MAT 111

College Algebra

TEXTBOOK: Larson, Roland E. and Hostetler, Robert P., College Algebra, Sixth Edition, Houghton-Mifflin Company, New York, 2004.

UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT:

Lee University seeks to provide education that integrates biblical truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with truth discovered through the study of the arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions. A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the controlling perspective from which the education enterprise is carried out. The foundational purpose of all educational programs is to develop within the students knowledge, appreciation, understanding ability and skills which will prepare them for responsible living in the modern world.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

The real number system; relations and functions; algebraic functions; linear, quadratic, and higher degree equations; complex numbers; graphing; systems of equations; and applications through the use of word problems.

PREREQUISITES: ACT mathematics score of 19 or SAT equivalent or completion of Math 099 with a grade of C or better. And, two years of high school algebra with grades of C or better.

Three Credit Hours

I. PURPOSE: This course is designed to equip students with a working knowledge of the algebraic principles and methods which are basic to further study in the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Accounting.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:

A. General Learning Objectives:

This course is intended to:

1. Acquaint the student with the processes for determining the correct algebraic model from a given set of data.

2. Acquaint the student with the processes for determining a locus or graph for a given algebraic equation or function.

3. Acquaint the student with the processes of using algebraic models to solve everyday types of problems.

B. Specific Behavioral Objectives:

As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to:

1. Distinguish between different number systems.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of number systems.

3. Factor trinomials.

4. Demonstrate a knowledge of how to use the basic rules of algebra (radicals, exponents, rational expressions, polynomials).

5. Solve linear equations of one variable.

6. Solve quadratic equations of one variable.

7. Solve everyday types of problems using linear and quadratic equations.

8. Manipulate complex numbers.

9. Solve linear and quadratic inequalities of one variable.

10. Identify functions and construct their graphs.

11. Find zeros of functions.

12. Resolve a rational function into partial fractions.

13. Use the process of linear programming to solve problems.

14. Solve systems of Equations

15. Solve systems of inequalities

III. TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

A. Review of the fundamental concepts of Algebra

1. The Real number system

2. The basic rules of algebra

3. Radicals and rational exponents

4. Polynomials and special products

5. Factoring

6. Fractional expressions

7. Cartesian coordinate system

B. Algebraic equations and inequalities

1. Linear equations

2. Quadratic equations

3. Complex numbers

4. Other types of equations

5. Linear, quadratic, and other types of inequalities.

C. Functions and graphs

1. Lines in the plane and slope

2. Functions and graphs of functions

3. Combinations of functions

D. Polynomial functions: zeros and graphs

1. Quadratic functions

2. Polynomial functions of higher degree

3. Synthetic division

4. The fundamental theorem of algebra

5. Real zeros of polynomial functions

E. Rational functions

1. Rational functions

2. Partial fractions

F. Systems of equations and inequalities

1. Systems of equations

2. Systems of inequalities

3. Linear programming

G. Practical applications of algebraic concepts

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

A. Introductory and summary lectures on main topics

B. Demonstrations and explanations using chalkboards and overhead projectors

C. Daily assignments of problems

D. Class discussions

V. RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

A. Class attendance Regular attendance is essential to realize the purposes of this course. You are expected to attend every class! If circumstances beyond your control require you to be absent from class, you are to notify the teacher prior to the class meeting if at all possible. PLEASE read the university catalog concerning attendance (page 40). Your grade may be lowered one letter grade for excessive absences. Remember that an absence is an absence regardless of the reason.

B. Read textbook and take notes in class

C. Daily preparation of assignments (see attached assignment sheet)

D. Preparation for tests

VI. EVALUATION

The evaluation criteria will be supplied by the individual faculty member.

VII. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Lee University is committed to the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who think they may qualify for these accommodations should notify their instructor immediately. Special services are provided through the Academic Support Program.

VIII. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

As a Christian community of scholarship, we at Lee University are committed to the principles of truth and honesty in the academic endeavor. As faculty and students in this Christian community, we are called to present our academic work as an honest reflection of our abilities; we do not need to defraud members of the community by presenting others’ work as our own. Therefore, academic dishonesty is handled with serious consequences for two fundamental reasons: it is stealing – taking something that is not ours; it is also lying – pretending to be something it is not. In a Christian community, such pretense is not only unnecessary, it is also harmful to the individual and community as a whole. Cheating should have no place at a campus where Christ is King because God desires us to be truthful with each other concerning our academic abilities. Only with a truthful presentation of our knowledge can there be an honest evaluation of our abilities. To such integrity, we as a Christian academic community are called

IX. READING LIST

See text for course as listed.