COURSE SYLLABUS Beginning Algebra Fall 2013
MAT 098-81 Monday and Wednesday 5:00-6:50 ADM 1415
REQUIRED TEXT: BEGINNING ALGEBRA / 11th edition / Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis
INSTRUCTOR: Steve Willott
SCC Math Department Office and mailboxes:
ADM 1242 (636) 922-8496 (leave message with Ginny)
SCC Math Adjunct Faculty Office (where I am during office hours):
ADM 1224 (636) 922-8589 (during office hours)
email: or
voice mail: (636) 851-5095 (Mon. or Wed. before 2:00 pm, and other weekdays)
web page: http://www.stevewillott.com or Google “steve willott math”
OFFICE HOURS: Monday and Wednesday 4:45-5:00 pm and 6:50-7:15 pm
EXIT SKILLS:
1. Understand and apply the properties of real numbers. (chap. 1, 2)
2. Perform multiple operations in proper order. (chap. 1, 2)
3. Recognize and identify the terms of a polynomial. (chap. 5)
4. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials. (chap. 5)
5. Understand the definitions and properties of exponents. (chap. 5)
6. Recognize and find the solution set of linear equations. (chap. 2)
7. Use the properties of equalities, addition, and multiplication. (chap. 2)
8. Solve linear inequalities. (chap. 2)
9. Factor polynomials. (chap. 6)
10. Be able to identify the domain of a rational expression. (chap. 7)
11. Reduce rational expressions and perform operations with rational expressions. (chap. 7)
12. Solve equations containing rational expressions. (chap. 7)
13. Graph ordered pairs in the rectangular co-ordinate plane. (chap. 3)
14. Recognize and find ordered pairs that are solutions of a linear equation in two variables. (chap. 3)
15. Graph a linear equation in two variables. (chap. 3)
16. Find a solution to a system of linear equations. (chap. 4)
17. Simplify and perform operations with radical expressions (square roots). (chap. 8)
18. Solve quadratic equations by methods of factoring and quadratic formula. (chap. 6, 9)
GRADES: The following scale will be used to compute semester letter grades:
A 90%-100%
B 80%-89%
C 70%-79%
D 60%-69%
F Below 60%
A percentage of a student’s accumulated points out of the total points possible will be used to determine the letter grade. Points possible are as follows:
6 Tests 600
1 Comprehensive Final Exam 200
Total points possible for semester 800
FINAL EXAM: Per department policy, students must take the final exam regardless of points accumulated
during the semester. Any student not taking the final will receive an F for the semester.
RECOMMENDED ASSIGNMENTS/HOMEWORK: Many problems must be completed for one to acquire
the skill needed to succeed in this course and future courses in mathematics. Though not collected, it is expected that students will work a great majority of the problems named as practice. Compare your answers to these odd numbered problems to the answers found in the back of the textbook.
LATE/MAKE-UP POLICY: Missed tests may be made up if there is an emergency situation. The student
should make arrangements with the instructor as soon as possible. One week is given for tests to be made up (usually in the Assessment Center, room 133 of the Student Center Building, (636) 922-8629). The final exam percentage will take the place of any missed test scores for tests not made up within the 1 week granted. Students are expected to be on time, particularly on test dates.
ATTENDANCE: Though not included in the semester grade, regular attendance is strongly encouraged.
Please be on time, especially for tests. Frequent tardies and absences have detrimental effects
on grades and should be avoided.
WITHDRAWAL: If you wish to withdraw from the course, be sure to do so officially, through the registrar’s
office by the official date given in the chart that follows. Withdrawing officially will ensure that a grade of “W” is recorded for that class and there is no effect on grade point average. Continued absence from class does not constitute official withdrawal from the course. If you simply stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the course, you will receive an “F” grade for the course.
AVAILABLE HELP: Instructor
Instructor’s website: stevewillott.com
Other sites: purplemath.com, interactmath.com, khanacademy.org, wolframalpha.com
Student Study Group
ACE Center, located in the Social Sciences Building, SSB 2201 (636) 922-8444
Private Tutor (check with local high schools)
CALCULATORS: Calculators should be used outside of class as a supplemental resource only. They
will not be allowed on tests.
PHONES: Place cell phones on silent or vibrate during class time; phones are an unnecessary/unwelcome
distraction during notes and especially during tests.
WORK: All work must be shown using methods used in class for full credit on tests, including the take-
home word problem test. Partial credit cannot be given unless work is shown. Note cards or
formula sheets will not be used on tests. Every effort will be made to return work and tests in
a timely manner.
