Intermediate Algebra

Catalog Descriptions: Math 112 (4.0 credit hrs—which means you should set aside 8-16 hrs outside of class for Algebra)
Solution of linear equations and inequalities; integer and rational exponents, simplification of radicals; systems of linear equations; solution of
quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and quadratic formula; applications included throughout course. Prerequisite: Grade of
 “C” or better in Mathematics 110 or Placement Test.

Required Materials:	• Intermediate Algebra, Seventh Edition, by Charles P. McKeague. • Paper: Graphing & “Clean-Edge” binder paper for homework • Pencils (Do not use pens on homework or exams, unless told to) • Be organized and write legibly.
Recommended Items:	• Email-address. • Online resources, Practice quizzes and Study Study-guide. • Read ahead & write down questions, have & use a notebook
Academic Standards/ Dishonesty	“Students are expected to behave in a manner appropriate to a place of study and learning… Students must maintain Academic Standards established by the District. Failure to meet Academic Standards and changes in Academic Status may affect financial aid eligibility…. Plagiarism and cheating of any kind are serious violations of these standards and will result, minimally, in the grade of “F” by the instructor” Any student who cheats, attempts to cheat, or is suspected of cheating (as determined by the instructor) during a quiz/exam or any attempt to copy reports/labs will receive a grade of zero for that assignment and possibly receive an F for the course and be reported to the administration.
Final Grades:	Grades will not be posted nor emailed. You may bring a self-addressed-stamped envelope to the Final., or wait until the grades become available from Admissions and Records.
Grading Tentative Grade Scale: A: 90%-100% B: 80%- 89% C: 70%- 79% Not Passing: Below 69% *Based on percent of total points, variations are possible	This is a rough breakdown of what might be assigned: Chapter Exams; Class-work; Textbook Homework Assignments; Daily Quizzes and Final Exam(s). • You are required to take the final exam. Those who do not will receive an automatic F for the course.   Boarder-line cases for grades, will be determined by Homework & Class Attendance.   Be NEAT… If I can’t read it, I won’t grade it. Show ALL WORK in pencil.   You need to be able to show how you reached your solutions for credit
	Testing:	• There will be Chapter Tests: each will cover 1 or 2 chapter each. • Daily Quizzes, sometimes two. Do not show up late and lose your possible quiz points... • Final Exam (~ 30% of grade): Comprehensive final, covering in class material. • There will be no make-up tests/quizzes. Your lowest 1-quiz & 1-test, will be dropped. • Late students will not get extra time and will not be able to makeup missed quizzes. • Same rule applies to those students who leave early, when quiz is given towards the end of class.
	Book Assignments:	• Daily textbook assignments will be made (usually all odd problems.) Students are responsible for the completion of all assigned problems. Problems will be collected daily. • Assignments must be in pencil, neatly done and well organized. • In order to get credit: Write the problem, show your work and express the final answer in a clear, precise manner. (Any questions? Ask first!) • All book assignments will be due at the beginning of the scheduled class time.
	Class-work	• You should read ahead, so you know what to expect during class-time...The more informed you are coming into the classroom; the better the lesson, the questions, student input, and the learning!!!! • Student input is encouraged throughout all classroom presentations and problem solving, with courtesy and respect given to instructor and other students! Students are invited to ask and answer questions during the lecture as well as to work collaboratively in-class, during appropriate times... Ideally, there is maximum student participation in each class period.
	Extra Points Available	• Online quizzes: to be emailed to instructor once completed & graded. • Extra Written Reports with a Class presentation of results. • Internet Projects available.
Calculators	• You need to be able to show how you reached your solutions for credit. Therefore calculators will not be used... you need to learn not to rely on your calculator for your answers. You will not be able to use them on quizzes, exams nor on the finals.
Adjustments:	All students who have been authorized for academic adjustments/ accommodations for examinations/tests/quizzes should submit the proper authorizations forms within the first two weeks of the course.
Attendance:	• Attendance is a requirement of Harold Washington College. “Students are required to attend class. Non- failure to attend class may result in being a withdrawal from class or failing the course… Faculty may consider excessive absenteeism or tardiness in the evaluation” • You must attend class every day in order to be success in this course. It is also important for you to be on time. Attendance will be taken at least once each meeting. It is also important for you to be on time and not leave early. (Therefore schedule personal appointments well outside of class-time with sufficient time for travel.) • Report all absences by notifying the Instructor and/or Department Secretary by email, voicemail, or in writing, prior to the class. • In the event that you must miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed, not the instructor. Keep a list of phone numbers of other class-members that you may call and get the daily assignment. It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from the course. A student with excessive absences may be dropped from the course. • If due to an emergency your instructor is twenty minutes late and no one has notified you otherwise, students are excused. HOWEVER, remain in class until this time; and send a student to notify the Dept. Make sure to sign in prior to leaving. Then you may leave with no penalty for absence for that class meeting, as long as you did sign-in!
Note: (1) “Emergency” cases will be discussed on a case-to-case basis. (2) No tape recorders, audible beepers, or telephones are permitted in class. You may be asked to leave class if a phone does go off AND you will have points deducted!! So turn your cell phones OFF. Cell-phones may also be confiscated & given to the Vice-President. (3) No student solution manuals are permitted in class. Objectives (Not limited to the list below.) After completing this course, you should be able to select, understand and apply correct mathematical procedures to problems related to each of the following topics: 1. Review Topics: Signed number arithmetic. Order of operations. Use of inequality symbols. Review of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing monomials & polynomials. Review of factoring quadratic trinomials & difference of two squares. Factoring sum and difference of two cubes. 2. First degree equations and inequalities Solving first degree equations. Equations with absolute value. Literal equations and formulas. Linear inequalities. Word problems. 3. Algebraic Fractions Review of adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and reducing to lowest terms. Fractional equations. 4. Exponents and Radicals Negative and zero exponents. Scientific notation. Radical notation. Fractional exponents. Simplified form for radicals and rationalizing denominators. Adding and multiplying expressions with radicals. 5. Quadratic Equations Solving by factoring, by completing the square, by the quadratic formula. Word problems leading to quadratics. 6. Lines and Linear Systems Rectangular coordinates. ( 2 dimensions) graph of lines. Solving systems of linear equations in two variables by substitution and by eliminating a variable. Solving systems of 3 equations in 3 unknown by the same methods. Introduction to determinants. Cramer’s rule. Word problems leading to systems.

Note from the instructor:

Student input is encouraged throughout all classroom presentations, i.e., students are invited to ask and answer questions during the lecture as well as to work
collaboratively on in-class or out-of-class group projects. Ideally, there is maximum student participation in each class period. Get into a study group with
fellow students early in the semester, whether you think you will need it or not.

If you find yourself getting frustrated or worried, come talk to me, or a counselor right away!!! Students who take advantage of office hours usually wind up
doing well in the course, but I can’t help you unless you come discuss your concerns with me! At some point in the future you may find that you need an
instructor recommendation for a scholarship, college application letter, etc., and instructor contact during the semester gives me a chance to get to know you as
a person.

Contents: Intermediate Algebra, 7^th Edition by Charles P McKeague.
Note: All chapters have: Summary, Review, Test, and Projects

• 9. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (543)
(If we have time)
• 10. Conic Sections (599, )
• 11. Sequences and Series (631)
• Appendix A: Synthetic Division (677)
• Appendix B: Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems (680)
• Appendix C: Conditional Statements (684)