Napa Valley College –Fall 2015

Math 90-1237: Elementary Algebra

(Prerequisite:Math 55)

Rm. 1230 MW 12:30 – 2:45

Room 1204

Instructor: Yolanda Woods *email:

Office: Bldg. 1000 Rm. 1031R*email is the best way to reach me. I check it often

Phone: 707-256-7757Office Hours:M-Th:10:45-noon

Welcome to Math 90! Algebra begins a new adventure in mathematics where we are no longer solely concerned with manipulating numbers, but in expressing mathematical ideas symbolically. The main goal of the class is that you become comfortable in your math ability and proficient in our student learning outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes:

A successful student of this course will be able to:

  • Perform operations on linear, polynomial and rational expressions and equations
  • Solve linear, polynomialand rational equations
  • Graph linear equations
  • Factor polynomials

Course Content:

Math 90 is the first course in the algebra sequence. It is a prerequisite for intermediate algebra and is equivalent to both Math 96 and 97. Content includes order of operations, linear equations, inequalities, graphing, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions and applications.

Required Materials:

Text: Elementary & Intermediate Algebra Concepts & Applications, 9th editionBittingeretal, Addison Wesley.

The hard copy is optional, but the e-book, which includes MyMathLab (MML) access, is required and must be purchased. Your homework and online weekly quizzes will be taken and submitted using MyMathLab online.

You must have reliable online access to be able to fulfill the requirements of this course and must register for MML online by this Friday.

Note that temporary access is available for 2 weeks without having to pay for it. There is no excuse for not enrolling. Failure to enroll in MML may result in being dropped from the class.

A course ID is needed to enroll. The course ID for this class is: woods57585. Make sure that you enroll under this number or you will be enrolling in another class. Click on the MyMathLab link on my webpage to get started.

Attendance:

Consistent attendance is of utmost importance. More than one week’s worth of missed class may result in being dropped from the class. Consistent attendance will be one measure of determining borderline grades. I will enforce this after 4 absences, so please make sure you make it to class. Skipping class occasionally will get you dropped after 4. Keep track of your absences and save absences for true emergencies or illness. Leaving early will count as an absence. Please communicate to me any extenuating circumstances.

Tardies:

You are expected to come to class on time. Tardy students are a disruption to instruction. 3 tardies to class will count as an absence. Tardiness will be a factor in determining borderline grades.

In-Class Practice Assignments:Class Work Folder

We will regularly do in-class problem practice.

Warm-ups: Most days we will begin class with a warm-up. You are expected to do these when class begins. We will go over these problems as a review of the previous day’s lesson or as an introduction to the day’s work. These should be dated.

Worksheets/Practice: We will also work sample problems from worksheets. These worksheets often exemplify the types of problems you will see on the in-class exams. Mastering these types of problems will insure the greatest possibility of success on these important exams. This work and warm-ups should be kept in order, by section in a loose-leaf participation folder (no spiral notebooks, please). If kept up, this will serve as a valuable resource to prepare for tests and will be collected on in-class test days for completion check. Please allow yourself enough space to work clearly and legibly.

Class work is designed to maximize the learning from each class by learning from the understanding of your peers, seeing your areas of weakness and asking questions as you practice. Your full participation will help earn you a better exam grade. Unfinished class work should be completed outside of class time. Your full participation will help earn you a better exam grade.

Folder Guidelines:

The class work described above should be kept in a small loose-leaf folder filled with binder paper or graph paper. Class handouts should be kept in the class work folder. You should not use a spiral notebook for this folder.

Much of any math class is learning how to communicate your solution.Please keep the following guidelines in mind as points will be allocated for neatness and how closely you follow these directions:

  • Put your name somewhere visible and obvious on the front of the folder.
  • Do NOT put any other work (notes) in your class work folder.
  • Divide work in order by section
  • Showcomplete work for problems
  • Skip a line between each problem.
  • Box your answers.
  • Write neatly and in pencil, illegible work will not receive credit.
  • Use a straight edge when drawing lines. Label your graphs clearly.

