Math 101- Algebra I:
Fundamentals
CLASS MEETINGS:
2:40 - 3:50 MTWTh in Juniper 1
INSTRUCTOR: Laurel Grindy Office hours:
Office: Juniper 3 MTWTh: 11:00 – 12:15
e-mail
address: grindyl@yosemite.cc.ca.us
web
page: http://columbia.yosemite.cc.ca.us/
PREREQUISTE:
Math 202 / or an equivalent prealgebra course /
or appropriate placement exam score
Skills you are
expected to know and be able to use for this course include:
§
add,
subtract, multiply, and divide with whole numbers, integers, fractions, mixed
numbers, and decimals
§
order
of operations, associative, commutative, and distributive properties in evaluation
and simplification of algebraic
expressions
§
appropriate
mathematics vocabulary
§
convert
fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions
§
convert
fractions and decimals to percents and vice versa
§
solve
applied problems involving ratio and proportion
§
solve
applied problems involving percent
§
appropriate
formulas to calculate the perimeter, area and volume of common objects, using
both the English and metric systems of measurement
§
evaluate
formulas for given values of the variable(s)
§
add
and subtract polynomials with integer, fraction, or decimal coefficients
§
multiply
polynomials by monomials
§
determine
the product of two binomials
§
find
the quotient of a polynomial and a monomial
§
solve linear equations in one variable
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
§
Text: Beginning
and Intermediate Algebra, the Language and Symbolism of Mathematics,
1st edition 2003 by Hall and Mercer
§
Engineering
paper
§
Pencil with
eraser (sharpened before class)
§
Scientific
calculator (recommend TI-83/84+ plus graphing calculator if continuing to Algebra
II)
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:
The course will provide a student with opportunities to
learn and practice the concepts, notations and representations of algebraic
language. Tables and graphs are studied with algebra to give numerical and
visual representations of quantitative ideas.
Contexts in which algebra can be a useful problem-solving tool will be
emphasized. While studying the
fundamentals of algebra, these skills will be practiced:
§
Estimation
§
Technical reading
skills
§
Inductive and deductive reasoning
§
Communication skills both written and
oral
§
Conventional math vocabulary and
notation
§
Abstraction of mathematical ideas into
algebraic language
§
Interpretive skills
§
The use of technology as a tool for
investigation and confirmation of algebraic processes
STUDENT
RESPONSIBLITIES:
It is each
student’s job to be engaged in the learning process. Learning mathematics is an active endeavor; I
can only guide you in your efforts to learn.
With this job you have the responsibility to:
§
participate in class
§
ask relevant questions
§
seek help when needed
§
prepare for class by reading text
sections, work problem sets and review class notes (expect to spend 8-12 hours
per week, in addition to class time)
§
submit assignments when they are due
§
remember that you are a member of a
group engaged in academic enterprise and that the success of the group is
largely dependent upon the appropriate preparation, participation, and behavior
of each individual
To gain a strong understanding of the course
material, I encourage you to rely on a combination of studying class notes,
reading and referring to your textbook, participating in class discussions and
working with classmates outside of class.
You will be held responsible for all material discussed in class and all
changes to the schedule announced in class!
There
are numerous places to get help:
§
My office hours are available to you or
make an appointment.
§
The Mathematics Center will be open
8:30 – 4:00 daily
§
Tutorial services are available through
the Academic Achievement Center
When you seek help,
it is to your advantage to be well organized, with your questions ready. Do not wait until you feel you are in trouble
to get help.
HOMEWORK:
Homework will be assigned for each section of each
chapter and posted on my web page with due dates. It will be up to you to maintain a homework
journal. It is essential that you
practice enough problems to develop connections among concepts presented. Time will be given during each class for
questions that arise from working with problems sets. Homework will be graded on effort,
completeness, as well as readability and organization. A person reading your homework should be able
to understand what the exercise requires and reflect the thinking process to
complete the problem. The conclusion
should be clearly expressed.
§
Organize sections (in order, with the most recent assignment on top) in
a flat folder with clips. The front
cover should show: Your Name
Math
101- Grindy
§
Each new homework assignment should start on a new page. Work neatly and carefully in pencil on 8.5” x
11” engineering paper, leaving space between problems. Circle your answers with a highlighter.
§
How you arrive at your conclusions
should be made clear by showing the original problem and all intermediate work.
§
Use straight edge and label
information on your graphs. If you
are using a graphing calculator, copy significant information onto your paper
to show what you are viewing for drawing conclusions.
§
Your work must be organized, easy to read and complete, with appropriate
strategies and notations applied and an understanding of central ideas, concepts and skills
demonstrated.
§
Homework journals will collected according to due dates posted; 3
lowest grades will be dropped- late work will generally not be
accepted.
Homework
Grading Scale
10- excellent demonstration of above qualities
9- good work
8- satisfactory
progress shown
7- suggest more
work on indicated problem areas
6- needs
significant improvement; suggest seeking
help with this material
<5 shows
little effort, considerable work missing
GRADES:
The semester grade
average will be weighted with these components:
§
Average of 4 mid-semester tests 50%
§
Cumulative final exam 20%
§
Homework (3 dropped) 15%
§
Quizzes
(2 dropped) 15%
The final
course letter grade is based on the overall weighted average and the following
scale: 90
< A < 100
79 < B < 90
68 < C < 79
50 < D < 68
F < 50
Keep all of your
assignments in an organized binder; maintain a record of your own grades
Class is NOT in session these days:
Monday,
January 15
Monday,
February 19
Last day to elect
credit/no credit grading:
Tuesday, February 6
Last day to withdraw from a course:
Friday, March 30
Final Exam:
Monday,
April 23 2 - 4pm
Week Chapter
sections
1. 1.1, 1.2,
1.3
2. 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
3 1.6, Review, Test Chapter 1
4 2.1,
2.2, 2.3
5 2.4,
2.5, 2.6
6 2.7, Review, Test
Chapter 2
7 3.1,
3.2
8 3.3, 3.4,
3.5
9 3.6, Review,
Test Chapter 3.
10 4.1, 4.2,
4.3,
11 4.4,
4.5, Review
12 Test Chapter 4, 5.1, 5.2
13 5.3,
5.4, 5.5
14 5.5,
5.6, 5.7
15
Review for Final