Introductory Algebra I Lecture
COURSE DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a lecture course in elementary algebra. Topics include the real number
system, operations with real numbers,
simplification of algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and
inequalities. Topics also include graphing
linear equations, slopes, equations of lines, graphing inequalities in two
variables, systems of linear equations,
applications and problem solving. Additional topics are exponents, scientific
notation, and operations with
polynomials.
This is a developmental course and students must achieve a grade of C- or
better to pass the course. Credit
for this course will not be counted toward fulfilling graduation requirements at
STCC.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required. A student having three absences coupled with
unacceptable progress risks withdrawal from
this course. A student absent from class bears full responsibility for all
subject and procedural information
discussed in class, including any changes in exam dates and assignments.
TESTING AND GRADING
The final grade will be based 40% on the quiz average and 60% on the examination
average. Students must
achieve a minimum overall average of 70% in this course in order to pass.
Students must also score at least
70% on the final examination in order to pass this course and progress to
Algebra 2.
If at any time during the semester there is any evidence of academic
dishonesty or collusion by students on an exam
or quiz, the Dean of Students and other relevant college authorities will be
notified, and students involved may be
dismissed from the course with an automatic grade of F.
INDIVIDUAL HELP
The instructor will meet with students during scheduled office hours. To insure
the availability of the instructor,
please make an appointment. The Tutor Center in the Math Department (through
Room 425) is open from 8:00AM
to 3:00PM Monday through Friday. Students may drop in at any time to work with
student tutors. Professional
tutors are available in the Student Success Center by appointment.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Students with special needs that require accommodations must contact the Office
of Disability Services for
processing of the necessary documentation, and then speak to the instructor
STCC POLICY ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Behavior, which disrupts the establishment or maintenance of the learning
environment, may result in the student
causing the behavior to be excluded from the classroom by the instructor. The
student may be subject to further
punitive action by the Dean of Students.
Late arrival and early departure from class is considered disruptive
behavior. Students are expected to arrive on
time for class, and to seek permission from the instructor if they need to leave
class early.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
All quizzes are based on the objectives for that chapter.
Chapter 1A: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
Objectives:
1. Evaluate variable expressions.
2. Translate phrases to algebraic expressions.
3. Solve problems involving order.
4. Find the absolute value of a number.
5. Evaluate expressions involving addition of signed numbers.
6. Find the opposite of a number
7. Evaluate expressions involving subtraction of signed numbers.
8. Simplify numeric expressions.
Chapter 1B: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
Objectives:
1. Evaluate expressions involving multiplication of signed numbers.
2. Evaluate expressions involving multiplication or more than two signed
numbers.
3. Evaluate expressions involving division of signed numbers.
4. Find the reciprocal of a number.
5. Divide signed fractions.
6. Remove common factors from an expression.
7. Combine like terms.
8. Apply distributive law to expand a product.
9. Simplify expressions involving grouping symbols.
10. Apply order of operations to evaluate an expression.
Chapter 2A: Solving Equations and Inequalities
Objectives:
1. Solve equations of the form x + a = b.
2. Solve equations of the form x - 2.4 = 5.7.
3. Solve equations of the form a x = b.
4. Solve equations of the form a/x = b.
5. Solve equations of the form (a/b) x = c.
6. Solve linear equations.
7. Solve equations with parentheses.
8. Solve number word problems.
9. Solve other simple word problems
Chapter 2B: Solving Equations and Inequalities
Objectives:
1. Find percent of a number.
2. Solve numeric problem involving percent.
3. Solve word problems involving percents.
4. Solve formula equation.
5. Solve linear inequalities.
6. Graph number line inequality.
7. Translate verbal statement to an inequality.
Chapter 3A: Graphs of Linear Equations
Objectives:
