Central Alabama Community College

Math 112 Tu Th - Precalculus Algebra

Course Syllabus - Fall, 2011

3 Semester Hours

Instructor: K. W. Nicholson

Office Phone: (256) 215-4336 (almost never there, try 4343)

Home Phone: (256) 839-6728

Email: nnicholson@cacc.edu

Webpage: http:// caccphysics.cacc.cc.al.us

Date Submitted: August 11, 2011

Course Prerequisites: All core mathematics courses in Alabama must have a minimum prerequisite high school Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II with an appropriate mathematics score. An alternative to this is that the student should successfully pass with a C or higher in Intermediate College Algebra (popularly known as Math 100).

I. Course Description:

This course emphasizes the algebra of functions - including polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The course also covers systems of equations and inequalities, quadratic inequalities, and the binomial theorem. Additional topics may include matrices, Cramer's Rule, and mathematical induction.

II. Aims and Objectives:

As a result of completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Solve linear equations and systems of linear equations.

2. Solve linear inequalities and absolute value equations and inequalities.

3. Solve quadratic equations and inequalities.

4. Graph linear and circular functions.

5. Determine the inverse of a function.

6. Solve and graph polynomial functions.

7. Find the real zeros of a function.

8. Graph exponential functions and solve exponential equations.

9. Graph logarithmic functions and solve logarithmic equations.

10. Functions

11. Graphs of functions

12. Combinations of functions

13. Variation

14. Complex numbers

15. Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

16. Rational functions

17. Partial fractions

18. Applications

19. Systems of Equations

20. Systems in two variables

21. Systems of more than two variables

22. Systems of inequalities

23. Linear programming

24. Quadratic inequalities

25. Binomial Theorem

III. Content and Organization:

(See pacing chart - attached)

IV. Textbook and Supplementary Materials:

Pre-Calculus: Fifth Edition by Mark Dugopolski.

A graphing calculator is not required for this class. However, you are allowed to bring whatever you can afford to buy and know how to use.

V. Required Assignments:

Written Activities

5 take home quizzes, due on dates specified in the pacing chart. None accepted late.

Midterm Exam

Given on the date specified on the pacing chart. If a student misses the midterm exam, the midterm will be assigned the same grade as the final exam.

Online Quizzes

With exception of the first, each homework assignment has 10 multiple choice questions. You may retake each homework assignment twice to improve your grade. The highest of the two grades will be used to compute your homework average. It is recommended that you work each problem on notebook paper and keep this paper as an aid in studying for a test.

There are two ways to approach submitting the answers to each question. The student may submit each answer as the problem is worked or may wait until all ten problems have been worked and submit the entire quiz at once. It is recommended that the student submit after each problem is worked. It is important to remember that if a student does not submit the problems individually and leaves the computer, the answers will be lost. Other than the deadline, there are no time limits on the quizzes. If you wish to exit a quiz before you finish, you must click "save without submitting". However, you must return to the quiz and officially submit it before it closes out. Otherwise, you will lose all information in the quiz and you will receive no grade for the quiz. The lowest 3 quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

All problems are multiple choice with four solutions.

Note: The purpose of deadlines on Homework is to insure that you do homework several times a week, instead of the night before an exam. Hence, DO IT ON TIME OR ZERO IT, NO EXCEPTIONS! All online homework assignments due 120 hours after moment assigned (that's 5 teeny tiny days).

IMPORTANT!

In order to receive any credit for online quizzes, you must submit the work you did on each quiz in writing on the day the quiz is due. ON THAT PAPER, you must have in the top right hand corner:

Your name

Mth 112

Quiz #

Date turned in.

Online Exams

There are four online exams. A student will have only one chance to take each exam. These do have a time limit! Once you enter an exam the clock starts and will continue even if you exit the exam. You must submit the exam to receive any credit for the exam! When you submit the exam you will see your score, but you will not be able to see the results until the exam has officially closed. Deadlines are firm and will not be extended due to personal internet problems.

VI. Evaluation Procedures:

4 online chapter tests 20%

25 Quizzes 20%

5 Take Home Quizzes 10%

1 200 point mid term Exam 25%

1 200-point comprehensive exam 25%

________________________

100%

Note: No make-up tests will be given. The lowest grade of the four chapter tests will be replaced by _ the final exam grade, (if it is higher). If a student is absent on a test day, that test grade will be automatically replaced by _ the final exam grade. If a second test is missed, a zero will be assigned.

VII. Other Important Information:

1. Grading system: 90 - 100 % = A, 80 - 89% = B, 70 - 79% = C, 60 69% = D, 0 - 59% = F.

2. Attendance will be recorded for each class but is not required. Regular attendance is essential for success in mathematics classes. The instructor cannot administratively withdraw students from a class for any reason. A student who stops attending class and does not complete an official withdrawal will receive a grade of F in the course. Classes will begin and end on time. You must remain for the duration of a class unless you have permission to leave. Cell phones and headphones are not allowed.

VIII. Office Hours:

(See below the pacing chart below.)

IX. Important! If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor before the end of the first week of classes to file a student disability request and to discuss a reasonable plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you in meeting the requirements, provided you are timely in working with the instructor to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.

X. Statement of Harassment/Discrimination: The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to an individual's race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.

Resources Available to Support Course: 1. Tutoring – Student Support Services provides this free service for qualifying students. All appointments with the math tutor must be scheduled outside of class time.