*Homework:

Homework for this course is done in MML online. Due dates are online. The function of homework is to give you an opportunity for independent practice of a variety of problems, including more challenging problems. Use the tools on MML, tutorials and hints to aid you in mastering material. You can also retry problems to enable you to improve a homework score.

Late work can be submitted for one week following the due date,but will incur a 15% penalty. Homework for the last week of classes will not have a grace period for late work and must be submitted by the dates given in MML.

*Online Quizzes and Tests:

Every Friday there will be an online quiz available that will cover the material for the week. The due dates and times are online. This is on your own time; please plan for this; it is required. These quizzes are done in the same way as the homework, but no aids are provided. This should give you feedback as to how well you have actually mastered the concepts tested. MML scores your quizzes to give you immediate feedback of your progress.Please note that there is no grace period beyond the due date for quizzes.

*Please note that technology problems will not excuse you from your online work. Do not email me to request additional time. I will drop the 2 lowest homework and quiz scores to account for unforeseen emergencies. Anything beyond this will incur a point penalty.

Also note that zeros for missed assignments are not automatically entered. Grades therefore may temporarily appear inflated until zeros are manually entered.

In-Class Tests:

There will be 3 midterms and a final given in class. Partial credit for problems will be given only if demonstration of understanding of a problem is clearly and legibly shown in a step-by-step process. One 4 x 6 card with hand-written notes will be allowed on any midterm. One 5 x 7 card with hand-written notes will be allowed on the final.

Talking to a fellow classmate or having a cell-phone or calculator out during an exam is a violation of test-taking protocol and is considered cheating. It may result in loss of points up to a zero for the exam.

Electronic Devices:

During class, cell phones or any other portable electronic device must be turned off and put away. Under no circumstances will a cell-phone calculator be allowed during an exam. Violation of this rule will result in a deduction of points on a test and may result in a zero for the exam.

Folder-Check:

There will be a folder-check of all in-class problems during midterms.

Resources:

Napa Valley College offers valuable resources for student success. I encourage you to take advantage of the Math Center located in the800 building. Tutoring is recommended for all whether or not you are experiencing difficulty. Discussion with an able tutor or study partner enhances student understanding. Additionally MML offers online instructional videos to reinforce class instruction.

Students in need of accommodations in the college learning environment:
Any student who feels she or he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability should contact Learning Services in the Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC), room 1766, phone (707) 256-7442. A Learning Disability Specialist will review your needs and determine appropriate accommodations. If you need accommodations for physical or other types of disabilities, schedule an appointment with DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department located in the General Counseling Center in the 1300 building, phone (707) 253-3040 for appointment. All information and documentation is confidential. Please feel encouraged to make an appointment with me privately to discuss your specific learning needs in my class.

Miscellaneous Classroom Norms:

  • Raise your hand to ask or answer questions. Avoid the temptation to always be the student who shouts out the answer. Whereas it is good that you know and are an enthusiastic participant, answering too quickly and often does not allow others the opportunity to think a problem through.
  • If you have a question, please ask the instructor for clarification. Do not ask a classmate for help during a lecture. You are interrupting that student’s focus on important concepts and likely disturbing the students around you. Others in the class may likely have the same or similar question.
  • There is no eating in class. Food and drink should be put away.
  • Please do not chat with your classmates, even if it is about the math; this is disruptive to those around you. You may be asked to leave if side-bar conversations.

Further Suggestions for Success:

  • Practice is an essential element of success. Watching teacher performance of operations alone does not offer the student insight into his/her own areas of weakness. Making common student errors through practice gives insight into your particular misunderstandings before the test or quiz.
  • Along with visiting the Math Center, studying with a partner often is a useful way to discuss and clarify confusion. Research has shown that group work in math leads to better understanding. Copying other’s work however is cheating and will result in a zero for any assignment or test.
  • Be patient with the learning process. Develop coping strategies to get you through some initial uncertainty. Difficult courses have a learning curve and require persistence and effort.
  • Lastly, read the book, use the online resources, ask questions and persevere. It bears remembering that a good rule of thumb for a college-level course is to spend 2 hours at home studying for every hour in class. Do not expect success just by passively sitting in class taking notes. Math is often difficult, but for most, reward follows effort.

