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Syllabus for Algebra

Course Description
Algebra is the application of arithmetic to general expressions involving unknown quantities extending the
operations with real numbers to polynomials and rational expressions. Equations and equation solving are
introduced as well as graphical representation of data.
Introduction and prerequisites
Students of algebra will improve their skills in arithmetic and learn to apply those skills to the manipulation
of symbolic expressions . It is helpful to have prior knowledge of:

* Fractions
* Decimals
* Representation of unknown quantities
* Manipulation of expressions involving unknown quantities

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Operate with real numbers.
2. Use mathematical expressions involving exponents and radicals.
3. Operate with and factor polynomials.
4. Simplify and operate with radical expressions.
5. Solve equations and inequalities .
6. Simplify complex algebraic expressions often encountered in Calculus.
7. Represent data graphically.

Course Outcomes
Emphasis in this course will be on the concepts of representing data symbolically and graphically.
Students will develop skills such as:

· Operating on algebraic and rational expressions
· Equation solving
· Graphing Materials Beginning Algebra with Applications (7th edition), Aufman, Barker, Lockwood
Graphing calculator (optional)

The instructor will use the TI-84 (overhead version) … students who choose to use
a calculator should consider one of the following …
TI-83
TI-84
TI-86
Graph paper (optional)

General Information
Attendance
* Students are responsible for all material presented in class including announcements about
course procedures. Tests, quizzes, and homework often include questions on material presented
only in class, so performance on these indirectly reflects attendance.

Evaluation
· Examinations: there will be two tests and a final examination. Tests will comprise 35%, and the
exam 30%, of the final grade. Test dates will be announced in class at least one week in advance.
· Students should expect a quiz each session. These quizzes will comprise 20% of the final grade.
· Quizzes will reflect attendance so no provision will be made for makeup.
· The lowest quiz grade will be dropped for students with perfect attendance.
· In cases of necessary absence, additional assignments , quizzes, and tests may be required.
· Another 11% of the final grade will be based on homework.
· Another 4% of the final grade will reflect participation by attendance. This portion will be reduced
by 2% for the first absence, and an additional 2% for the second absence.
· All tests and homework must be completed in order to complete the course, regardless of lateness.
Unexcused late course work will lose 10% of point value for each week it is late.
· Arrangements for excused late work must be made and approved in advance.
· Bonus points: many quizzes and tests will contain opportunities for bonus points. Students who
have missed more than one class session will not be awarded bonus points.
· Course grades will be assigned as follows:

A: 96% - 100%  A-: 90% - 95%   B+: 87% - 89%
B: 83% - 86%    B-: 80% - 82%   C+: 77% - 79%
C: 73% - 76%    C-: 70% - 72%   D+: 67% - 69%
D: 63% - 66%    D-: 60% - 62%   F: 0% - 59%

Notes on homework
Selected exercises will be assigned from the textbook. Students are encouraged to work together and to
complete all exercises on time for evaluation. A portion of each workshop will be used to discuss
homework.

Pre-assignment (to be completed prior to first workshop)
1 Read Chapters 1 and 2
2 Complete these exercises:
Chapter 1: Section 1.1, 25 -37 odd Section 1.2, every other odd from 5 to 109 Section 1.3,
every other odd from 3 to 99 Section 1.4, every other odd from 3 to 55
Chapter 2: Section 2.1, 67 -75 odd Section 2.2, 31, 37, 43 … from 31 to 145 Section 2.3,
every other odd from 63 to 101

Workshop One
Students will learn the properties of real numbers and how to operate with integers, fractions, and
decimals:
1. Distribute and discuss syllabus.
2. Review of course and required materials.
3. Lecture: Chapters 1 and 2
a. Operations with integers
b. Operations with fractions , decimals, and percent
c. Exponents and Order of Operations
4. Applications

