VALENCIACOMMUNITY COLLEGE

CollegeAlgebra – MAC 1105

Summer B session 2010

Instructor: Ahmed Ameur mailto:

Web page for additional information:

I have two College Algebra classes this term. You may attend either class to fit your schedule as long as there is space available.Both classes meet in Room 8-235.

CRN 31133: Monthru Thurs11:30 am – 13:05

CRN 31134: Monthru Thurs 13:15 am – 14:50

CLAST Competencies: The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) measures the following: reading skills, essay skill, English language skills, and mathematics skills. To the extent possible, you will be encouraged to develop these skills as part of your work in this course. Additional information is available in the College Catalog at (

Course Description: Course MAC 1105 is based on the study of functions and their role in problem solving. Topics will include graphing and manipulation of all types of functions, including linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, rational, and inverse functions. Students will be required to solve applied problems and communicate their findings effectively. Technology tools will be utilized in addition to analytical methods.

Valencia Core Competencies: The Valencia faculty has defined four interrelating competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog. In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further your mastery of those core competencies. Additional information is available in the College Catalog at (

Text: College Algebra in Context with Applications for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences, 3rd Edition by Harshbarger and Yocco

Calculator: A graphing calculator is required for all college level mathematics courses at Valencia. A TI-83 or TI-83 Plus is recommended and is what your instructor will use for demonstrations. Other TI models and other manufactured brands are acceptable as well, but may not follow the same keystrokes. Mastery of calculator functions applicable to college algebra will be essential to your success.

Other Resources: A Student Solutions Manual can be purchased in the bookstore and is recommended as a tool and guide. There is no lab assigned to this course so you are not required to purchase a lab manual. An online tutorial “MyMathLab” has been provided with your new text book and will be used to assign homework problems (see page 6 for details). Tutors are available for walk-in help in the Bldg 4, Academic Success Center. A notebook is recommended to hold notes and assignments. Graph paper may be helpful as well as a straightedge for drawing lines.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all classes and keep up with assignments. You are responsible for all material discussed in class, as well as changes in assignments, exam dates, etc. Cell phones should be turned off prior to entering the classroom as a courtesy to others. Problems in any of these areas will be addressed as required, and your adjustment to this policy will be expected.

In addition, a maximum of four class absences is allowed prior to your being deducted 10% of your total grade. So plan ahead if you have a scheduled appointment or expected absence, or need a nap.

Course Outline: This course will cover material from the chapters and sections listed below and will follow the attached tentative daily schedule.

Chapter 1 (1.1 – 1.4)

Chapter 2 (2.1 – 2.4) will not cover imaginary numbers, completing the square, and will only cover graphical solutions of quadratic inequalities

Chapter 3 (3.1 – 3.3)

Chapter 4 (4.1 – 4.4)

Chapter 5 (5.0 – 5.3, 5.5)

Chapter 6 (6.1, 6.3, and 6.5)

Homework Policy: Included in this syllabus is a tentative schedule of each week’s planned material with specific test dates and suggested homework problems from the text. This textbook homework will not be collected or used to determine your final grade although selected problems will be chosen for in class assignments and activities and counted as part of class work indicated below. In lieu of the textbook homework problems, there is an online tutorial/homework capability that will be used with individual chapters and sections related to the course outline above, and these problems should be completed as the material is covered in class. The final date to work on the online homework is midnight the night before the scheduled test date for that chapter.

Specific access instructions are provided on page 6 of this syllabus. It is highly recommended that a sufficient number of homework problems be completed to ensure understanding of the course content, and the online assignments can be supplemented with the textbook problems.

Grading Policy: There will be no make up tests given. If you miss a chapter test, the grade you receive on the online homework or your final exam score will count as that test score and as your final exam score. If you do not miss any chapter tests, your online homework’s score, if it is higher, can replace your lowest chapter test score.

Grading will be done on a point basis with a final grade of:

A ≥ 90%

B = [80-90) %

C = [70-80) %

D = [60-70) %

F < 60%

Points can be accumulated as follows:

Four chaptertests (50%)

One comprehensive final (25%)

Quizzes(20%)

Class participation (5%)
Honesty Policy: All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive. Sanctions available to the professor should a violation occur are described in the Valencia Student Handbook or online at Either giving or receiving aid on a test or final exam will result in a zero for that grade.

