College Algebra
Class Place & Time: MH 102, MW, 1:00 – 2:40 p.m.
Course Textbook: Explorations in College Algebra, Third Edition. Linda
Almgren Kime,
Judith Clark, and Beverly Michael. John Wiley & Sons, 2005. (ISBN:
0-471-46576-3)
Course Description: This course will focus on the Fundamental concepts of
functions,
including algebraic and graphical properties; Fitting functions to data; Finding
zeros and
extreme values; and solving systems of equations. This course will serve as the
prerequisite
to Math 142G, Calculus for the Biological and Management Sciences I, Math 230,
Matrices
and Linear Programming and Math 190, Pre-Calculus. This course meets the
competencies
recommended by the New Mexico Articulation Task Force. The content, pedagogy,
and
supporting materials for the course include projects and -activities that engage
students and
deepen their understanding.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, student will be able
to:
• Sketch linear, higher order polynomial, exponential, logarithmic,
radical and rational
functions.
• Determine the vertex, axis of symmetry, local extrema, and intercepts of
quadratic
functions.
• Use curve fitting to model data.
• Find the roots and zeros of quadratic equations.
• Solve systems of two and three linear equations.
• Find the value of a function for a given domain value.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide and compose functions.
• Compute the difference quotient for a given function.
• Determine the inverse of a function.
• Understand the concepts of domain and range and be able to determine the
domain
and range on polynomial, radical, and rational functions.
• Use and understand slope as a rate of change.
• Use equations and systems of equations to solve application problems.
• Solve compound interest problems.
• Solve application problems involving optimization.
• Solve exponential growth and decay problems.
| Date | Class Activity | Homework Problems | Readings |
| W 8/23 | Intro. to class and 1.3 | 1.1-1.4 | |
| M 8/28 | 1.3, 1.4 | 2.1- 2.2 | |
| W 8/30 | Exploration 1.2 & 1.3 | 2.3 - 2.6 | |
| M 9/4 | Labor Day-No Class | ||
| W 9/6 | 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 | ||
| M 9/11 | 2.5, 2.6 | ||
| W 9/13 | Explorations 2.2a & 2.2 b & 2.7 | ||
| M 9/18 | 2.8 & 2.9 | Read 3.1 & 3.2 | |
| W 9/20 | 3.1 & 3.2 | Ex. 2, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, 29, 40 | Read 3.3 & 3.4 |
| M 9/25 | 3.3 & 3.4 | Ex. 52, 532, 63, 74, 76, 83 | |
| W 9/27 | 3.4 cont. Exploration 3.1 | Ex. 88 | |
| M 10/2 | Exam #1 (Chapters 1, 2, & 3) | Read 4.1 & 4.2 | |
| W 10/4 | 4.1 – 4.4 | ||
| M 10/9 | Fall Break- No Class | ||
| W 10/11 | 4.5 – 4.7 | ||
| M 10/16 | 5.1 – 5.3 | ||
| W 10/18 | 5.4 – 5.6 | ||
| M 10/23 | 6.1 & 6.2 | ||
| W 10/25 | 6.3 – 6.5 | ||
| M 10/30 | Exploration 6.1 | ||
| W 11/1 | Exam #2 (Chapters 4, 5 & 6) | ||
| M 11/6 | 7.1, 7.2 | ||
| W 11/8 | 7.3, 7.4 | ||
| M 11/13 | 7.5, 7.6 | ||
| W 11/15 | 8.1, 8.2 | ||
| M 11/20 | 8.3 | ||
| W 11/22 | No Class Thanksgiving | ||
| M 11/27 | 8.5 | ||
| W 11/29 | 8.6 | ||
| M 12/4 | |||
| W 12/6 | Review | ||
| M 12/11 | Final Exam 1:00 – 3:00 |
Key: AA – Algebra Aerobics
Ex – Exercises at the end of the Chapter
Explore – Explorations at the end of the Chapter