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MATH115

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College Algebra

MathematicsScience, Tech, Engr & Math

Course Goals

1. To develop the advanced algebraic skills needed in college-level science and mathematics courses. 2. To provide an introduction to functions. 3. To develop familiarity with some mathematical and physical applications of advanced algebra and analytic geometry. 4. To incorporate graphing utility whenever appropriate to illustrate concepts and solve problems. 5. To develop in students the problem-solving skills needed to interpret, analyze, and solve applied problems requiring college-level algebraic skills.

Core Course Topics

  1. Solution of Equations and Inequalities

    1. Solve linear equations and linear inequalities in one variable algebraically and graphically.

    2. Solve quadratic equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

    3. Solve rational equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

    4. Solve radical equations algebraically and graphically.

    5. Solve absolute value equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

    6. Solve polynomial equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

  2. Characteristics of Functions and their Graphs

    1. Determine if an equation, graph, or table of values represents a function, and state the domain and range of the function.

    2. Determine graphically and algebraically whether a function is even, odd, or neither.

    3. Determine graphically if a function is increasing, decreasing, or constant.

    4. Determine the location of maxima and minima using a graphing utility.

  3. Basic functions and their transformations.

    1. Graph identity, constant, square, cubic, square root, cube root, absolute value, reciprocal functions of the form 1/x and 1/(x squared), and piecewise-defined functions by hand, and check using the graphing utility.

    2. Analyze and graph functions in terms of translations, reflections, and expansions or contractions.

    3. Determine the graph of a function obtained from a series of transformations.

  4. Operations on Functions

    1. Find the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of two functions and their domains given their equations or graphs.

    2. Evaluate composite functions.

    3. Find and simplify the difference quotient of a function.

  5. Linear Functions and their Graphs

    1. Graph linear functions by hand, and check using a graphing utility.

    2. Find the intercepts of a linear function algebraically and graphically.

    3. Determine the slope of a line joining two points in the plane, and determine the slope of a line given its equation.

    4. Produce a graph of a linear function by using slope and a point on a line.

    5. Write equations of lines satisfying specified sets of conditions.

    6. Write equations of parallel and perpendicular lines satisfying specified sets of conditions.

    7. Estimate the equation of the line of best fit for a set of bivariate data algebraically and by using a regression program in a graphing utility.

    8. Solve applied problems involving the line of best fit for a set of bivariate data.

  6. Quadratic Functions and their Graphs

    1. Graph quadratic functions by hand and check using a graphing utility.

    2. Find the intercepts of quadratic functions algebraically and graphically.

    3. Identify the vertex and axis of symmetry of a quadratic function both algebraically and graphically (sketch by hand and by using a graphing utility).

    4. Convert the standard form of a quadratic function into vertex form.

    5. Determine the maximum or minimum value of a quadratic function both algebraically and by using a graphing utility.

    6. Solve applied maximum and minimum problems both algebraically and by using a graphing utility.

    7. Determine a quadratic model for a given set of data using a graphing utility.

  7. Quadratic Equations and Inequalities

    1. Solve quadratic equations algebraically using factoring, the square root property, completing the square, and the quadratic formula, and verify solutions graphically.

    2. Perform basic arithmetic operations on complex numbers, and solve quadratic equations with complex solutions.

    3. Determine the number and type of solutions to a quadratic equation using the discriminant.

    4. Solve equations that are quadratic in form algebraically and verify solutions using a graphing utility.

    5. Solve inequalities involving quadratic functions algebraically, and verify solutions using a graphing utility.

  8. Polynomial Functions and their Graphs

    1. Determine algebraically the intercepts of a polynomial function, and verify graphically.

    2. Determine a polynomial function’s intercepts, extreme values, turning points, and intervals of increase and decrease by using a graphing utility.

    3. Determine the end behavior of a polynomial function using the degree of the polynomial and its leading coefficient.

    4. Construct a polynomial function with specified zeros.

  9. Polynomial Equations and Inequalities

    1. Test factors for polynomial functions by using the Remainder and Factor Theorems, and factor polynomial functions to find the real zeros.

