nonlinear
equations and systems of linear inequalities.
ALEKS : This class will be using
ALEKS program throughout the semester. Online work will be
supplemented by lectures and off-line in-class assignments.
First assessment in Aleks will determine where you start your studying.
You will study at your own pace in class and at home, but you will have
to
complete certain objectives before each test. Those will be announced
in class.
Objectives:
After finishing this class, you should be able
to:
perform operations on polynomials and rational expressions; simplify
rational
expressions and radicals;
use laws of exponents; solve quadratic equations; solve polynomial,
rational,
absolute value equations and inequalities; solve radical, exponential
and
logarithmic equations; graph straight lines and circles and recognize
their
equations; identify graph of a function and use the graph to
determine function's
domain, range, intercepts, asymptotes, odd/even
properties, intervals where it is
increasing, decreasing; graph basic functions and use
transformations to obtain the graphs of more complex functions;
sketch
the graphs of polynomial and rational functions; form the sum,
difference,
product, quotient and composition of two functions; understand what
one-to-one
function is; know what are the inverse functions and their
properties;
find the inverse function; know the properties of exponential and
logarithmic
functions; solve systems of linear equations and inequalities.
Examinations: There will be five off-line tests (Sep
14, Sep 30, Oct 19, Nov 9, Dec 2) and
a comprehensive, departmental final exam on Dec 10, 2-4:45pm
Make-up policy:
tests - no makeup's ( in a justifiable situation, documented by
a
doctor’s note, police report, etc.,
the score of your final will be counted in
place of
one, and only one, test)
final - missing the final results in an F in the course
Incomplete Grade Policy: IN grade is to be given only under the
condition that the
student has substantially completed
most of the course but is unable to take the final exam because of
circumstances beyond his/her control.
The student will remove the IN grade no later than the third week of
the
subsequent semester.
Drop Date: Last date to drop the course with DR grade is
October 16.
Policy on cheating: Any attempt of cheating
will
result in an F and further administrative action might be taken.
Attendance: Mandatory. You are allowed 3 absences and each
absence beyond this will cost you 1 point of your total accumulated at
the end of the semester.
You will be responsible for all assignments
completed in class. Late work will not be accepted.
Materials needed: 2-
subject notebook or binder with divider, colored pencils, ruler,
scientific calculator
Grading policy: To receive full credit for a problem, you must
show all
the work leading to the answer.
Answer alone does not earn credit.
Any
guesswork is disregarded. Most of the time, calculators will not be
allowed.
Final grade:
Your grade will depend on your performance on Aleks
assessments (15%), five tests (60%)
and the final (25%)
Your grade will be assigned according to the following scale
A >
93%
76% < C+ < 79%
90% <
A- <
92%
70% < C < 75%
88% <
B+ <
89%
65% < C- < 69%
84% < B <
87%
55% < D < 64%
80% <
B- <
83%
F < 54%
How to be successful in a math class
1.
Attend
classes and take detailed notes. Include not only what is written on
the board
but also what is said.
2. Read your notes and the textbook; memorize definitions and formulas.
3. Do a lot of problems; focus on the process, not the answer. Use the
solution
manual as a last resort, after truly attempting to
solve a problem yourself.
4. Form a study group.
5. Ask questions during office hours and in the class.
6. Find help as soon as you need it.