MTH: 160 - COLLEGE ALGEBRA

Text: College Algebra by Julie Miller

College Algebra is probably the first college level math course you have taken. You will be expected to be able to recall and apply all techniques learned in prerequisite courses. Students coming into College Algebra with low C’s in prerequisite courses will have to do significantly more work to keep up than students who earned higher grades.

Students are expected to attend class, and to spend a minimum of 8 hours perweek outside of class in preparing for classwork. Students are expected to be able to work exercises and solve problems like the ones in the software package. Your instructor may modify these assignments by making additions or substitutions.

If you find it necessary to drop this class and move to a lower level course, please do so as soon in the semester as possible. If you wait too long, we will not be able to move you into another math class.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT POLICIES

Disruptive Behavior:

Behavior that is disruptive to the instructor or students is contrary to quality education. Should the instructor determine that an individual student’s verbal or nonverbal behavior is hampering another student’s ability to understand or concentrate on the class material, the instructor will speak with that student in an effort to rectify the problem behavior. If the behavior continues after this discussion, the instructor will have the disruptive student leave the class. Permission to return to class may be dependent upon assurances that the student has met with a college representative about the problem: the mathematics department chairman, a counselor, the Dean of Students, etc.

Cheating and/or Plagiarism:

An instructor who has evidence that a student may have cheated or plagiarized an assignment or test should confer with the student. Students may then be asked to present evidence (sources, first draft, notes, etc.) that the work is his own. If the instructor determines that cheating or plagiarism has occurred, they may assign a failing grade to the test, the assignment, or the course, as they see fit.

Attendance and Grading

Attendance is expected at all class meetings. Instructor determines the grading system for his/her class.

Course Repeater Policy

If this is your third (or more) time taking this class you need to set up a SMART interview to discuss your situation. This is a pain–free process and doesn’t take a lot of time, but it needs to be done. Call the Mathematics Department Secretary immediately at 314-984-7769 or drop by the Math Dept. office in SW 226 to set up an appointment. South County students can call 314-984-7200 for appointment hours or stop by the front desk.

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MATH STUDENT

In the Classroom:

  • Be sure to attend all of each class meeting
  • Ask questions in class when you don’t understand what is going on.

Your Math Book:

  • Read your textbook slowly and carefully, including the chapters at the beginning of the book. Every step is important.
  • Try examples first. Cover them up and uncover one line at a time to compare your work

When you need help:

  • See your instructor in his/her office.
  • Visit the drop-in math tutoring centers on the Meramec campus (SW 211 and CN102) and at South County Education Center.
  • Check to see if there is a Student Supplement to your textbook on reserve in the library.
  • Beware of what you say to yourself inside your head. “I can’t do this” really means, “I can’t do this yet.”
  • Math is like a ladder. If steps are missing, you will have trouble getting to the top. Review previous material to strengthen the ladder.

Working outside of the Classroom:

  • Students are expected to spend at least two hours outside of class for every hour in class – make sure you have the time to dedicate to the course.
  • Do all the assigned homework problems. Use the software appropriately – make sure you don’t rely too heavily on the help features.
  • Note that you can print off pages from the book as well – printing off a homework set and working without the help features is a great way to show mastery of a topic.
  • Math skills improve through practice.
  • Remember – there are plenty of resources available, both through the software and otherwise.
  • Details are important in mathematics, so be sure to work problems carefully and neatly.
  • Try different ways of solving a problem. Many times there is more than one way to solve a problem. If you’re stuck, be adventurous; experiment with possibilities.
  • The process of learning mathematics is cumulative. Plan to review previously covered material regularly.
  • Most points in the class come from tests, not homework. It is important to study for the tests beyond simply doing the homework.