Grades:

Online Homework: 10%.

Weekly Quizzes: 20% cumulative.

In-Class Tests and Final: 60%(3 @ 20% each)

Hard Copy Homework and Class work Notebook: 10%

A: 100-90%

B: 89-80%

C: 79-70%

D: 69-60%

F: 59% and below

Lastly you will be given the grade you earn. Borderline grades to the next highest level will be determined by in-class exam averages, attendance and promptness, at the discretion of the instructor.

Please note that your grade progress is accessible online via MML at any time during the semester. You can monitor your own progress in the class this way. The instructor assumes that no further progress report is needed and none will be given.

Lastly you will be given the grade you earn. Borderline grades to the next highest level will be determined by in-class exam averages, attendance and promptness, at the discretion of the instructor.

Please keep this document handy to review throughout the semester. You should refer to this before you email me a question about class protocol. I will refer you to this document if you do. Most of your questions have been anticipated. This is your guiding document for the course.

On the other side of this sheet you will find a tentative pacing of the course. Please note: This is a tentative schedule. All topics will be covered, but the pacing may vary from what is written. The chronology of sections however can serve as a guideline so that in the event of an absence, you can know what sections you may have missed that will need to be made up.

Notes:

Week / Date / *Topics Covered by Section
1 / 8/17 / Class business: syllabus, MyMathLab. 1.1 Into to Alg. 1.2 Associative, Commutative and Distributive Laws
8/19 / 1.3 Prime Factorization, Factors, Simplifying; 1.4 The Integers, Rational Nos. Order and the Real Nos.,Absolute Value
2 / 8/24 / 1.5 & 1.6 Addition and Subtraction of the Real Nos; 1.7 Mult.and Division of Real Nos.
8/26 / 1.8 Order of Operations; 2.1 Solving Equations (one step equations)
3 / 8/31 / 2.2 Combining Like Terms, Solving Equations (two step equations)
9/2 / 2.3 Using Formulas, Solving for a variable; 2.4 Applications with Percent.
4 / 9/9 / 2.5 Problem Solving; 2.6 Solving Inequalities;
**5 / 9/14 / Review and Midterm#1 Chapter 1 & 2.
9/16 / 3.2 Graphing Linear Equations; 3.3 Intercepts
6 / 9/21 / 3.3 Graphing and Intercepts; 3.5 Slope
9/23 / 3.6 Slope-Intercept Form of a Linear Equation
7 / 9/28 / 3.7 Point-Slope Form of a Linear Equation
9/30 / Cumulative Review of Chapters 1 -3
**8 / 10/5 / Review and Midterm Exam#2 Chapters 1 – 3
10/7 / 4.1 Laws of Exponents; 4.2 Negative Exponents
9 / 10/12 / 4.3 Polynomials; 4.4 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
10/14 / 4.4 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials; 4.5 Multiplying Polynomials
10 / 10/19 / 4.5 Multiplying Polynomials ; 4.6 Special Products
10/21 / 4.7 Polynomials in Several Variables; 4.8 Division of Polynomials
11 / 10/26 / 5.1 Factoring Monomials; 5.2 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials ( C > 0, C < 0)
10/28 / 5.2 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials ( C > 0, C < 0) Prime Polynomials;
5.3 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials lead coefficient >1
12 / 11/2 / 5.4 Factoring Difference of Squares and Perfect Square Trinomials
11/4 / 5.6 General Factoring Strategies; 5.7 Solving Polynomial Equations by Factoring
**13 / 11/9 / Cumulative Review Ch. 4-5;
Midterm Exam#3 Ch. 4-5.
14 / 11/16 / 6.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions;
11/18 / 6.2 Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions.
15 / 11/23 / 6.3 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions s Like Denominators; 6.4
11/25 / 6.4 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions Unlike Denominators
16 / 11/30 / 6.5 Complex Rational Expressions
12/2 / 6.6 Solving Rational Equations
17 / 12/7 / 6.7 Proportions
12/9 / Review and Catch-up
18 / 12/14 / Finals Week/ Our final: 12/16; 10:30 – 12:30

** In-class tests are scheduled for this week.

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