Math 115 Outline Elementary Algebra

(Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, Custom Edition for LAMC, by Elayn Martin-Gay)

Topics to be Covered Sections from Text Approximate Time Line

Review of Real Numbers: Symbols and Sets of Numbers; Operations on Fractions; Exponential Notation, Order of Operations, Algebraic Expressions; Operations on Real Numbers; Properties of Real Numbers

Chapter 1: All 8 Sections (Review)

1 week

Equations, Inequalities and Problem Solving: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions; Solving First-Degree Equations and First-Degree Inequalities; Formulas; Percent and Mixture Problems Solving; Word Problem Solving

Chapter 2: All 8 Sections

1½ weeks

Exponents and Polynomials: Exponential Properties; Operations on Polynomials; Negative Exponents & Scientific Notation; Dividing Polynomials

Chapter 3: First 6 sections (skip 3.7)

1½ weeks

Factoring: Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping; Factoring Trinomials; Factoring Binomials; Difference of Two Squares; Solving Quadratic Equations by factoring; Problem Solving

Chapter 4: 4.1-4.3, 4.5-4.7 (4.4 optional)

1½ weeks

Rational Expressions: Operations with Rational Expressions & Complex Fractions; Solving Rational Equations; Proportion and Applications

Chapter 5: All 7 Sections

2 weeks

Graphing: Graphing Linear Equations; Intercepts; Slope and Rate of Change; Equations of Lines; Graphing linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Chapter 6: First 6 Sections (6.1-6.5a) (6.6 optional)

1½ weeks

Solving Systems of Linear Equations: Solving 2 by 2 Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing, by Substitution Method, and by Addition Method; Applications

Chapter 7: 7.1-7.3 and 7.5 (skip 7.4)

1½ weeks

Rational Exponents, Radicals and Complex Numbers: Simplifying Radicals; Operations with Radicals; Products and Quotients involving Radicals; Solving Radical Equations.

Chapter 8: 8.1, 8.3-8.6 (skip 8.2 and 8.7)

1½ weeks

Quadratic Equations and Functions: Solving Quadratic Equations by Square Root Property, by Completing the Square, and by the Quadratic Formula

Chapter 9: First 2 sections (skip 9.3 to 9.6)

1 week

Note: Topics in bold face are considered extremely important to the curriculum and should be emphasized accordingly. Class time for exams and quizzes should be scheduled using the two additional weeks in the semester not accounted for in this outline. ( 1 week ≈ 5 hours of actual teaching time) Specific Department Guidelines for Math 115: All Mathematics 115 students are required to take a comprehensive departmental common final exam. The exam will be administered by each instructor in the assigned classroom on the day and time as specified in the Final Exam Schedule appearing in the schedule of classes. It should count for at least 30% of the student’s final grade in

the course. Because of that, it would be difficult to justify a passing grade for a student who does not pass the final. The remaining percentage of the course grade must be based on homework (at most 10%), quizzes and exams. Support Materials and/or Services: All additional support material for this course will be included in MyLabsPlus (http://lamc.mylabsplus.com/). All faculty teaching Math 115 will have automatic access to MyLabsPlus, which is a dynamic online teaching and learning environment. A sample set of online assignments (including homework and quizzes) will be available. For help with MyLabsPlus, or for any questions on the additional support materials, please contact one of the coordinators below. The Textbook contains study skills from the workbook Strategies for Success: Study Skills for the College Math Student by Marecek and Anthony-Smith. They are located at the beginning of the textbook, right before chapter one. These may be assigned as part of homework to help students with some essential skills. The Math Center in the CMS building room#121 offers free tutoring to students. Calculators and textbooks can be checked-out from the Math Center. Common Final Practice is available through MyLabsPlus or InteractMath.com. Sample Common Final is available through MyLabsPlus or the math department website: www.lamission.edu/math Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s): The following student learning outcomes must be included in your syllabus. 1. Simplify and evaluate various algebraic expressions. 2. Solve, graph, and analyze various algebraic equations and systems of equations, including utilizing them to solve application problems. General Departmental Policy: To ensure student success in future math courses, all topics identified in this outline must be adequately covered. For this reason, it is critical that you carefully plan your semester to include Exams, Quizzes, and Holidays. During the semester, at least four major exams and a common departmental final are required. The exams should be closed book and taken in class. They must require students to demonstrate problem solving skills by showing work for a significant number of problems. Exams should be in free response form. Instructors should try to be sensitive to the level of the course: treat review material as review, and teach to the level of the subject. For example, definitions and properties should be employed within the context of the underlying mathematical structure. Lack of proficiency in the prerequisite material and/or lack of the commitment to the course work on the part of the student, should not affect the content of the course. The level of instruction, assigned work, and test questions, must conform to a college level curriculum. Faculty who will not teach from the same text in the following semester are required to turn in their textbook at the end of the current semester. Coordinators: For questions regarding the support material or this guideline, please contact: Carole Akl (818) 364-7873 or Debby Wong (818) 364-788 email: aklce@lamission.edu e-mail: wongd@lamission.edu

August 2012 Revised by C.A.