INSTRUCTOR: K.W. NICHOLSON
OFFICE : BS 224
Phone: 256 215 4336 or 215 4343 email:
nnicholson@cacc.cc.al.us
Webpage: http://caccphysics.cacc.cc.al.us
OFFICE HOURS: See web page, others by appointment.
TEXT: Barnett, Ziegler & Byleen's PRECALCULUS Fifth Ed
CONTENT: Chap 1 - Equations & Inequalities
Chap 2 - Graphs & Functions
Chap 3 - Polynomial & Rational Functions
Chap 4 - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Chap 8 & 9 ?? We'll see.
EVALUATION:
4 - 100 POINT TESTS Jan. 25, Feb. 15, March 8, April 5
Daily Quizzes worth total of 100 pts
Lowest test grade will be replaced by 1/2 of final exam score (if it
is higher)
1 - 200 POINT FINAL, Final Exam Thursday May 3, 9 - 11
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, complex numbers, operations on
complex numbers, systems of equations. But we also examine new
ideas algebra was used to discover or examine more thoroughly: the
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, 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.
The above total is 700 points, and your accumulative total will be
divided by that amount to calculate your final percentage, which
determines your final grade. Quiz average may replace your lowest
test score.
GRADES: 90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60 - 69 = D
NOTES:
2. Final percentages will be rounded up. i.e. 79.00001 will be
rounded up to 80 . Tentative DAILY SCHEDULE
Assignment Tirade
The key to a comfortable life in any math class is to understand what's going on, what concepts are being discussed, and new notation being introduced (as opposed to trying to memorize what is being done).
The only way to achieve this comfortable understanding is to work problems. The better your background is the fewer problems you will have to do. The sad reality is, those with good backgrounds do lots of problems because they really are fun if you know what's going on, and those with bad backgrounds do the absolute bare minimun to get by. The end result is, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
The way around this conundrum, is to psych yourself up. Lie to yourself every day, tell yourself "I love math", chant it, rant it, get wild, then go do some problems, quick. Works best if you can do it with a friend.
It works. It saved me in english, it'll save you in math.
Of course, the other axiom that is true in any math or science course- Always stay one chapter ahead of the instructor- is the true secret to success in math and science.
But, if you really are unable to do the above, here's the secret.
Notation: Boldfaced problems are like ones on tests. If those are the only ones you do, do them at least three times each.
P.S. Boldfaced problems are also likely candidates for the daily quiizzes. (Those are the "must" problems)
Final Note: Dare problems are worth 5 pts bonus and due at
beginning of next class.
Double Dares are worth 10 pts bonus.
Here's the way this class will be conducted.
1. Daily quiz on yesterday's material
2. You have read the book and done today's problems.
3. We discuss any difficulties you have with todays material.
4. We go to the board and work on today's drill sheets.
Class Time : Tu Th 9:25 - 10:40
|
Date |
Topic |
Assignment Due date or Discussion date |
|
T Jan 9 |
P4: Complex Numbers +, -, x, ÷ |
Should: 9,11,13,17,19,21,27,31,61,63 |
|
Th 1-11 |
1.1 Solving linear equations |
Should: Basic 1 - 15 |
|
T 1-16 |
1.1 Eq containing absolute values |
Should: 55 - 71 |
|
Th 1 -18 |
1.2 Literal Equations |
Should: 1 - 15 |
|
T 1-23 |
1.3 Coordinate Geometry |
1 -46, 55,57 7,15,27,33,37,45,57 |
|
Th 1 - 25 |
Test 1 |
|
|
T 1 - 30 |
1.3 Linear Equations |
59 - 65, 71 - 77 61, 75,77 |
|
Th Feb 1 |
1.4 More Lines |
Slope- 1 - 9, 3,5,9 |
|
T Feb 6 |
1.6 Quadratic equations |
sq. root rule 1 - 11, 9,11 |
|
Th 2 - 8 |
1.7 Linear inequalities |
linear inequalities 1 - 19, 11, 13 |
|
T 2 - 13 |
1.7 Absolute value inequalities |
53 - 69, 53,59 |
|
Th 2 -15 |
Test 2 |
|
|
T 2 -20 |
Introductions to Functions |
Meet today in the physics lab BS 214 |
|
Th 2 -22 |
2.1 Functions |
11 - 67, 75 - 90 |
|
T 2 -27 |
2.2 Functions & Graphs |
Should: 3,5,9,11,13,15,20,22,23,30,32, |
|
Th 3-1 |
2.3 Transformations |
1 - 94 |
|
T 3 - 6 |
2.4 Operations (mainly "composition") with functions |
1 - 83 |
|
Th 3- 8 |
Test 3 |
|
|
T 3-13 |
2.5 Inverses of functions |
7-23, 39-60 |
|
Th 3-15 |
2.6 Variation & proportional -the language |
1 - 35 |
|
T 3-27 |
3.1 Quadratic functions - Note error on pg 271 |
1 - 75 |
|
3.2 & 3.3 Theory of Equations This stuff is really interesting, powerful, and will offer you great insights if you plan to further your study of math. We'll do it last if time permits. |
||
|
Th 3-29 |
3.4 Quadratic Types |
1,5,11,17,57, 3,9,19,26 (sol - 2 & 6) , 41, 47,
51, 59 |
|
T 4- 3 |
3.4 Continued |
Graphs to equations 1 - 4 |
|
Th 4-5 |
Test 4 |
|
|
T 4-10 |
3.5 Graphing Polynomial functions |
3,7,31,33,43,87,20,25,29,35,45-52,63,64,67,91 |
|
Th 4 - 12 |
3.6 Rational Functions |
13-16,19,21,27,,89,9335,37,45, 69,71 |
|
T 4 - 17 |
4.1 Exponential Functions |
1-30, 47-84, 25,27,28,2953,54,61, 67,73,76,78 |
|
Th 4 - 19 |
4.2 Exponential & Log functions |
1 - 102, |
|
T 4 - 24 |
4.3 Rules of Logs |
1-28,37-5873-80, 23,25,47,57,63,77 |
|
Th 4 - 26 |
4.4 more Exp & log equations |
1 - 35, 6,7,15,19,21,27,33,35 |
|
Th 5 - 3 |
Final ExamThursday 9:00 - 11:00 |