TEXTBOOK HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

1.1 / 15, 23, 29, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 45, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 71, 73, 75, 81, 87, 95, 97, 99, 103, 105.
1.2 / 17, 19, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 43, 45, 49, 51, 57, 59, 61, 63, 67, 69, 71.
1.3 / 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 33, 41, 43, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 67, 71, 77, 79, 81, 83, 93, 97, 103, 105, 107.
1.4 / 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 43, 45, 47, 51, 57, 59, 67, 69, 81, 83, 85, 89, 93, 99, 101, 103, 107, 109, 111.
1.5 / 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 33, 35, 37, 39.
1.6 / 11, 13, 15, 19, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 43, 51, 55, 59, 61, 67, 71, 75, 77.
1.7 / 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 31, 33, 39, 49, 59, 61, 63, 67, 69, 73, 75, 81, 85, 87, 89, 91, 95.
1.8 / 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 31, 35, 37, 39, 41, 45, 51, 55, 57, 63, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77.
2.1 / (NOT Objective 5) 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 36, 41, 45, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 71, 81, 83.
2.2 / 11, 15, 17, 25, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 43, 45, 49, 55.
2.3 / 15, 17, 21, 23, 27, 32, 39, 41, 44, 57, 61, 65, 69, 71, 73, 77, 83, 85, 87, 97, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113.
2.4 / 19, 23, 27, 29, 31, 41, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 61, 71, 75, 77, 79, 83, 87, 89, 93, 105, 107.
2.5 / (NOT Objective 4) 17, 21, 29, 31, 34, 35, 37, 41, 45, 47, 51, 53, 57, 59, 65, 67, 69, 73.
2.6 / 15 – 20, 21, 24, 25, 31, 33, 38, 39, 43, 46, 47, 52, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 73, 79, 81.
2.7 / 19, 21, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 49, 53, 57, 62, 81, 85, 87, 89, 100, 115.
2.8 / 11, 15, 18, 20, 23, 30, 33, 37, 43, 49, 55, 59, 63, 70, 77, 79, 85, 89, 93, 103, 107, 109, 112.
3.1 / (NOT Objective 5) 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 33, 35, 41, 43, 49 – 52, 73, 77.
3.2 / 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 45, 49, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75 – 85, 87, 93 – 96.
3.3 / 17, 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 43, 49, 53, 55, 59, 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, 81, 83, 86, 87, 91, 95.
3.4 / 19, 21, 23, 29, 35, 37, 43, 45, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63 – 65, 67, 69 – 71, 73, 79, 83, 85 – 91, 93, 103, 107.
3.5 / 21, 25, 29, 31, 35, 39, 41, 47, 51, 65, 70, 71, 75, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87, 89, 93, 97, 101, 105, 107, 109.
3.6 / 15, 17, 19, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 45, 47, 53, 55, 57, 59, 65, 71, 73, 77, 81, 83, 87, 89, 93, 99, 101.
4.1 / 1, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 33, 37, 39, 43, 47, 55, 59, 63, 71, 77, 87.
4.2 / 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 25, 43, 47, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63, 65, 69, 71, 75.
4.3 / 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21, 25, 27, 35, 41, 45, 47, 59, 63, 65, 67, 69, 83, 87, 91, 93, 109.
4.4 / 17, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 49, 55, 57, 59, 69, 79.
4.5 / 15, 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 45, 53, 57, 63, 65, 77, 93.
4.6 / (NOT Objective 4) 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 27, 29, 31, 39.
5.1 / 7, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 45, 47, 51, 53, 61, 65, 69.
5.2 / 5, 7, 11, 15, 19, 21, 25, 29, 31, 39, 43, 51.
5.4 / 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31, 35, 39, 47, 49, 51.
5.5 / 7, 13, 19, 21, 23, 33, 37, 41 47, 51, 59, 63, 73, 77.
6.1 / 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 41, 45, 47, 53, 59, 67, 69.
6.2 / 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 37, 51.
6.3 / 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 33, 35, 43, 49, 55, 59, 61, 77, 83, 87.
6.4 / 11, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 34, 37, 41, 45, 47, 51, 53, 55.
6.5 / 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 41, 43, 45, 47, 81, 82.
7.3 / 23, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 49, 51, 53, 61, 67, 69, 71.
8.1 / 9, 11, 15, 19, 27, 29, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 65, 69, 71, 73, 75, 81, 85, 91.
8.2 / 15, 21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 37, 45, 51, 53, 55, 61, 63, 67, 69, 71, 75.
8.3 / (NOT Objective 4) 19, 21, 23, 27, 33, 37, 45, 49, 51, 57, 61, 63, 67, 69, 71, 79, 87, 95, 97, 101.
8.5 / 17, 19, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 37, 45, 51, 59.