Course Number:  MATH 1111

 

 

Course Title:  College Algebra

 

 

Hours Credit:  3 hours

 

 

Prerequisites:  None

 

 

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

 

 

Grading Method:  To be determined by instructor.