Arithmetic

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course reviews and develops essential arithmetic skills regarding real
numbers. Topics from arithmetic include whole numbers, fractions,
decimals, ratios, proportions, percents, rational numbers , and
applications. Students will prepare a mathematics notebook of class notes
and homework, review research in mathematics education, discuss theories of
mathematics anxiety and how to overcome those anxieties, explore strategies
for reading mathematics textbooks effectively, practice communications
skills orally and in writing, and outline strategies for successfully
taking tests. Students must supply a scientific calculator. Credits in
this course will not satisfy any degree or certificate requirements. (This
course is offered as satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.)

GENERAL COURSE GOALS:

1. Provide students with solid and thorough computational skills.
2. Present systematically the structural properties of the real number
system to include arithmetic of real numbers.
3. Enable students to recognize the need for precision within the
language of mathematics.
4. Present well-defined problem solving techniques.
5. Provide students with an organizational plan (notebook) for their
course materials, homework, mathematics glossary, and questions to be
asked of the instructor and tutor.
6. Review theories involving mathematics anxiety and provide students
with opportunities to put strategies to overcome anxiety into
practice.
7. Provide students with opportunities to communicate mathematically,
orally and in writing, with appropriate feedback for improvement.
8. Review theories about the learning of mathematics, the implications of
those theories, and strategies that students could use to experience
success in learning mathematics.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Perform operations of addition , subtraction, multiplication, and
division with whole numbers.
2. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division with fractions.
3. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division with decimals.
4. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division with mixed numbers.
5. Estimate results and compare with exact values.
6. Convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions.
7. Convert percents to decimals and fractions.
8. Convert decimals to percents.
9. Convert fractions to percents.
10. Apply ratio and proportion to solve application problems.
11. Apply the structural properties of the real number system to include
arithmetic of real numbers.
12. Create and keep an organized “mathematics notebook” that will include
course syllabus, class notes, homework problems, mathematics glossary,
and questions for the instructor and tutor.
13. Apply effective strategies to overcome anxiety in mathematics classes, in doing homework, and in test taking.
14. Communicate effectively about mathematics both orally and in writing.
15. Apply effective strategies about the learning of mathematics that will develop success
in learning mathematics.

COURSE OUTLINE:

I. Whole Numbers
A. Introduction to whole numbers
B. Addition of whole numbers
C. Subtraction of whole numbers
D. Multiplication of whole numbers
E. Division of whole numbers
F. Exponential notation and the Order of Operations Agreement
G. Prime numbers and factoring

II. Fractions
A. The least common multiple and the greatest common factor
B. Introduction to fractions
C. Writing equivalent fractions
D. Addition of fractions and mixed numbers
E. Subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers
F. Multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers
G. Division of fractions and mixed numbers
H. Order, exponents, and the Order of Operations Agreement

III. Decimals
A. Introduction to decimals
B. Addition of decimals
C. Subtraction of decimals
D. Multiplication of decimals
E. Division of Decimals
F. Comparing and converting fractions and decimals

IV. Ratio and Proportion
A. Ratio
B. Rates
C. Proportions

V. Percents
A. Introduction to percents
B. Percent equations
C. Percent applications using proportions

VI. Real Numbers
A. Introduction to integers
B. Addition and subtraction of integers
C. Multiplication and division of integers
D. Operations with real numbers
E. Order of Operations with real numbers

VII. Mathematics Notebook
A. Syllabus, class expectations, and course prerequisites
B. Class notes
C. Homework
D. Math glossary
E. Questions for instructor and tutor
F. Student reflection on math notebook organization and study patterns

VIII.Math Anxiety
A. Research and theories
B. Strategies that can be used to overcome math anxiety

IX. Reading Mathematics
A. Differences between reading a math textbook and a novel
B. Strategies for effective reading of a math textbook

X. Approaches to Learning Mathematics
A. Research and theories
a. Study of great mathematicians (such as Archimedes, Newton,
Gauss, Polya, etc.)
B. Problem solving strategies

XI. Approaches for Successful Test Taking
A. Research and theories
B. Test preparation methods
C. Quiz/Test taking strategies
D. Final Exam taking strategies

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES THAT MAY BE UTILIZED:

Lecture

Guided study instruction including:
Modular curriculum design
Diagnostic and prescriptive techniques
Mastery learning standards
Computer tutorial software
Video course lectures

Small group instruction/discussion
Student portfolios/notebooks
Student presentation

Scientific calculator instruction

SUGGESTED GRADING PROCEDURES:

At least three unit exams (50%-70%)
Final Exam (20%)
Portfolio/Notebook Assessment (10%)

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading; a grade average of 80% or greater is
required for successful completion.

SUGGESTED COURSE EVALUATION PROCEDURE:

Student evaluations

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES: