today We Will
• Go over syllabus.
• Take pre-test.
For next Wednesday: read R1 in book.
Your Instructor
• Instructor: Dr. Audi Byrne
Dr. Audi Byrne
PhD in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame
Dr. Audi Byrne
Research area in biomathematics.
(Dynamical systems and modeling. )
Cellular automata
Multi-cellular Systems
Stochastic Processes
Contacting Your Instructor
Dr. Audi Byrne
• Office: ILB 452
• Office Hours: 12:20am-1:10am daily
And by appointment.
• E-mail: abyrne@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
Course Information
Byrne South Alabama
• Course webpage:
• www.southalabama.edu
http://www.southalabama.edu/mathstat/personal_pages/byrne/MA112.htm
Audi Byrne
•Rank: Assistant Professor of Mathematics
•Education: PhD, University of Notre Dame, 2004
•Research interests: Math modeling, bio-math
•abyrne@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
•link to personal home page
•Teaching schedule: Summer 2010
Not teaching
•Office Hours: Summer 2010
By appointment
•Office: ILB 452
251-460-6264 ext 7162
Lab-Enhanced MA112
Per week:
• 3 Traditional Lectures:
50 minutes, Monday, Wednesday and Friday
(10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)
• 1 Lab Session:
50 minutes on Friday
(11:15 a.m. – 12:05 a.m.)
Benefits of MyMathlab for Students
At the University of Alabama:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrEu4Eq3fs
Student Testimonials
“Using MyMathLab to do homework was
quite easy. Doing my homework online
gave much practice for the test given in
class. What I truly like about MML is that it
tells how to work out each problem and
what formulas to use. By using MML I
found myself better prepared for the
multiple choice final exam.”
Student Testimonials
“I like that MyMathLab lays out all of the things that
you need to study. It keeps things in order,
keeps you on track, and helps you learn how to
solve all of the problems needed to pass the
course. I never would have thought that I could
have this much help in math while taking it
online, but I really think that MyMathLab is a
great resource and everyone should use it.”
Student Testimonials
“I was able to work at my own pace. I
didn’t feel like I was pressured to keep up
with anyone, and I didn’t feel like I was
being held back by anyone.”
Textbook
A custom edition taken from
Precalculus: Graphs & Models,
Fourth Edition by Marvin L.
Bittinger, Judith A. Beecher,
David J. Ellenbogen and Judith
A. Penna (2008) .
You must purchase the book
in order to acquire the
student access code to
MyMathlab, or buy it online
with a credit card.
Semester at a Glance
• Module 1 – What is a function?
• Module 2 – Linear Functions
• Module 3 – Operations with Functions
Midterm on Friday, October 1st
• Module 4 – Quadratic Functions
• Module 5 – Polynomial Functions
• Module 6 – Rational Functions
• Module 7 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Final on Saturday, December 11th
7 Modules
Grading
Homew ork
10%
Final
40%
Quizzes
20%
Mid-term
30%
Tutoring lab:
The department offers a tutoring lab in
Room 456 to all student taking
mathematics and statistics classes.
There is no lab fee. Please check the
bulletin board outside ILB 325 for details.
Disabilities
If you have a specific disability that may
qualify you for academic accommodations:
Visit the Office of Special Student Services.
Don’t Drop
Without Dropping By
The last drop day for the course is October
29th. If you get to the point where you are
considering dropping the course, please
speak with me, the department chair (Dr.
Carter) or the assistant to the chair (Dr.
Brick) before dropping.
Homework
• Buy your book (binder or e-book) if you
haven’t already. If you haven’t registered
to MyMathlab, make sure you bring your
student access code to lab on Friday.
• Read Section R.1 The Real Number Line
1-Minute Group Question
In small groups of 2 or more, introduce
yourselves and ask each other any
questions you have about the course.
(If no ones knows, you’ll have a chance to
ask the instructor.)
Motivation…
Motivation…
• The University Experience
Now time for the
Pre-test
Next time…
• Why learn Precalculus Algebra?
• The real number line.
Why study precalculus?
(Why learn algebra?)
• Precalculus = Algebra.
• Needed preparation for precalculus and
very useful in its own right.
• Algebra: Understanding and describing
relationships between quantities,
especially in ways that help you find
solutions to problems.
Algebra: Understanding and describing
relationships between quantities, especially
in ways that help you find solutions to
problems.
Relationships between quantities:
• # of eggs and # of cartons
• Cost of tuition and # of semesters
attended.
• Monthly gas bill and average temperature
over the month.
# of eggs and # of cartons
• In words:
However many cartons you have, you have twelve
times that many eggs.
• Algebra: (algebraic equation)
Let the number of cartons be represented by the
letter C.
Let the number of eggs be represented by the
letter E.
Then we have: E = 12  C.
# of eggs and # of cartons
• Algebra: (graph)
Number of Eggs
# Eggs verses # Cartons
80
60
40
Eggs
20
0
0
1
2
3
4
Number of Cartons
5
Algebra: Understanding and describing
relationships between quantities, especially
in ways that help you find solutions to
problems.
• Suppose you have 20 feet of fencing. What
is the largest area you can enclose?
• If one side has length L, the other side
must be 10-L. The area will be L(10-L).
Optimal Length of One Side
Area of the Yard
Area of the Yard Vs Length 'L'
30
20
10
0
0
2
4
6
8
Length 'L'
10