UW COLLEGES

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

10/7/2002

COURSE GUIDELINES

Course Title: Elementary Algebra

Course No: MAT 091 No. of Credits 3-4

Course No: MAT 095 No. of Credits 3-4

Course No: MAT 097 No. of Credits 3-4

Contact hrs/wk: Lecture 3-4 Lecture/Discussion Lab

Course Prerequisites: Placement determined by the UWS Math Placement Test

Catalog description:

Intended for students with little or no previous algebra. Topics include the real number system and operations with real numbers and algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, and introduction to quadratic equations. This course is offered through a contractual arrangement with the local WTCS institution as Mat 095. This course is offered by the campus TRIO/minority/disadvantaged program as Mat 097.

Course content (list of topics normally covered):

Review of the Basics

Notation and symbols

Operating with signed numbers

Operations on fractions and decimals

Properties of numbers

Real numbers and the number line

Linear Equations and Inequalities

Evaluating expressions

Addition and multiplication properties of equality

Solving linear equations

Linear equation story problems

Simple literal equations and formulas

Solving linear inequalities

Exponents and Polynomials

Adding and subtracting polynomials

Multiplying and dividing with exponents

Special polynomial products

Multiplying polynomials

Monomial divisors (leave long division for the succeeding course)

Factoring

Greatest common factor

Factoring by grouping

Difference of perfect squares

Quadratic trinomial forms

Quadratic Equations

Solving by factoring

Applications

Graphing

Cartesian coordinate system

Plotting points

Graphing linear equations

x- and y-Intercepts

Slope and its interpretation

Optional topics:

Algebraic Fractions

Reducing to simplest form

Equations involving algebraic fractions

Applications

Square Roots and Radicals

Simplest square root form

Notes

Story problems appear as a main topic under Linear Equations; they should, however, be integrated into the course whenever appropriate.

Hand Calculators—the instructor is encouraged to incorporate hand calculators into instructional materials.

Content-based department proficiencies:

The successful student will:

w be able to perform arithmetic calculations on real numbers and understand the order of operations.

w use variable notation and be able to simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.

w be able to solve linear equations in one variable.

w know the rules of exponents as applied to variable terms.

w be able to add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.

w know how to factor polynomials using greatest common factoring, the grouping method, trinomial factoring, and difference of perfect squares.

w be able to graph linear equations with two variables in the rectangular coordinate system.

Colleges-wide proficiencies assigned to course:

w Analyze, synthesize, evaluate and interpret information and ideas.

w Solve quantitative and mathematical problems.

w Interpret graphs, tables, and diagrams.

w Read and listen with comprehension and critical perception.

w Recognize fallacies and inconsistencies.

w Write clearly, precisely, and in a well organized manner.

w Respond orally to questions and challenges.

Representative textbooks used for the courses:

Beginning Algebra, Munem/Tschirhart (Worth Publishing)

Beginning Algebra, 4th ed., Streeter/Hutchison/Hoelze (McGraw Hill)

Beginning Algebra, 4th ed., Tobey/Slater (Prentice Hall)

Beginning Algebra, 5th ed., McKeague, (Saunders College Publishing)

Developmental Mathematics, 5th ed., Wood/Capell (PWS Publishing Co.)

Elementary Algebra, 3rd ed., Johnson (Harper)

Elementary Algebra, 4th ed., Angel (Prentice Hall)

Elementary Algebra, 5th ed., Angel (Prentice Hall)

Essential Algebra, 7th ed., Johnston/Willis/Lazaris (Thompson Learning)

Introductory Algebra, 4th ed., Aufman/Barker (Houghton-Mifflin)