Syllabus for Pre-Algebra

Course Description: This course is an introductory study of algebra including
simplifying algebraic expressions, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities ,
radicals , exponents, factoring polynomials, rational expressions, systems of equations ,
and quadratic equations .

Prerequisites: Students enrolled in Pre-Algebra are expected to have a strong basis in the
arithmetic of real numbers. If your background in this area is weak you should take the
MTH 4004, Foundations of Mathematics course prior to taking Pre-Algebra.

Textbook and Related Material: If you took Foundations of Mathematics MTH 4004 in
a recent quarter, you should already have the textbook for this course: Martin-Gay, K.E.
(2008). Prealgebra & Introductory Algebra, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall , ISBN# 0 – 13 –
157705 – 0. You might also want to access MYMATHLAB as a tutorial.
If you do not have this textbook from a prior course, you will need to buy it. You might
also want the Prentice-Hall MyMathLab access kit to use as a tutorial. These two items
are available, at a reduced package price, from the Northeastern University bookstore
(currently about $156 from the bookstore. If you buy them separately on Amazon.com,
you’ll pay about $177.).

Contact the Instructor When You Have Problems: You should contact your instructor
when you are unable to complete an example or you encounter frustration with the
assignments. The time when you encounter difficulty is the best time to resolve it.

Course Grade:
The tests are based on the problem sets assigned for each chapter. These problems are
suggested to help you learn the material and are NOT graded.

Mathematics Course Outcomes: The outcomes of the College of Professional Studies’
mathematics courses are consistent with frameworks presented with other mathematics
reform initiatives and are intended to affect all aspects of introductory college
mathematics. The standards, as established by the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics and AMATYC, fall into following categories: mathematics as problem
solving, mathematics as communications, mathematics as reasoning, mathematical
connections, algebra, functions, and mathematical procedures.

Course Outcomes:
Students will have the opportunity to:

simplify algebraic expressions

develop competency in solving linear equations and linear inequalities

apply their knowledge of linear equations to solve problems

develop competency in graphing linear functions and linear inequalities

learn how the slope of a line is used in linear equations

develop competency in solving systems of linear equations

apply their knowledge of linear systems to problems

apply the rules for exponents to problems

develop competency in representing numbers in scientific notation

develop competency in adding , subtracting, multiplying, and factoring polynomials

develop competency in working with rational expressions