MATH 99 - BASIC ALGEBRA
1. PREREQUISITES
Demonstrated scores within a selected range on Holy Cross College’s placement
test, or completion of
Math 095 with a grade of C or better.
2. TEXTBOOKS AND/OR EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES (purchased by student)
A. Required
Intermediate Algebra, Charles P. McKeague, Seventh Edition, Brooks/Cole,
2007
B. Optional
Student Solution Manual, McKeague (not at bookstore)
Scientific or Graphing Calculator
Colored pencils or pens
3. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Basic Algebra does not assume previous instruction in algebra. Students are
expected to be able to
perform basic arithmetic operations ( +, -, x, / ) on whole numbers, fractions,
and decimals.
Course content includes the basic properties and
definitions of algebra, signed numbers, translating
verbal expressions, and order of operations. Other topics include solving linear
equations and
inequalities in one variable, properties of exponents, operations with
polynomials and rational
expressions, a general strategy for factoring, and finally, solving quadratic
equations by factoring.
Students who successfully complete this course with a
grade of C or better will have the skills necessary
to advance to MATH 101 (Intermediate Algebra) or MATH 111 (Discrete
Mathematics).
4. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
A. General
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able:
To read the math textbook
To perform the mathematical objectives stated in each lesson
To work cooperatively in small groups
To be attentive and follow directions
To give clear and logical explanations
B. Content
Content objectives are listed in this syllabus after the assignment sheet.
C. Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are listed in this syllabus after the assignment sheet and
content objectives.
5. GRADING SCALE
| Percent | Grade | Percent | Grade |
| 92-100 | A | 78-79 | C+ |
| 90-91 | A- | 72-77 | C+ |
| 88-89 | B+ | 70-71 | C- |
| 82-87 | B | 60-69 | D |
| 80-81 | B- | 0-59 | F |
*Note: A grade of C or better is required to
progress to Math 101 and a grade of D or better is
required to progress to Math 111
6. GRADING CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation Work: (15%) Students must take
advantage of opportunities to share problem
solutions at the board, correct any test mistakes, possibly do journals,
computer labs, and visit the LRC
tutoring center. Classroom participation is mandatory. Attendance will be
factored into your grade here.
Homework: (15%) Problem sets (exercises at the end of each
section) will be assigned daily to be turned
in the following day. To earn full credit, you must write down the problem, show
any necessary work,
arrive at the correct solution, and circle or highlight your solution please. As
you work the problems,
check answers in the back of the book to make sure that you understand the
concept. Indicate your
name, homework number and Math 99 – 1 at the top right hand margin of your
homework paper(s).
Quizzes: (10%) Quizzes may or may not be announced but
will only cover the most recent material.
Always be prepared! Some quiz scores may be dropped at semester’s end.
Tests: (40%) Think of our chapter tests as opportunities to excel. Please
complete the tests in pencil, and
of course, you must show all scrap work neatly numbered. If you are absent on a
test day, your test
grade will be zero unless arrangements for a make-up test are made within 24
hours. One low test score
will be dropped if you miss three (3) or fewer classes.
Exam: (20%) The final examination will be taken on Saturday, December 13 from 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
7. MAKE UP POLICY
Homework will be handed in daily. Late homework (even due
to absence) may be given reduced credit
and will not be accepted for full credit after the assignments have been
returned to the class. Random
homework problems will be checked daily. Credit will be granted only if you show
your work and it is
correct. Quizzes may be planned or unannounced. Missed quizzes may not be made
up.
8. ATTENDANCE POLICY/ WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Punctual class attendance is required and will be factored
into your class participation grade. 100 %
attendance is expected. Try not to miss any class. If you miss 3 or fewer
classes, you may drop one low
test score at the end of the semester. Perfect attendance will be rewarded by
dropping two low quiz
scores and your low test score at the end of the semester. Your attendance grade
will drop by 10% for
each absence. Three tardies count as an absence.
September 1 is the last day to drop a class. October 31 is
the last day to withdraw from a class with a
grade of W. December 11 is the last day for class withdrawal with a WP or WF.
