Spring Semester 2016

Math 95 1007- Elementary Algebra

Course Description:A first course in algebra for students who plan to continue in the math sequence. This course covers operations on real numbers, solving equations, operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials, problem solving, solving linear and quadratic equations and the concept of graphing.

Prerequisite:MATH 091, sufficient score on the placement exam, or instructor approval. You must meet the prerequisite prior to taking the course.

Objectives:This course will provide students with some of the tools and thought processes that will allow the student to be successful in their future math classes. Upon finishing this course, students should be able to solve and graph various kinds of algebraic equations and inequalities, factor algebraic statements and communicate mathematical concepts.

Instructor:Russell Pantello

Class Meeting Time: TTH 7:00- 8:15

Phone:(775)-293-7038

E-mail:

Textbook: Martin-Gay’s Beginning & Intermediate Algebra 5thEdition

ISBN: 9780321785121

Learning Outcomes:

The successful student will be able to:

1. Identify, set up and solve a variety of applied problems using algebraic techniques.

2. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and factor polynomials.

3. Graph and solve linear equations and inequalities.

4. Use the laws of exponents to simplify algebraic expressions and to add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials.

5. Factor polynomials.

6. Graph and solve quadratic equations and inequalities by various methods including the quadratic formula.

Measurements: The above outcomes will be measured by a series of examinations and homework as described below.

Attendance Policy: Attendance will be monitored daily, but it will not normally count into your final grade. If you are one or two points away from the next highest grade and have been participating regularly, I will take this into account.

Makeup Policy: Nomake-ups will be allowed except under extreme circumstances. Circumstances will be judged on a case-by-case basis. There are no make-ups whatsoever for the final exam.

Homework Policy:If you don’t do homework, it is unlikely that you will pass. The student is expected to work half the problems from each section and subsection that we cover. These problems will not be collected for a grade. If the completion of homework becomes a problem, I will begin collecting homework for a grade.

Withdrawal Policy: If you determine that you wish to drop the course prior to its conclusion, it is necessary for you to officially drop, either online through the college's website, or by visiting one of our college campuses and submitting a drop form. Any student who does not officially drop will receive a grade at the conclusion of the course. These grades will be based on the number of points that you have accumulated (see below).

If you do not officially drop the course as described above, by taking this class you agree that your "last date of attendance" for official purposes will be the last day of this course. Since this may affect your financial aid, it behooves you to drop officially or to complete the entire course.

Academic Integrity: The NSHE Code (Board of Regents Handbook 6.2.2q) expressly forbids all acts of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to “cheating, plagiarism, falsifying research data or results, or assisting others to do the same.” In more detail, these acts include but are not limited to the following:

  • giving/receiving unauthorized assistance during quizzes or tests;
  • using study aids (textbooks, notes, calculators) during quizzes/tests;
  • Failing to adhere to test-taking instructions (e.g., talking, starting/stopping times).

Accusations of academic dishonesty will first be reviewed by the instructor. If the instructor judges that academic dishonesty has occurred, the matter will be submitted to GBC’s Academic Officers. Students guilty of academic dishonesty will receive an “F” grade for the course. If the dishonesty was not isolated (occurred more than once and/or involved others), then the instructor will recommend a one-year period of academic probation.

Grading Policy: In total, there will be

6 Quizzes worth 25 points each. These will be given during a

lecture period, normally at the end of the period.

4 In-class tests worth 50 points each. An in-class review will

precede each test, except where noted.

1 Final exam worth 100 points.

The total number of points available for the semester is 450.

Instruments:In order to provide accurate assessment of the learning outcomes, students will be tested regularly on the items documented above, as they are covered in the course.

Final Exam: In order to assure student competency, the final exam at the conclusion of the course is a cumulative test. Any student who has accumulated a ninety percentor above prior to the final exam will receive an “A” for the course without having to take the final.

Grading Policy:The grading scale to be used for this class is given below.

90-100%A

80-89%B

70-79%C

60-69%D

60% and below F

ADA STATEMENT

“Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The ADA Officer (Julie G. Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For more information or further assistance, please call the Student Services Office in Elko at775-753-2271”As Soon As Possible.

CAMPUS SECURITY: GBC is committed to the safety of our students and has a duty to promote awareness and prevention programs for violence on campus under the Jeanne Clery Act as well as the Campus SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination Act) and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), which are amendments to Clery. Acts of violence include, but are not limited to, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Acts of violence can occur on the physical campus or centers of GBC in addition to field placement sites, clinical practice settings, and other places where college or class activities occur. As well, the online environment at GBC is considered a GBC site. If you experience any incidence where your safety has been threatened or violated, or if you feel threatened or harassed, immediately report this to me, any center director, faculty, or staff member, or directly to the Director of Environmental Health, Safety & Security(775.753.2115) or the Vice President for Student Services(775.753.2282).

Date / Lecture # / Content / Student
Evaluation / Chapter Content
Jan. 26 / 1 / Intro, 2.1 / Test 1 and Quiz 1 / Simplifying algebraic equations
Jan. 28 / 2 / 2.3, / Test 1 and Quiz 1 / Linear Equations
Feb. 2 / 3 / 2.4 Q1 / Test 1 / Word problems
Feb. 4 / 4 / 2.5,2.6 / Test 1 / Formulas and Problem Solving, Percent and Mixture Problems
Feb. 9 / 5 / 2.7,2.8 / Test 1 / Linear Inequalities
Feb. 11 / 6 / Review, Test 1
Feb. 16 / 7 / 3.1, 3.2 / Test 2 and Quiz 2 / Graphs
Feb. 18 / 8 / 3.3 / Test 2 and Quiz 2 / Intercepts
Feb. 23 / 9 / 3.4Q2 / Test 2 and Quiz 2 / Slope
Feb. 25 / 10 / 3.5 / Test 2 and Quiz 3 / Equations of Lines
Mar. 8 / 11 / 3.6 / Test 2 and Quiz 3 / Functions
Mar. 10 / 12 / 5.1,5.2 Q3 / Test 2 and Quiz 3 / Exponents; Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Mar. 15 / 13 / 5.3 / Test 2 / Multiplication of polynomials
Mar. 17 / 14 / Test 2 / Test 2
Mar. 22 / Spring break
Mar. 24 / Spring break
Mar. 29 / 15 / 5.4 / Test 3 and Quiz 4 / Special Products
Mar. 31 / 16 / 5.5 / Test 3 and Quiz 4 / Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
Apr. 5 / 17 / 5.6 / Test 3 and Quiz 4 / Dividing Polynomials
Apr. 7 / 18 / 6.1, Q4 / Test 3 and Quiz 4 / GCF and Factoring by Grouping
Apr. 12 / 19 / 6.2 / Test 3 and Quiz 5 / Factoring trinomials
Apr. 14 / 20 / 6.3, / Test 3 and Quiz 5 / Factoring Trinomials
Apr. 19 / 21 / 6.4 / Test 3 and Quiz 5 / Factoring Trinomials by grouping
Apr. 21 / 22 / 6.5;Q5 / Test 3 and Quiz 5 / Factoring Binomials
Apr. 26 / 23 / 6.6,6.7 / Test 3 / Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring; Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving
Apr. 28 / 24 / Review Test 3
May 3 / 25 / 10.1,10.2, / Test 4 and Quiz 6 / Radicals
May 5 / 26 / 10.3 / Test 4 and Quiz 6 / Radicals
May 10 / 27 / 11.1 Q6 / Test 4 and Quiz 6 / Completing the Square
May 12 / 28 / 11.2 / Test 4 / Quadratic Formula
May 17 / 29 / Test 4
May 19 / 30 / Final exam