ChabotCollege

Course Outline for Math 104, page 1

Fall 2010

ChabotCollegeFall 2010

Course Outline for Mathematics 104

PREALGEBRA

Catalog Description:

104– Prealgebra 3 units

Brief review of arithmetic, including fractions, decimals, percents; order of operations, and geometric formulas. Introduction to algebraic concepts, including signed numbers, properties of real numbers, algebraic expressions, linear equations, and graphs. Prerequisite: Mathematics 103 (completed with a grade of “C” orhigher) or an appropriate skill level demonstrated through the mathematics assessment process. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour laboratory.

[Typical contact hours: lecture 52.5, laboratory 17.5]

Prerequisite Skills:

  1. perform computations with whole numbers, fractions, mixed numerals, decimals, and percents without a calculator;
  2. read and write whole numbers and decimals;
  3. round numbers to the appropriate place value;
  4. estimate an answer;
  5. build and simplify fractions;
  6. convert between decimals, percents, and fraction representations;
  7. convert between mixed numerals and improper fractions;
  8. determine the prime factorization of a natural number;
  9. evaluate exponential expressions with natural number exponents;
  10. apply the associative and commutative laws;
  11. apply the order of operations in evaluating numerical expressions;
  12. perform unit conversions in U.S. standard and metric units;
  13. solve basic percent problems;
  14. solve problems using ratios, rates. proportions and percents;
  15. graph rational numbers on a number line;
  16. classify an angle as an acute, obtuse or right angle;
  17. recognize basic geometric figures;
  18. find the areas and perimeters of basic polygonal figures.

Expected Outcomes for Students:

Upon completion of the course the students should be able to:

  1. apply the commutative, associative and distributive laws;
  2. perform computations with signed numbers without a calculator;
  3. apply order of operations in evaluating algebraic expressions;
  4. simplify exponential expressions with whole number exponents;
  5. create, interpret, and solve simple linear equations;
  6. find area, circumference, diameter and radius of a circle;
  7. solve a right triangle using Pythagorean Theorem;
  8. simplify square roots of perfect squares;
  9. solve problems using percents;
  10. find the areas, perimeters, and volumes of geometric figures and objects;
  11. translate between words and the mathematical symbols for variables and operations;
  12. interpret operations and variables in algebraic expressions;
  13. graph simple relationships between two variables;
  14. solve word problems, including those using formulas and linear equations.

Course Content (Lecture)

  1. Laws
  2. Associative, Commutative, and Distributive
  3. Identity
  4. Inverse
  5. Expressions
  6. Translating from words to algebraic expressions
  7. Combining like terms
  8. Removing parentheses
  9. Evaluating
  10. Linear equations in one variable
  11. Solving
  12. Translating from words to linear equations
  13. Solving word problems
  14. Signed Numbers
  15. Interpreting signed numbers
  16. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
  17. Using order of operations
  18. Graphing on number line
  19. Fractions
  20. Decimals
  21. Applications
  22. Whole Number Exponents
  23. Interpreting whole number exponents
  24. Simplifying
  25. Percents
  26. Review solving percent problems
  27. Applications
  28. Graphing
  29. Describing relationships using graphs
  30. Using the Cartesian coordinate system
  31. Plotting points
  32. Graphing a line
  33. Square roots
  34. Perfect squares
  35. Finding square roots with a calculator
  36. Geometry
  37. Review finding area and perimeters
  38. Calculating volume
  39. Calculating area, circumference and diameter of a circle
  40. Knowing and using approximations for pi
  41. Using Pythagorean Theorem

Course Content (Laboratory)

  1. Laboratory activities may include, but not limited to, computer programs, problem sessions, and collaboratives, reinforcing course content from the lecture or study skills.

Methods of Presentation:

  1. Lecture
  2. Classroom discussion
  3. Computer software

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

  1. Typical Assignments:
  2. A circle has a diameter of 6 meters. Find the area, circumference and radius of the circle.
  3. A business person ordered a salad and a glass of iced tea for lunch. If the salad cost $5.98 and the iced tea cost $1.49, how much did the business person pay if the tax rate is 7.25% and a 15% tip was left?
  1. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  2. Quizzes
  3. Midterm(s)
  4. Collaboratives
  5. Homework
  6. Final examination

Textbook(s) (Typical):

Prealgebra, Baratto/Bergman, McGraw Hill Publishing Company, 2010.

Special Student Materials:

Scientific calculator

CS/MK

Revised 9/2009

AW

Revised: 7/2006

Revised: 10/2004