    2. Solve polynomial equations by using the Rational Zeros Theorem and synthetic division in conjunction with a graphing utility.

    3. Find the complex solutions of polynomial equations.

    4. Solve polynomial inequalities algebraically and graphically.

  10. Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections

    1. Find the distance between two points in the coordinate plane by means of the distance formula, and find the midpoint of the segment joining the points.

    2. Complete the square to write equations of circles and parabolas, vertical and horizontal, in standard form.

    3. Determine the center and radius from the equation of the circle, and use these to sketch its graph by hand.

    4. Write the equation of a circle satisfying a set of specified conditions.

    5. Determine the vertex from the equation of a parabola, and use transformations to sketch its graph.

    6. Write the equation of a parabola given its vertex and another point.

  11. Systems of Equations and Inequalities

    1. Solve 2 x 2 and 3 x 3 systems of linear equations by the methods of substitution and elimination.

    2. Classify systems of equations as inconsistent, consistent, or dependent, and represent solutions of dependent systems.

    3. Solve applied problems by using a system of linear equations.

    4. Solve linear and nonlinear two-variable systems of inequalities graphically.

    5. Solve systems of nonlinear equations graphically and algebraically.

  12. Sequences and Series

    1. Write terms of a sequence given its general term.

    2. Write the terms of a sequence using a recursive definition.

    3. Determine if a sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or neither. (Optional)

    4. Given an arithmetic or geometric sequence of terms, write a general formula for the nth term of the sequence. (Optional)

    5. Expand a sum of terms represented by summation notation, and express a finite sum in terms summation notation. (Optional)

    6. Find the sum of a finite number of terms of a sequence using properties of sequences, and, in particular, find finite sums of arithmetic and geometric sequences. (Optional)

    7. Find the sum of a geometric series if it exists. (Optional)

    8. Expand powers of binomials.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Solution of Equations and Inequalities: Solve linear equations and linear inequalities in one variable algebraically and graphically.

Solution of Equations and Inequalities: Solve quadratic equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

Solution of Equations and Inequalities: Solve rational equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

Solution of Equations and Inequalities: Solve radical equations algebraically and graphically.

Solution of Equations and Inequalities: Solve absolute value equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

Solution of Equations and Inequalities: Solve polynomial equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.

Characteristics of Functions and Their Graphs: Determine if an equation, graph, or table of values represents a function, and state the domain and range of the function.

Characteristics of Functions and Their Graphs: Determine graphically and algebraically whether a function is even, odd, or neither.

Characteristics of Functions and Their Graphs: Determine graphically if a function is increasing, decreasing, or constant.

Characteristics of Functions and Their Graphs: Determine the location of maxima and minima using a graphing utility.

Basic Functions and Their Transformations: Graph identity, constant, square, cubic, square root, cube root, absolute value, reciprocal functions of the form 1/x and 1/(x squared), and piecewise-defined functions by hand, and check using the graphing utility.

Basic Functions and Their Transformations: Analyze and graph functions in terms of translations, reflections, and expansions or contractions.

Basic Functions and Their Transformations: Determine the graph of a function obtained from a series of transformations.

Operations on Functions: Find the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of two functions and their domains given their equations or graphs.

Operations on Functions: Evaluate composite functions.

Operations on Functions: Find and simplify the difference quotient of a function.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Graph linear functions by hand, and check using a graphing utility.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Find the intercepts of a linear function algebraically and graphically.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Determine the slope of a line joining two points in the plane, and determine the slope of a line given its equation.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Produce a graph of a linear function by using slope and a point on a line.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Write equations of lines satisfying specified sets of conditions.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Write equations of parallel and perpendicular lines satisfying specified sets of conditions.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Estimate the equation of the line of best fit for a set of bivariate data algebraically and by using a regression program in a graphing utility.