Withdrawal Policy: The College has initiated withdrawal procedures and timelines in response to legislation/rules adopted by the state legislature and State Board of Community Colleges. The deadline to withdraw from this course is in the current catalog, and is also available online at After that date (July 23, 2010), if you withdraw or are withdrawn from the course, you will be assigned either a “WP” (withdrawn passing) or a “WF” (withdrawn failing). Additional information is available in the College Catalog at ( on pages 62 - 65).

Disclaimer: This syllabus and the related course schedule may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. The East Campus Office is located in Building 5, Room 216.

Student Code of Classroom Conduct: Valencia’s Student Code of Classroom Conduct (Policy 10-18) can be found in the current Student handbook, or online at

College Algebra – MAC 1105

Suggested Homework Assignments

Below is a list of suggested textbook homework problems from each section that will be covered in class. Other problems can be done at the student’s discretion for additional help and practice. Each day the first part of class will be spent discussing student questions about the homework assignment, and you may be asked to work out some of the problems at the board. Agreeing to do so will earn you 2 points if the work is correct, one point if you try and are partially correct, but you will lose a point if you refuse to try.

Section / Page / Problems
1.1 / 19 / 7, 11, 13, 15, 21, 23, 33, 39, 53, 62, 65
1.2 / 39 / 1, 9, 11, 19, 21, 25, 35, 37, 39, 52
1.3 / 55 / 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, 19, 27, 35, 37, 45, 47
1.4 / 70 / 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 19, 23, 31, 37, 43, 61
2.1 / 102 / 7, 11, 13, 19, 27, 33, 39, 45, 47, 55, 69
2.3 / 137 / 5, 7, 11, 15, 19, 27, 33, 37, 49, 53
2.4 / 149 / 7, 11, 17, 19, 21, 25, 33, 35, 39, 49
3.1 / 182 / 1, 5, 11, 23, 37, 43, 53, 57, 61, 67
3.2 / 199 / 3, 7, 11, 23, 31, 35, 49, 53, 55, 69
3.3 / 213 / 5, 13, 15, 19, 47, 51, 53, 55
4.1 / 266 / 5, 7, 15, 17, 19, 21, 33, 35, 37, 55
4.2 / 278 / 3, 9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 39
4.3 / 290 / 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 23, 29, 31
4.4 / 304 / 3, 5, 11, 23, 31, 33, 41, 45, 46
5.1 / 330 / 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 27, 29, 33, 35, 41, 43, 47
5.2 / 345 / 1, 7, 11, 13, 31, 37, 39, 47, 49, 53, 63, 67
5.3 / 358 / 1, 7, 19, 23, 29, 31, 35, 41, 45, 47, 53, 55, 61, 73, 81
5.5 / 386 / 9, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 33
6.1 / 437 / 5, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 33, 35, 41, 43
6.3 / 467 / 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 25, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41
6.5 / 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 39, 47

“Answers to selected exercises can be found in the back of the book.” Anonymous

On-line homework Instructions: There is an online homework assignment for each section covered in this course. Each homework section must be completed by the date of the chapter test. The percentage of homework completed will count towards 100 points of your final grade. All of the homework assignments can be found by first logging into your course in MyMathLab. Then click on Do Homeworkin the left hand column, and select the section you want to work on. When you are finished make sure to click on Submit. You may submit the homework as many times as you like until the deadline date. Therefore, you can work on the homework until you get a perfect score. Every time you hit Submit Homework your homework grade will be updated in the grade book that can be assessed by clicking on Gradebook in the left hand column.

To register for the online homework using your copy of MyMathLab and the accompanying access code:

Step 1: Go to

Step 2: Click on Register

Step 3: Click on Next in the bottom right hand corner.

Step 4: Follow the directions on the screen to register in the course. When asked for the course ID enter the following code:

ameur55106

Step 5: Record your login information. If you forget your user name or password, you have to contact Technical Support at 1-800-677-6337 (M-F 8am-5pm CST)

Step 6: Download the necessary plug-ins by going to

Once you have registered, go to and click on Log In.

Type in your Login name and Password and click on Login.

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