MATD 0370 - Elementary Algebra, First Day Handout for students

Semester: Summer2010Synonym:11961–Lec 025

Campus: RGC Room#: 135 MW Time: 6:00pm- 8:35pm

Instructor's Name: Mahnaz RiaziFarzad

Office Hours: MW 5:30-6:00pm.

Office: RGC Room 122.1Phone Number: 223-3360

Web Site: E-mail:

You can arrange a conference with me outside of office hours by talking with me before or after class.

I will be at RGC learning lab (Rm. 212) MW 9:00am-5:30pm, F 9:00am-12:00pm

Phone Number: 223-3367

Prerequisite: C or better in Basic Math Skills (MATD 0330), or its equivalent knowledge, or a passing score on the MATD 0370 placement test

Required Texts/Materials:

Elementary Algebra, Concepts and Applications, 8th Edition, Bittinger & Ellenbogen;

Pearson. (ISBN 0-321-61615-4)Hardback (ISBN 0-321-67373-5) Loose Leaf.

Stand alone text without MyMath Lab 0-321-55717-4

You can access the material from the first two weeks online at password: acc0370

  • MyMathLab access: MyMathLab is optional in our class. All new textbooks purchased at an ACC bookstore include MyMathLab access. It is not included with the purchase of a used book, and may not be included with a new book purchased at a different bookstore. Refer to the handout Information about MyMathLab.

Supplemental Materials: Two-spiral note book, Rectangular coordinate graphing paper, Scientific calculator

Course Rationale: Welcome to Elementary Algebra. As with all developmental math courses, Elementary Algebra is designed to provide you with the mathematical foundation and personal confidence to enable you to use mathematics in your future life. This course is designed to prepare you for MATD 0390 (Intermediate Algebra) and the algebra-based courses that follow it. It also offers you one way to prepare for MATH 1332 (College Math, formerly Topics in Math), MATH 1342 (Elementary Statistics), and MATH 1333 (Math for Measurement) after you have passed the math portion of the state-approved test, like THEA or TCOMPASS.

Course Description (MATD 0370 Elementary Algebra): A course designed to develop the skills and understanding contained in the first year of secondary school algebra. Topics include review of operations on real numbers, graphing linear equations, solving linear and quadratic equations, solving systems of linear equations, polynomials, factoring, and applications.

Instructional Methodology: This course is taught in the classroom as a lecture/discussion course.

Pretest: To be sure that you are placed correctly, you will take a pretest.If you miss the day it is given in class, you may be asked to take it in the Testing Center. In order for you to move up a level you must also take the pretest for MATD 0390 and do reasonably well.The last day for level change is June 9th.

Attendance: Attendance is required in this course. Students who miss more than 3 classes may be withdrawn.You are responsible for the material covered and any assignment that is due for classes you miss. You are expected to arrive promptly. (To be late twice is equal to one absent and if you leave the class early it is going to count tardy). The TSIlaw requires regular attendance.

TSI Warning for students who are not TSI complete**

Students who are not TSI complete in math are not allowed to enroll in any course with a math skill requirement. All students are required to be "continually in attendance" in order to remain enrolled in this course. If this is the only developmental class you are enrolled in, and you withdraw yourself from this course or are withdrawn by your instructor, then:

a) You may be withdrawn from courses that you should not be enrolled in, such as any class with a math skill requirement.

b) You will have a hold placed on your registration for the following semester. The Hold will require that you register for the next semester in person with an advisor or counselor and that you work with the Developmental Math Advisor during that semester.

c) You will continue to face more serious consequences, up to being restricted to only registering for developmental courses, until you complete the required developmental math course or satisfy the TSI requirement in another way.More information can be found at

** If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor immediately.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the your responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. You may withdraw yourself from the course at any time. If you stop attending you are responsible for withdrawing yourself. I may withdraw you or if it past the withdrawal date, you will receive an “F”.The withdrawal deadline is August 2nd.

Importance of Completing Developmental Course Requirements

The first steps to achieving any college academic goal are completing developmental course requirements and TSI requirements. The first priority for students who are required to take developmental courses must be the developmental courses. TSI rules state that students are allowed to take college credit courses, if they are fulfilling their developmental requirements. Because successful completion of dev courses is so important, ACC will intervene with any student who is not successfully completing developmental requirements. This intervention can mean a hold on records, requiring developmental lab classes, working with the Dev Math Advisor, and monitoring during the semester.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn generally will not be reinstated unless they have completed all course work, projects, and tests necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class.

