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Elementary Algebra

Course Description (MATD 0370 Elementary Algebra)
A course designed to develop the skills and understanding contained in the first year of secondary school
algebra. Topics include review of operations on real numbers, graphing linear equations, solving linear and
quadratic equations, solving systems of linear equations , polynomials, factoring and applications.

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS

Text: Elementary Algebra Concepts and Applications, 7th Edition, Bittinger & Ellenbogen ISBN 0-321-23388-3

Optional: Shrink-Wrapped Bundle with Text and My Math Lab 0-321-28668-5. My Math Lab includes:
• Multimedia learning aids (videos & animations) for selected examples and exercises
• Practice tests and quizzes linked to the textbook’s sections
• Personalized study plans based on diagnostic tests.

Supplemental Materials: Rectangular coordinate graphing paper, scientific or non-graphing calculator

Prerequisite: C or better in Basic Math Skills (MATD 0330), or its equivalent knowledge, or a passing score on
the MATD 0370 placement test

Instructional Methodology
This course is taught in the classroom as a lecture/discussion course.

Course Rational
Welcome to Elementary Algebra. Elementary Algebra is designed to provide you with the mathematical
foundation and personal confidence to enable you to use mathematics in your future life, as are all
developmental courses. This course is designed to prepare you for MATD 0390 Intermediate Algebra and the
algebra-based courses, which follow it. It also may provide you with sufficient preparation to be able to pass the
math portion of the THEA test. It also offers you one way to prepare for MATH 1332 (College Mathematics),
1342 (Elementary Statistics), and 1333 (Mathematics for Measurement) after you have passed the math portion
of the state approved test.

In-Progress Grade
These are rarely given. In order to earn an "IP" grade the student must remain in the course, making progress in
the material, not have excessive absences, and not be meeting the standards set to earn the grade of C or better
in the course. Students who are given an IP grade must register and pay for the same course again to receive
credit. Students who make a grade of IP should not go on to the next course with that grade. A maximum of
two IP grades can be awarded in any one developmental course.

TSI WARNING
If you are relying on this course to meet a requirement that you be in mandatory remediation in mathematics this
semester**, then:

i) If you are not "continually in attendance" in this course, you should be withdrawn from the
course by your instructor,

ii) If you withdraw yourself from this course or are withdrawn by your instructor, you will be
automatically withdrawn from all of your other college courses if this is the only TSI-mandated
course you are taking.

* If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor
immediately.

Attendance Policy
Attendance is required in this course. Students who have excessive absences may be withdrawn. TSI-mandated
students with excessive absences may be withdrawn.

Withdrawal Policy
The deadline to withdraw is April 27, 2009. It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this
course. The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences but makes no commitment to do this for
the student. TSI-mandated students with excessive absences should be withdrawn. After the withdrawal date,
neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal.

Reinstatement Policy
The instructor may make reinstatement if the withdrawal was made in error. The deadline is the same as the
withdrawal date.

Incomplete Grade Policy
Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student
must have taken all examinations, be passing, and after the last date to withdraw, have a serious situation occur
which prevents course completion.

Course-Specific Support Services
ACC main campuses have Learning Labs, which offer free first-come first-serve tutoring in mathematics courses.
Both tutors and computer tutorials are available

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty
"Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including
but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in
preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research
or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or
on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.”

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty Penalty
Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty which
the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range
from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an
F in the course.

Statement on Student Discipline
Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be
dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious
cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class.

Statement on Students with Disabilities
“Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.
Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with
Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to
do this three weeks before the start of the semester.”
Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the
Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made
after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.

Statement on Academic Freedom
"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a
search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free
inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered
in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views.
With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This
means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from namecalling
or other personal attacks."

Common Course Objectives for MATD 0370 Elementary Algebra

The following objectives are listed in a sequence ranging from the simple to the more complex. As such, this
document should not be viewed as a chronological guide to the course, although some elements naturally will
precede others. These elements should be viewed as mastery goals which will be reinforced whenever possible
throughout the course.

Overall objectives:
A. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment in their increasing ability to use mathematics to solve
problems of interest to them or useful in their chosen fields. Students will attain more positive attitudes
based on increasing confidence in their abilities to learn mathematics.
B. Students will learn to understand material using standard mathematical terminology and notation when
presented either verbally or in writing.
C. Students will improve their skills in describing what they are doing as they solve problems using
standard mathematical terminology and notation.

1. Description and classification of whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers using sets and the operations
among them
 a. identify and use properties of real numbers
 b. simplify expressions involving real numbers
 c. evaluate numerical expressions with integral exponents

2. Polynomials
 a. distinguish between expressions that are polynomials and expressions that are not
 b. classify polynomials in one variable by degree and number of terms
 c. simplify polynomials
 d. add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials (including the use of long division techniques and the
distributive law )
 e. factor polynomials in one or more variables (including factoring out the greatest common factor,
factoring by grouping, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is one, factoring trinomials in
which the leading coefficient is not one, and factoring the difference of two squares)
 f. understand and use the exponent laws involving integer exponents
 g. convert numbers into and out of scientific notation and perform multiplication and division with numbers
written in scientific notation

