SYLLABUS FOR MATH 171
Precalculus Algebra
Department of
Mathematics
INSTRUCTOR: Robert
Herring OFFICE: Building 1, Room 119
SEMESTER: Fall 2006 PHONE: 910.879.5535
OFFICE HOURS: E‑MAIL: rherring@bladen.cc.nc.us
TEXTBOOK: Precalculus , 2007. 7/e by Larson and Hostetler
(Houghton Mifflin Co.)
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This is the first of two courses designed to emphasize topics which are fundamental to the study of calculus. Emphasis is placed on equations and inequalities, functions (linear, polynomial, rational), systems of equations and inequalities, and parametric equations. Upon completion, students should be able to solve practical problems and use appropriate models for analysis and predictions.
PREREQUISITES: MAT 080, MAT 090,
or PLACEMENT SCORE. This course has
been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general
education core requirement in natural sciences/mathematics.
COURSE
OUTLINE:
Chapter Topic
One Functions and Their Graphs
Two Polynomial
and Rational Functions
Three Exponential
and Logarithmic Functions
Seven Systems
of Equations and Inequalities.
COURSE
COMPETENCIES:
For
satisfactory completion of Precalculus Algebra, the
students must demonstrate by written examination that they can do the following. (Order of competence does not imply the order
of presentation.)
1)
Perform
arithmetic operations with polynomials and algebraic fractions.
2)
Simplify
complex fractions.
3)
Simplify and
evaluate powers having rational exponents.
4)
Simplify
Radicals.
5)
Factor
Polynomials.
6)
Perform
arithmetic operations with complex numbers.
7)
Solve linear
and quadratic equations.
8)
Solve
equations linear or quadratic in form.
9)
Solve word
problems which can be modeled by a linear or quadratic equation.
10)
Solve
equations and inequalities involving absolute value expressions.
11)
Determine
whether a given relation is a function.
12)
Find the
domain and range of a function.
13)
Graph
algebraic and absolute value functions on the Cartesian Coordinate
System.
14)
Use symmetry
and translation to sketch the graphs of given functions.
15)
Given
functions f and g, find f + g, f - g, f . g,
f/g, f -1, and fog.
16)
Graph
exponential and logarithmic functions.
17)
Evaluate logb(x) for allowable values of b and x.
18)
Use properties
of logarithms to simplify or expand logarithmic expressions.
19)
Solve
exponential and logarithmic equations.
20)
Solve word
problems which can be modeled by an exponential or logarithmic function.
21)
Solve a system
of two equations in two unknowns.
22)
Solve word
problems which can be modeled by a system of equations.
COURSE
AVERAGE: 10% homework and/or pop quiz average
75%
major test average
15% comprehensive
final examination.
A student who has two or fewer absences may drop
the lowest of the pop quiz grades in determining the pop quiz average. A student who has
more than two absences, may not drop
any pop quiz grade. No distinction is
made between excused and unexcused absences. (Being tardy is an unexcused absence.)
COURSE
EVALUATION:
93 £ A < 100
85
£ B < 92
77
£ C < 84
70
£ D < 76
0 £
F < 69
COURSE MATERIALS:
1)
Pencil and
paper
2) Graph paper
3) Graphing
Calculator (T I –83 PLUS)
4) Ruler
5) Desire to learn