9. OTHER INFORMATION
• Reminder:
In order to be successful, you need to be a
participant, not a spectator. YOU are responsible for your
own education. I will facilitate, encourage, counsel, guide, and support your
learning. Merely being
present expecting someone to feed you information does not mean you are
learning. People become
educated because of the work they themselves do. You must be actively engaged.
In our class,
checking the answers in the back of the book is essential. You are expected to
preview the section that
will be covered in class the following day. As you read the text, work the
margin problems as directed.
• Special Needs/ Learning Disabilities:
You are encouraged to make known to us any problems that
may make it difficult for you to learn math.
We will do our best to work with you to help you succeed. Any special
accommodations must be
requested in advance, and only after appropriate paperwork has been received by
me from Brother Chris
Dreyer, Director of Student Counseling Services. For more info, consult your
student handbook.
• Good Advice:
If you are ever discouraged or have concerns or questions,
do not hesitate to talk with me. Please call or
make an appointment, or just drop by during office hours, or visit me at the
Learning Resource Center
during my scheduled hours.
• Tutoring:
You are encouraged to make use of the Learning Resource
Center. Hours and location will be posted on
the bulletin board in the Max and on the internet at www.hcc-nd.edu/tutoring .
Peer tutors, adult
tutors, and teachers are available to help you FREE OF CHARGE. If your grades
falter, you may be
required to visit the tutoring center as part of your class participation grade.
Videotapes of all lectures
are also available at the library for viewing in the LRC or your dorm. A CD is
included with your text that
has a video lesson for each section from the text, as well as practice problems.
You have 24/7 web
access to text-specific tutorials, and live, one-on-one help from a qualified
instructor on the web during
specific hours.
• Academic honesty policy/classroom conduct policy/student athlete policies:
The student should consult the student handbook if he has
questions about appropriate classroom
conduct or attire, students’ rights, academic honesty policies or student
athlete policies. Cell phones
should not be used or in sight during class times. Student athletes are
responsible for missed
assignments.
• Important Dates:
September 1 is the last day to add/drop a class
October 18 -26 is fall break
October 31 is the last day for class withdrawal with W
November 26-30 is Thanksgiving break
December 11 is last day for class withdrawal with WP or WF
December 12,13, 15, 16 are final exams
December 13 Saturday, 10:15 to 12:15 is your math final exam
PLAN AHEAD: Do NOT ask to take the exam at any other time because of travel
commitments.
10. ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Note: You are to do every 3rd problem for homework, starting with 3: i.e. do 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, etc.
| Date | Classroom / Lesson | Assignment Due | ||
| Mon | 8/25 | Introduction | None | |
| Wed | 8/27 | 1.1 Fundamental Definitions and Notation | HW # 1 | p. 8: Getting Ready, 1 - 4 |
| p. 2: 2 - 20 even | ||||
| Class Participation Questions on Syllabus | ||||
| Fri | 8/29 | 1.2 The Real Numbers | HW # 2 | 1.1: 3 – 120, every 3rd |
| Mon | 9/1 | 1.3 Properties of Real Numbers | HW # 3 | 1.2: 3 – 84, every 3rd |
| Wed | 9/3 | 1.3 Continued | HW # 4 | 1.3: 3 – 132, every 3rd |
