Southwestern Illinois Community College
Belleville, Illinois

Math 097 - Intermediate Algebra

 
Instructor: John Meinzen   Fall 2013, Section 063
Effective Dates: 19Aug13 - 11Dec13   Granite City Campus (GCC), Room 521
Times: Mon & Wed, 7:00 - 9:30pm   Textbook: Intermediate Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis, 11th ed. 2012;  Pearson Addison-Wesley
Contact: mein@meinzeit.com   https://meinzeit.com/swicWeb/

COURSE DESCRIPTION 
The course consists of the following topics:  real numbers, linear equations and inequalities, graphs of lines and linear inequalities, functions, systems of linear equations, exponents and polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, roots and radicals, quadratic equations and nonlinear inequalities. This course is designed to prepare students for MATH 105, MATH 107, MATH 111, or MATH 112.
 
PREREQUISITES 
Math placement test score or MATH 094 (with a grade of “C” or better) or divisional approval; completion of MATH 096 (with a grade of “C” or better) or successful completion of one year of high school geometry; and completion of ENG 001, a Developmental Education Requirement.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The Math Department at Southwestern strives to ensure that mathematics students will be able to:
a) demonstrate proficiency in basic mathematical skills and computation as identified in the course objectives.
b) reason logically about abstract mathematical concepts.
c) apply mathematical concepts to authentic situations.
d) use current technologies to investigate mathematical concepts.
e) communicate mathematics.

For the course objectives below, the letters in parentheses following each objective indicate which departmental objective (listed above) that course objective is intended to support.

A.    Foundational Knowledge   The student will be able to:
1. Classify real numbers as natural, whole, integer, rational, or irrational. (a) 
2. Represent an interval of real numbers using interval notation. (a) 
3. Evaluate expressions using the order of operations. (a) 
4. Identify the appropriate use of the identity, commutative, associative, inverse and
distributive properties of real numbers. (a) 

B.    Linear Equations and Inequalities   The student will be able to:
1. Solve linear equations and classify a linear equation as a conditional equation, an identity or a contradiction. (a)  [Note to Instructor: this is a review topic]
2. Solve formulas for specified variables. (c)
3. Find the union and intersection of two sets. (a)  [Note to Instructor: focus on sets in interval notation]
4. Solve simple and compound linear inequalities. (a) 
5. Solve absolute value equations and inequalities. (a) 
6. Solve word problems involving translating skills, percents, mixture, and motion. (c) [Note to Instructor: this is a review topic]

C.    Equations of Lines   The student will be able to:
1. Identify and write equations of horizontal and vertical lines. (a) 
2. Find the intercepts of a line. (a) 
3. Find the slope of a line given either a graph of the line, two points on the line, or the
equation of the line. (a) 
4. Graph a line given its equation or given a point on the line and its slope. (a) 
5. Determine from the equations of two lines whether they are parallel, perpendicular
or neither. (a) 
6. Write equations of lines in slope-intercept, point-slope, and standard form. (a) 
7. Graph simple and compound linear inequalities. (a) 

D.     Functions   The student will be able to:
Determine whether a relation is a function given a listing of correspondences, an equation, or a graph. (a) 
1. Determine the domain and range of a function from a graph or ordered pairs. (a) 
2. Determine the domain of a function from an equation. (a) 
3. Evaluate functions for given values of the domain. (a) 
4. Perform basic function operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition. (a) 

E.    Systems of Equations   The student will be able to:
1. Solve linear systems of two equations in two variables using the methods of graphing, elimination, and substitution. (a)  [Note to Instructor: cover lightly—this is review material]
2. Solve linear systems of three equations in three variables using the elimination method. (a) 
3. Solve application problems involving systems of linear equations, including those involving 3 variables. (c)

F.    Polynomials   The student will be able to:
1. Use the rules for integer exponents. (a) 
2. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials. (a) 
[Note to Instructor:  Objectives F1 and F2 are primarily review but should be included;  emphasis should be placed on polynomial division (including problems with more than three terms, fractional coefficients, etc.) and on the function concept as it relates to polynomials]

G.    Factoring   The student will be able to:
1. Factor polynomials using the “greatest common factor” and “factoring by grouping” techniques. (a) 
2. Factor trinomials of the form ax2 + bx + c. (a)   [Note to Instructor: G1 and G2 are review]
3. Factor sums and differences of cubes. (a) 
4. Factor expressions using substitution. (a) 
5. Solve equations of degree greater than 1 by factoring. (a) 

H.    Rational Functions   The student will be able to:
1. Determine the domain of rational functions. (a) 
2. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions. (a) 
3. Simplify complex fractions, including those with negative exponents and negative coefficients. (a) 
4. Solve rational equations and word problems involving rational equations. (c) [Note to Instructor: work rate problems should be included and emphasized.]

I.     Radicals   The student will be able to:
1. Convert between radical expressions and expressions with rational exponents. (a) 
2. Use the rules of exponents with rational exponents. (a) 
3. Use the product and quotient rules for radicals. (a) 
4. Simplify radicals. (a) 
5. Add, subtract and multiply radicals. (a) 
6. Rationalize denominators involving radicals, including those with index greater than two and with binomials involving square roots. (a) 
7. Solve radical equations. (a) 
8. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers. (b) [Note to Instructor: powers of i is an optional topic.]