Al Watkins – Childersburg campus – Bill Nichols Building

Mrs. Margaret Fuller and Dr. Larry Parks – Alex City campus – BS #233

2. Computer Lab – The computer lab on each campus will be available during college hours. Check the schedule that is printed on the door of the lab. If class is being held in the computer lab, you may need to use the computers in the library.

Childersburg campus – Building E, Room 2 Alex City campus – BS #110, BS #102 Talladega Center – Room 114

3. A graphing calculator may be used in this course, but at least a scientific calculator is required.

MTH 112

Precalculus Algebra

Tuesday & Thursday 10:500-12:05

Tuesday	Thursday
August 16 Q P1-P6 Assigned Orientation to computer assignments. Hwk #1 Problems from P1 1-110 , P2 1-56 , P3 1 -93 , P4 1 - 120, P5 1-82, P6 7-70	August 18 Q P7 Assigned Section P.7 Complex Numbers Hwk #2 from P7 1 -82
August 23 Q1.1 Assigned Section 1.1 Linear Equations, 1.2 Literal Equations Hwk #3 from 1.1 1 - 104 ,1.2 1 - 18	August 25 Q1.3& 1.4 Assigned Section 1.3 Points, Distance & Circles, Section 1.4 Equations of Lines Hwk #5 5 from 1.3 1 - 90 & 1.4 1 - 88
August 30 Q1.6 Assigned Section 1.6 Quadratic Equations Hwk #6 problems from 1.6 1 - 34, 45 - 60, 65 - 104	Sept 1 Q1.7 Assigned Section 1.7 Linear & Absolute Value Inequalities Hwk #7 from 1.7 1 - 90
September 6 Review for Exam 1	September 8 Q 2.1 Assigned Exam 1 Opens tonight at 9 PM & Closes Sun Sept. 11 at 9 PM. Section 2.1 Def & Evaluate Functions Section 2.2 Graphing Functions Hwk #8 from 2.1 1 - 76, 85 - 90, 99 & 2.2 3 - 34, 35 - 56, 69 - 73
September 13 Q 2.2 Assigned Section 2 2 Piecewise Functions Section 2.3 (Wksheet # 10)	September 15 Q2.3 Assigned Section 2.3 Transformations of Functions Hwk #10 5 from 2.3 & 2.4 1 - 85
September 20 Q2.4 Assigned Section 2.4 Operations on Functions Hwk #9 5 problems each from 2.2 & 2.3 3 - 104	September 22 Q2.5 & 2.6 Assigned Section 2.5 Inverse of Functions, Section 2.6 Variation Hwk #11 from 2.5 1-44 & 2.6 1-40
September 27 Q8.1 Assigned Section 8.1 Systems of equations with 2 variables Hwk #12 from 8.1 1 - 55	September 29 Review for Exam 2 Which opens tonight at 9 PM and closes on Sunday at 9PM
October 4 Review for Midterm Exam	October 6 Mid-term Exam taken in class
October 11 Q8.5 Assigned Turn in Oct 12 in class Section 8.5 Systems of Inequalities Hwk #13 Problems from 8.5 1 - 68	October 13 Q3.1 Assigned Section 3.1 Quadratic Functions - Parabolas Hwk #14 problems from 3.1 1 - 89
October 18 Q3.2 Assigned Section 3.2 Zero's of Polynomial Functions Hwk #15 problems from 3.2 1-58	October 20 Q3.3 Assigned Section 3.3 Theory of Equations Hwk #16 problems from 3.3 1 - 50
October 25 Q3.5 Assigned Section 3.5 Graphs of Polynomial Functions Hwk #17 problems from 3.5 1 - 84	October 27 Q3.6 Assigned Section 3.6 Rational Functions & Inequalities Hwk #18 problems from 3.6 1 - 52
November 1 Review for Exam 3	November 3 Exam 3 Opens tonight at 9 PM and closes at 9 PM Sunday night. Section 4.1 Exponential Functions Hwk #19 problems from 4.1 1 - 102
November 8 Q4.1, 4.2, & Section 4.2 Logarithmic Functions Hwk #20 problems each from 4.2 1-123 & 4.3 1-70	November 10 Q4.3 Assigned Section 4.3 Laws of Logs
November 15 Q4.4 Assigned Section 4.4 Log & Exponential Equations Hwk #21 problems from 4.4 1-40	November 17 Section 8.2 Systems of Eq with three or more var Hwk #22 problems from 8.2 7-16
November 29 Q8.4 & 8.6 Assigned Due Dec 6 in class Section 8.4 Partial Fractions Section 8.6 Linear Programming Hwk #23 problems each from 8.4 1-54 & 8.6 1-26	December 1 Exam 4 Opens tonight and Closes Sun Q 11.5 Assigned Due Dec 7 in class 11.5 Permutations, Combinations, & Binomial Thm Hwk #24 problems from 11.5 1-80 Study Session 1-5 today for Test 4 in BS 214
December 6 Review for Final	December 8 Final Exam 8 - 10

Note! This pacing chart is subject to change at any time.

K.W. Nicholson's Schedule for Fall 2011

Monday & Wednesday	Tuesday/Thursday	Friday
8 – 9:15 Phy 201	7:30-8 Office	Office Hours by Appt. only
10:50 - 12:40 Phy 13	8-9:15 Math 100
Phy lab 1-4	10:50 - 12:05 Math 112
	1 - 5 Office or Physics lab