If you are good at the nuts and bolts of algebra, then you can certainly find success in this course. In particular, you should be able to readily simplify algebraic expressions, factor binomials and some trinomials, find the sum, difference, product, or quotient of rational functions by factoring and obtaining common multiples, graph linear and quadratic functions, apply the quadratic formula to solve equations of degree two in one variable, and use algebra to describe and then solve elementary applied problems. This prerequisite material is covered in a typical Intermediate Algebra course which is taught in every high school in the world and in most colleges.
Carefully read the syllabus so that you understand course policies and procedures. Check out each of the links on the left portion of the homepage. When you click on the Lessons link, you will find 25 lesson that guide you through the instructional content of the course.
Not all sections of the online text are covered. The required sections are
Chapter 1: Sections 1.1-1.6
Chapter 2: Sections 2.1-2.8
Chapter 3: Sections 3.1-3.4
Chapter 4: Sections 4.1-4.5
Chapter 8: Sections 8.1, 8.3 and 8.6
Chapter 9: Sections 9.1-9.4
For each lesson, there are links to those sections of the text that are assigned. Links to the Video Tutorials, Check Your Understanding, and Assigned Problems are also indicated. Before you attempt the homework you should have read carefully the text material and also the Check Your Understanding page for that section. We also recommend that you review the video tutorials. You can also access the homework by clicking on the Assignments link on the left side of the homepage. For example, click on the link Homework Page 1-1 and you will see a PDF document with problems that can be worked using the methods covered in section 1.1. This document can be printed. You should work through these problems and then compare your answers to the solutions given in Homework Answer 1.1. This process should be repeated for each one of the assigned sections. To summarize, for each assigned section, you should read carefully the definitions, theorems, and examples, check your understanding, view the video files, and then try to work through the homework. Compare your answers with the provided solutions.
There are three midterms, each worth 100 points. Midterm 1 covers Chapters 1 and 2. Midterm 2 is based on Chapters 3 and 4. The third midterm is based on the assigned material in Chapters 8, and 9. You may use a graphing calculator.
You are allowed one hour for each midterm. Show all of you work since partial credit will be given. The problem types on the tests are like those found on the quizzes.
The course has been designed to prepare you for a subsequent calculus course, either the science based sequence or the business calculus course. Consequently, there are many examples and exercises that encourage you to apply your knowledge of algebra to solve interesting real-world problems.
If you are enrolled in a semester-based course, by the end of the 5th week of the semester you should have completed Quiz 1, Quiz 2, and Exam 1. Quiz 3, Quiz 4, and Exam 2 should be completed by the end of the 10th week. Quiz 5, Quiz 6, and Exam 3 should be completed by the last week of the semester. As with any mathematics course, it is important that you do not get behind schedule. Each section usually builds on material from previous sections. If you let the time between assignments drag out, the material gets "cold" and it will be more difficult to catch back up.
| Dr. E Robert Heal, Professor Department of Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Website Robert.Heal@usu.edu |
Zhu, Min Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing, China aliriver@126.com |
