Great Basincollege Fall 2007

Great BasinCollege Fall 2007

MATH 126 Precalculus IE01 3 credits

Monday and Wednesday 5:30pm - 6:45pm

Room: MCML 221

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a third course in algebra, intended for those who are majoring in a science field, a business-related field, or mathematics; as part of a mathematics endorsement for elementary education; or for students who are going on to calculus. This course stresses functions, including their graphs and applications, polynomial functions, radicals, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions. This is the first half of a tow-semester sequence. Math 126 and Math 127 together, or Math 126 and Stat 152 together satisfy the mathematics requirement for an Associate of Science degree; also the bachelor’s degree requirements. This course satisfies the College Algebra requirement for programs that require College Algebra and Statistics.Prerequisite: Math 096 within two years, sufficient placement test, or SAT/ACT score.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes / Measure
Graph a variety of functions including logarithmic, polynomial, rational, and exponential functions. / Chapters 2, 3, and 4 Exam, Final Exam
Analyze functions by finding roots, turning points, and asymptotes. / Chapter 3 Exam, Final Exam
Solve a variety of equations, including quadratic and rational equations. / Chapters 2, 3, 4, 8 Exam, Final Exam
Find composite and inverse functions. / Chapter 2 Exam, Final Exam
Solve systems of equations using algebra, matrices and determinants. / Chapter 8 Exam, Final Exam
Find the partial fraction decomposition of a rational expression. / Chapter 8 Exam, Final Exam
Solve systems of inequalities. / Chapter 8 Exam, Final Exam
Demonstrate the appropriate mathematical format and notation in solving problems. / All homework and exams

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor:Lynne OwensAddress:Great BasinCollege

Office:MCML 1361500 College Pkwy

Phone:(775) 753-2152Elko, NV89801

Fax:(775) 738-8771

E-mail:

Office hours:MW 9:30am – 11am, 4:00pm – 5:00pm

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Textbook: Precalculus Functions and Graphs, 11th ed. by Swokowski and Cole, scientific calculator

Internet access

Strongly recommended: Graph paper

GRADING

Grades will be based on turning in homework (15 weekly assignments, 5 points per assignment),9weekly quizzes (10 points each), three exams (100 points each) and a comprehensive final exam (200 points). Note that there are ten quizzes, but your lowest quiz score will be dropped. There are a total of 665 points possible in this course. Grades are distributed as follows:

94 –100%A77 – 79%C+60 – 63%D-

90 – 93%A-74 – 76%CBelow 60F

87 – 89%B+70 – 73%C-

84 – 86%B67 – 69%D+

80 – 83%B-64 – 66%D

Please consult the Great BasinCollege catalogue for information on "I" and "W" grades.

If you believe I have made a grading error or if you wish to contest a grade, you have until the following class after the exam was returned to address this issue. There is a

timeliness to grading; in order for me to fairly reassess your work, I need to see it as

soon as possible after I have issued a given exam score.

ACCESSIBILITY

GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at 775.753.2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The University and Community College System of Nevada expressly forbids all forms of academic dishonesty, including (but not limited to) all forms of cheating, copying, and plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s word, ideas or data as one’s own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references; and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or speaking, the students will acknowledge the source whenever:

• Another person’s actual words are quoted
• Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student’s own words
• Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common knowledge.

Students who are discovered cheating will be subject to discipline as outlined in the Great BasinCollege catalog.

HOMEWORK

You will have weekly computer assignments due. To access your homework go to

The key code, in case you need it is E-6377R3PZFECK5.

COMPUTER ASSIGNMENTS DUE DATES

Section / Due Date
2.1 – 2.3 / Sat. August 30, 2008
2.4 / Sat. Sept. 6
2.5 – 2.6 / Sat. Sept. 13
2.7, 3.1 / Sat. Sept. 20
3.2 / Sat. Sept. 27
3.3-3.4 / Sat. October 4
3.5-3.6 / Sat. Oct. 11
4.1 – 4.3 / Sat. Oct. 18
4.4 / Sat. Oct. 25
4.5 – 4.6 / Sat. November 1
8.1 – 8.3 / Sat. Nov. 8
8.4 / Sat. Nov. 15
8.5 – 8.6 / Sat. Nov. 22
8.7 – 8.8 / Sat. Nov. 29
8.9 – 8.10 / Sat. December 6

MISSING EXAMS

Missing an exam is a big deal; don’t do it. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of missing an exam and having to take it late, you will be penalized 5 points for every day that your exam is late. You have 5 business days to make up an exam.

