COLLEGE ALGEBRA

Course Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Herma Watkins Email: hwatkins@lambertschool.netPrep:

Course Length: One (2) Semesters Class Period:

Course Description:
This class will follow Dawson Community College curriculum. This course surveys a wide variety of topics, including
properties and theorems of the real and complex number systems, the function concept including inverse functions, graphing
techniques, linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions, solving systems of equations in two or more
variables using matrices and matrix algebra. The development of problem-solving skills is emphasized. This course is also
intended as a part of a college pre-calculus sequence.

Credits: 3 UNITS

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and equivalents

Existing Objectives:
This class's primary purpose is to ensure that each student will learn the Montana State Standards. This class will
provide whatever time or extra help is needed to learn all the following standards:
• Simplify, factor, and perform and of the basic arithmetic operations on polynomials and rational
expressions.
• Perform arithmetic operations and simplify algebraic expressions with rational exponents
including rationalizing a denominator.
• Solve linear, quadratic, rational, exponential, and logarithmic equations and be able to use
each of these to model and solve applied problems.
• Solve absolute value equations and inequalities and express solutions of inequalities in interval
notation.
• Identify relations vs. functions; use function notation; identify the domain, range, and intervals of
increasing/decreasing/constant values; algebraically and graphically identify even and odd
functions.
• Find zeros, asymptotes, and domain of rational functions.
• Evaluate and sketch graphs of piecewise functions and find their domain and range.
• Use algebra to combine functions and form composite functions, evaluate both combined and
composite functions and their graphs and determine their domains.
• Identify one-to-one functions, find and verify inverse functions, and sketch their graph.
• Write logarithms as exponentials and vice versa.
• Solve exponentials and logarithms using the one-to-one property or inverse properties.
• Expand and condense logarithmic expressions.

 GRADING STANDARD:
The grades in this course will be weighted based on the following required components:
Midterm and Quarter Grade Semester Grade
HOMEWORK 70% Quarter I / III 40 %
QUIZZES 30% Quarter II / IV 40 %
Final Exam 20 %

 GRADING SCALE
You should not expect any "curving" of grades.
A = 90-100% B = 80-89 C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F=59% or below
 HOMEWORK:
The best way to learn Math is by doing. Although the topic may be clear in the class, you will have difficulties when
examination time comes if you do not do your practice set. You will be given time to do the practice in the class. No credit is
given for homework with the answer only. The student must show their complete work. Students with EXCUSED absence will
be expected to turn in the practice set upon return, with full credit.

 QUIZ:
Quizzes will be given regularly. Quizzes may or may not be announced, so be prepared by asking questions if you do
not understand something. You must show all your work on quizzes to receive full credit.

 QUIZ RETAKE:
Students have an opportunity to retake a quiz. The final score will be the average of the score of the original quiz and
the retake.

 TEST:
Tests will be cumulative, so be sure to keep reviewing previous topics that have been covered. Test results will
award you three credits equivalent to an introductory-level college course. The Final Exam will be announced at least two
weeks before the day that it is given. Tentative Date: May 6th-10th, 2024

 MATH BASE:
Before and After School Enrichment (Math BASE) Program is available if you need extra help in this class.

 ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is expected because this is for the most part a lecture class. Excessive absence will likely lead to a poor
academic performance. Late student will not be tolerated. Poor attendance is the greatest detriment to success in this class.
Homework and recorded lecture will be posted in google classroom. If the student missed a class, student will be responsible
for any announcement made or material covered.

 TEXTBOOK:
College Algebra Ll Access Code by Blitzer (ISBN 013616577X) will be in the Student Share

 MATERIALS NEEDED:
Spiral notebooks (1 subject, graph ruled paper, 100 sheets, 11" x8-1/2") and TI-84 Plus Calculator

 COURTESY and DISHONESTY:

A high degree of civility is expected in this class. Students are expected to be respectful of all members of the class.
PLEASE, no cell phones, no listening to I-Pods, no sudden departures and no incidental chit- chat. You may not answer the
phone or initiate a call in the classroom during class time. Cheating of any sort will be addressed as described in the LPS
Student Handbook at a minimum. Most instances of academic dishonesty will result in a failure for the entire class.

 STUDENT DISABILITIES:
Student with special needs should inform the teacher within the first week of the class to ensure that their needs are
met in a timely manner. It is the student's responsibility to inform the teacher of his/ her needs and to provide.

 MISCELLANY:
A student who misses an exam will make up the exam before the next major exam; a grade of zero (0) will be
entered if not made up by that time. Late homework will not be accepted after the graded version is returned.

 Finally, please consider your ownership of this class. You can master this material. You can come to class, ask questions, and be
prepared to learn new material. You can do the practice set in a timely manner. You can come to test days fully prepared to show
the awesome amount you have learned. You can succeed in this class, and continue the habits you learn in this class to ensure
your success in all those that follow. Please plan to…

HAVE MOST EXCELLENT, SUCCESSFUL YEAR

 COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter TOPIC Homework Problems
1 Equations and Inequalities
1.1 Graphs and Graphing Utilities Page 102
1.2 Linear Equations and Rational Equations Page 119
1.3 Models and Applications Page 135
1.4 Complex Numbers Page 146
1.5 Quadratic Equations Page 166
1.6 Other types of Equations Page 185
1.7 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities Page 202
2 Functions and Graphs
2.1 Basic Functions and Their Graphs Page 230
2.2 More on Functions and Their Graphs Page 248
2.3 Linear Functions and Slope Page 266
2.4 More on Slope Page 278
2.5 Transformations of Functions Page 294
2.6 Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions Page 309
2.7 Inverse Functions Page 321
2.8 Functions and Graphs Page 332
3 Polynomial and Rational Functions
3.1 Quadratic Functions Page 359
3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs Page 377
3.3 Dividing Polynomials, Remainder Theorem and Factor Theorems Page 391
3.4 Zeros of a Polynomial Functions Page 405
3.5 Rational Functions and Their Graphs Page 426
3.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities Page 440
3.7 Modeling using Variation Page 451
4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 Exponential Functions Page 474
4.2 Logarithmic Functions Page 489
4.3 Properties of Logarithm Page 501
4.4 Exponential and Logarithm Equations Page 514
4.5 Exponential Growth and Decay: Modeling Data Page 528
5 Systems of Equations and Inequalities
5.1 Solve Linear Systems in Two Variables Page 554
5.2 Solve Linear Systems in Three Variables Page 566
5.3 Partial Fractions Page 578
5.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two-Variables Page 587
5.5 Systems of Inequalities Page 599
5.6 Linear Programming Page 608
6 Matrices and Determinants
6.1 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems Page 630
6.2 Inconsistent and Dependent Systems and Their Applications Page 640
6.3 Matrix Operations and Their Applications Page 654
6.4 Multiplicative Inverse of Matrices and Matrix Equations Page 670
6.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule Page 683
Final Examination on May 6th – 10th