Syllabus for Intermediate Algebra

Text: Intermediate Algebra, Concepts and Applications 6^thEd., by Bittinger and Ellenbogen
(Addison Wesley Publishers, 2002)

Nature, Scope, and Content: Intermediate algebra is the study of factoring rules, ra-
tional expressions, rational exponents, radicals, complex numbers , inequalities, quadratic
equations, linear systems , and equations with radicals, rational expressions, and exponents.
Credit: Three semester hours.

Course Content:

• Graphs, Functions, and Linear Equations

• Systems of Linear Equations and Problem Solving

• Absolute Value

• Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

• Rational Expressions, Equations, and Functions

• Exponents and Radicals

• Quadratic Functions and Equations

• Circles, Distance Formula, and Midpoint Formula

Course Objectives: That students should perform at 70% or better average on exams,
homework, and quizzes covering the topics listed in the course description and those topics
included in the daily schedule.

Prerequisites: MATH 0310 with a grade of \C" or better or high school Algebra I, high
school Geometry, high school Algebra II , and a score of 230 or higher on the mathematics
section of TASP, or an appropriate score on the alternate test instrument.

Classroom Policy: No food, drinks, or tobacco products are allowed in the classrooms.

Attendance Policy: Any student who acquires more than 3 days of absences in this course
will be dropped from this course. Three tardies count as one absence. If you miss class,
you may NOT make up any missed assignments without an excused absence. Illness and/or
emergency does NOT constitute an excused absence: the instructor retains the right to
determine whether an absence is authorized.

Exams: Major exams will be announced at least two class days prior to the exam date. You
must bring your Student ID to each exam. If calculators are allowed, they will be checked
during or before each test. If there are any programs on your calculator, it will be considered
as a scholastic dishonesty case. No make-up exams will be given without an o cial, written
excuse representing Blinn College. In case of illness, you MUST contact me by the NEXT
day and present a doctor 's excuse with telephone number before the make-up will be given.
(see attendance policy below)

Daily Average: Daily grades will consists of in-class quizzes, take-home quizzes, work-
sheets, and sometimes homework. Sometimes quizzes will be announced and sometimes
not...so always be prepared (by staying caught up on your suggested homework). If you are
absent on a day when a Daily grade is taken, you will not be able to make it up without a
university excused absence. It is IMPERATIVE that you do the suggested homework. Both
quiz and test questions will be VERY similar. I will drop your lowest 2 Daily grades at the
end of the semester.

Calculator Policy: A TI-83 (or TI-83 PLUS) calculator is recommended for this course.
Most topics will be taught without a calculator, however, there may be some sections in
which a calculator is allowed. You may NOT use a TI-89, TI-92, or any HP calculators in
this class. NOTE: It is considered CHEATING to have notes, formulas, or programs in your
calculator other than the ones I give you to use. Consequences will be severe.

Final Exam: The nal exam (on Wed July 2nd) will be comprehensive.

Scholastic Dishonesty: Any student involved in cheating will be assessed a penalty that
will range in severity from an F ( or zero ) on the particular activity involved to an F for
the course. For the purpose of this course, cheating will be de ned as (but not limited to)
access to or use of unauthorized material during exams and quizzes, collaboration between
students during exams, quizzes, and assignments for which group work is not allowed, perusal
of another's work or allowing another student to copy your work on any assignment, quiz or
exams. Students who cheat and students who facilitate cheating by allowing other students
access to their work when it is not allowed will be subject to the same penalties.

Special Note: Blinn policy states that all pagers and cell phones must be turned OFF
during class. This does not mean \silent" mode, it means o . Due to increasing technology,
it is possible to cheat using these devices. Therefore I will consider it cheating if I discover
any of these devices are on during a quiz, in class assignment, or an exam, regardless of
whether or not it \rings."

Accommodations for Students With Disabilities: We would like to help students
with disabilities achieve their highest potential in college. To this end, in order to receive
accommodations in exams or assignments, students must alert me to the situation as soon as
possible and also provide our Disabilities Coordinator in the Center for Student Development
with proper documentation of their needs. No accommodations will be granted until the
student makes an appointment to meet with me during my posted o ce hours to discuss
appropriate accommodations.

The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By \handouts," I mean all materials
generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab
problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. Because these
materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts, unless I expressly
grant permission.

***If you need HELP***

• Ask me! I'll be here every day at 7am until class starts.

• Ask questions in class.

• Go to Free Math Tutoring (L235) Times to be announced,

• Go to the Learning Center for free tutoring (L258).

• Tutoring is likely to be available in L247...check door for times.

• Hire a private tutor.

• Work with each other on homework (but do NOT copy).

Table of Contents

• Chapter 2
2.1 Graphs
2.2 Functions
2.3 Linear Functions: Slope, Graphs, and Models
2.4 Another Look at Linear Graphs
2.5 Other Equations of Lines

• Chapter 3
3.1 Systems of Equations in Two Variables
3.2 Solving by Substitution or Elimination

• Chapter 4
4.3 Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities

• Chapter 5
5.3 Common Factors and Factoring by Grouping
5.4 Factoring Trinomials
5.5 Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials and Di erences of Squares
5.6 Factoring Sums or Di erences of Cubes
5.7 Factoring: A General Strategy
5.8 Applications of Polynomial Equations

• Chapter 6
6.1 Rational Expressions and Functions: Multiplying and Dividing
6.2 Rational Expressions and Functions: Adding and Subtracting
6.3 Complex Rational Expressions
6.4 Rational Expressions
6.5 Solving Applications Using Rational Equations

• Chapter 7
7.1 Radical Expressions and Functions
7.2 Rational Numbers as Exponents
7.3 Multiplying Radical Expressions
7.4 Dividing Radical Expressions
7.5 Expressions Containing Several Radical Terms
7.6 Solving Radical Equations
7.7 Geometric Applications
7.8 The Complex Numbers

• Chapter 10
10.1 Conic Sections : Parabolas and Circles

• Chapter 8
8.1 Quadratic Equations
8.2 The Quadratic Formula
8.3 Applications Involving Quadratic Equations
8.5 Equations Reducible to Quadratics
8.9 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities