SHAW UNIVERSITY

COURSE OUTLINE

MAT 113 – Intermediate Algebra

Spring 2006

 

 

 

 

Instructor:             Dr. K.P Satagopan                                               Office Location: Graphics Bldg. #6

 

Email:                      sat@shawu.edu                                                   Phone: (919) 546 – 8379

 

Office Hours:        M – F      8:25 – 9:25 A.M                  M - F  2 – 3  pm                                                                   

 

Text:       Michael Sullivan - Precalculus- 7th Edition – Prentice Hall - 2005

 

·         Graphing Calculators Required :   TI-86 or TI-83 Calculators are recommended

 

General Description

 

This is an intermediate level algebra course intended for science and education students.  For science and mathematics students it serves to prepare them for the required course Math 115 (Precalculus).

 

This is a core requirement for students majoring in Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, and students in the Dual Degree Engineering Program. This course is a study of different types of functions, their graphs, and their properties. Students will be exposed to symbolic manipulations, critical thinking and problem solving techniques by applying the concepts to solve application problems. Graphing calculators will be used to augment learning and solve numerical problems.

 

Important Dates

 

 

Course Objectives

 

After completing this course successfully, the students should be able to do the following:

 

·         Use set notation.

·         Recognize basic subsets of the set of real numbers.

·         Do the algebra on integers and algebraic expressions.

·         Use exponents of numbers and variables.

·         Solve linear equations

·         Solve linear inequalities.

·         Solve application problems using linear equations and inequalities.

·         Do the algebra of addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division with polynomials.

·         Factor polynomials.

·         Solve quadratic equations in one variable.

·         Solve application problems(word problems).

·         Identify rational expressions.

·         Add, subtract, and multiply rational expressions.

·         Solve equations involving rational expressions.

·         Solve application problems.

·         Evaluate expressions involving radicals.

·         Complete squares.

·         Use the quadratic formula

·         Solve quadratic inequalities.

·         Find the equations of straight lines.

·         Graph straight lines

·         Graph parabolas.

·         Solve application problems using algebraic techniques (NCATE 1.1),

(NCDPI Core 2.2, 2.8), (NCDPI Div 2.2)

·         Solve geometrical problems like finding the midpoint of a line segment, finding if 

       three points form a triangle and what kind of triangle etc. (NCATE 7.4)

·         Find the domain, range, and inverse (if it exists) of a function. (NCATE 9.4)

·         Graph elementary functions, polynomial functions, find the extreme values,

       find if it is increasing or decreasing etc. (NCATE 3.7), (NCDPI Tech 2.1, 3.3)

·         Use transformations like shift, stretch, reflection etc and graph more functions.

·         Solve algebraic inequalities.

 

Chapters and Topics

 

Chapter A.1 – Algebra Review– Algebraic Expressions – Real Numbers – Graphing Inequalities – Absolute Value – Laws of Exponents

 

Chapter A.3 – Polynomials and Rational Expressions– Special Products - Factor polynomials – Simplify Rational Expressions - Least Common Multiple

 

Chapter A.4 – Polynomial Division; Synthetic Division– Long Division - Synthetic Division

 

Chapter A.5 – Solving Equations– Solving Equations by Factoring- Quadratic Equations – Complete the square – Quadratic Formula

 

Chapter A.7 – Setting Up Equations: Applications– Applied Problems – Interest Problems – Mixture Problems – Uniform Motion

 

Chapter A.8 – Interval Notation; Solving Inequalities– Interval Notation – Properties of Inequalities –Solving inequalities – Combined inequalities – Absolute Value Inequalities

 

Chapter A.9 – Roots; Rational Exponents; Radical Equations– Nth Roots – Simplify Radicals – Rationalize Denominators – Radical Equations – Simplify Expressions with Rational Exponents

 

Chapter 1 – Graphs– Distance – Midpoint - Rectangular Coordinate System – Applications  – Graphs  - Circles - Lines – Slopes - Linear curve fitting

 

Chapter2 – Functions and their Graphs – Functions – More about functions – Graphing techniques – transformations – Operations on functions – Composite functions – Constructing functions.

 

Chapter3 – Polynomial and Rational functions – Quadratic functions – Polynomial functions – Rational functions – Synthetic Division – Real zeroes of polynomial functions – Complex numbers – Quadratic equations with negative Discriminants – Complex zeroes

 

 

 

Suggested Schedule (includes tests and quizzes)

 

Chapter

# of periods

Appendix A.1

1

Appendix A.3

3

Appendix A.4

1

Appendix A.5

2

Appendix A.7

2

Appendix A.8

1

Appendix A.9

2

1

8

2

10

3

12

TOTAL

42

 

Grading

Quiz/Homework                                                    30% of Final Grade

Tests                                                                      40% of Final Grade

Comprehensive final                                            30% of Final Grade

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Students who miss classes are responsible for subject matter covered, any announcements made regarding quiz, test or any other relevant matter, during their absence.

 

More than 3 (if class meets 3 times a week) unexcused absences may result in failure in the course.  You are responsible to find out or know about any announcements or the subject matter covered, during your absence.

 

Student Classroom Decorum Expectations

 

To enhance the learning atmosphere of the classroom, students are expected to dress and behave in a fashion conducive to learning in the classroom. More specifically, students will refrain from disruptive classroom behavior i. e., talking to classmates, disrespectful responses to teacher instructions; swearing; wearing clothes that impede academic learning such as but not limited to, wearing body-revealing clothing and excessively baggy pants; hats/caps, and/or headdress. Students will turn off telephones prior to entering the classroom. Students who exhibit the behaviors described above, or similar behaviors will be immediately dismissed from class at the third documented offense. The student will be readmitted to class only following a decision by the department chair. The student may appeal the decision of the department chair to the Dean of the College offering the course, and, subsequently, to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then to the President of Shaw University. The decision of the President will be final. Failure to follow the procedures herein outlined will result in termination of the appeal, and revert to the decision of the department chair.

 

Each behavior construed by the teacher/professor as noncontributive to learning will be recorded, properly documented, and appropriately reported to the student and to the chair of the academic department offering the course. The report will be in written form with a copy provided to both the student and the department chair. The faculty member should retain a copy for his/her own records.

 

Additional student behavior codes may be found in Student Affairs.