TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Catalog Course Description:  Focus on basic algebra, linear and quadratic equations, basic trigonometry and concepts of functions and graphs in a problem based study of electrical topics.

Entry Level Skills:  A student entering Mat 181 should have the math skills associated with the successful completion of high school Algebra II and should also have the required mathematics placement score.

Prerequisites:  None

Corequisites:  PHY 181, EGR 181 ENG 181

 Text(s):  Technical Mathematics with Calculus; by Ewen, Carey, and Trefzger (second edition, 2005,Pearson-Prentice hall Addison - Wesley Longman , Inc.)

Equipment: Graphing calculator (TI-83 or TI-83 plus recommended)

Course Competencies and Objectives / Major Course Topics:    

 Unit 1:  Basic Statistics

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 19.1 – 19.6), the successful student should be able to:       

      1. Use frequency tables, histograms, and frequency polygons to display data;

2. Calculate and use the mean, the median, and the mode of a data set;

      3.  Calculate and use the standard deviation of a data set;

     4.  Fit a curve to a set of points;

5.   Use a Normal Distribution to find the percent of values within a given interval.

 Unit 2:   Systems of Linear Equations 

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 6.1-6.3), the successful student should be able to:

      1.  Solve a system of two equations in two unknowns graphically;

2.  Solve a system of linear equations in two unknowns by substitution and elimination methods;

3.  Solve a system of three equations in three unknowns.

 Unit 3: Exponents and Radicals

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 8.1-8.5 and 9.6), the successful student should be able to:

      1.  Simplify expressions with integral and rational exponents;

2.  Simplify radical expressions;

3.  Add, subtract and multiply radical expressions;

4.  Rationalize denominators of algebraic expression;

5.  Solve equations containing radical expressions.

  Unit 4:  Exponentials and Logarithms

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 9.1-9.9), the successful student should be able to:

      1.  Graph exponential functions;

2.  Graph logarithmic functions;

3.  Use a calculator to evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions;

4.  Use the properties of logarithms;

5.  Evaluate expressions containing exponential and logarithmic functions;

6.  Solve exponential equations;

7.  Solve logarithmic equations;

8.  Use logarithmic and semi-logarithmic graph paper.

 Unit 5:  Graphing Trigonometric Functions

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 12.1-12.5), the successful student should be able to:

     1.  Sketch the graphs of the trigonometric functions;

2.  Identify the amplitude, period, and phase shift for a function of the form y = a sin(bx + c) and y = a cos( bx + c );

3.  Graph composite curves;

4.  Solve simple harmonic motion problems.

 Unit 6: Complex Numbers

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 14.1-14.4), the successful student should be able to:

1.  Know when two complex numbers are equal;

2.  Write complex numbers in polar form;

3.  Write complex numbers in exponential form;

4.  Perform the four fundamental operations with complex numbers in all forms.

Unit 7: Inequalities and Absolute Value

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 17.1-17.4), the successful student should be able to:

1.  Use the trichotomy property of real numbers;

2.  Graph linear inequalities in one variable;

3.  Solve simple and compound linear inequalities in one variable;

4.  Solve absolute value equations and inequalities;

5.  Solve non-linear inequalities in one variable;

6.  Solve inequalities of rational expressions in one variable;

7.  Solve inequalities in two variables.

Unit 8: Analytic Geometry

 Upon completion of this unit (sections 20.1-20.2 and 20.8), the successful student should be able to:

1.  Graph circles and parabolas;

2.  Find the center and radius of a circle;

3.  Find the vertex, directrix, and focus of a parabola;

4.  Convert between polar and rectangular coordinates.

Grade Calculation Method:  

 Tests                =         40%

Projects           =         20%

Homework      =          20%

Final Exam      =          20%

Total                            100%

   Prepared by Joseph E. Stearns                      Date written or revised:  November 29, 2005