3. Solve linear equations in one variable involving integral, decimal, and fractional coefficients and solutions

4. Solve and graph linear inequalities

5. Application problems
 a. write and evaluate linear expressions from verbal descriptions
 b. solve application problems which lead to one of the following types of equations: linear equations in one
variable, systems of two linear equations in two variables, quadratic equations
 c. solve literal equations for a specified variable using addition and multiplication principles
 d. use given data to estimate values and to evaluate geometric and other formulas
 e. solve problems involving the Pythagorean Theorem

6. Linear equations in two variables
 a. identify the relationship between the solution of a linear equation in two variables and its graph on the Cartesian plane
 b. understand and use the concepts of slope and intercept
 c. determine slope when two data points are given
 d. graph a line given either two points on the line or one point on the line and the slope of the line
 e. write an equation of a line given one point on the line and the slope of the line, or two points on the line
 f. identify lines given in standard, point-slope, or slope- intercept forms and sketch their graphs
 g. solve systems of linear equations

7. Quadratic equations
 a. find solutions to quadratic equations using the technique of factoring and using the principle of square
roots
 b. recognize a need to use the quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations and solve quadratic
equations by using the quadratic formula when simplification of square roots other than perfect squares
is not needed

8. Description and classification of irrational numbers
 a. simplify perfect square radical expressions
 b. use decimal approximations for radical expressions

9. Rational expressions
 a. determine for which value(s) of the variable a rational expression is undefined
 b. simplify rational expressions containing monomials , binomials, and trinomials
 c. multiply and divide rational expressions containing monomials, binomials, and trinomials
 d. add and subtract rational expressions with like denominators

10. Geometry
 a. understand the difference between perimeter and area and be able to use formulas for these
appropriately
 b. solve application problems involving angles and polygons

Student Summary Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers

Austin Community College is pleased to provide testing services to ACC faculty and students. In order to ensure
test integrity and adequate space for testing,
ACC has established the following guildlines:

A. I.D. REQUIREMENT.
Students are required to show an ACC photo ID in order to test.

B. WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM INSTRUCTOR
1. Some tests also require written permission from your instructor in addition to your photo student ID.
2. If the test deadline has passed, you must bring written permission from the instructor.

C. STUDENT TEST REQUEST FORM
1. Students are required to complete the Student Test Request Form which contains the following
student information:
 a. Synonym Number & Section Number
 b. Course Abbreviation & Course Number
 c. Test Number
 d. Instructor’s Name

D. RETESTING
Not allowed in this course.

E. TESTING MATERIALS.
Students should bring only the materials that an instructor has allowed for a given test.
1. The Testing Centers provide the following approved items:
 a. English dictionaries (non-electronic)
 b. Scantron answer sheet
 c. All types of paper

2. Having unauthorized materials (food, drinks, tobacco items, cell phones and other electronic
devices, etc) with you while testing is considered scholastic dishonesty and may subject you to
disciplinary action. Unauthorized items must be stored elsewhere, in a locker, or shelved in the
Testing Center at your own risk.

F. LOCKERS
1. You are responsible for the return of your locker key to Testing Center Staff.
2. Your property will not be returned in the case of a lost key until a report is filed with Campus Police.
3. The incident will be reported to Admissions Director and a hold will be placed on your record
until the key is returned or replaced.

G. CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED IN TESTING CENTERS AND ARE NOT TO BE LEFT UNATTENDED ON
ANY ACC CAMPUS.

H. SEATING POLICY
1. The Testing Center may assign seating
2. When the Center is full, you may be asked to sign a waiting list, take a ticket or line up outside the Center.
3. Students are required to wait again in line, if one exists, if they desire to take more than one test at a time.

I. BREAKS DURING TESTING
1. Students may not leave the Testing Center for breaks, to drink water, or go to the restroom.
2. Only with a medical statement from a doctor may a student be allowed to leave the Testing
Center for a break during the test.

J. SCORING OF TESTS
In this course I will score all tests. Keep the yellow copy of the Student Test Request Form until your
graded test is returned to you. This proves you took the exam.

K. GRADES OF INCOMPLETE
Testing for grades of Incomplete require an Incomplete Grade Form or verification from Admissions and
Records and signature of instructor

L. HOURS OF OPERATION

1. Hours of operations for all Centers are located on the web at (Our hours are noted on your calendar for test 1)
2. Hours are subject to change without notice due to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
3. Students with not be admitted and new test materials will not be distributed after the stated closing time.
4. All test materials are collected from students 30 minutes after closing time.

M. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
1. The testing center is monitored as students are testing. Any student suspected of/or caught
cheating (including using unauthorized materials) will be referred to the appropriate administrator.
2. Disciplinary actions for scholastic dishonesty range from exclusion from Testing Centers to
expulsion from ACC. Refer to the ACC Student Handbook.
3. Any information included on your test is not to be taken from the Testing Center or shared with others.

N. STUDENT CONDUCT
1. You may be removed from the Testing Center for behavior that significantly interferes with or
disrupts Testing Center operations. In accordance with College procedure, the Campus Dean of
Students will have primary authority and responsibility for the administration of student discipline.
2. Discipline may also be administered for other prohibited acts that constitute offenses, as outlined
in the ACC Student Handbook.

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