MATH 98 – Beginning Algebra II
Instructor: Alec McDougall
Office: F-211
Office Hour: 8:30 daily
Phone: 416-7791 (school)
E-mail: alec.mcdougall@skagit.edu
Term: Fall Quarter, 2010
Class Time/Place: 8:30 or 9:30 in L (Lewis) 065
If you are a student with a disability, please contact Disabled Student Services in the Counseling Center
to arrange accommodations. Telephone: 416-7654
Text: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, 4th Edition, K. Elayn Martin-Gay
Course Prerequisites: Basic Mathematics (Math 97) with a grade of “C: or better or appropriate placement
score.
Equipment: One human brain, standard model will do – used is better, along with either a scientific calculator
or a TI-83 graphing calculator – in the event you wish to pursue further mathematics at SVC.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course you will be able to:
1.
Perform basic operations with polynomials
2.
Factor polynomials
3.
Solve quadratic equations by factoring
4.
Perform basic operations with rational expressions
5.
Solve rational equations
6.
Solve applications using rational expressions
7.
Use function notation
8.
Use function notation to perform the algebra of functions
9.
Construct composite functions
10.
Solve problems involving direct, inverse, joint and combined variation
11.
Solve compound inequalities containing and/or
12.
Solve absolute value inequalities
13.
Solve applications relevant to course content
14.
Solve a system of linear equations
15.
Apply alternative mathematical techniques, from a historical perspective, where appropriate
16.
Understand how mathematics is used in other fields and occupations
17.
Understand the use of mathematics cross-culturally
Federated Learning Community:
This course is offered as a standalone course Math 098 or as Math 098C, a federated learning community, with
CSS 100 (Math Success Skills). In the federated learning community, students will be able to acquire the skills
specifically needed to read a mathematics textbook and take exams and will be able to apply the strategies
learned from CSS 100 to help them succeed and understand the concepts in their math course. Student
attendance and progress in math will be shared with the CSS 100 instructor
Course Content: Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 (and maybe a look at 14!)
Assignments: The standing assignment will be every fourth exercise in each section as we cover them – that is
1, 5, 9, 13, 17 and so on – all odd so you can check your answers and work. Assignments will NOT be
collected but are intended to help you master the daily concepts by practicing related problems. The key to
understanding and mastering the work of this course is the homework from each section. Allow yourself time
on a daily basis to work on the problems. You must stay current to understand the next topic. Working with
your colleagues is highly recommended. I will start each class session by answering questions from the
problems associated with the previous section(s). And a final note here, DO ASK QUESTIONS; if there are
things you don’t understand, make me explain! The only truly dumb question is the one that doesn’t get asked,
because I can’t answer that one, and your colleagues will appreciate you asking questions for the discussions
will help them, too.
Quizzes/Exams:
There will be 5 quizzes worth 50 points each. NO MAKEUPS WILL BE GIVEN FOR QUIZZES –
If you must be absent when a quiz is given, let me know so we can try to schedule a ‘quiz-in-advance.’ Your
worst quiz score will be tossed. All quizzes must be neatly done with a PENCIL with as much supporting
evidence for answers as is possible – I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU GOT YOUR ANSWERS!
A 100-point Final Exam will be given at the scheduled Finals time.
Grading:
Grades will be based on percentages calculated from total points from the quizzes and the Final Exam.
The following grading scale will be used:
93 – 100 – A
90 – 92 – A -
87 – 89 – B+
83 – 86 – B
80 – 82 – B -
76 – 79 – C+
70 – 75 – C
66 – 69 – C-
60 – 65 – D
< 60 – E
Academic Honor Code All students of Skagit Valley College are responsible for knowing and adhering to the
Academic Honor Code of this institution found at http://www.skagit.edu/honorcode. Violations of this code
include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All
incidents of academic misconduct are reported to the student conduct officer. Students found to be in violation of
the Academic Honor Code are subject to academic consequences up to and including failure of the course. Students
may also be subject to college disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion from the College.”
Schedule of Events: (Tentative, but it probably won’t change!)
September 20 - Introductions, Sect. 5.1 Exponents
21 – Sect. 5.2 Polynomial Functions and Adding Subtracting Polynomials
22 – Sect. 5.3 Multiplying Polynomials
23 – Sect. 5.4 Special Products
24 – Sect. 5.5 Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
27 – Sect. 5.6 Division of Polynomials
28 – Sect. 5.7 Synthetic Division and the Remainder Theorem
29 – Loose Ends
30 – Review Chapter #5
October 1 – Quiz on Chapter #5
4 – Sect. 6.1 The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping
5 – Sect. 6.2 Factoring Trinomials of the Form x 2  bx  c
6 – Sect. 6.3 Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax 2  bx  c
7 – Sect. 6.3 More Practice
8 – Sect. 6.4 Factoring ax 2  bx  c by Grouping
11 – Sect. 6.5 Factoring Binomials
12 – Sect. 6.6 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
13 – Sect. 6.7 Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving
14 – Loose Ends
15 – Review Chapter #6
18 – Quiz on Chapter #6
19 – Sect. 7.1 Rational Functions and Simplifying Rational Expressions
20 – Sect. 7.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
21 – Sect. 7.3 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Common Denominators and Least
Common Denominator
22 – Sect. 7.4 Adding and Subtracting Rations Expressions with Unlike Denominators
25 – Sect. 7.4 More Practice
26 – Sect. 7.5 Solving Equations Containing Rations Expressions
27 – Sect. 7.5 More Practice
28 – Sect. 7.6 Proportion and Problem Solving with Rational Equations
29 – Sect. 7.6 More Practice
November 1 – Sect. 7.7 Simplifying Complex Fractions
2 – More Practice on 7.7
3 – Loose Ends
4 – Review Chapter #7
5 – Quiz on Chapter #7
8 – Sect. 8.1 Graphing and Writing Linear Functions
9 – Sect. 8.2 Graphing Nonlinear Functions
10 – More Section 8.2
11 – Veteran’s Day – No School – Thank a Veteran!!
12 – Sect. 8.3 Graphing Piece-Wise Defined Functions, Shifting, Reflecting
15 – Sect. 8.4 Variation and Problem Solving
16 – More Section 8.4
17 – Loose Ends.
18 – Review on Chapter #8
19 – Quiz on Chapter #8
22 – Sect. 14.1 Sequences
23– Sect. 14.2 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
24 – Sect. 14.2 More A and G Sequences
25 – Thanksgiving Day – Pig Out!!
26 – Recover from Pigging Out!!
29 – Sect. 14.3 Series
30 – Sect. 14.4 Partial Sums of Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
December 1 – Chapter #14 Worksheet – 25 problems – 50 points – Due Friday the 4th
2 – Review for Final
3 – Review for Final
6 – 7:30 Final
7 – 8:30 Final – Two Hours
8 – 9:30 Final – Two Hours