Faculty Syllabus

Instructional Methodology: This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

Synonym: 17505/18113                                 Section: 003/008

Meeting location: RRC1 Room 1209              Meeting times: TTh 3:00pm – 5:50pm

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the TSI Mathematics Assessment. Corequisite(s): MATD 0370.

Paired Course Policy: This is a paired course.  Students who withdraw from NCBM 0270 will automatically be withdrawn from MATD 0370.

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.   

Textbook: Elementary Algebra: Concepts and Applications, 10th Edition by Bittinger, Ellenbogen, & Johnson. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software) ISBN: 9780134772370

MyLab Math Access: In some sections of Elementary Algebra, MyLab Math is required, and in other sections it is optional. Check with your instructor to find out if MyLab Math is required for your section.

Supplemental Materials: Rectangular coordinate graphing paper, scientific calculator.

MATD 0370 Concepts and Skills:

1. Description and classification of whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers using sets and the operations among them:
   1. identify and use properties of real numbers
   2. simplify expressions involving real numbers
   3. evaluate numerical expressions with integral exponents
2. Polynomials:
   1. distinguish between expressions that are polynomials and expressions that are not
   2. classify polynomials in one variable by degree and number of terms
   3. simplify polynomials
   4. add, subtract, multiply (including the distributive law), and divide polynomials (including division by monomials, but excluding long division)
   5. factor polynomials in one or more variables (including factoring out the greatest common factor, factoring by grouping, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is one, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is not one, and factoring the difference of two squares)
   6. understand and use the exponent laws involving integer exponents

1. Solve linear equations in one variable involving integral, decimal, and fractional coefficients and solutions
2. Solve and graph linear inequalities
3. Application problems:
   1. write and evaluate linear expressions from verbal descriptions
   2. solve application problems which lead to one of the following types of equations: linear equations in one variable, systems of two linear equations in two variables, quadratic equations, and rational equations with monomial numerators and denominators)
   3. solve literal equations for a specified variable using addition and multiplication principles
   4. use given data to estimate values and to evaluate geometric and other formulas
   5. solve problems involving the Pythagorean theorem, similar triangles, and proportions
4. Linear equations in two variables:
   1. identify the relationship between the solution of a linear equation in two variables and its graph on the Cartesian plane
   2. understand and use the concepts of slope and intercept
   3. determine slope when two data points are given
   4. graph a line given either two points on the line or one point on the line and the slope of the line
   5. write an equation of a line given one point on the line and the slope of the line, or two points on the line
   6. identify lines given in standard, point-slope, or slope-intercept forms and sketch their graphs
   7. solve systems of linear equations
5. Quadratic equations:
   1. find solutions to quadratic equations using the technique of factoring and using the principle of square roots

1. Description and classification of irrational numbers:
   1. simplify radical expressions
   2. use decimal approximations for radical expressions
2. Rational expressions:
   1. determine for which value(s) of the variable a rational expression is undefined
   2. simplify rational expressions containing monomials, binomials, and trinomials
   3. multiply and divide rational expressions containing monomials, binomials, and trinomials
   4. add and subtract rational expressions with like denominators and rational expressions with unlike denominators (only monomials and binomials that do not require factoring)
3. Geometry:
   1. understand the difference between perimeter and area and be able to use formulas for these appropriately
   2. solve application problems involving angles and polygons

NCBM 0270 Concepts and Skills:

1. Concepts and skills associated with whole numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals. 
   1. round numbers and use rounding to estimate values 
   2. perform the four basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) 
   3. identify the order relation between two whole numbers 
   4. simplify exponential expressions with whole number exponents
   5. find the square root of perfect squares and estimate irrational square roots to one or two decimal places
   6. use the order of operations to simplify expressions involving whole numbers, whole number exponents, square roots of perfect squares, grouping symbols, and the four basic arithmetic operations 
2. Concepts and skills associated with fractions 
   1. simplify fractions to lowest terms 
   2. convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions 
   3. convert between fractions and decimals 
3. Concepts and skills involving expressions and equations in one variable 
   1. Simplify numerical and variable expressions using distributive properties, order of operations, and combining like terms.
   2. Solve linear equations in one variable involving integers, decimals and fractions.
4. Concepts and skills involving graphing 
   1. interpret graphs and analyze data 
   2. plot points given coordinates & tables

MATD 0370 Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Perform operations involving integers, fractions, decimals, percents, signed exponents, ratios and proportions.
2. Solve problems involving geometric figures including perimeter, area, similarity, and the Pythagorean Theorem. Analyze, interpret, and solve problems from line graphs, bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.
3. Use appropriate forms of linear equations to identify slope, intercepts, and to graph lines. Find linear equations from given points and graphs of lines. Find solutions to systems of two equations by graphing.
4. Solve applied problems by defining variables, writing equation(s), solving equation(s), and writing an answer to the question in context.   Problems requiring quadratic equations are included as well as problems requiring single linear equations and systems of linear equations. 
5. Factor and perform operations to combine and/or simplify expressions and solve equations including numerical, some polynomial, and some rational expressions and equations.  Simplify some radical expressions.
6. Use mathematical language, symbols, and notation to communicate mathematical concepts, demonstrate reasoning, and solve problems.

NCBM 0270 Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Simplify numerical and variable expressions involving rational numbers. 
2. Solve equations.
3. Relate algebra concepts to real-world situations.

Course Objectives

The following objectives are listed in a sequence ranging from the simple to the more complex. As such, this document should not be viewed as a chronological guide to the course, although some elements naturally will precede others. These elements should be viewed as mastery goals which will be reinforced whenever possible throughout the course.

Overall objectives:

1. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment in their increasing ability to use mathematics to solve problems of interest to them or of use in their chosen fields. Students will attain more positive attitudes based on increasing confidence in their abilities to learn mathematics.
2. Students will learn to understand material using standard mathematical terminology and notation when presented either verbally or in writing.
3. Students will improve their skills in describing what they are doing as they solve problems using standard mathematical terminology and notation.