I. Course Description:
This course emphasizes the algebra of functions - including polynomial,
rational, exponential, and
logarithmic functions. The course also covers systems of equations and
inequalities, quadratic inequalities, and
the binomial theorem. Additional topics may include matrices, Cramer's
Rule, and mathematical induction.
II. Textbook and Supplementary Materials:
Pre-Calculus: Fifth Edition by Mark Dugopolski.
A graphing calculator is not required for this class. However, you are
allowed to bring whatever you can afford
to buy and know how to use.
III. Aims and Objectives:
As a result of completing this course, the student should be able to:
1. Solve linear equations and systems of linear equations.
2. Solve linear inequalities and absolute value equations and
inequalities.
3. Solve quadratic equations and inequalities.
4. Graph linear and circular functions.
5. Determine the inverse of a function.
6. Solve and graph polynomial functions.
7. Combinations of functions
8. Know the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
9. Find the real zeros of a function.
10. Graph Rational Functions
11. Graph exponential functions and solve exponential equations.
12. Graph logarithmic functions and solve logarithmic equations.
and if time permits:
13. Partial Fractions
14. Binomial Theorem
IV. Content and Organization:
(See pacing chart - attached)
V. Required Assignments:
Weekly Quizzes
One each week (that we do not have an in-class exam)
Midterm Exam
Given on the date specified on the pacing chart. If a student misses
the midterm exam, the midterm will be
assigned the same grade as the final exam.
Online Quizzes
With exception of the first, each homework assignment has 10 multiple
choice questions. You may retake each
homework assignment twice to improve your grade. The highest of
the two grades will be used to compute
your homework average. It is recommended that you work each problem on
notebook paper and keep this
paper as an aid in studying for a test.
There are two ways to approach submitting the answers to each question. The student may submit each answer as the problem is worked or may wait until all ten problems have been worked and submit the entire quiz at once. It is recommended that the student submit after each problem is worked. It is important to remember that if a student does not submit the problems individually and leaves the computer, the answers will be lost. Other than the deadline, there are no time limits on the quizzes. If you wish to exit a quiz before you finish, you must click "save without submitting".
All problems are multiple choice with four solutions.
Note: The purpose of deadlines on Homework is to insure that you do homework several times a week, instead of the night before an exam. Hence, DO IT ON TIME OR ZERO IT, NO EXCEPTIONS! All online homework assignments due 120 hours after moment assigned (that's 5 teeny tiny days).
Online Exams
There are four online exams. A student will have only one
chance to take each exam. These do have a time
limit! Once you enter an exam the clock starts and will continue
even if you exit the exam. You must submit
the exam to receive any credit for the exam! When you submit the exam
you will see your score, but you will
not be able to see the results until the exam has officially closed.
Deadlines are firm and will not be extended due
to personal internet problems.
VI. Evaluation Procedures:
4 online chapter tests 200 points 25%
26 Quizzes 200 points 25%
1 200 point mid term Exam 200 points 25%
1 200-point comprehensive exam 200 points 25%
________________________
800 points 100%
Note: No make-up tests will be given. The lowest grade of the four
chapter tests will be dropped. If a student
is absent on a test day, that test grade will be the one dropped. If a
second test is missed, a zero will be
assigned.
VII. Other Important Information:
1. Grading system: 90 - 100 % = A, 80 - 89% = B, 70 - 79% = C, 60 69% =
D, 0 - 59% = F.
2. Attendance will be recorded for each class but is not required.
Regular attendance is essential for success in
mathematics classes. The instructor cannot administratively withdraw
students from a class for any reason. A
student who stops attending class and does not complete an official
withdrawal will receive a grade of F in the
course. Classes will begin and end on time. You must remain for the
duration of a class unless you have
permission to leave. Cell phones and headphones are not allowed.
VIII. Office Hours:
(See below the pacing chart below.)
IX. Important! If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor before the end of the first week of classes to file a student disability request and to discuss a reasonable plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you in meeting the requirements, provided you are timely in working with the instructor to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.
X. Statement of Harassment/Discrimination: The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to an individual's race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.
Resources Available to Support Course:
1. Tutoring Student Support Services provides this free service
for qualifying students. All
appointments with the math tutor must be scheduled outside of class
time.
Al Watkins Childersburg campus Bill Nichols Building
Mrs. Margaret Fuller and Dr. Larry Parks Alex City campus
BS #233
2. Computer Lab The computer lab on each campus will be
available during college hours.
Check the schedule that is printed on the door of the lab. If class is
being held in the computer
lab, you may need to use the computers in the library.
Childersburg campus Building E, Room 2
Alex City campus BS #110, BS #102
Talladega Center Room 114
3. A graphing calculator may be used in this course, but at least a
scientific calculator is required
by Chapter 4.
