MTH 112 COURSE OUTLINE Fall 2000

INSTRUCTOR: K.W.NICHOLSON OFFICE HOURS: POSTED ON DOOR OF RM 224.

TEXT: Barnett, Ziegler & Byleen's PRECALCULUS, Functions and Graphs, Fourth Ed and Thinkwell's Precalculus

CONTENT:

B, Z & B's text:

Chapter 1: Absolute value equations and inequalities
Chapter 2: Graphs and Functions
Chapter 3: Long division and Synthetic Division
Chapter 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Thinkwell's

Chapter 1: Basic Algebra Review
Chapter 2: Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 3: Relations and Functions
Chapter 4: Polynomial and Rational Functions
Chapter 5: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Perspective from the instructor:

Up to this course, the primary objective of your study of algebra has been to learn symbols, definitions and operations in algebra. We will introduce a few more definitions, symbols and operations in this course, specifically: function notation, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions. But we also examine new ideas algebra was used to discover or examine more thoroughly: the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and it's applications to solving polynomial equations.
In spite of all this exciting new content, the prevailing objective of this as well as any other math course is to learn the language of math, which requires working lots of problems requiring use of new concepts and lots of old algebra. This course has been designed to engage you adequately in the material to accomplish this objective. We hope you enjoy it.

EVALUATION:

Item	Date	Discussion
3-100 point tests	Sept. 7, Oct. 5, and Nov. 2	No make up tests will be given. A missed test will be replaced by 1/2 of your final exam score. Note: Online students unable to take the tests in class, may take them in the physics lab BS 214 Wed, Thur, or Fri, of that week, 12 - 5 PM.
1-200 point Final Exam	Dec. 7	Final will be comprehensive.
Online homework- 200 points	Tuesday's homework is due at midnight the next night, Wednesday. Thursday's homework is due at midnight the following Monday.	Homework problems will given one point each, but your final score will be divided by the total possible and multiplied by 200. The Thinkwell website provides hints for most of the problems in case you get stuck. But there will also be online discussion sessions every Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6 - 8 pm. You may also obtain assistance via email.

GRADES:

The accumulative total for the course will be 700 plus a few points, depending on miscellaneous assignments, and your accumulative total will be divided by that amount to calculate your final average.

90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60 - 69 = D, 0 - 59 = F

NOTES:
l. Final percentage will be rounded UP, i.e., a final percent of 79.00000001 will be rounded up to 80.
2. You should keep all returned papers. You should also keep track of the ratio (your accumulative total)/(The accumulative total possible to date) as the quarter progresses. If this ratio is below 70 at midterm (October 13, 2000), you should come for a conference with the instructor to discuss what each of us can do to retrieve you from doom.
3. If you have more than two excused absences you will be dropped from the course, as required by the college admission policies.

4. Words of wisdom regarding Math homework.

I hear........ and I forget,
I see..........and I remember,
I do...........and I understand.

The Thinkwell packet you purchased at the bookstore includes three CD's. They contain the lectures for this course done by Dr. Edward Burger.
The online homework will be for credit, it will be submitted online and graded automatically. There will be an online discussion session for those with questions or comments about the homework assignment on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 PM. Other discussions will be hosted by students in this class and announced on the website once they are organized. Homework assignments are due Wednesday and Monday nites at midnight.

