Introductory Algebra II Lecture

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a lecture course in elementary algebra. Topics include factoring polynomials, solving quadratic equations
and applications of quadratic equations, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations,
applications and graphs of quadratic equations, and an introduction to functions. This is a developmental course.
Credit for this course will not be counted toward fulfilling graduation requirements at STCC. Students must
achieve a C- or better to pass the course.

ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required; a student is expected to attend all scheduled classes. Missing 6 MWF classes, 4 TTh
classes, or the equivalent of 2 weeks of lecture will be grounds for class dismissal. Students who arrive late to a
class and miss the attendance call will be considered absent. Any benefit of the doubt in the final grade will be
given to students who come to class regularly. You will find each class contains much material. If you miss a
class, do not expect the instructor to review missed material. It is your responsibility to get the lecture notes from a
fellow student. DO NOT EXPECT ME TO REDO A LECTURE DURING OFFICE HOURS! IT ISN’T
GOING TO HAPPEN.

TESTING AND GRADING
There will be three 20-25 question examinations (one on each module), and a 10 question quiz after each chapter.
Testing is done in the Testing Center. All quizzes and tests may be taken a maximum of 5 times and passing
score is a 70. The highest of the grades of the first 2 takes are recorded. If a third take is needed and is passed,
the grade will be 70 regardless of the grade received on the third take.

Modular Exams are generally taken after their corresponding quizzes. If you decide the speed up the testing process
by taking a modular exam first, you may do so. This is called a challenge. If you fail the challenge, you CANNOT
re-challenge; you must go back and take the corresponding quizzes. The computer system will ignore multiple
challenges even if you manage a 100% on a subsequent challenge!!!

The final grade will be based on the quiz average 50% and on the modular exam average 50%.

You must pass all 3 modules to pass this course with a C- or better. Passing only 2 out of 3 modules will result in a
maximum grade of D+. Passing less than 2 modules will result in an F.

If at any time during the semester there is any evidence of academic dishonesty or collusion by students on an exam
or quiz, the involved students will be dismissed from the course with an automatic grade of F, and the Dean of
Students and other relevant college authorities will be notified.

INDIVIDUAL HELP
The instructor will meet with students during scheduled office hours. To insure availability, please make an
appointment. The Tutor Center in the Math Department (through Room 425) is open from 8:00AM to 3:00PM
Monday through Friday. Students may drop in at any time to work with student tutors. Professional tutors are
available in the Student Success Center by appointment.

SPECIAL NEEDS
Students with special needs that require accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services for
processing of the necessary documentation, and then speak to the instructor

STCC POLICY ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Behavior, which disrupts the establishment or maintenance of the learning environment, may result in the student
causing the behavior to be excluded from the classroom by the instructor. The student may be subject to further
punitive action by the Dean of Students.

Late arrival and early departure from class is considered disruptive behavior. Students are expected to arrive on
time for class, and to seek permission from the instructor if they need to leave class early.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
All quizzes are based on the objectives for that chapter.

Chapter 5A: Polynomials: Factoring
Objective:
1. Factor out common factors.
2. Factor trinomials of the form x² + bx + c.
3. Factor trinomials of the form ax² + bx + c.
4. Factor the difference of two squares.
5. Factor perfect square trinomials.

Chapter 5B: Polynomials: Factoring
Objectives:
1. Factor out common factors.
2. Factor trinomials of the form x² + bx + c.
3. Factor trinomials of the form ax² + bx + c.
4. Factor the difference of two squares.
5. Factor the above forms with a common factor.
6. Solve quadratic equations.
7. Solve applications of quadratic equations.

Chapter 6A: Rational Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Simplify rational expressions.
2. Multiply and simplify rational expressions.
3. Divide and simplify rational expressions.
Chapter 6B: Rational Expressions and Equations
1. Add rational expressions.
2. Subtract rational expressions.

Chapter 6C: Rational Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Solve rational equations.
2. Solve rational formulas.
3. Simplify complex fractions.
4. Solve applications of rational equations.
5. Find an equation of direct variation given a point
6. Find an equation of inverse variation given a point
7. Solve application involving direct and inverse variation

Chapter 7A: Radical Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Find the square root of perfect squares and opposite of the square root of perfect squares.
2. Approximate the square root of a number.
3. Simplify square roots.
4. Multiply and divide square roots.
5. Rationalize the denominator having one term.

Chapter 7B: Radical Expressions and Equations
Objectives:
1. Add and subtract (combine and simplify) square roots.
2. Multiply two-term square root expressions together.
3. Solve square root equations.
4. Solve application problems involving right triangles.
Chapter 8A: Quadratic Equations
Objective:
1. Write a quadratic equation in standard form, identifying the “a”, “b”, and “c”.
2. Solve quadratic equations by the factoring method.
3. Solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
4. Solve formulas of the types: square roots and quadratic.

Chapter 8B: Quadratic Equations
Objective:
1. Solve application problems resulting in quadratic equations.
2. Determine whether the graph of a quadratic equation (a parabola) opens up or down.
3. Find the vertex of a parabola.
4. Given a function, find the function value at a point.

COURSE OUTLINE

Chapter 5A: Polynomials: Factoring
5.1 Introduction to Factoring
5.2 Factoring Trinomials of the type x² + bx + c
5.3 Factoring Trinomials of the type ax² + bx + c, a not equal to 1, FOIL Method
5.4 Factoring Trinomial Squares and Difference of Squares
Quiz 205A

Chapter 5B: Polynomials: Factoring
5.5 Factoring: A General Strategy
5.6 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
5.7 Applications of Quadratic Equations
Quiz 205B

Exam 1- Code 791 (Based on Chapters 5A and 5B)

Chapter 6A: Rational Expressions and Equations
6.1 Multiplying and Simplifying Rational Expressions
6.2 Division and Reciprocals
Quiz 206A

Chapter 6B: Rational Expressions and Equations
6.3 Least Common Multiples and Denominators
6.4 Adding Rational Expressions
6.5 Subtracting Rational Expressions
Quiz 206B

Chapter 6c: Rational Expressions and Equations
6.6 Solving Rational Equations
6.7 Applications Using Rational Equations and Proportions
6.8 Complex Rational Expressions
6.9 Direct and Inverse Variation
Quiz 206C

Exam 2 – Code 792 (Based on Chapters 6A, 6B and 6C)

Chapter 7A: Radical Expressions and Equations
7.1 Introduction to Square Roots and Radical Expressions
7.2 Multiplying and Simplifying with Radical Expressions
7.3 Quotients Involving Square Roots
Quiz 207A

Chapter 7B: Radical Expressions and Equations
7.4 Addition, Subtraction, and More Multiplication
7.5 Radical Equations
7.6 Applications with Right Triangles
Quiz 207B

Chapter 8A: Quadratic Equations
8.1 Introduction to Quadratic Equations
8.2 The Quadratic Formula
8.3 Formulas
Quiz 208A

Chapter 8B: Quadratic Equations
8.4 Applications and Problem Solving
8.5 Graphs of Quadratic Equations
8.6 Functions
Quiz 208B

Final Examination – Code 793
This final examination is comprehensive, including all units covered this semester.