MATH 1111

College Algebra

Summer 2006

 

Instructor:     Dr. Abdollah Khodkar

Office:           Boyd 309

 

Phone:           678-839-4126

Fax:                678-839-6490

Email:             akhodkar@westga.edu

 

Office Hours: 

 

Weekdays

Morning

Afternoon

Monday

 

 

Tuesday

9-11

3-5

Wednesday

10-12

 

Thursday

9-11

3-5

Friday

 

 

 

If you would like to see me but cannot come during one of these times, please call

first or make an appointment.

 

Prerequisites:  None

 

Hours Credit:  3 hours

 

Courses Description: This course is a functional approach to algebra that incorporates the use of technology.  Emphasis will be placed on the study of functions, and their graphs, inequalities, and linear, quadratic, piece-wise defined, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions.  Appropriate applications will be included.

 

Text:  Precalculus (2nd edition)  by Robert Blitzer, Prentice-Hall

 

 

Learning Outcomes: Students should be able to demonstrate:

  1. An understanding of the equations of circles and lines;
  2. An understanding of functions and how to graph functions;
  3. An understanding of operations on functions including function composition;
  4. An understanding of polynomial and rational graphs, including intercepts and asymptotes;
  5. An understanding of how to find the zeros of a polynomial and how to factor polynomials;
  6. An understanding of inverse functions and how to find them graphically and algebraically;
  7. An understanding of the properties of exponential and logarithmic equations;
  8. An understanding of how to solve exponential and logarithmic equations;
  9. An understanding of how to solve a system of equations.

 

Topics:  The following sections of Blitzer’s book will be covered:

Section

1.2       Lines and Slope

1.3       Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles

1.4       Basics of Functions

1.5       Graphs of Functions

1.6       Transformations of Functions

1.7       Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions

1.8       Inverse Functions

2.1       Complex Numbers

2.2       Quadratic Functions

2.3       Polynomial Functions and Graphs

2.4       Dividing Polynomials

2.5       Zeros of Polynomials  ( Optional Topics include:  Rational Root Theorem and

Descartes’ Rule of  Signs )

2.6       Rational Functions

3.1       Exponential Functions

3.2       Logarithmic Functions

3.3       Properties of Logarithms

3.4       Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

3.5       Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

7.1       Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

7.2       Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

7.4       Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables

7.5       Systems of Inequalities

7.6       Linear Programming

 

Calculators: You are not allowed to use “advanced” calculators such as TI-84 or better in your tests or final exam.

 

Homework: After each lesson, I will assign homework problems (from the text) that are not to be returned in and graded but that are meant to reflect the sort of question you can expect on tests. I encourage you to use my office hours if you have any questions about them. We will go over each homework together in the class before each test.

 

Tests: There will be three tests. Each will be worth 25%.

             Test 1: Tuesday, June 20

             Test 2: Tuesday, July 11

             Test 3: Thursday, July 20

If you miss a test and you have a “convincing” reason you must take a retest before the next test.

 

 

Final exam: The final exam will be worth 25% toward your final grade.

                       Tuesday-Thursday 11-1:45pm classes: Exam July 27, 12:30-2:30pm.

                       Tuesday-Thursday   5-7:45pm classes: Exam July 27, 5-7pm.

 

Grading Scale:

  • A= 87-100%
  • B= 76-86%
  • C= 64-75%
  • D= 50-63%
  • F=  0-49%

 

Grading: Your final grade will be determined as follows:  Tests: 75%, Final exam: 25%.

 If a student achieves a grade of A (87% or more) in her/his final exam, her/his grades for the tests will be discarded and her/his grade for this course will be an A.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

 

Academic dishonesty is NOT tolerated. It will result in failure on assignment(s) as well as possible disciplinary sanction(s) as stipulated by university rules. State University of

West Georgia Student Conduct Code defines academic dishonesty as cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating or allowing academic dishonesty in any academic exercise.

 

Cheating:  Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids;

 

Fabrication:  Falsification or unauthorized invention of any information or citation;

 

Plagiarism:  Representing the words or ideas of another as one's own. Direct quotations must be indicated and ideas of another must be appropriately acknowledged.

 

Academic dishonesty in any form compromises your grade and lowers the quality of your diploma. A fellow student who cheats may actually lower your grade, sometimes causing unfair and inflated grading scales. I hope each of you values your college education enough to protect yourself from dishonest classmates.