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop two
1 Read Chapter 3, sections 3.1 and 3.2
2 Complete these exercises:
Chapter 3: Sec. 3.1
odd 31 - 57
odd 91 -111
141, 145, 177,181, 198
Sec. 3-2 21, 27, 33, 39, … , 141

Workshop Two
Students will learn to use the properties of algebra to write and solve equations for various
problem situations:
1. Lecture: Chapter 3, sections 3.1 and 3.2
a. solutions to equations of the form x + a = b and ax = b
b. solutions to equations of the form ax + b = c and ax + b = cx + d
c. applications
2. Discussion of assignment from workshop one

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop three
1. Read section 3.3.
2. Complete these exercises: Chapter 3: Sec. 3.3 odd 3 – 51, 113 - 121

Workshop Three
Activities
Students will learn to solve inequalities, plot points , and determine linear equations from given
conditions:
1. Test one: Chapters 1 through 3.2
2. Lecture: Section 3.3
a. transformations resulting in equivalent inequalities
3. Lecture: Chapter 5
a. Plotting points
b. Graphs of equations: y = mx + b and Ax + By = C
c. Slope
d. Equations from given information
e. Functions and inequalities
4. Discussion of assignment from workshop two

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop four
1. Read Chapter 7.
2. Complete these exercises:
Chapter 5: Sec. 5.1 odd 3 – 21 Sec. 5.2 1, 7, 15, 17, 27, 31, 33, 47, 53, 61, 67 81, 83, 95
Sec. 5.3 3, 7, 9, 19, 33, 37, 41, 45 Sec. 5.4 1, 5, 11, 17, 21, 25, 29 Sec. 5.5 9, 11,
13, 17, 27, 29, 39, 43, 57, 61 Sec. 5.6 3, 5, 9

Workshop Four
1. Discussion of assignment from workshop three
2. Lecture: Chapter 7, sections 1 to 3
a. definition of a polynomial
b. operations with polynomials
3. Applications

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop five
1 Read Chapter 7, sections 4 and 5
2 Complete these exercises:
Chapter 7: Sec. 7.1 1, 7, 13, 19, … , 55 Sec. 7.2 3, 9, 15, 21, … , 87 Sec. 7.3 7, 13, 19, 25,
… , 97

Workshop Five

Activities
Students will learn the laws of exponents , scientific notation, and synthetic division:
1. Lecture: 7.4
a. laws of exponents
b. scientific notation
2. Lecture: 7.5
a. division of polynomials
b. synthetic division
3. Discussion of assignment from workshop four

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop six
1 Read Chapter 8, sections 1 through 4
2 Complete these exercises:
Chapter 7: Sec. 7.4 11, 17, 23, 29, 35… 107 Sec. 7.5 1, 7, 13, 19… 49

Workshop Six
Activities Students will learn to factor all forms of quadratic polynomials:
1. Test two: Chapters 3 to 7
2. Lecture: Chapter 8, sections 1 to 4
· factoring common factors, grouping
· factoring trinomials
· special product forms
· factoring completely
3. Discussion of assignment from workshop five

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop seven
1 Read Chapter 8, section 8.5 and Chapter 10
2 Complete these exercises;
Chapter 8: Sec. 8.1 21, 27, 33, 39, … , 111 Sec. 8.2 7, 13, 19, 25, … , 103 Sec. 8.3 1,
7,13,19, … , 109 Sec. 8.4 13, 19, 25, 31, … , 115

Workshop Seven
Activities
Students will learn to use factoring to solve quadratic equations; and properties of radicals
1. Lecture: section 8.5
a. use of the zero factor property to solve quadratic equations
2. Lecture: Chapter 10
a. simplifying radical expressions
b. combining radical expressions
c. solving equations containing radicals
3. Discussion of assignment from workshop six

Minimum assignment in preparation for workshop eight
1. Read and study supplementary material in preparation for exam

Workshop Eight
Activities
1. Discussion, instruction, and review based on all previous assignments.
2. Course evaluation.
3. Final examination.

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