COUNSELING SERVICE:
SCC Bridgeway offers a free counseling service to SCC students. Students
who need mental health assistance are encouraged to call Tina Hoester at
636-288-6533, and Tina will set up an appointment either here on campus or at the St. Charles location of Bridgeway Counseling Services. If you have a crisis after business hours, call the same number, and Tina’s voice mail will give you a phone number to call for a counselor who will assess the situation and make appropriate referrals.
The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments and/or changes to this syllabus as needed.
St. Charles Community College makes every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. If a student has a need for special accommodations, please contact the Office of Accessibility, (636) 922-8247. Requests for accommodations must first be processed through this office located in the Student Center, SC133.
August / 19notes on 1.1-1.2 / 20 / 21
notes on 1.3-1.4 / 22 / 23 / 24
25 / 26
notes on 1.5-1.6 / 27 / 28
notes on 1.7-1.8 / 29 / 30 / 31
September / 1 / 2
1 / 2
No class- Labor Day / 3 / 4
notes on 2.1-2.2 / 5 / 6 / 7
8 / 9
notes on 2.3-2.4 / 10 / 11
notes on 2.5-2.6 / 12 / 13
Last day to change between audit credit / 14
15 / 16
notes on 2.7-2.8 / 17 / 18
test over ch. 1&2 / 19 / 20 / 21
22 / 23
notes on 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 / 24 / 25
notes on 4.1-4.2 / 26 / 27 / 28
29 / 30
notes on 4.3-4.4
October / 1 / 2
notes on 5.1-5.2 / 3 / 4 / 5
6 / 7
notes on 5.3 / 8 / 9
date for test over ch. 3&4 / 10 / 11 / 12
13 / 14
notes on 5.4-5.5 / 15 / 16
notes on 5.6-5.7 / 17 / 18 / 19
20 / 21
notes on 6.1-6.2 / 22 / 23
notes on 6.3-6.4 / 24 / 25
Last day to drop and receive a W / 26
27 / 28
notes on 6.5-6.6 / 29 / 30
test over ch. 5&6 / 31
November / 1 / 2
3 / 4
notes on 7.1-7.2 / 5 / 6
notes on 7.3-7.4 / 7 / 8 / 9
10 / 11
notes on 7.6-7.7 / 12 / 13
test over ch. 7 / 14 / 15 / 16
17 / 18
notes on 8.1-8.2 / 19 / 20
notes on 8.3 / 21 / 22 / 23
24 / 25
notes on 9.1, 9.3 / 26 / 27
No class- Thanksgiving / 28 / 29 / 30
December
1 / 2
test over ch. 8&9, also word problem test (remember to staple!)
Last day to apply for March/May graduation / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
8 / 9
Final exam / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18
SECTION PRACTICE THESE ODD-NUMBERED EXERCISES
1.1 1-91
1.2 1-95
1.3 1-73
1.4 1-75
1.5 1-121
1.6 1-131
1.7 1-93
1.8 1-85
2.1 1-67
2.2 1-75
2.3 1-79
2.4 1-57
2.5 1-91
2.6 1-105
2.7 1-57
2.8 1-103
3.1 5-71
3.2 1-61
3.5 1-29
4.1 1-41
4.2 1-31
4.3 1-41
4.4 1-39
5.1 1-89
5.2 1-77
5.3 1-61
5.4 1-95
5.5 1-87
5.6 3-19, 25-79
5.7 1-81
6.1 1-89
6.2 1-71
6.3 1-91
6.4 1-53, 83-91
6.5 11-71
6.6 1-35
7.1 1-65, 85-99
7.2 1-53
7.3 3-43, 51-65
7.4 1-71
7.6 1-93
7.7 1-41
8.1 1, 3, 7-37, 43-61, 65-81
8.2 1-37, 43-95
8.3 1-33, 41-53
9.1 1-53
9.3 1-51
Examples of annotated problems (need not be typed, the instructor does so only for legibility). This is the format for the lettered problems on the take-home word problem test distributed the first night of class and due the meeting before the final exam.
Section 1.5 #22
WHAT HOW WHY
7.24x - 12.3 = 0.5 + 4.84x
-4.84x -4.84x subtract 4.84x from each side I wish to get all the variables on one
of the equation side, the left side, of the equation.
2.4x - 12.3 = 0.5 7.24x-4.84x = 2.4x combine like terms
+12.3 +12.3 add 12.3 to each side of the eq. I want all the constants on the right.
2.4x = 12.8 0.5 + 12.3 = 12.8 add
2.4x = 12.8
2.4 2.4 divide each side by 2.4 I need to solve for x, not 2.4x. I want x by itself.
x = 5.33333 or 5 1/3 or
16/3 12.8 ÷ 2.4 = 5.33333 I need to simplify the expression of
12.8 over 2.4.
Section 2.2 #20
WHAT HOW WHY
3(a+5)=4(a+5)-(a+5)
3a+15=4a+20-a-5 distribute 3 to (a+5), do likewise Simplify the problem.
with the 4 and the negative sign.
3a+15=3a+15 4a-a=3a and 20-5=15 combine like terms, subtract.
-3a -3a subtract 3a from each side of I need to get all the a terms on one
the equation side of the equation.
15=15 3a-3a=0, which need not be written. subtract.
identity this is always true, for any whenever I lose my variables, I ask
value of x. myself if the statement is true (id.)
or false (no solution).
Exam Review Grid—These problems from each test should be reviewed for the Final Exam.
1. Understand and apply the properties of real numbers. (chap. 1, 2) / 1, 2
2. Perform multiple operations in proper order. (chap. 1, 2) / 3 to 11
3. Recognize and identify the terms of a polynomial. (chap. 5) / 1, 2, 3
4. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials. (chap. 5) / 4 to 15
5. Understand the definitions and properties of exponents. (chap. 5) / 4 to 15
6. Recognize and find the solution set of linear equations. (chap. 2) / 12, 13, 14, 17, 18
7. Use the properties of equalities, addition, and multiplication. (chap. 2) / 12 to 18
8. Solve linear inequalities. (chap. 2) / 19, 20
9. Factor polynomials. (chap. 6) / 16 to 20
10. Be able to identify the domain of a rational expression. (chap. 7) / 1, 2, 3
11. Reduce rational expressions and perform operations with rational expressions. (chap. 7) / 1 to 16
12. Solve equations containing rational expressions. (chap. 7) / 17 to 19
***** & items 13-14 on word problem test
13. Graph ordered pairs in the rectangular co-ordinate plane. (chap. 3) / 3
14. Recognize and find ordered pairs that are solutions of a linear equation in two variables. (chap. 3) / 1, 2, 4
15. Graph a linear equation in two variables. (chap. 3) / 5, 6
16. Find a solution to a system of linear equations. (chap. 4) / 9, 10
17. Simplify and perform operations with radical expressions (square roots). (chap. 8) / 1 to 15
18. Solve quadratic equations by methods of factoring and quadratic formula. (chap. 6, 9) / 19, 20 / 19, 20
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Math 098 Beginning Algebra Name______
Word Problem Take-Home Test Due the date of the Ch. 8-9 test, (the meeting before the final exam)
Did you remember to staple these back together? A staple is worth 5 points.
Part I: Solve each word problem.
1. (Book: ch. 2) If 8 times a number is added to 6 times the number, the result is 28. Find the number.
2. (Book: ch. 2) If the smaller of 2 consecutive odd integers is doubled, the result is 7 more than the larger of the 2 integers. Find the 2 integers.
3. (Book: ch. 2) In the Olympics some time ago, U.S. athletes won 12 more gold than silver medals. They won a total of 76 gold and silver medals. Find the number of gold medals won and the number of silver medals won.
4. (Book: ch. 2) A store sells 3 boxes of toothpicks for 87 cents. What would the store charge for 10 boxes?
5. (Book: ch. 2) On a trip to Florida, I drove at a steady rate of 65 miles per hour. My father-in-law’s car had a horrific vibration if he drove slower than 78 miles per hour (or so he claimed). If we were traveling the same stretch of road and began at the same spot, how many hours did it take for him to be 52 miles ahead of me?
6. (Book: ch. 2) The total number of votes cast for class president was 352. If Chet received 50 fewer votes than Marcella, how many did each receive?
7. (Book: ch. 4) I have 3 oz. of an 80% solution of weed killer. How much pure water must I add to get a 20% solution?
8. (Book: ch. 4) A chemist needs to mix some 1% acid solution with a 5% acid solution to obtain 100 liters of a 4% acid solution. How many liters of each of the original solutions are needed?
9. (Book: ch. 4) I have some 40% solution of alcohol and some pure alcohol. How much of each must I mix to get 60 ounces of a 50% solution?
10. (Book: ch. 6) An object is propelled upward from the ground. The height of the object t seconds later is given by the equation , where h is measured in feet. After how many seconds does the object hit the ground?