Elementary Algebra

• COURSE NAME: Elementary Algebra

• INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kamal P. Hennayake

• OFFICE: S - 122

• OFFICE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

• PREREQUISITE: MAT 023 or appropriate score on the placement test.

• COURSE DESCRIPTION: “An introduction to algebra. Topics include properties of whole
numbers, integers and rational umbers; solving equations; polynomials; factoring; systems of
equations and graphs. ”

• (Three hours per week), three load hours, 0 credits.

• Now that you have decided to take this course, remember that a positive attitude will make all
the difference in the world . Your belief that you can succeed is just as important as your
commitment to this course. Make sure that you are ready for this course by having the time and
positive attitude that it takes to succeed.

• In this course you will study:
o Solving Equations and Inequalities
o Graphing Equations and Inequalities
o Exponents and Polynomials
o Solving Systems of Equations
o Problem Solving

• This course is intended to provide a useful background in mathematics for students pursuing any
degree or certificate. This is the middle step in your non -credit mathematics. This is
approximately equivalent to the first year of high school algebra. In this course, you will learn
many new concepts and see the expansion of several familiar ones. All the topics in this course
are designed to prepare you for subsequent courses in Mathematics. You will be doing some
applications that will help you understand the relevance of what you are learning. As your
mathematical expertise expands in succeeding courses, the applications of your skill will become
even more diverse and interesting. Your ability to succeed in those later courses will very much
depend on how well you understand the material covered in this course.

• Scientific or graphing calculators may also be used to further illustrate specific concepts.

• In addition to the class time, the average student should plan to spend six hours outside of
class each week (2 hours for every hour spent in class). Students whose background in
mathematics is below average, or who normally work at a slower than average pace, should
schedule more time in order to keep up with the course material.

• REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
o TEXTBOOK: Foundations of Mathematics by Marvin L. Bittinger and Judith A. Penna.
Addison Wesley. 2004 ISBN # 0-321-16856-9
o CALCULATOR
o Pencil and a notebook to keep a very good set of notes. A separate notebook to do the
homework.

• COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
o 11 pop quizzes (20 points each, best ten will be counted for total of 200 points)
o 5 tests (100 points each, best four will be counted for total of 400 points)
o 1 comprehensive final examination (100 points)

• Tests: At the end of each module you’ll take a test. Each test is worth 100 points. You are
not allowed to use notes or textbooks for your tests. Don’t forget to bring a pencil, and a
calculator. If you missed a test for any reason, you have a zero for that test . There are no
makeup test unless for an emergency.

• Final exam is a comprehensive exam. Everyone must take it in class.

• Quizzes: There will be pop quizzes at the beginning or at the end of class. There are no
makeup quizzes.

• In order to comfortably succeed in MAT 031 you will need to be proficient in the following
skills. If you need to brush up on any of these skills please ask for help immediately!
o Basic number sense
o Add, subtract, multiply and divide integers and fractions
o Use of exponents and the order of operations
o Arithmetic operations of sign numbers

• Attendance: Research shows that attendance is the single most important factor in school
success. Most students need guidance in understanding the procedures involved in developing a
new mathematical process. If you find yourself unable to keep up with the class, make an
appointment immediately to see the instructor outside of class time. Learning builds day by day.
If you miss a day of class, you miss a day of learning. It is the student's responsibility to
make up any work missed due to an absence for any reason.

• Academic Honesty: As a reminder, the College has a policy on academic honesty. You are
expected to abide by the procedures set forth in the document.

• Accommodating Disabilities: Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent
him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the instructor as soon as
possible, so we can discuss accommodation necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate
your educational opportunity.

• College policy prohibits young children from accompanying parents to class.

• Classroom Etiquette: It is assumed that all students will respect each other’s rights to fully
participate in the discussion of the day. To that end, it is expected that students will not engage
in behaviors that distract not only the instructor but also their fellow classmates. Students who
engage in activities such as talking to each others, talking on cell phones or text messaging,
leaving class for non-emergency needs, will be asked to leave. If you are unlucky enough to be
one of these students, you will be required to meet with me in my office prior to returning to
class. I expect that all of my students will behave in an adult, respectful and professional
manner. Students are prohibited from using, activating or displaying personal electronic devises.

• GRADES: The numerical final course grade will be computed as indicated in the following
distribution , and letter grades will be assigned as follows.

Components of Final Grade		Letter grade	Points
Quizzes			90% or more
Tests			80% - 89%
Final Examination			70% - 79%
			Less than 70%

• TESTING: Dates for tests are given on the syllabus. You should make a special effort to be
present for class on those days, but should it be absolutely necessary to miss a scheduled
test, the student should contact the instructor as early as possible to make other arrangements
for testing. A separate make-up test will be given only for an extreme emergency, and
will be scheduled at the instructor's convenience.

