MATH-080: Beginning Algebra

School
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Division
Mathematics
Department
Mathematics
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Mathematics
Course Number
080
Course Title
Beginning Algebra
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
MATH-0774 OR MATH-074 with a C or better OR a satisfactory score on the Math placement test.
Catalog Course Description

A developmental course for students who need to develop skills in beginning algebra topics. Topics include solutions of linear equations, inequalities, and systems; graphs of linear equations; polynomial operations; and integer exponents. Utilizes techniques of problem solving and applications throughout the course. Requires a scientific calculator and access to an online homework management system.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement
  1. To develop in students a basic understanding of algebraic concepts, principles and methods.
  2. To develop in students elementary algebraic skills necessary for success in subsequent mathematics courses and other courses requiring mathematical skills.
  3. To develop the problem solving skills needed to interpret, analyze and solve applied problems requiring beginning-level algebraic skills.
Core Course Topics
  1. Expressions
    1. Simplify expressions using the order of operations.
    2. Evaluate simple exponential expressions.
    3. Evaluate algebraic expressions.
    4. Translate a phrase or sentence into an algebraic expression.
    5. Use the commutative and associate properties to simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms.
    6. Use the distributive property to simplify algebraic expressions.
  2. Solving Linear Equations
    1. Determine whether a value is a solution to a linear equation.
    2. Solve linear equations using the addition property of equality.
    3. Translate a phrase into an algebraic expression.
    4. Solve linear equations using the multiplication property of equality.
    5. Solve linear equations using both the multiplication and addition properties of equality.
    6. Translate a sentence into a linear equation.
    7. Solve a linear equation containing fractions, decimals, parentheses, or all of these.
    8. Recognize identities and contradictions.
    9. Translate a word problem into a linear equation and solve it, giving a clearly labeled unknown variable, detailed work, and complete answer with the interpretation of the solution.
    10. Check the answer to a word problem or a linear equation.
    11. Use formulas to solve problems.
    12. Solve a formula for one of its variables.
    13. Formulate and solve percent equations.
    14. Formulate and solve percent increase and decrease problems, including discount and mark-up problems.
    15. Solve linear inequalities using the multiplication and addition properties of inequality.
    16. Express the solution of a linear inequality as an inequality, on a number line, in interval notation, or in set-builder notation.
    17. Translate a word problem into a linear inequality and solve it.
  3. Graphing Linear Equations
    1. Plot ordered pairs of numbers in a rectangular coordinate system.
    2. Write a given data set in ordered-pair form and create a scatter plot.
    3. Determine whether a given ordered pair is a solution to a given equation in two variables.
    4. Given the equation, find the missing coordinate of an ordered-pair solution.
    5. Given the equation of a line, find a solution of the equation and represent it as an ordered pair.
    6. Graph a linear equation by finding and plotting ordered pairs of solutions.
    7. Given a linear equation in two variables, calculate the coordinate missing from an ordered pair and explain the meaning of the coordinates in the context of a word problem.
    8. Identify the x- and y-intercepts of a graph.
    9. Find the x- and y-intercepts of a line algebraically.
    10. Graph a linear equation by finding and plotting intercepts.
    11. Interpret the meanings of x- and y-intercepts in word problems.
    12. Find the slope of a line given two points on the line.
    13. Write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form.
    14. Find the slope of a line given its equation.
    15. Graph a linear equation using the slope and y-intercept.
    16. Use slopes to determine whether two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither.
    17. Solve word problems by identifying slope as a rate of change.
    18. Find equations of lines using the point-slope or slope-intercept form given a point and the slope, two-points, or a graph.
    19. Find the equation of a horizontal or vertical line given conditions on that line.
    20. Graph linear inequalities in two variables.
  4. Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
    1. Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution to a system of equations.
    2. Solve a system of two linear equations in two variables graphically.
    3. Identify consistent, inconsistent and dependent systems of equations.
    4. Solve a system of linear equations in two variables algebraically using the Substitution and Elimination Methods.
    5. Solve application problems that can be modeled by a system of two linear equations in two variables.
  5. Polynomial Functions and Exponents
    1. Evaluate exponential expressions.
    2. Simplify exponential expressions using the laws of exponents.
    3. Determine which rules of exponents to use to simplify an expression.
    4. Convert numbers from forms using decimal notation to scientific notation and vice versa.
    5. Multiply and divide numbers given in scientific notation.
    6. Determine whether a polynomial is a monomial, binomial, or trinomial.
    7. Determine the degree and coefficient of a term and determine the degree of a polynomial.
    8. Evaluate polynomials.
    9. Simplify polynomials by combining like terms.
    10. Add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.
    11. Multiply binomial squares and the sum and difference of two terms.
    12. Divide a polynomial by a monomial.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement
  • All students will be required to complete a comprehensive final examination that assesses the learning of all course objectives.
  • This final exam must be weighted in a manner so that this exam score is worth a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the final course grade. In selected semesters this final exam may be a common final exam administered to all sections of Math 080.
  • All students will be required to complete online homework. This online homework must be weighted in such a manner so that it is worth between six percent (6%) and twelve percent (12%) of the final course grade.
  • Additional assessment of student achievement may include assignments, quizzes, and exams. All major exams should be designed in such a manner so that there is some portion in which graphing calculators are NOT allowed.
General Course Requirements and Recommendations
  • Students must bring a scientific calculator to all class sessions.
  • Access to an online homework management system is also required.
  • Application problems must be covered in all mathematics courses. Every section in any course outline that includes application problems must be covered. Application problems must not only be included on chapter exams but also on the final exam.

Approval Dates

Effective Term
Fall 2019
ILT Approval Date
AALC Approval Date
Curriculum Committee Approval Date
Review Semester
Fall 2019