Math 125: Elementary Algebra
PCC- Spring 15 Math 125; MW 3:15-5:45PM ; Jan 12-May 10 Sec. 32408 C-311
Instructor: Dr. Asher Shamam
Email: adshamam@pasadena.edu
Office hours: TR 6:15-7:30 PM; M,W 5:45-7:00pm; 9:30-10:00PM at R-322-F
Class Blog: “dr-asher.com”
Books & Supplies
Text: Elementary Algebra, by George Woodbury
Recommended Calculator: No calculators will be used in this course.
PREREQUISITE : Minimum grade of C in Math 401C or 402 or satisfactory score on the
placement test. Petitions are required (and seldom granted) to enroll in this course for a third
time.
Attendance
Regular Attendance is mandatory, and class absenteeism may affect your grade adversely.
Regular attendance is probably the second most important activity next to completing your
homework. Should you decide to drop the course, please process your drop officially, otherwise
will receive a grade of “F” at the end of the semester.
Classroom Policies & Participation
Participation is strongly encouraged-and class activities are a regular part of lecture, whether
they are in groups or individual. I am always willing to answer questions, and I encourage you to
ask them. Please do not talk in class while lecture is in progress. Respect other students who
have questions. Mobile platforms phones should be turned off, and put away during
lecture. NO cell phone calculator allowed! Cheating will be rewarded with an “F” for the
work involved, a trip to the Dean’s office, possible dismissal from the course, and a
notation on your academic record. Moreover, I reserve the right in the determining
whether or not cheating took place.
Grade Calculation
The formula used to compute your final Overall Performance Percentage
There are three contributors to your overall performance percentage:
(i) Homework (ii)Quizzes; (iii) In Class examinations (iV) In Class cumulative final.
The underlying weights, associated with the four contributors of your overall performance percentage
are defined as  ,  ,  ,  , where:
  0.15,   0.20,   0.40,   0.25.
Finally, the overall performance percentage formula is defined in terms of the above parameters as:
Avg= ( HW )   (Quiz )   (Class Exam average)  ( In Class Final ) .
Letter grades will be based on your Avg as follows:
A = 90-100%; B = 80-89.9%; C = 70-79.9%; D = 60-69.9%; F = 0-59.9%
Letter grades will be based on your OAPP as follows:
A = 90-100% ;B = 80-89.9%; C = 70-79.9%; D = 60-69.9%; F = 0-59.9%
Homework: Homework will be assigned daily and will consist of a combination of written
homework and Mymathlab problems to be done online. The way to succeed on the homework
portion of your grade (as well as in the class itself ) is to do your homework neatly, completely,
and consistently. Please note : no late homework will be accepted ,even if you are absent, you
may turn in your assignment early or have a friend turn it in.
Exams
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We will have 5-6 exams and an in class Final.
You will need a blue book for each exam!
Please do not talk, look around, or wear hats during an exam. It is best not to sit near
someone you studied with.
Academic Assistance
 I encourage you to come see me during the scheduled office hours.
 Free Tutoring at The Learning Assistance Center (D-300. Form a study group with those in
class.
Student learning outcomes:
1.Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to :
a. Simplify expressions involving real numbers, at the beginning algebra level.
b. Simplify numerical expressions using the order of operations.
c. Simplify expression involving integer exponents.
d. Perform operations with polynomials.
e. Simplify rational expressions.
f. Simplify radical expressions.
2.Factor polynomials ,at the beginning algebra level.
a. Factor out the GCF.
b. Factor trinomials.
c. Factor a difference of two squares.
d. Factor by grouping pairs.
3.Solve equations in the variable, at the beginning algebra level.
a. Solve linear equations .
b. Solve linear inequalities.
c. Solve quadratic equations.
d. Solve rational equations.
e. Solve square root equations.
4.Graph, solve, and interpret linear equations.
a. Graph linear equations in two variables.
b. Graph linear inequalities in two variables.
c. Find equations of lines of lines given information about the slope and/or points on the line.
d. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables.
5.Model and solve real world applications.
a. Solve applications involving linear equations in one and two variables.
b. Solve applications involving quadratic equations.
c. Solve applications involving systems of equations.
d. Solve applications involving the rational equations.