MTH 112
| Tuesday | Thursday |
| January 6 P2 5 - 78, P3 1 - 94 Rules for Exponents Drill Section P.2 Integer exp & scientific not Section P.3 Rational exp & radicals Orientation to computer assignments. Hwk 1 P1 1-110 , P2 1-56 , P3 1 -93 |
|
| January 11 Q P1-P6 Assigned P4 +, -, x, ÷ Polynomials P5 Factoring Polynomials Hwk # 1a P4 1 - 120, P5 1-82, P6 7-70 |
January 13 Q P7 Assigned Section P.7 Complex Numbers, begin section 1.1 P7 1 -82 Hwk # 2 P7 5-78 odd |
| January 18 Q1.1 Assigned Section 1.1 Linear Equations, Section 1.2 Literal Eq. Hwk #3 1.1 1 - 104 |
January 20 Section 1.2 Literal Equations Section 1.3 Pts, Distance, Circles Hwk #4 problems from 1.2 1 - 18 |
| January 25 Q1.3& 1.4 Assigned Section 1.3 Points, Distance & Circles, Section 1.4 Equations of Lines Hwk #5 problems from 1.3 1 - 90 & 1.4 1 - 88 |
January 27 Q1.6 Assigned Section 1.6 Quadratic Equations Hwk #6 problems from 1.6 1 - 34, 45 - 60, 65 - 104 |
| February 1 Q1.7 Assigned Section 1.7 Linear & Absolute Value Inequalities Hwk #7 problems from 1.7 1 - 90 |
February 3 Exam 1 Opens tonight & Closes
Sun 1.7 Absolute value Inequalities Section 2.1 Def & Evaluate Functions |
| February 8 Test 1 In-class Section 2.2 Graphing Functions Hwk #8 problems from 2.1 1 - 76, 85 - 90, 99 & 2.2 3 - 34, 35 - 56, 69 - 73 |
February 10 Q2.1 & 2.2 Assigned Section 2 2 Piecewise Functions Section 2.3 Transformations of Functions Hwk #9 problems from 2.2 & 2.3 3 - 104 |
| February 15 Q2.3 & 2.4 Assigned Section 2.3 (Wksheet # 10) Section 2.4 Operations on Functions Hwk #10 problems from 2.3 & 2.4 1 - 85 |
February 17 Q2.5 & 2.6 Assigned Section 2.5 Inverse of Functions Section 2.6 Variation Hwk #11 problems from 2.5 1-44 & 2.6 1-40 |
| February 22 Q8.1 Assigned Section 8.1 Systems of equations with 2 variables Hwk #12 problems from 8.1 1 - 55 |
February 24 Exam 2 Opens tonight &
Closes Sun Section 8.5 Systems of Inequalities Hwk #13 problems from 8.5 1 - 68 Test 2 In Class |
| March 1 Q8.5 Assigned Midterm Drill |
March 3 Mid-term Exam |
| March 8 Q3.1 Assigned Section 3.1 Quadratic Functions - Parabolas Hwk #14 problems from 3.1 1 - 89 |
March 10 Q3.2 Assigned Section 3.2 Zero's of Polynomial Functions Hwk #15 problems from 3.2 1-58 |
| March 22 Q3.3 Assigned Section 3.3 Theory of Equations Hwk #16 problems from 3.3 1 - 50 |
March 24 Q3.5 Assigned Section 3.5 Graphs of Polynomial Functions Hwk #17 problems from 3.5 1 - 84 |
| March 29 Q3.6 Assigned Section 3.6 Rational Functions & Inequalities Hwk #18 problems from 3.6 1 - 52 |
March 31 Exam 3 Opens tonight and Closes Sun Section 4.1 Exponential Functions Hwk #19 10 problems from 4.1 1 - 102 |
| April 5 Test 3 In-class |
April 7 Q4.1, 4.2, & 4.3 Assigned Section 4.2 Logarithmic Functions Section 4.3 Laws of Logs Hwk #20 problems from 4.2 1-123 & 4.3 1-70 |
| April 12 Q4.4 Assigned Section 4.4 Log & Exponential Equations Hwk #21 problems from 4.4 1-40 |
April 14 Section 8.2 Systems of Eq with three or more var Hwk #22 problems from 8.2 7-16 |
| April 19 Q8.2/8.4 Assigned Due 4-21 in class Section 8.4 Partial Fractions Section 8.6 Linear Programming Hwk #23 problems from 8.4 1-54 & 8.6 1-26 |
April 21 Exam 4 Opens tonight and Closes Sun Test 4 In-Class |
| April 26 Review for Final Study Session 1-5 today for Test 4 in BS 214 11.5 Permutations, Combinations, & Binomial Thm Hwk #24 problems from 11.5 1-80 |
April 28 Final Exam 8 - 10 |
K.W. Nicholson's Schedule for Spring 2011
| Monday & Wednesday | Tuesday/Thursday | Friday |
| 8 - 10:40 Phy 217 & 214 | 7:30-8 Office | Office Hours by Appt. only |
| 12:50 - 3:40 Phy 202 & Phy 206 | 8-9:15 Math 112 | |
| 4 - 5 Office | 10:50 - 12:05 Math 100 | |
| 12:05 - 1:00 Lunch 1 - 5 Office or Physics lab |