MATH 093-Intermediate Algebra
Fall
Semester 2012
Catalog Data: MATH 093 Intermediate Algebra
(3-0) Credits 3. Fundamental algebraic operations;
systems of linear equations;
factoring polynomials and solving quadratic equations;
rational
expressions; roots and radicals. Prerequisites: MATH 091 or 2 units of high
school
algebra, 1 unit of high school geometry and ACT math score of 17-18.
Objective: Upon completion of this course
the student should have good algebraic manipulative
skills, good graphing techniques
and be able to solve linear, quadratic, and systems
of
linear equations.
Outcomes: Upon completion of this course,
the student will be able to:
1)
Use the laws of exponents, and manipulate and simplify algebraic expressions
containing fractional exponents, negative exponents, radicals, and fractions.
2)
Factor trinomials, the difference of squares, and the sum and difference of cubes
3)
Solve linear and quadratic equations.
4)
Solve linear inequalities.
5)
Solve systems of equations.
6)
Solve word problems.
7)
Find the slope of a line
8)
Sketch graphs of linear functions.
Instructor: Susan Barton, Ph.D., Professor of
Mathematics
Email: Susan.Barton@mail.wvu.edu
Office: Engineering Lab Building 101H
Office Hours: (changed
9/24/12) MWF
8:30 -10; TR 10-11 (math lab); MWF 2-3
Office Phone: 304-442-3297
Class Time: MWF 10:00 – 10:50 Engr. 512
Method: This is a lecture based course
meeting 3 times a week. Although a course calendar
etc. may be found at
community.wvu.edu/~smb031
.
Textbook: Bittinger and Beecher, Introductory
& Intermediate Algebra, 4th ed., Pearson 2011
Chapters
Covered:
Chapter 5, sections
1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9
Chapter 6, sections 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Chapter 7, sections 1,2,3,4,5,
Chapter 8, sections 1,2,
Chapter 9, sections 1,2 (if time
permits)
Chapter 10, sections 1,2,3,4,5,
Chapter 11, sections 1,2 (if time
permits)
Topics:
1. Factoring
Polynomials and Solving Quadratic Equations (12 days)
a) Greatest common factor
b) Factor by grouping
c) Factor trinomials
(esp. quadratics)
d) Factor special cases
(difference of squares and cubes etc.)
e) Solve a quadratic
equation by factoring
f) Applications
2. Rational
Expressions (8 days)
a) Multiplication and
division
b) Addition and
subtraction
c) Complex rational
expressions
d) Solve equations having
rational expressions
3. Functions
(5 days)
a) Domain and Range
b) Linear functions;
slope, graph
c) Applications
4.
Systems of Equations (2 day)
a)
Solve two equations 2 variables by substitution
5. Inequalities
(2 days)
a)
Sets and interval notation
b)
Intersections, Unions and Compound Inequalities
6. Radical
expressions, Equations and Functions (8 days)
a) Radicals
b) Rational exponents
c) Simplifying radical
expressions
d) Addition and
Subtraction of radical expressions
e) Multiplication and
Division of radical expressions
7. Quadratic
Equations (4 days)
a) Solve by completing
the square
b) Solve using the Quadratic
Formula
Grading
and Assessment:
Quizzes/Homework: There will be 8 quizzes for 20
points apiece. I will drop the lowest score leaving 140 points (about 21.5% of
your grade). Homework will be checked for completeness for 20 points (about 3%
of your grade).
Attendance: One point will be assigned for
every day that you are in the room when attendance is taken AND you do not use
your cell phone or other distracting device in class. This is a participation
point and may be taken away at the instructor’s discretion. The result will be scaled (if
necessary) to 40 points. (about 6.1% of your grade)
Tests: Three in class hourly tests will
be given, 100 points (about 15.4% of your grade) apiece.
Final Exam: A comprehensive final exam worth
150 points of the final grade will be given (about 23% of your grade).
Making up Exams: Only excused absences will
enable a student to make up work. This means that you must have an excuse for
the day of the missed work and every subsequent day until you have made up the
work.
Course Grade: Grades are assigned according to
the following scale:
Pass 70 -
100% (455 – 650 points)
F - below 70% (0
- 454 points)
Borderline grades are raised based
on performance, and grade distribution of the whole class.
Calculator
Usage: Graphing
Calculators will be forbidden on most exams and quizzes.
Reference:
None
Computer
Usage: None
Laboratory
Projects: None
Disclaimer: The professor reserves the
right to make any necessary adjustments and/or modifications to this syllabus.
School Policies
Academic
Integrity:
The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution
solidifies the foundation of its mission and cannot be sacrificed to
expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, I will enforce rigorous
standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course.
For the detailed policy of West Virginia University regarding the definitions
of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing
sanctions, please see the Student Conduct Code
http://studentlife.wvu.edu/office_of_student_conduct/student_conduct_code.
Should
you have any questions about possibly improper research citations
or references, or any other activity that may be interpreted as an attempt at
academic dishonesty, please see me before the assignment is due to
discuss the matter.
Social
Justice Statement:
