Intermediate Algebra

Course objectives and format. Welcome to MATH 108, including topics in intermediate
algebra, with an emphasis on solving equations and inequalities. Specifically, you will learn
the 26 objectives given at the end of this syllabus by using computer software from Hawkes
Learning Systems (HLS). You will attend classes to receive explanation of the mathematical
concepts from your instructor and instruction in use of the software. But, as in all college
math courses, the bulk of your work is done outside of class. First, you will learn the material
by working through a software lesson or section of the text, and then demonstrate mastery of a
lesson by “certifying” in it – the equivalent of completing a homework assignment. Then you
will take practice quizzes and exams, using the software. Finally, you will take your graded
quizzes and exams, delivered by computer, in the Algebra Testing Center at a time you have
previously scheduled. (The HLS software is installed in all campus computer labs and the
Algebra Learning Center, and can be installed at home using the Course ID “ ISUIMA”.)

Success strategies. To succeed, commit yourself to doing these 4 things:

1. Get started in the software immediately and correctly.

2. Schedule a reasonable amount of time for working on this course – a general rule
for a 3 credit college course is 9 hours per week including class time. To learn
mathematics skills it is best to practice daily.

3. Use all available resources, such as tutoring hours and practice tests.

4. Keep working and do not give up. If you drop out there is no way you can succeed!

Prerequisites. MATH 025 or transfer equivalent, sufficient score on the quantitative part of
the ACT or SAT exam, or sufficient score on the Compass Placement Exam.

Required materials. Hawkes Learning Systems Intermediate Algebra software, Fall 2008
version, and the accompanying text Intermediate Algebra, 5^th ed., by D. Franklin Wright,
Hawkes Publishing. Students who do not already have an access code from taking this course
before must purchase a new copy of the textbook/software package; a used copy will not work
unless an access code is purchased separately. Students must have an ISU computer account,
and a scientific calculator is required.

Enrollment. Failure to attend class during the 1^st week may result in disenrollment from the
course, and students may only attend the particular section for which they are registered.

Grading. The semester grade is based on 6 unit quizzes, 3 part exams, and a final exam.
Quizzes count 4% each, exams 12% each, and the final 40%, OR quizzes count 6% each,
exams 10% each, and the final 34%, whichever gives the higher total. The grading scale is:

Note:A student must receive a grade of C- or better to use MATH 108 as a
prerequisite for another mathematics course.

* Timely registration of “certificates” for a unit earns a quiz replacement bonus, by which the
student’s score on the corresponding part exam replaces the unit quiz percent if it is higher.

* A student may retake any one of the part exams, and the higher score counts.

* A student can earn a participation bonus of 1 or 2 percent added to all of their percent scores
for each of Parts A, B, and C. Attending and participating in all or all but one class during that
Part earns 1% for that Part. Getting at least a 60% on the two practice quizzes and the practice
exam for that Part earns 1%. Doing both earns the full 2% bonus for that Part.

This grading system is somewhat complex , but is to the student’s advantage. It is explained in
more detail within How Math 108 Works in the course website. If a student still does not
understand this system then they should ask their instructor for clarification.

The HLS software Progress Report will hold all of a student’s original grades, but it does
NOT factor in the bonuses of the ISU grading system. Students must use Compute My Grade
in the course website to determine their grade based on the above grading system.

Deadlines. Students schedule their own quizzes and exams, subject to the deadlines below.
The course coordinator must be contacted immediately if circumstances cause a student to
miss a deadline or a test that the student has scheduled.

!!! Because the Testing Center can be booked solid on deadline days, we recommend that
students schedule to take their quizzes and exams one or two days before these dates !!!

Testing. Quizzes and exams include questions that specifically test the objectives given at the
end of this syllabus. At least 90% of the questions relate to the objectives for that unit or part
and at most 10% relate to previously learned objectives (review material).

A practice version of each quiz and exam is available from any software installation with
internet access. This ISU-designed practice test, called Quiz1Practice or ExamAPractice for
example, is very similar to the actual graded test, and will help in the transition from doing
individual Hawkes lessons to taking an ISU test covering many lessons.

The graded quizzes and exams are taken in the Algebra Testing Center, Rendezvous 324.
Testing sessions during the regular semester begin:

M-Th: 8:00 a.m., 9:15, 10:30, 11:45, 1:00 p.m., 2:15, 3:30, 7:00
Friday: 8:00 a.m., 9:15, 10:30, 11:45, 1:00 p.m., 2:15, 3:30

During finals exam week, they begin:
Monday & Tuesday: 7:30 a.m., 10:00, 12:30 p.m., 3:00, 5:30, 8:00
The Testing Center is closed weekends and holidays.

** Students must schedule quizzes and exams before going to take them and must arrive in
the first 15 minutes of a session to be seated and must have their Bengal ID card. **

Refer to Course Activities within the course website for details concerning testing.

Access code: You will get a unique access code from Hawkes Learning Systems that will
enable you to use the software at any location. The procedure to get your code is described in
detail within Getting Started within the course website. You will save it electronically on the
campus Y: drive (My Documents) and you should record it here for back-up:

Certificates. In each unit, students complete certificates from the software and register them
electronically in the course gradebook. Completing all of the unit’s certificates and registering
them by their deadline earns the replacement bonus for that unit. To get the bonus, all of the
unit’s certificates must be registered by 11:59 pm. of the night before the unit quiz deadline.

It is best to do the certifications at a software installation with internet access.
This is the case at all campus computer labs and at home if the student has constant internet
access and enters the Course ID “ISUIMA” when first installing the software.
Doing the certifications at an installation with internet access will enable a student to do the
streamlined certifications specified by ISU and have the certificates registered automatically.

Details concerning certifying are in Course Activities within the course website.

The required certificates are as follows:
(the order shown is the suggested order of completion)

Tutoring/help. Additional help is available beyond a student’s specific class time. Note,
though, that certifications are to be completed by the student, without substantial help from an
instructor, tutor, or other student.

Algebra Learning Center. 332 Rendezvous. When classes are not meeting, the
classroom is open for individual tutoring. It is available for tutoring these hours
during the regular semester (except for Spring Break):
 

It is closed weekends, holidays, and final exams week.

Math Center. 433 Museum. General help for mathematics, including Math 108, is
available Jan 21 through May 1 (except for Spring Break) during these hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

ADA policy. Our program is committed to all students achieving their potential. If you have a
disability or think you have one (physical, learning, hearing, vision, psychiatric) that may
need reasonable accommodation, please contact the ADA and Disabilities Center, Room 123
Graveley Hall, 282-3599, as soon as possible.

Course Objectives. Detailed discussion of these objectives, including corresponding text
exercises and typical questions students need to be able to answer, can be found at Course
Objectives Discussion within the course website. Remember that every question on a quiz or
exam specifically tests one of these objectives.

Unit 1. Linear Equations and Inequalities

Objective 1a. Solve formulas, and use formulas to solve applied problems.
Objective 1b. Solve absolute-value equations and inequalities, and express the solution in
algebraic, set or interval, and graphical notation.
Objective 1c. Determine the slope and intercepts of the line defined by a linear equation
in standard, slope-intercept, or point-slope form, and graph the line.
Objective 1d. Compute the slope of a line given two points on the line, and find any
form of the equation of a line given two points on the line or slope information
and one point.

Unit 2. Systems of Linear Equations and Their Applications

Objective 2a. Graph linear inequalities in two variables.
Objective 2b. Use graphing to determine whether a system of two linear equations in two
variables is consistent, inconsistent, or dependent.
Objective 2c. Solve a system of two linear equations in two variables using graphing,
substitution, and addition.
Objective 2d. Use systems of two linear equations in two variables to solve applied
problems, including mixture, interest, and motion problems.

Unit 3. Polynomial and Rational Equations

Objective 3a. Use methods such as finding the greatest common factor, grouping, perfect
squares, difference of squares, and sum and difference of cubes to factor
trinomials and other polynomials completely.
Objective 3b. Solve polynomial equations by factoring.
Objective 3c. Determine allowed values for rational expressions.
Objective 3d. Solve equations and inequalities involving rational expressions.
Objective 3e. Use rational equations to solve applied problems, including work and rate
problems.

Unit 4. Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Objective 4a. Simplify radical expressions, including rationalizing denominators.
Objective 4b. Convert expressions from radical form to rational-exponent form and vice
versa, and simplify expressions involving integer and rational exponents.
Objective 4c. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide radical expressions.

Unit 5. Quadratic Equations and Their Applications

Objective 5a. Solve quadratic equations using factoring, square roots, completing the
square, and the quadratic formula.
Objective 5b. Use the discriminant to classify the solutions of a quadratic equation.
Objective 5c. Use quadratic equations to solve applied problems, including Pythagorean
theorem, projectile motion, geometry, work, and rate problems.
Objective 5d. Solve radical equations.
Objective 5e. Solve polynomial and rational equations that become quadratic after
substitution or rearrangement .

Unit 6. Parabolas, Quadratic Inequalities, Distance, and Circles

Objective 6a. Graph quadratic equations given either in standard form or in the form

y = a (x − h)²+ k

Objective 6b. Find the x-intercepts of the graph of a quadratic function.
Objective 6c. Solve quadratic inequalities.
Objective 6d. Use the distance formula to find the distance between any two points
in a plane.
Objective 6e. Graph circles given equations in either standard form or expanded form
and determine the equations of given circles.