Linear Functions and Their Graphs: Solve applied problems involving the line of best fit for a set of bivariate data.

Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs: Graph quadratic functions by hand and check using a graphing utility.

Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs: Find the intercepts of quadratic functions algebraically and graphically.

Quadratic Functions and their Graphs: Identify the vertex and axis of symmetry of a quadratic function both algebraically and graphically (sketch by hand and by using a graphing utility).

Quadratic Functions and their Graphs: Convert the standard form of a quadratic function into vertex form.

Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs: Determine the maximum or minimum value of a quadratic function both algebraically and by using a graphing utility.

Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs: Solve applied maximum and minimum problems both algebraically and by using a graphing utility.

Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs: Determine a quadratic model for a given set of data using a graphing utility.

Quadratic Equations and Inequalities: Solve quadratic equations algebraically using factoring, the square root property, completing the square, and the quadratic formula, and verify solutions graphically.

Quadratic Equations and Inequalities: Perform basic arithmetic operations on complex numbers, and solve quadratic equations with complex solutions.

Quadratic Equations and Inequalities: Determine the number and type of solutions to a quadratic equation using the discriminant.

Quadratic Equations and Inequalities: Solve equations that are quadratic in form algebraically, and verify solutions using a graphing utility.

Quadratic Equations and Inequalities: Solve inequalities involving quadratic functions algebraically, and verify solutions using a graphing utility.

Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs: Determine algebraically the intercepts of a polynomial function, and verify graphically.

Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs: Determine a polynomial function’s intercepts, extreme values, turning points, and intervals of increase and decrease by using a graphing utility.

Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs: Determine the end behavior of a polynomial function using the degree of the polynomial and its leading coefficient.

Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs: Construct a polynomial function with specified zeros.

Polynomial Equations and Inequalities: Test factors for polynomial functions by using the Remainder and Factor Theorems, and factor polynomial functions to find the real zeros.

Polynomial Equations and Inequalities: Solve polynomial equations by using the Rational Zeros Theorem and synthetic division in conjunction with a graphing utility.

Polynomial Equations and Inequalities: Find the complex solutions of polynomial equations.

Polynomial Equations and Inequalities: Solve polynomial inequalities algebraically and graphically.

Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections: Find the distance between two points in the coordinate plane by means of the distance formula, and find the midpoint of the segment joining the points.

Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections: Complete the square to write equations of circles and parabolas, vertical and horizontal, in standard form.

Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections: Determine the center and radius from the equation of the circle, and use these to sketch its graph by hand.

Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections: Write the equation of a circle satisfying a set of specified conditions.

Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections: Determine the vertex from the equation of a parabola, and use transformations to sketch its graph.

Analytic Geometry and Conic Sections: Write the equation of a parabola given its vertex and another point.

Systems of Equations and Inequalities: Solve 2 x 2 and 3 x 3 systems of linear equations by the methods of substitution and elimination.

Systems of Equations and Inequalities: Classify systems of equations as inconsistent, consistent, or dependent, and represent solutions of dependent systems.

Systems of Equations and Inequalities: Solve applied problems by using a system of linear equations.

Systems of Equations and Inequalities: Solve linear and nonlinear two-variable systems of inequalities graphically.

Systems of Equations and Inequalities: Solve systems of nonlinear equations graphically and algebraically.

Sequences and Series: Write terms of a sequence given its general term.

Sequences and Series: Write the terms of a sequence using a recursive definition.

Sequences and Series: Determine if a sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or neither. (Optional)

Sequences and Series: Given an arithmetic or geometric sequence of terms, write a general formula for the nth term of the sequence. (Optional)

Sequences and Series: Expand a sum of terms represented by summation notation, and express a finite sum in terms summation notation. (Optional)

Sequences and Series: Find the sum of a finite number of terms of a sequence using properties of sequences, and, in particular, find finite sums of arithmetic and geometric sequences. (Optional)

Sequences and Series: Find the sum of a geometric series if it exists. (Optional)

Sequences and Series: Expand powers of binomials.