Incomplete grades (I) are given only in very rare circumstances. To qualify for an "I", a student must have completed almost all exams and assignments, have a passing grade, and have a serious situation occur that prevents course completion after the withdrawal deadline.

In Progress grades (IP) are also rarely given. In order to earn an "IP" grade the student must remain in the course, be making progress in the material, not have excessive absences, and not be meeting the standards set to earn the grade of C or better in the course. Students who are given an IP grade must register and pay for the same course again to receive credit. Students who make a grade of IP should not go on to the next course with that grade. A maximum of two IP grades can be awarded in any one course.

HOMEWORK: You have received a list of homework problems (One of your first-day handouts). Homework: Homework should be carefully completed with reasonable work shown to support each answer. An important part of the homework is the organization and format of your solutions. All work should be done in pencil, clear and legible in a step-by-step manner. Homework is due before each test (There are five homework). Completed homework is worth 100, missing problems count off. It is yourresponsibility to ask for help on problems not understood. Homework with only answers and no work to support them will receive a maximum of 25. (Questions on your in-class quizzes will be picked out of homework problems. You may use your notebook.)

TESTS: There will be four major tests and a departmental final exam. All tests and final exam will be administered in the classroom. The grade on your final may substitute for your lowest grade(missing test). Students with perfect attendance for each section will receive two extra points added to the test of that section.

Quizzes: There will be 10 quizzes (Two lowest grades will be dropped). Questions on some of your in-class quizzes will be picked out of homework problems. At the end of each class, there will be a group work quiz on the material covered that day.

Late work Policy: No late work is accepted.

Course-Specific Support Services: Learning Labs, ACC main campuses have Learning Labs which offer free first-come first-serve help with math from tutors and computer tutorials for math courses. You will receive extra credit on a quiz grade if you attend the learning lab for assistance.(One point for each hour spent in the lab). Learning Lab information is posted at

.

*Please do not eat anything in the classroom. This is an ACC policy.

*Please turn off your cell phone before entering to the classroom.

This is a tentative Schedule:

Week1 / Introduction, Pretest, 1.1-1.7 / Week7 / 5.6-5.7
Week2 / 2.1-2.6 / Test 3 / 6.1-6.4
Test 1 / Test1in class
6/14/10 / Week 8 / 6.1-6.4, 6.6, 6.7
Week3 / 3.1-3.4 / Week 9 / 7.1-7.4
Week4 / 3.5-3.7, 4.1-4.3 / Test 4
Test 2 / Week10 / 8.1,8.2,9.1,9.3, 9.4
Week5 / 4.4-4.8, 5.1 / Week11 / Review for final
Week6 / 5.2-5.5 / Final Exam / Review & Final in class 8/11/10

Grades: The following grade distribution will be used.

Written Homework5%

Quizzes 25%

Tests 50%

Final Exam20%

At the end of the semester, your grades will be averaged and a letter grade assigned according to the following scale.

90 % - 100 % A 70%-79% C

80 % - 89 %B 60%-69% D 0%-59%

Information about MyMathLab

MyMathLab is an interactive online resource that accompanies the text. In some sections of Developmental Mathematics courses, MyMathLab is required, and in others it is optional.

Purchasing MyMathLab

All new textbooks purchased at an ACC bookstore include MyMathLab access. It is not included with the purchase of a used book, and may not be included with a new book purchased at a different bookstore. Here are some other ways to purchase MyMathLab:

  • You may purchase a Student MyMathLab Access Kit (ISBN 0-321-59342-1) online from Pearson Higher Ed for $70.00 at:
  • Student MyMathLab Access Kits are available at other retailers, such as amazon.com. Use caution, as the product is not guaranteed by Pearson when purchased anywhere other than an ACC bookstore or the Pearson website (above).
  • A new textbook bundled with MyMathLab may also be purchased from another retailer. Make sure the product specifically indicates a bundle including both the textbook and the software.
  • Included in MyMathLab
  • Online access to all pages of the textbook
  • Exercises tied to homework problems in the textbook
  • Multimedia learning aids (videos & animations) for select examples and exercises in the textbook
  • Practice tests and quizzes linked to sections of the textbook
  • Personalized study guide based on performance on practice tests and quizzes

Visit for more information.