J.    Quadratic Equations      The student will be able to:
1. Solve quadratic equations with both real and complex solutions using the square root property, completing the square, and the quadratic formula. (a) 
2. Solve equations that are quadratic in form. (a) 
3. Solve formulas involving squares and square roots for a specified variable. (a) 
4. Solve applied problems involving quadratic equations. (a) 
5. Graph a quadratic function (from standard form a(x – h)2 + k and general form ax2 + bx + c) and identify the vertex of the parabola. (a)  [Note to Instructor: horizontal parabolas are optional.]
6. Predict the shape of a parabola and the direction it opens given its equation. (a) 

TEXTBOOK & MATERIALS

  1. Textbook: Intermediate Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis, 11th ed. 2012, Pearson Addison-Wesley
  2. Calculator:  A non-graphing scientific calculator is helpful but not required.  In general, a solar-powered version such as a TI-30XII is sufficient.  If you are considering further math classes, a fully-functioning graphing calculator such as the TI-84 would be appropriate.
  3. In addition, students may be required to purchase access to the appropriate online homework system for this course [MathXL for face-to-face sections, MyMathLab or MathXL as instructor chooses for internet sections]


GRADING PROCEDURE
  1. Major Exams -- There will be five (one hour, 100 point) exams. The lowest one of the five test scores will be dropped. If a student misses a test, that will be the dropped test score. If a second test is missed, the final exam score will be extended to determine a test score.
  2. Homework -- Homework will be collected on exam days (i.e. 5 times) and will be worth a total of 100 points. If you miss an exam, homework will be due the next class period when you return. Homework will be returned to you.  Alternatively, you may choose to complete homework online using MathXL.  Due dates and completion grades are the same as written homework (i.e. 5 times due on exam days).
  3. Quizzes -- A 20 point "pop" quiz will be given during the first 10 minutes on seven of the non-test meetings. The lowest 2 quiz scores will be dropped. If a student misses a quiz, that will be a drop quiz score Quizzes will be very similar to homework problems assigned and may not be made up.
  4. Final Exam -- There will be one, 2-hour proctored final exam (worth 200 points) during the second-to-last day of class.  The instructor may, at his discretion, delay the final exam to the last day of class.
  5. Semester Grade -- Semester grade will be determined by the percentage of the total points (800) that the student could accumulate.

major exams –   400pts (50%)
quizzes          –   100pts (12.5%)
homework     –   100pts (12.5%)
final exam     –    200pts (25%)

Points        Percentage           Letter Grade
720 – 800    90% and above     A
640 – 719    80% and above     B
560 – 639    70% and above     C
480 – 559    60% and above     D

ATTENDANCE POLICY
You are expected to be present for all assigned classes, lectures or laboratory sessions.  If you are absent more times during the semester than the number of times the class meets per week, you may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor.  When an instructor drops a student with an effective date before the midterm date of the class a “W” will be recorded.  When an instructor drops a student for non-attendance with an effective date after the midterm date, the instructor will have the prerogative to assign a grade of “F” or “W”.

ACADEMIC RIGOR
You are enrolled in an academically rigorous college course.  Your success in this course will require a significant investment of time outside of class.  According to the Administrative Rules of the Illinois Community College Board (section 1501.309), it is assumed that the student will invest at least two hours of outside study time for each hour of classroom lecture time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  1. Disability and Access Center - Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations are encouraged to contact the Disability and Access Center at 618-222-5368 or 618-234-3347 (TDD) to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
  2. Student Learning Outcomes - The assessment of student learning is an integral part of the educational experience at Southwestern Illinois College.  To this end, the faculty continually assess student learning to improve student success.  Occasionally you will be requested to participate in college-wide and discipline specific assessment activities.  Please take these assessments seriously.  The data that is collected will provide valuable information to faculty and will be used to improve student learning at SWIC..
  3. Academic Dishonesty-College Policy -  Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism and forgery, failure or refusal to follow clinical practice standards, and soliciting, aiding, abetting, concealing, or attempting such acts.  Plagiarism is defined as the act of representing the work of another as one’s own.  Plagiarism may consist of copying, paraphrasing, or otherwise using written or oral work of another without proper acknowledgment of the source or presenting oral or written material prepared by another as one’s own.
  4. Phones in Classroom – All cell phones and electronic devices should be turned off or silenced prior to entering the classroom.   Any permission for usage should be obtained prior to the start of class and is at the discretion of the instructor.
  5. New Student Orientation - All new students are encouraged to participate in the online New Student Orientation, where students learn about the many programs and services available to help them succeed in college.  New Student Orientation can be found at estorm.swic.edu.
  6. Policy for Inclement Weather Conditions – During times of inclement weather, Southwestern Illinois College has three options for dealing with the situation:  cancel classes and cease all business, exercise the6 delayed-start option, or keep the college open.  If the college chooses to use the delayed-start option rather than close, the college will open at 10 a.m.  The decision to cancel classes or exercise the delayed-start option will be posted on the home page of Southwestern’s website at www.swic.edu as well as broadcast on FOX 2 (KTVI), KMOV-TV Channel 4, KSDK-TV Channel 5, and radio stations KMOX-AM 1120 and WIL-FM 92.3.
  7. SWIC Alert:  This free emergency alert system sends text messages and/or emails to students and employees who have signed up for it. The only cost is what the cell phone carrier charges to receive text messages. You may choose to receive text messages or emails for a specific campus or all campuses.  Once enrolled, your account is active for one year.  You will receive notice 30-days before your enrollment will expire. How to Register:  1. Log in at estorm.swic.edu  2. Click Main Menu (upper left)  3. Scroll over SWIC Alert—choose SWIC Alert Signup.
  8.  Emergency Procedures -  General information about the emergency response and evacuation procedures for Southwestern are publicized each year as part of the institution’s Clery Act compliance efforts and that information is available on the Southwestern Public Safety website. Emergency Response Guides and Plans are available on the Public Safety website at SWIC.edu/publicsafety.
  9. Official Communication- Your student e-mail account is the official method to communicate between you and your instructor. Official communication will not be sent to your personal e-mail (yahoo, wildblue, gmail etc.).

www.swic.edu

Revision Date: 9 August, 2013