Syllabus for Intermediate

If you need to contact me, email is the best way to do it. Please send your message to both of the
above addresses. I will respond to you as soon as possible. Be patient. In the event of some
really pressing need you may call me at home at 272-1584 between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Tentative Schedule of discussion topics and tests.

Tues May 13 and Thursday May 15 Sections 1.1 – 1.5
Sets of numbers, operations with numbers, and order of operations . Introduction of variables,
simplifying algebraic expressions , and the distributive property . Defining terms, similar terms,
coefficients, degrees, and other terminology. Evaluating algebraic expressions by substitution ,
and constructing algebraic expressions from verbal expressions.

Tuesday May 20 and Thursday May 22 Class Canceled

Tuesday May 27 and Thursday May 29 Sections 2.1 – 2.5
Solving linear equations and linear inequalities. Compound inequalities, and absolute value
equations and inequalities. Changing fractions to decimals to percentages and back again.
Solving certain problem “types” such as time-distance, simple interest, and mixture problems.

Tuesday June 3 and Thursday June 5 Sections 3.1 – 3.5
The rectangular coordinate system, the distance and midpoint formulas, graphs of linear
equations and slope -intercept form of a linear equation. Vertical, horizontal, parallel, and
perpendicular lines and their slopes. Applications of linear equations in word problems.

Tuesday June 10 and Thursday June 12 Sections 3.6 – 3.7, 4.1 – 4,2
Definitions of relations and functions, domain and range. Function notation, a brief look at
parent functions and sketching the graphs of functions by plotting points. Systems of equations
and solving linear equations in two variables by graphing , elimination, and substitution

Tuesday June 17 and Thursday June 19 Sections 4.3 – 4.5 Midterm #1 Handed Out
Representing word problems with linear systems, linear systems with 3 variables, Gaussian
elimination and an introduction to matrices. Evaluating determinants, applications of
determinants, and Cramer’s Rule.

Tuesday June 24 and Thursday June 26 Sections 5.1 – 5.4 Midterm # 1 Due
Rules of exponents and scientific notation. Operations with polynomials, and factoring by
grouping and in special forms. (Difference of two squares, difference of two cubes, sum of two
cubes ).

Tuesday July 1 (No class Thursday July 3) Sections 5.5 – 5.6 Midterm #1 Returned
Factoring monic and non- monic trinomials , and solving polynomial equations by factoring.

Tuesday July 8 and Thursday July 10 Sections 6.1 – 6.6
Reducing , and operations with rational expressions, and complex fractions. Dividing
polynomials by long and synthetic division . Solving rational equations.

Tuesday July 15 and Thursday July 17 Sections 7.1 – 7.6 Midterm #2 Handed Out
Simplifying radical expressions, changing radicals to rational exponents and a re-visiting of the
laws of exponents. Operations with radical expressions, rationalizing denominators, solving
radical equations, and a quick introduction to complex numbers .

Tuesday July 22 (No class Thursday July 24) Sections 8.1 – 8.3 Midterm # 2 Due
Solving quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula.

Tuesday July 29 Questions and Review for the Final Midterm # 2 Returned

Thursday July 31 Final Exam 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. (Bring an envelope!)
(This time and date are not negotiable!)

Class Objective: The purpose of this course is to prepare you to go on to higher level math
courses such as College Algebra and Calculus. I expect to see you grow in
confidence, and proficiency in your ability to work with each of the concepts
we study, and to apply them in specific contexts. As your skills improve,
and increase, so will your satisfaction.

Expectations: Come to class as often as you possibly can; every time would be the ideal.
Bring your graphing calculator, and materials to take notes. Stay alert,
participate, and ask questions. As a minimum, work the Review Exercises
and the Chapter Test in the textbook at the end of each chapter we study.
If necessary, work even more problems at the end of each individual
section. Stay caught up. No homework will be collected, but having done
it will make all the difference in your success.

Suggestions: Study several times a week for short (1 hour) sessions, instead of
infrequent, long, drawn-out sessions (beginning Friday night at midnight).
Find a “study buddy” or two in class with whom you can work homework
problems, midterms, and share and compare notes. This is especially
helpful if you have to miss a class.

Tests: There will be two take-home midterms. These you can work on with your
study buddy or with any other person or group. They will each be 20 – 25
questions long. On these tests it will be important that you show your work
and carefully demonstrate your understanding of method and process. You
will be given partial to full credit on these problems according to the
measure in which you have been complete and accurate. The Final Exam
will be a 24 question multiple choice test. No credit is given for work and
process. You must arrive at and identify the correct solution to get credit
for each problem. On the final exam you may use your notes, including old
exams, but you may not use your calculator, and you may not share notes.

Grading: Each of your midterms will constitute 25% of your final grade, and the final
exam will constitute the other 50%. If your final exam score exceeds either
of your midterm scores, I will drop that midterm and allow your final exam
to count as 75% of your grade. If you fail the final exam (score below 60%)
then the best possible grade you may receive for the class will be a C-. The
grading will be precisely as follows:
A 92.5% B- 79.5% D+ 66.5%
A- 89.5% C+ 76.5% D 62.5%
B+ 86.5% C 72.5% D- 59.5%
B 82.5% C- 69.5%

Note: After you have taken the final exam, your grade is then final. There is no
“make-up”, “extra credit”, or any other reparation/salvaging processes. I
tend to resent (and generally ignore) any such solicitations.

Behavior: All students are expected to maintain courteous behavior and respect for
other individual in the classroom. This includes no use of cell phones or
electronic/head phone devices. Students who, in the discretion of the
instructor, are unwilling to maintain appropriate behavior will be dismissed
from class for the day and, ultimately, if the problem persists, will be at risk
to receive a failing grade. Students are encouraged to read the Student Code
in the Student Handbook as many details are spelled out pertaining to
student classroom and conduct, and their rights and responsibilities.

Test Return: If you would like your final exam to be returned to you after it has been
graded, then you must bring with you on the day of the final, an envelope
which is self-addressed and stamped. If you do not do this, your test will
be thrown away very shortly after it has been graded.

Policy Note: The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs,
services, and activities for people with disabilities. If you need
accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to
the instructor and to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union
Bldg., 581 – 5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to
msake arrangements for accommodations.