Course Prefix & Number: MAT 102_______________
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra______
Class Hours Lab Hours Credits
Per week: 3.0 Per Week: ___ Awarded: 3.0
Catalog Description: This course includes the following topics: properties of numbers; fundamental operations with algebraic expressions; polynomials; systems of equations; ratio and proportion; factoring; functions; graphs; solutions of linear inequalities; and linear and quadratic equations.
Entry Level Skills: A student entering MAT 102 should be able to: perform operations on real numbers, simplify algebraic expressions, solve equations and word problems, perform calculations on polynomials, factor polynomials, solve equations and word problems using polynomials, plot points and graph equations, solve systems of equations, and perform calculations on radical expressions.
Pre-requisites: MAT 101 with a grade of C or better.
Co-requisites: none
Text(s)/Required Materials: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra Concepts and Applications: by Bittenger, Ellenbogen, &Johnson, 4th edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 2006.
Equipment: Calculator (TI-83, TI-83 Plus, or TI-84 Plus recommended).
Upon completion of this unit (Sections 4.6-8 and 5.6) the successful student should be able to:
1. divide polynomials by long division;
2. factor a polynomial by grouping;
3. identify and apply Polya’s five step problem solving strategy;
4. apply mathematical models to solve problems;
5. identify and apply the properties of exponents;
6. use scientific notation and significant figures appropriately.
Upon completion of this unit (Sections 3.6-7 and 7.1-5) the successful student should be able to:
1. calculate the rate of change of a linear equation;
2. visualize graphically the rate of change of a linear equation;
3. use points on the graph to calculate the rate/slope of the line;
4. find the slope of horizontal and vertical lines;
5. use the slope-intercept form of a straight line to graph the equation;
6. identify parallel and perpendicular lines;
7. identify a relation;
8. identify a function as a special kind of relation;
9. determine the graph of a function;
10. use function notation;
11. determine the domain and range of a function;
12. use the vertical line test to determine if a graph represents a function;
13. identify a non-linear function;
14. perform the four fundamental operations on a function;
15. identify direct, inverse, joint, and combined variation;
16. use variation to solve appropriate word problems.
Upon completion of this unit (Sections 8.1-3 and 9.1-4) the successful student should be able to:
1. translate appropriate word problems into a system of equations;
2. solve a system of two equations in two unknowns graphically;
3. solve a system of two equations in two unknowns by substitution;
4. solve a system of two equations in two unknowns by elimination;
5. use systems of equations to solve problems;
6. solve inequalities;
7. use interval notation;
8. use interval notation in solving problems;
9. determine the intersection of two sets;
10. identify intersection and conjunction together;
11. identify unions and disjunctions together;
12. solve compound inequalities;
13. identify absolute value as a piecewise defined function;
14. solve equations involving absolute value;
15. solve inequalities involving absolute value;
16. graph linear inequalities;
17. graph systems of linear inequalities
Upon completion of this unit (Sections 10.1-5) the successful student should be able to:
1. identify the parts of a radical expression using the correct terms;
2. simplify a radical;
3. determine the effect of an even or an odd root index;
4. use rational exponents correctly;
5. apply the laws of exponents using rational exponents;
6. apply the four fundamental operations with radical expressions;
7. rationalize the numerator and denominator of rational radical expressions;
8. perform the four fundamental operations with radical expressions containing different indices.
Upon completion of this unit (Sections 6.1-2, 4-6 and 11.1-4) the successful student should be able to:
1. determine the least common denominator;
2. add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational algebraic expressions with or without a common denominator;
3. simplify complex rational expression;
4. solve equations containing rational terms;
5. simplify rational expressions;
6. solve application problems requiring rational equations;
7. solve and apply rational formulas/equations;
8. solve quadratic equations by factoring;
9. solve quadratic equations by completing the square;
10. use quadratic equations to solve appropriate applications;
11. solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula;
12. derive the quadratic formula;
13. use the discriminate to determine the number and nature of the solution(s);
14. given the solution, determine the equation.
Grade Calculation Method:
Five Exams = 70-80%
Homework = 5-10%
Final = 15-20%
Total 100 %
Prepared by Hubert McClure________ Date written or revised: 04/10/06_______