CLASSROOM/OFFICEETIQUETTE

If you choose to attend class then behave accordingly. If you choose not to attend class, I will still expect you to meet the requirements of the class, i.e., do not expect to be able to turn in late homework or take exams at your convenience.

Class will run more smoothly if you avoid the following behaviors:

• Talking to classmates while I’m talking or other students are trying to listen or ask questions.
• Walking out of class—if you’re not interested, don’t come. (If you need to leave class early, please give me a heads up.)
• Working on homework or doing work from other classes during class--if you’re that bored or that busy don’t come to class or find another class that suits your temperament or schedule.
• Using your cell phone during class/office visits—if you’re that popular, become a politician; or if you’re trying to cheat, accept your zero now and save everyone the heartache.
• Bringing children to class—this is a liability issue for the college

Do be prepared when you come to class or visit my office. In class we will be working several problems during each class period, so it’s a good idea to bring your textbook, a calculator and some graph paper. When you stop by my office for assistance, have a list of problems/concepts you wish to discuss during our visit.

MISSING CLASS

Please note that the syllabus is just a guide. Although every effort will be maintained to follow the syllabus, you may find that we get a day or two ahead or behind. This in turn may affect the due date for homework or the date for a given exam. If you should miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered and if a date was changed.

RESOURCES

Precalculus can be a difficult class. It is the bridge course from algebra to calculus, and as such, it requires a mastery of algebra skills as well as the embracing of ever more abstract concepts. As with any endeavor, the probability of success increases with the amount of time you spend addressing the material.Do lots of math. You may need to do more homework than is required to really gain an understanding of a concept.

You have a number of resources available to assist you. Please feel free to ask me questions in class or stop by my office. There are also math tutors available in the Academic Success Center. Don’t forget, your peers are also another valuable resource—a study group is an excellent way to learn math.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, August 25, 2008 / 2.1 – 2.2 Rectangular Coordinate System; Graphs of Equations
Wed. Aug. 27 / 2.2 – 2.3 Graphs of Equations: Lines
Mon. September 1 / LABOR DAY
Wed. Sept. 3 / 2.4 Definition of Function Quiz 1 (2.1 – 2.3)
Mon. Sept. 8 / 2.5 Graphs of Functions Quiz 2 (2.4)
Wed. Sept. 10 / 2.6 Quadratic Functions
Mon. Sept. 15 / 2.7 Operations on Functions Quiz 3 (2.5 – 2.6)
Wed. Sept. 17 / 3.1 Polynomial Functions of Degree Greater Than 2
Mon. Sept. 22 / 3.2 Properties of Division Quiz 4 (2.7 – 3.1)
Wed. Sept. 24 / Chapter 2 Exam
Mon. Sept. 29 / 3.3 Zeros of Polynomials
Wed. October 1 / 3.4 Complex and Rational Zeros of Polynomials
Mon. Oct. 6 / 3.5 Rational Functions Quiz 4 (3.2 – 3.4)
Wed. Oct. 8 / 3.6 Variation
Mon. Oct. 13 / 4.1 Inverse Functions Quiz 5 (3.5 – 3.6)
Wed. Oct. 15 / 4.2 – 4.3 Exponential Functions; The Natural Exponential Function
Mon. Oct. 20 / Ch 3 Exam
Wed. Oct. 22 / 4.4 Logarithmic Functions
Mon. Oct. 27 / 4.5 Properties of Logarithms Quiz 6 (4.1 – 4.4)
Wed. Oct. 29 / 4.6 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
Mon. Nov. 3 / 8.1 -8.2 Systems of Eq; Systems of Equations in Two Variables
Quiz 7 (4.5 – 4.6)
Wed. Nov. 5 / 8.3 Systems of Inequalities
Mon. Nov. 10 / Ch 4 Exam
Wed. Nov. 12 / 8.4 Linear Programming
Fri. Nov. 14 / Official Course Drop Deadline
Mon. Nov. 17 / 8.5 Systems of Linear Equations in More Than Two Variables
Quiz 8 (8.1 – 8.4)
Wed. Nov. 19 / 8.6 The Algebra of Matrices
Mon. Nov. 24 / 8.7 The Inverse of a Matrix Quiz 9 (8.5 – 8.6)
Wed. Nov. 26 / 8.8 Determinants
Mon. Dec. 1 / 8.9 Properties of Determinants Quiz 10 (8.7 – 8.8)
Wed. Dec. 3 / 8.10 Partial Fractions
Mon. Dec. 8 / Final Exam part I
Wed. Dec. 10 / Final Exam part II