Note: Online students may take tests in the physics lab BS 214 Wed, Thur, or Fri, of the week of the test, 12 - 5 PM.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Date	Topic / Thinkwell Assignments	B, Z, & B's hwk problems
8- 22	1: Basic Algebra Review Converting Between Notations • Converting Between Rational Exponents and Radicals Radical Expressions  • Simplifying Radicals  • Simplifying Radical Expressions, Part 2  • Rationalizing a Binomial Denominator or Numerator of a Radical
8-24	2: Equations and Inequalities Inequalities  • An Introduction to Solving Inequalities  • Solving Compound Inequalities  • More on Solving Compound Inequalities  • Solving Word Problems Involving Inequalities	Pg 34: 17,21,29,49
8-29	Inequalities - Quadratics  • Solving Quadratic Inequalities  • Solving Quadratic Inequalities: Another Example	Pg 88: 1,5,7,9
8-31	Inequalities - Rationals  • Solving Rational Inequalities  • Solving Rational Inequalities: Another Example  • Determining the Domains of Expressions with Radicals	Pg 88: 13,15
9-5	Inequalities - Absolute Value  • Matching Number Line Graphs with Absolute Values and Inequalities  • Solving Absolute Value Equations  • Solving Equations with Two Absolute Value Expressions
9-7	Test 1
9-12	• Solving Absolute Value Inequalities  • Solving Absolute Value Inequalities: More Examples	Pg. 45: 45, 47, 49, 51, 75
9-14	3: Relations and Functions Graphing Circles  • Finding the Center-Radius Form of the Equation of a Circle  • Finding the Center and Radius of a Circle  • Decoding the Circle Formula  • Solving Word Problems Involving Circles	Pg. 112: 45, 47, 49
9-19	Graphing Lines  • An Introduction to Linear Functions: Slope  • Finding the Slope of a Line Given Two Points  • Interpreting Slope From a Graph  • Graphing a Line Using Point and Slope	Pg. 127: 1 - 6,
9-21	Equations of Lines  • Writing the Equation of Line in Slope Intercept Form  • Writing the Equation of a Line Given Two Points  • Writing the Equation of a Line in Point-Slope Form  • Matching Equations in Slope-Intercept Form with Their Graphs	Pg. 127: 7,9,13,17,18,21,23,27,29,31,39
9-26	An Introduction to Functions  • An Introduction to Relations and Functions  • Introduction to Functions and the Vertical Line Test  • Identifying Functions  • Function Notation and Finding Function Values	Pg. 143: 13 - 18, 19, 21, 25, 29
9-28	Domain and Range  • Finding the Domain and Range of a Function  • Domain and Range: One Explicit Example  • Satisfying the Domain of a Function	Pg. 143: 43, 45, 47, 49, 51 Pg. 161: 1 - 6
10-3	Graphing Functions  • Graphing Some Important Functions  • Graphing Piecewise Defined Functions  • Matching Equations with Their Graphs	Pg. 161: 19, 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 37
10-5	Test 2
10-10	Greatest Integer Function  • Graphing the Greatest Integer Function  • The Greatest Integer Function	Pg 162: 51, 53, 55
10-12	Manipulating Graphs: Shifting and Stretching  • Shifting Curves Along Axes  • Shifting or Translating Curves Along Axes	Pg. 178: 49, 51, 55, 57, 59
10-13	Mid Term, last day to withdraw without penalty
10-17	• Transforming with Translation and Shifts  • Stretching a Graph
10-19	Composite Functions  • Using Operations on Functions  • Composite Functions  • Components of Composite Functions  • Finding Functions That Form a Given Composite Composite Functions - Applications  • Finding the Difference Quotient of a Function  • Word Problems Involving Composite Functions	Pg 178: 13, 15, 37, 39
10-24	4: Polynomial and Rational Functions Quadratic Functions - Basics  • Deconstructing the Graph of a Quadratic Function  • Nice Looking Parabolas  • Graphs of Parabolas  • Word Problems Involving Quadratic Equations	Pg. 179: 61, 63
10-26	Polynomials - Long Division  • Using Long Division to Divide Polynomials  • Long Division: Another Example	Pg. 224: 9,13
10-31	Polynomials - Synthetic Division  • Using Synthetic Division to Divide Polynomials  • More Synthetic Division	Pg. 224: 17, 19, 29, 31
11-2	Test 3
11-7	5: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Function Inverses  • Understanding Inverse Functions  • Deciding Whether a Function is One-to-One: The Horizontal Line Test  • Deciding whether Two Functions are Inverses of Each Other  • Graphing the Inverse of a Function	Pg. 195: 1,3,9,11,17,19,21   Pg 197: 41,47,53
11-9	Exponential Functions  • An Introduction to Exponential Functions  • Graphing Exponential Functions: Useful Patterns  • Graphing Exponential Functions: More Examples	Pg. 292: 1,3,5,11,13,15
11-14	Applying Exponential Functions  • Using Properties of Exponents to Solve an Equation  • Finding Present Value and Future Value  • Finding an Interest Rate to Match Given Goals	pg. 292: 17,19,23
11-14	The Number e  • e  • Applying Exponential Functions Logarithmic Functions  • Introduction to Logarithmic Functions  • Converting Between Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Solving Logarithmic Functions  • Finding the Value of a Logarithmic Function	pg. 301: 1,3,5,7,9,11,15,17,23,25,27,29,31   Pg. 312: 1,3,5,9,11,13,17,21,23,29,31,35,41
11-16	• Solving Log Equations  • Graphing Logarithmic Functions  • Matching Logarithmic Functions with Their Graphs
11-21	Properties of Logarithms  • Properties of Logarithms  • Expanding a Logarithmic Expression Using Properties  • Combining Logarithmic Expressions	Pg. 312: 45,49,57,59,69
11-28	Evaluating Logarithmic Functions  • Evaluating Logarithmic Functions Using a Calculator  • Using the Logarithmic Change of Base Formula
11-29	Last day to officially withdraw from a course
11-30	Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations  • Solving Exponential Equations  • Solving Logarithmic Equations  • Solving Equations with Logarithmic Exponents	Pg. 313: 77,79,81 Pg. 330: 1 - 17, 27 - 37, 49 - 53
12-5	Review
12-7	Final Exam