Intermediate Algebra

II. Additional Instructor Policies

A. If you miss a test, you are allowed to make it up. Only ONE make-up test allowed per student. Test must be taken on the day assigned. Exam dates will be announced 1 week ahead of time. If, for a serious reason, you are not able to take the test on the assigned day, you must notify me and make arrangements for a make-up test.
B. Quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time. No make-up quizzes will be given. Any missed quiz receives a grade of zero.
C. No late homework is accepted. Any missed homework receives a grade of zero.

III. Course Identification

A. Credit Hours: 4
B. Total contact hours: 4
C. Course meets: Monday/Wednesday 9am – 11:00am at BIEC
D. Prerequisite: 2 years of high school math, including algebra, and appropriate placement test score, or MTH-095 with a grade of “C” or better
E. Corequisite: None
F. Catalog Description: Topics include factoring, operations with algebraic and rational expressions, equations, exponents and radicals, radical equations, first-and second-degree equations, functions and graphing, systems of linear equations, absolute value, one- and two-dimensional linear inequalities, and an introduction to logarithms.

IV. Textbooks

A. Required: Intermediate Algebra, 10^th edition, Custom Edition for Moraine Valley Community College by Marvin L. Bittinger
B. Optional: Student‟s Solutions Manual, by Penna.
C. Required: A scientific calculator.

V. Learning Outcomes

The student will:

A. Solve first degree absolute value equations in one variable.
B. Algebraically manipulate linear inequalities. This topic is covered as a review.
C. Write interval notation for the solutions of an inequality.
D. Factor algebraic expressions using the following techniques: greatest common
factor, the difference of squares, the sum and the difference of cubes, quadratic
trinomials, and grouping.
E. Reduce, add, subtract, multiply, and divide algebraic fractions and solve rational
equations.
F. Manipulate and simply expressions containing integral exponents, radicals, and
rational exponents, and solve radical equations with one and two radical terms.
G. Simplify expressions containing complex numbers.
H. Solve quadratic equations having real coefficients by factoring, the principle of
square roots, completing the square, and the quadratic formula, and solve
equations which are quadratic in form having rational coefficients.
I. Differentiate between graphs that represent functions and graphs that do not, and
graph linear equations by evaluating the functional values and plotting points.
J. Recognize and graph the following functions: f(x) = c where c is a constant;

K. Graph first degree equations in one and two variables using the table method, the
intercept method, and the slope y-intercept method.
L. Write the equations of lines given either two points or a point and the slope.
M. Solve two dimensional linear inequalities and graph their solution sets.
N. Solve systems of two linear equations graphically and algebraically using the
substitution and elimination methods.
O. Solve word problems involving proportions, quadratic equations that can be
solved by factoring, rational equations, and systems of linear equations in two
variables.
P. Write potential statements in logarithmic form and logarithmic statements in
exponential form.

VI. Classroom Policies

A. The college‟s General Information Sheet is attached to this syllabus.
B. New-Student Email Accounts-Please refer to the general information sheet for
more information.
C. A student who does not withdraw officially from a course may receive a grade of
„F‟, depending on course progress or course attendance, which will become a part
of the student‟s permanent record. The withdrawal date s listed in the General
Information Sheet.
D. Final Exam Schedule: (attached – no exceptions), see the resource site at for review material.
E. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. To be successful in this course a student
must attend class everyday. You are responsible for work missed due to absence.
F. Cheating/Plagiarizing: Cheating and plagiarizing will not be tolerated in this course. If a student cheats or plagiarizes on a quiz, exam, or homework assignment, the student will receive a grade of zero for the work and will not be allowed to redo the work. A student cheating or plagiarizing a second time will receive an “F” for the course.
G. Each student is responsible for adhering to the Code of Student Conduct as stated in the college catalog.
H. Occasionally, tests may be assigned to be taken in the Testing Center, B101. An MVCC id is required.
 1. The use of the Testing Center is a privilege. Any student suspected of cheating by the Testing Center staff will not be allowed to use the Testing Center for the remainder of the semester.
 2. Students may not bring books, personal calculators or papers into the Testing Center.
 3. All electronic devices must be turned off.
 4. Students must know the file number, course number, and the test number to avoid taking the wrong test.
I. All beepers and cell phones must be placed on vibrate and placed in backpacks or purses; check messages before or after class. These devices must not be used in class for any reason, i.e. as a calculator.
J. If you register before the end of the semester and receive a grade below a “C,” you must go through the “add/drop” process and register for this course.

VII. Grading Policies

A. Grades will be based on the following guidelines:
 •70% - Chapter Tests/Quizzes
 •20% - Comprehensive Department Final Exam
 •10% - Other (combined, i.e. homework/participation)
 •Letter grade assignments must be as follows:

90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% -79% = C
60% - 69% = D
0% - 59% = F

Grade Calculation

Average = [(tests+quizzes)/(total possible)](70%)+[(final exam/total possible)](20%) + [(other/total possible points)](10%)

Example: Student Grades

Tests and Quizzes: 75/100, 60/100, 85/100, 75/100; 8/10 7/10, 9/10, 6/10 gives 325/440
Final Exam: 75/100
Homework: 4/5, 3/5, 3/5, 5/5 gives 15/20
Average = (325/440)(0.7) + (75/100)(.2) + (15/20)(.1) = 0.742 = 74.2%

B. Extra Credit is prohibited.
C. Calculators: A minimum of a scientific calculator is required. If students are going to purchase a graphing calculator, the Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus is recommended. These are available for checkout in the LRC. Most calculators are acceptable; however, the TI-89 and the TI-92 are not appropriate for this course.
For testing in the Testing Center, calculators will be provided for you.
D. Students needing additional help are encouraged to consult with the instructor, make use of free tutoring available in the Irene H. Brodie Academic Skills Center, to check out the CD-ROM Videos and the Student Solutions Manual at the circulation desk in the LRC and to use the Resource Website noted on page 1, I. H.

VIII. Course Calendar

Date	Topics
1/20	Syllabus; Pretest
1/22	Chap 1.4
1/27	Chap 1.5
1/29	Chap 1.6
2/3	Chap 1.6 con‟t; Review
2/5	Test 1 (Chap 1); Chap 2.1
2/10	Chap 2.2, 2.4
2/12	Chap 2.5 – 2.6; Review
2/17	Test 2 (Chap 2); Chap 3.1
2/19	Chap 3.2 – 3.3
2/24	Chap 3.4, 3.7
2/26	NO CLASS – Staff Development Day
3/3	Chap 9.1
3/5	Test 3 (Chap 3); Chap 4.1
3/10	NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
3/12	NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
3/17	Chap 4.2 – 4.3
3/19	Chap 4.4 – 4.5
3/24	Chap 4.6
3/26	Chap 4.8; Review
3/31	Test 4 (Chap 4); Chap 5.1
4/2	Chap 5.2 – 5.3
4/7	Chap 5.4 – 5.5
4/9	Chap 5.6; Review
4/14	Test 5 (Chap 5); Chap 6.1
4/16	Chap 6.2 – 6.3
4/21	Chap 6.4 – 6.5
4/23	Chap 6.6 – 6.7
4/28	Chap 6.8 – 7.1
4/30	Chap 7.2 – 7.3, 8.3; Review
5/5	Test 6 (Chap 6-8)
5/7	Review for Final
5/12	Review for Final
5/14	FINAL EXAM Final is scheduled during our regular class hours