Login information

To use MyMathLab, you'll need:

  • Course ID.
    If no course ID is provided by instructor, use the college-wide ID for your course:
  • MATD 0330: professor07135
  • MATD 0370: professor61495
  • MATD 0390: professor09225
  • Student access number: provided with purchase of MyMathLab access.
  • Minimum Computer Requirements
  • Internet connection: Cable/DSL, T1, or other high-speed for multimedia content; 56k modem (minimum) for tutorials, homework, and testing.
  • Memory: 64 MB RAM minimum
  • Monitor resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher
  • Plug-ins: You need certain plug-ins and players from the MyMathLab Browser Check or Installation Wizard (found inside your course).

For more information, visit the site from the computer on which you intend to work.

Common Course Objectives for MATD 0370 ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA

The following objectives are listed in a sequence ranging from the simple to the more complex. As such, this document should not be viewed as a chronological guide to the course, although some elements naturally will precede others. These elements should be viewed as mastery goals which will be reinforced whenever possible throughout the course.

Overall objectives:

  1. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment in their increasing ability to use mathematics to solve problems of interest to them or of use in their chosen fields. Students will attain more positive attitudes based on increasing confidence in their abilities to learn mathematics.
  2. Students will learn to understand material using standard mathematical terminology and notation when presented either verbally or in writing.
  3. Students will improve their skills in describing what they are doing as they solve problems using standard mathematical terminology and notation.

1. Description and classification of whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers using sets and the operations among them

  1. identify and use properties of real numbers
  2. simplify expressions involving real numbers
  3. evaluate numerical expressions with integral exponents

2. Polynomials

  1. distinguish between expressions that are polynomials and expressions that are not
  2. classify polynomials in one variable by degree and number of terms
  3. simplify polynomials
  4. add, subtract, multiply (including the distributive law), and divide polynomials (including division by monomials, but excluding long division)
  5. factor polynomials in one or more variables (including factoring out the greatest common factor, factoring by grouping, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is one, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is not one, and factoring the difference of two squares)
  6. understand and use the exponent laws involving integer exponents
  7. convert numbers into and out of scientific notation and perform multiplication and division with numbers written in scientific notation

3. Solve linear equations in one variable involving integral, decimal, and fractional coefficients and solutions

4. Solve and graph linear inequalities

5. Application problems

  1. write and evaluate linear expressions from verbal descriptions
  2. solve application problems which lead to one of the following types of equations: linear equations in one variable, systems of two linear equations in two variables, quadratic equations, and rational equations with monomial numerators and denominators)
  3. solve literal equations for a specified variable using addition and multiplication principles
  4. use given data to estimate values and to evaluate geometric and other formulas
  5. solve problems involving the Pythagorean theorem, similar triangles, and proportions

6. Linear equations in two variables

  1. identify the relationship between the solution of a linear equation in two variables and its graph on the Cartesian plane
  2. understand and use the concepts of slope and intercept
  3. determine slope when two data points are given
  4. graph a line given either two points on the line or one point on the line and the slope of the line
  5. write an equation of a line given one point on the line and the slope of the line, or two points on the line
  6. identify lines given in standard, point-slope, or slope-intercept forms and sketch their graphs
  7. solve systems of linear equations

7. Quadratic equations

  1. find solutions to quadratic equations using the technique of factoring and using the principle of square roots
  2. recognize a need to use the quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations and solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula when some simplification of square roots is needed

8. Description and classification of irrational numbers

  1. simplify radical expressions
  2. use decimal approximations for radical expressions

9.Rational expressions

  1. determine for which value(s) of the variable a rational expression is undefined
  2. simplify rational expressions containing monomials, binomials, and trinomials
  3. multiply and divide rational expressions containing monomials, binomials, and trinomials
  4. add and subtract rational expressions with like denominators and rational expressions with unlike denominators (only monomials and binomials that do not require factoring)

10. Geometry

  1. understand the difference between perimeter and area and be able to use formulas for these appropriately
  2. solve application problems involving angles and polygons

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty Penalty

Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty that the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an F in the course. ACC's policy can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at:

Statement on Academic Freedom

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks.

Statement on Student Discipline

Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the

Student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at:

2009-2010 Elementary Algebra Homework (Bittinger & Ellenbogen, 8th Ed)