1. Locate the quadrant for a given point.
2. Determine if a given point satisfies an equation.
3. Find y given a x + b y = c.
4. Find intercepts given an equation.
5. Find intercepts given a graph.
6. Given an equation plot its graph.
7. Determine if an equation has a vertical line graph
8. Determine if an equation has a horizontal line graph.
9. Given a horizontal or vertical line graph, determine the equation.
10. Find the slope of the line through 2 points.
11. Find the slope given the equation of the line.
Chapter 3B: Graphs of Linear Equations
Objectives:
1. Find the equation of the line given a point and the slope.
2. Find the equation of the line through 2 given points.
3. Identify parallel and perpendicular lines given the equations of 2 lines.
4. Determine if a point is a solution of a linear inequality.
5. Plot the graph of a linear inequality.
Chapter 3C: Systems of Equations
Objectives:
1. Determine if a point is a solution to a system of equations
2. Determine whether paired lines are the same, parallel, or intersecting at one
point.
3. Solve a system of equations by the substitution method.
4. Solve a system of equations by the elimination method.
5. Solve mixture problems.
6. Solve coin/value problems.
Chapter 4A: Polynomials: Operations
Objectives:
1. Evaluate exponential expressions.
2. Evaluate x0.
3. Simplify expressions involving negative exponents.
4. Multiply like bases.
5. Divide like bases.
6. Express a number in scientific notation.
7. Apply exponent laws to simplify an expression.
8. Collect like terms.
9. Add polynomials.
10. Subtract polynomials.
Chapter 4B: Polynomials: Operations
Objectives:
1. Multiply monomials.
2. Multiply binomials.
3. Multiply the difference of two squares.
4. Multiply perfect squares.
5. Evaluate polynomials involving more then one variable.
6. Collect like terms for expressions involving more than one variable.
7. Multiply binomials for expressions involving more than one variable.
8. Divide a monomial by a monomial.
9. Divide a polynomial by a monomial.
COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter 1A: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic
Expression
1.1 Introduction to Algebra
1.2 The Real Numbers
1.3 Addition of Real Numbers
1.4 Subtraction of Real Numbers
Quiz 201A
Chapter 1B: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic
Expression
1.5 Multiplication of Real Numbers
1.6 Division of Real Numbers
1.7 Properties of Real Numbers
1.8 Simplifying Expressions; Order of Operations
Quiz 201B
Chapter 2A: Solving Equations and Inequalities
2.1 Solving Equations: The Addition Principle
2.2 Solving Equations: The Multiplication Principle
2.3 Using the Principles Together
2.4 Applications and Problem Solving
Quiz 202A
Chapter 2B: Solving Equations and Inequalities
2.5 Applications with Percents
2.6 Formulas
2.7 Solving Inequalities
Quiz 202B
Examination 1 (Based on Chapters 1 and 2) – Test Code 781
Chapter 3A: Graphs of Linear Equations
3.1 Graphs and Applications of Linear Equations
3.2 More with Graphing and Intercepts
3.3 Slope and Applications
Quiz 203A
Chapter 3B: Graphs of Linear Equations
3.4 Equations of Lines
3.5 Graphing Using Slope and y-intercept
3.6 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
3.7 Graphing Inequalities in Two Variables
Quiz 203B
Chapter 3C: Systems of Linear Equations
3.8 Systems of Equations in Two Variables
3.9 The Substitution Method
3.10 The Elimination Method
3.11 Applications and Problem Solving
Quiz 203C
Examination 2: (Based on Chapter 3) – Test Code 782
Chapter 4A: Polynomials: Operations
4.1 Integers as Exponents
4.2 Exponents and Scientific Notation
4.3 Introduction to Polynomials
4.4 Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
Quiz 204A
Chapter 4B: Polynomials: Operations
4.5 Multiplication of Polynomials
4.6 Special Products
4.7 Operations with Polynomials in Several Variables
4.8 Division of Polynomials
Quiz 204B
Examination 3 – Test Code 783
This examination is comprehensive and serves as the final examination.