If you are absent prior to a scheduled test, you will still be expected to take the test at the
scheduled time and are expected to contact a classmate or the instructor in advance to
obtain the information required to prepare for the test.

Although you will be tested on the subject matter of each chapter, tests for specific sections may
be combined so as to maximize course effectiveness. The following outline may be modified
slightly as necessary to accommodate student needs and to permit possible computer and/or
video demonstrations. A brief description of the Objectives for each chapter is detailed on the
following pages.

This course consists of all or parts of chapters #7, #8, #19, #12, #13 and #14 in the assigned
textbook. The following syllabus outlines in detail the material, which will be presented from
each of the chapters, and the intended order of presentation.

COURSE OUTLINE

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

After completing each chapter the student should be able to accomplish the following:

Chapter Seven – Solving Equations and Inequalities

OBJECTIVES:
1. Solving equations using the addition principle.
2. Solving equations using the multiplication principle.
3. Solve equations using both the addition and multiplication principle.
4. Solving a formula for a specific letter.
5. Solve applied problems involving percent.
6. Solve applied problems by translating to equations.
7. Solve inequalities using the addition and multiplication principles together.
8. Solve applied problems using inequalities.

Chapter Eight – Graphs of Linear Equations

OBJECTIVES:
1. Solve applied problems involving circle, bar, and line graphs.
2. Solve applied problems involving graphs of linear equations.
3. Find the intercepts of a linear equation, and graph using intercepts.
4. Find the slope of a line.
5. Apply steps for problem solving.
6. Use formulas to solve problems.
7. Solve application problems involving percents.
8. Solve and graph the solution set for a linear inequality in one variable.

Chapter Nine – Polynomials: Operations

OBJECTIVES:
1. Evaluate expressions with integer exponents.
2. Use product , power and quotient rules to evaluate exponential expressions.
3. Evaluate expressions raised to a negative integer exponent.
4. Solve applied problems using scientific notation.
5. Identify types of polynomials.
6. Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials.
7. Use synthetic division to divide a polynomial by a binomial .

Chapter Twelve – Graphs, Functions, and Applications

OBJECTIVES:
1. Solve applied problems involving functions and their graphs.
2. Find the domain and the range of a function.
3. Solve applied problems involving slope.
4. Graph linear equations.
5. Solve applied problems involving linear functions.

Chapter Thirteen – Systems of Equations

OBJECTIVES:
1. Solve a system of two linear equations or two functions by graphing.
2. Solve systems of two equations in two variables by substitution method.
3. Solve systems of two equations in two variables by the elimination method.
4. Solve applied problems using systems of two equations.

Chapter Fourteen – More on Inequalities

OBJECTIVES:
1. Write interval notation for the solution set of an inequality.
2. Solve an inequality using the addition and multiplication properties.
3. Find the intersection and union of two sets, and then graph the inequalities.
4. Find the distance between two points.
5. Solve equations containing absolute value expressions .
6. Solve inequalities containing absolute value expressions.
7. Graph linear inequalities in two variables.
8. Graph systems of linear inequalities in two variables and find the coordinates of any
vertices.

Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Perform calculations with integers.

2. Solve applied problems by writing the appropriate equation and solving it appropriately.

3. Add, subtract. Multiply and divide polynomials.

4. Perform operations with exponents.

5. Use equations and inequalities to solve problems.

6. Evaluate exponents written in function notation.

REVIEW SHEET FOR THE FINAL EXAMINATION

The final examination for this course consists of fifty computational questions. The
problems are similar to those that you have worked to complete each unit and similar to the
questions you experienced on each quiz. One way to review all the material from this course is to
work the Chapter Review located at the end of each chapter. Further, you may find it beneficial to
review the Chapter Highlights at the end of each chapter. There you will find an example of each of
the concepts. If you have any difficulties you should review that section of the chapter more
thoroughly. If you have any questions, be sure to ask before you take the final examination.

A suggested list of topics that you should review includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide signed numbers.

2. Write and simplify expressions using exponents.

3. Combine like terms in a given expression.

4. Solve equations, inequalities and literal equations .

5. Given two points, find the slope of the line containing them.

6. Evaluate expressions containing positive and/or negative exponents.

7. Multiply monomials, binomials and trinomials.

8. Divide monomials and divide by binomials.

9. Given sufficient information write the equation of a straight line.

10. Given two points find the slope of the line containing them.

11. Solve all type of application problems.