| Fri | 9/5 | 1.4 Arithmetic with Real Numbers | CP Handout on Properties | |
| Mon | 9/8 | 1.5 Recognizing Patterns | HW # 5 | 1.4: 3 – 150, every 3rd |
| Wed | 9/10 | Review | HW # 6 | 1.5: 3 – 45, every 3rd |
| Fri | 9/12 | Test #1: 1.1 to 1.5 | HW # 7 | |
| Mon | 9/15 | 2.1 Linear Equations in One Variable | HW # 8 | p. 74: 2 - 20 even |
| p. 88: 113 – 124 even | ||||
| p. 99: 92 – 100 even | ||||
| p. 114: 54 – 68 even | ||||
| Wed | 9/17 | 2.2: Formulas | HW # 9 | 2.1: 3 – 96, every 3rd |
| Fri | 9/19 | 2.3: Applications | HW # 10 | 2.2: 3 – 42, every 3rd |
| Mon | 9/22 | 2.3: Applications | HW # 11 | 2.2: 45 – 78, every 3rd |
| Wed | 9/24 | 2.4 Linear Inequalities in One Variable | HW # 12 | 2.3: 3 – 51, every 3rd |
| Fri | 9/26 | 2.4 Continued | HW # 13 | 2.4: 3 – 39, every 3rd |
| Mon | 9/29 | Review 2.1 – 2.4 | HW # 14 | 2.4: 42 – 51, every 3rd; 65 – 72 all |
| Wed | 10/1 | TEST 2: 2.1 – 2.4 | HW # 15 | p. 145: 2 – 34 even |
| Fri | 10/3 | 5.1: Properties of Exponents | HW # 16 | p. 324: 2 – 24 even |
| p. 335: 114 – 126 even | ||||
| Mon | 10/6 | 5.2: Polynomials, Sums, and Differences | HW # 17 | 5.1: 3 – 102 every 3rd |
| Wed | 10/8 | 5.3: Multiplication of Polynomials | HW # 18 | 5.2: 3 – 54, every 3rd |
| Fri | 10/10 | 5.3 Continued | HW # 19 | 5.3: 3 – 54, every 3rd |
| Mon | 10/13 | 5.4 The Greatest Common Factor and | HW # 20 | p. 344: 64 – 74 even |
| Factor by Grouping | p. 354: 72 – 80 even | |||
| Wed | 10/15 | Review | HW # 21 | 5.4: 3 – 48, every 3rd |
| Fri | 10/17 | Test 3: 5.1 – 5.4 | HW # 22 | p. 399: 2 – 36 even |
| Enjoy your Fall Break!!! | ||||
| Mon | 10/27 | 5.5 Factoring Trinomials | HW # 23 | p. 360: 56 – 70 even |
| p. 368: 78 – 90 even | ||||
| Wed | 10/29 | 5.6 Special Factoring | HW # 24 | 5.5: 3 – 66, every 3rd |
| Fri | 10/31 | 5.6 Continued | HW # 25 | 5.6: 3 – 60 every 3rd |
| Mon | 11/3 | 5.7 Factoring: A General Review | HW # 26 | 5.6: 63 – 96, every 3rd |
| Wed | 11/5 | 5.8 Solving Equations by Factoring | HW # 27 | 5.7: 3 – 72, every 3rd |
| Fri | 11/7 | 5.8 Continued | HW # 28 | 5.8: 3 – 18, every 3rd |
| 5.7: 14, 20, 26, 34, 40, 46, 52 | ||||
| Mon | 11/10 | Review | HW # 29 | 5.8: 21 – 48, every 3rd |
| 5.7: 56, 58, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 | ||||
| Wed | 11/12 | Test 4: 5.5 – 5.8 | HW # 30 | p. 399: 37 – 61 |
| Fri | 11/14 | 6.1 Basic Properties and | HW # 31 | p. 404:1 – 20 all |
| Reducing to Lowest Terms | p. 418: 64 – 84 even | |||
| p. 429: 50 – 60 even | ||||
| Mon | 11/17 | 6.2 Division of Polynomials | HW # 32 | 6.1: 3 – 51, every 3rd |
| Wed | 11/19 | 6.3 Multiplication and Division | HW # 33 | 6.2: 3 – 36, every 3rd |
| Of Rational Expressions | ||||
| Fri | 11/21 | 6.4 Addition and Subtraction | HW # 34 | 6.3: 3 – 51, every 3rd |
| Of Rational Expressions | ||||
| Mon | 11/24 | 6.5 Complex Fractions | HW # 35 | 6.4 3 – 63, every 3rd |
| Thanksgiving Break Already! | ||||
| Mon | 12/1 | 6.6 Equations Involving | HW # 36 | 6.5 3 – 27, every 3rd, and |
| Rational Expressions | 40 – 50 even, 49 | |||
| Wed | 12/3 | Review | HW # 37 | 6.6 3 – 54 every 3rd |
| Fri | 12/5 | Test 5: 6.1 – 6.6 | HW # 38 | p. 485: 2 -34 even |
| Mon | 12/8 | Exam Review with Quiz | HW # 39 | Review Sheet, ch 1 & 2 |
| Wed | 12/10 | Wrap Up (drop low scores) | HW # 40 | Review Sheet, ch 5 & 6 |
| Sat | 12/13 | FINAL EXAMINATION* | 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | |
| *Ask | About | additional optional exam | review! |
PLAN AHEAD: Do NOT ask to take the exam at any other time because of travel commitments.
4. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
B. Content
Upon completion, the student should be able to:
Chapter 1
• translate phrases written in English into algebraic expressions
• simplify expressions containing exponents
• simplify expressions using the rules for order of operations
• graph simple and compound inequalities
• use commutative, associative, and distributive properties
• simplify expressions containing absolute value
• identify the opposite of a number
• identify the reciprocal of a number
• add, subtract, multiply, and divide signed numbers and fractions
• extend an arithmetic sequence
• factor whole numbers into primes
• reduce fractions to lowest terms
Chapter 2
• simplify expressions by combining similar terms
• simplify expressions by applying the distributive property
• find the value of an expression for a given value of the variable
• use the addition and multiplication properties of equality to solve an
equation
• check the solution to an equation by substitution
• solve a formula for one of its variables
• solve simple percent problems
• apply the Blueprint for Problem Solving to a variety of application problems
• use both the addition and multiplication properties to solve an inequality
• graph the solution set for an inequality and state solution in interval
notation
Chapter 5
• simplify expressions using properties of exponents
• convert between scientific notation and expanded form
• multiply and divide expressions written in scientific notation
• give the degree of a polynomial
• add, subtract, and multiply polynomials
• evaluate a polynomial for a given value of its variable
• factor by factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF)
• factor by grouping
• factor trinomials with leading coefficient of one
• factor trinomial with a leading coefficent other than one
• factor perfect square trinomials
• factor the difference of two squares
• factor the sum or difference of two cubes
• solve equations by factoring
• apply the Blueprint for Problem Solving to solve application problems whose
solutions involve quadratic equations
• solve problems that contain formulas that are quadratic
Chapter 6
• reduce rational expressions to lowest terms
• divide a polynomial by a monomial or a polynomial
• multiply and divide rational expressions
• add and subtract rational expressions with like and unlike denominators
• simplify complex fractions
• solve equations containing rational expressions
• solve formulas containing rational expressions for one of the variables
• solve application problems whose solutions are found from equations
containing rational expressions
• solve conversion problems using unit analysis
C. Learning Outcomes*
At Holy Cross College, we have identified a number of Core
Competencies which we hope that all
of our students will exhibit by the time they graduate. The five core
competencies are:
Critical and Creative Thinking
Written and Oral Communication
Personal, Moral, and Social and Cultural Development
Technology and Information Management
Quantitative Reasoning
In our Basic Algebra class, the successful student will achieve these specific learning outcomes:
The student will be able to:
• Read critically
• Ask relevant, detailed, and probing questions
• Solicit feedback, evaluate, and revise creative products
• Understand and employ the basics of grammar, syntax, and usage
• Listen to and give effective feedback to speakers
• Prepare and deliver well-organized and coherent oral presentations, with a
clear main
point and supporting details
• Defend a point of view with clear, logical, convincing arguments
• Respect self and others and apply the basic principles
of effective social interaction
• Know, accept, and fulfill mature responsibilities, and stand accountable for
their decisions
and actions
• Demonstrate operational abilities in information and communication technologies
• Demonstrate higher-order thinking skills, such as
reasoning from evidence
• Use mathematical principles and skills to help recognize, evaluate, and solve
problems in
everyday life
* There are many other learning outcomes included in our course that are
observed, but not formally assessed.