Intermediate Algebra

Course Description:
Through this course students develop various concepts of Algebra.
Students will solve linear , quadratic, rational, and radical equations ; graph
linear equations and inequalities in one variable ; graph linear equations in
two variables; solve and graph systems of linear equations and inequalities
in two variables; simplify rational expressions; simplify expressions
containing rational exponents; simplify complex numbers; solve related
applications.

Prerequisites:
MAT 0024 or MAT 0020 with a grade of S or appropriate placement test score.

Credits: 3

Course Competencies:

Competency 1:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the slope of
a line by:
a. Determining the slope of a line given two points that lie on
the line.
b. Determining the slope and intercept(s) of a line given its
equation.
c. Determining the slope of a line from a graph.
d. Finding the slope of a line that is parallel to a given line.
e. Finding the slope of a line that is perpendicular to a given
line.

Competency 2:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of linear
equations and inequalities in two variables by :
a. Solving literal equations.
b. Finding an equation of a line given two points.
c. Finding an equation of a line given a point on the line and
information about the slope of the line.
d. Writing an equation of a line in standard form.
e. Writing an equation of a line in slope-intercept form.
f. Graphing linear equations in two variables using the slope
and y-intercept of the line.
g. Graphing linear inequalities in two variables.

Competency 3:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of equations in two
variables by:
a. Solving direct variation problems.
b. Solving inverse variation problems.

Competency 4:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of systems of
linear equations by:
a. Solving a system of linear equations in two variables
using the addition method .
b. Solving a system of linear equations in two variables
using the substitution method .
c. Solving a system of linear equations and inequalities in
two variables by graphing.
d. Solving applications involving systems of linear equations.

Competency 5:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of rational expressions and
equations by:
a. Performing operations of addition , subtraction,
multiplication and division on rational expressions.
b. Simplifying complex fractions.
c. Solving equations involving rational expressions including
literal equations .
d. Dividing polynomials .

Competency 6:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of radicals and
rational exponents by:
a. Adding , subtracting, multiplying, and dividing expressions
involving radicals
b. Simplifying expressions containing rational exponents.
c. Applying the properties of exponents to expressions with
rational exponents
d. Solving radical equations

Competency 7:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of complex
numbers by:
a. Knowing the meaning of i.
b. Writing the square root of a negative number in terms of i.

Competency 8:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of quadratic
equations by:
a. Solving quadratic equations by factoring .
b. Solving quadratic equations by the square root method.
c. Solving quadratic equations by the quadratic formula .
d. Solving quadratic equations by completing the square.