Weekly Schedule TBA during week 2
Week 1-2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Sec 3.1,3.2,3.3.3.5 ; MLK 1/19 M
Sec 3.6, 3.7; EXAM 1 CHAP 3
Sec 4.1-4.4; EXAM 2 CHAP 4
Sec 5.1-5.4 ;
Sec 5.5,5.6 ; PRESIDENT DAY 2/16 M
6.2; EXAM 3 CHAP 5
6.3-6.5
SPRING BREAK 3/9-3/15
6.6,6.8,7.1 EXAM 4 CHAP 6
7.2 7.3,7.4
7.5,7.6,7.7 CESAR CHAVEZ 3/31 TU
7.7, 8.1, 8.2 EXAM 5 CHAP 7
8.3,8.4, 9.1 (square root property/extraction of roots only)
EXAM 6 (8.1-8.4,9.1), Review
Final Exam TBA
**Please note that your continued enrollment in this class section comprises an
implicit agreement with the above mentioned class policies. This Syllabus is tentative
and subject to change. Please listen for announcements.
Below is the 2014-15 Academic Schedule:
Wed., 10/1/2014
Mon., 10/20/2014
Mon., 10/20/2014
Thu., 11/6/2014
Thu., 11/6/2014
Thu., 11/6/2014
Fri., 11/7/2014
Mon., 11/10/2014 to Wed., 11/12/2014
Thu., 11/13/2014
Begin Accepting Admissions Applications-Online http://www.pasadena.edu/apply/
Schedule of Classes on PCC Websitehttp://www.pasadena.edu/classes/
Continuing Student Registration Time on Web
Lancer Cards Available
Veteran/Foster Youth/CalWork Registration http://login.pasadena.edu
DSPS(authorized) EOP&S (matriculated) Registration http://www.pasadena.edu
Graduation Initiative Studentshttp://login.pasadena.edu
FYE Pathway Students - Fully Matriculatedhttp://login.pasadena.edu
TRIO, PASS, Upward Bound, Non Credit to Credit http://login.pasadena.edu
Thu., 11/13/2014
Fri., 11/14/2014
Mon., 11/17/2014 to Tue., 11/18/2014
Wed., 11/19/2014
Thu., 11/20/2014 to Fri., 11/21/2014
Mon., 11/24/2014
Mon., 11/24/2014
Mon., 11/24/2014
Mon., 1/12/2015
Mon., 1/12/2015 to Sun., 5/10/2015
Mon., 1/19/2015
Sun., 1/25/2015
Tue., 1/27/2015
Tue., 1/27/2015
Fri., 1/30/2015
Fri., 2/13/2015 to Mon., 2/16/2015
Mon., 3/2/2015 to Sun., 3/8/2015
Mon., 3/2/2015 to Mon., 3/16/2015
Mon., 3/9/2015 to Thu., 3/12/2015
Fri., 3/13/2015 to Sun., 3/15/2015
Wed., 3/18/2015
Mon., 3/30/2015
Tue., 3/31/2015
Fri., 4/10/2015
Mon., 5/4/2015 to Sun., 5/10/2015
Fri., 5/8/2015
Sun., 5/10/2015
Mon., 5/11/2015 to Sun., 5/17/2015
Tue., 5/12/2015
Mon., 5/25/2015
SYE Pathway Students, TYE Pathway - Fully Matric. http://login.pasadena.edu
Athletes, Elected A/S Students, F/1 Visahttp://login.pasadena.edu
Continuing Students-Unit Basedhttp://login.pasadena.edu
New and Returning Students, Fully Matricualted https://login.pasadena.edu
New, Continuing and Returning; Non Matriculated
Concurrent HS Students, Bachelors Degree or Higher http://login.pasadena.edu
Those that Lost Priority Due to Academic Standing http://login.pasadena.edu
More than 100 Units - Non Basic Skills Units http://login.pasadena.edu
First day of Spring 2015 Classes
Spring Term
Martin Luther King Holiday - Campus Closed
Last Day to Add A Class Online
Last Day to Drop Without a "W" Online
Last Day to Drop a Course and Receive a Refund
Last Day to Petition for Spring 2015 Graduation
Presidents Holidays - Campus Closed
Midterm Exams Administered
Midterm Grades Entered By Faculty Online
Spring Break 2015 - Classes Not in Session
Spring Break 2015 - Campus Closed
Midterm Grade Reports Available Online
Last Day to Apply Online
Cesar Chavez Holiday - Campus Closed
Last Day to Drop With a "W" Online
Final Exams Administered
Commencement Spring 2015
Spring Term Ends
Classes Not in Session
Final Grades Due for 16 Week Courses
Memorial Day Holiday-Campus Closed