MA 112: Precalculus Algebra
Dr. Maria Byrne
Instructional Laboratory 0140
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.
For next Wendesday: read 1.1 – 1.2 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
• Office: ILB 452
• Office Hours: 11:00am-12:00pm daily
And by appointment.
• E-mail: abyrne@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
Course Information
• Course webpage
• www.southalabama.edu
Math and Statistics
Faculty and Staff
Audi Byrne
 link to personal homepage
 teaching
 MA 112
• http://www.southalabama.edu/mathstat/personal_pages/byrne/MA112.htm
Course Information
Bulletin Description:
Study of use of variable quantities to interpret
information about relationships that can be expressed
in mathematical terms. Linear, polynomial, absolute
value, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions
with emphasis on numerical, graphical and algebraic
properties and applications and use in modeling real
world situations. Systems of linear equations. Credit
for both MA 112 and MA 115 not allowed.
Prerequisite: C or better in DS 090 or sufficient
mathematics placement test score. Core Course.
Course Information
Learning Objectives
1. Recognition of function model groups by name,
equation, and general graph shape: linear, quadratic,
cubic, general polynomial, rational, exponential, and
logarithmic.
2. Vocabulary used to describe graphs: domain, range,
increasing, decreasing, x-intercept, function zero, yintercept, maximum, minimum, asymptote,vertical,
horizontal, axis, scale, coordinates.
3. Real number line and solving inequalities to
describe number sets on that line.
Your textbook
• Text: J. Douglas Faires and James DeFranza,
PreCalculus, Brooks/Cole, Florence, 4th
edition (2007). ISBN-13: 978-0-495-01269-6.
Solutions to odd exercises begin on page 365.
• Coverage: Chapters 1 – 3, and 5 (omitting
1.5).
PreCalculus, 4th edition by J. Douglas
Faires and James DeFranza
COURSE TOPICS COVERED:
Chapter 1 – Functions (4 weeks)
Chapter 3 – Algebraic Functions (4 weeks)
3.1
Introduction
3.2
Polynomial Functions
The Coordinate Plane
3.3
Finding Factors and Zeros of Polynomials
1.4
Equations and Graphs
3.4
Rational Functions
1.6
Functions
3.5
Other Algebraic Functions
1.7
Linear Functions
3.6
Complex Roots of Polynomials
1.8
Quadratic Functions
1.1
Introduction
1.2
The Real Line
1.3
Chapter 5 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (2.5 weeks)
Chapter 2 – New Functions From Old (2.5 weeks)
2.1
Introduction
2.2
Other Common Functions
2.3
Arithmetic Combinations of Functions
2.4
Composition of Functions
2.5
Inverse Functions
5.1
Introduction
5.2
The Natural Exponential Function
5.3
Logarithm Functions
5.4
Exponential Growth and Decay
Attendance
• Come to class.
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Preparation for exams.
Occasional bonus points for attendance.
Frequent quizzes.
Worksheets
Student questions and answers.
Explanations.
Assignments
Attendance
Regular attendance is important in this course. It
is your responsibility to get any assignments or
notes missed during an absence. Roll will be
taken randomly throughout the semester.
Leaving early and arriving late count as a ½
class period absence. If you miss more than 4
lectures, I will decrease your final grade by
one letter for each additional lecture that is
missed.
Quizzes
• Questions are preparation for the exams.
• Often self-corrected in class.
• Occasional bonus points for correct answers.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be given occasionally in class.
Quizzes afford the opportunity to earn bonus
points that can be applied to the next exam.
Questions will frequently be taken directly
from the homework. No make-ups will be
given.
Homework
Problems from the text will be assigned with
each book section in class and can also be
found on the course webpage. A subset of the
assigned homework problems will be collected
and graded via online submission. Successful
online submission of (correct) homework
solutions will represent 17% of your final
grade.
Homework
Completing and mastering homework
problems is essential for success in this course.
It is your responsibility to learn how to solve
all the problems by the homework due-date, or
shortly thereafter. If you do not know how to
do a homework problem, do not get behind. It
is recommended that any questions on the
homework be promptly addressed with other
classmates, at the tutoring lab or during my
office hours.
Homework
Homework Worksheets: Problems are
frequently worked out in class, and group work
on homework is encouraged. To facilitate
group work, class time will be occasionally
allotted to work in groups and homework
problems may be distributed on worksheets.
Homework
Online homework submission: A subset of
homework problems will be collected and
graded online. After you complete your
homework assignment, you will enter your
solutions to a selected number of problems
using the E-College system of the university.
Online homework submission
Instructions
To submit your homework solutions online, login to the E-college
webpage from the USA portal at
www.usaonline.southalabama.edu/ using your JAG ID # and
E-college password.
You will have 48 hours to submit the homework from the time
that it is assigned. Homework solutions cannot be submitted
before the homework is assigned and cannot be submitted after
the 48 hour submission time period has elapsed. A list of the
homework problems whose solutions must be submitted online and the homework assignment times can be found in the
course syllabus below. Assignment times may change in which
case you will be notified in by e-mail.
Course Grade is Based on Exams
There will be three exams and a comprehensive
final.
Exam I: Chapter 1
Exam II: Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
Exam III: Chapter 3 and Chapter 5
Final: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
9/14/09
10/19/09
11/23/09
12/04/09
Make-Up Exams
If one exam is missed for any reason, the final
exam grade will replace the missed regular
exam grade. NO MAKEUPS WILL BE
GIVEN. If more than one exam is missed, the
score for that exam will be zero. If all regular
exams are taken, a better final exam will
replace the lowest exam grade.
Grading
• Your final grade will be computed from your homework score
(H), three exams (E1, E2, E3) and final (F) as follows:
Final Grade = (H + E1 + E2 + E3 + 2F)/6.
• The 10-point grading scale will be used. A letter grade is
assigned to a course average as follows:
A(90-100) B(80-89) C(70-79) D(60-69) F(0-59)
• It is my policy not to release grade information over the phone
or via e-mail and I do not post grades. Final grades will be
available from PAWS. Please do not call the department
secretary for grade information, as they are not authorized to
release such information.
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 23rd.
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. S. Mishra) before
dropping.
Now time for the
Pre-test