MATH-013 Arithmetic I : Computation

I. Basic Course Information

II. Catalog Description

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the placement test. This is the first in a sequence of
two courses designed to strengthen computational skills without the aid of a calculator
and to review arithmetic concepts in preparation for the study of algebra . The course
meets for seven weeks and includes a weekly 2-hour lab component. Students move
through the course in a lecture-lab environment. Topics include addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals, with an emphasis
on order of operations . Exponent and square root notations are also included.

III. Statement of Course Need

This course, along with Arithmetic II, is designed for students who fail to demonstrate
proficiency in basic computational skills as measured by the college placement test(s) in
pre-algebra.

IV. Place of the Course in the College Curriculum

This is a developmental course and carries no college credit.

V. Outline of Course Content

A. Whole Numbers
1. Reading and writing whole numbers
2. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
3. Long division
4. Rounding
5. Exponent notation, roots , and order of operations
6. Primes and composites
7. Least common multiple
8. Applications and problem- solving strategies

B. Fractions
1. Fractional notation
2. Equivalent fractions , simplifying fractions
3. Multiplication and division
4. Common denominators
5. Addition and subtraction
6. Applications and problem-solving with fractions

C. Decimals
1. Reading and writing decimals
2. Rounding
3. Addition and subtraction
4. Multiplication and division
5. Writing fractions as decimals
6. Writing decimals as fractions
7. Applications and problem-solving with decimals

VI. Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes

The student will develop a sense of numeration and the ability to recognize different
numeric forms of the same quantity in preparation for college-level mathematics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to
1. Perform arithmetic operations on whole numbers, fractions, and decimals without
the aid of a calculator .
2. Use correct order of operations when evaluating expressions containing more than
one operation.
3. Use arithmetic skills in problem-solving situations.

General Education Goals

This course addresses the following RVCC General Education Goal:

• Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to reason quantitatively to solve
problems. (Gen. Ed. Goal 7)

VII. Modes of Teaching and Learning

• lecture/discussion
• small- group work
• lab/computer-assisted instruction

VIII. Papers, Examinations, and other Assessment Instruments

• Tests
• Departmental final exam
• Computer assisted instruction and assessment
• Other

IX. Grade Determinants

• Tests
• Departmental cumulative final exam
• Lab grade
• Individual teacher determinants such as quizzes

The final exam will be used to assess all the course outcomes listed above in Section VI.

X. Texts and Materials

• Suggested Textbook: Basic College Mathematics , 7^th edition, 2006, by Lial,
Salzman, and Hestwood, Addison Wesley, ISBN 0-321-25780-4
• Computer-based sources such as MyMathLab

(Please Note: The course outline is intended only as a guide to course content and
resources. Do not purchase textbooks based on this outline. The RVCC Bookstore is the
sole resource for the most up-to-date information about textbooks.)

XI. Resources

The class should be held in a computer room with web access.