Course Description
This course is designed primarily for students who know the fundamentals of
arithmetic, and have
had little or no background in algebra. The course strengthens the student's
arithmetic and informal
geometry skills, provides an introduction to the abstractions of algebra using
fundamental principles
of rational numbers , order of operations, and solving linear equations. Students
may enroll in Math
030 in a lecture section for four units of credit, or individual one-unit
modules 030A, 030B, 030C,
and 030D in the Math and Science Center (MSC). Instruction in the MSC sections
is given on an
independent tutorial, open-entry basis which must be taken sequentially in the
MSC over a
maximum period of 24 months.
4 Unitsl4 Hours of Lecture per week or Individualized
Instruction per Week.
Rio Hondo College
I. DisciplinelDepartment: Mathematics
Course Number: Math 030, or 030A, 030B, 030C, 030D
Course Title: Pre algebra
Units: 4
Hours: 4
Advisory: Reading 23 and English 30 or ESL 37
Prerequisite: Completion of Math 20 or Math 21 with a grade of "C" or
better, or appropriate skill level as determined by participation in the math
placement process.
Corequisite:
II. Need/Justification/Goals
This course is needed because many students enter Rio
Hondo College with pre-collegiate mathematics skills. This
course is designed to bridge the gap between basic arithmetic skills and
elementary algebra.
III. Title V Requirements
A) Entering Skills
1. Read a college level text book.
2. Formulate clear sentences to express answers to word problems.
3. Read and write whole numbers and decimals .
4. Round whole numbers and decimal to a given place value .
5. Simplify fractions , write equivalent fractions.
6. Perform basic operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
7. Use the order of operations agreement to evaluate numerical expressions
involving whole numbers,
fractions, and decimals.
8. Convert between fractions, decimals, and percents.
9. Identify prime numbers and factor composite numbers into a product of primes.
10. Solve simple word problems involving whole numbers, fractions decimals,
percents, and proportions.
B) Exiting Skills
1. Add, subtract, mUltiply, divide and exponentiate rational numbers.
2. Evaluate numerical expressions using the order of operations agreement.
3. Convert between scientific notation and decimal form.
4. Identify and apply real number properties.
5. Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions using real number properties.
6. Translate English expressions to arithmetic and simple algebraic expressions
and vice versa.
7. Solve simple algebraic equations including proportions.
8. Find the perimeter and area of simple geometric figures.
9. Find the volume of simple polyhedrons using formulas.
10. Convert measures within the metric and US systems.
11. Read simple graphs and find mean, median and mode of data.
C) Minimum Required for a "C" :
The student completes all required work with a point accumulation equivalent to
70% or better of all possible points.
IV. Course Content
A. Integers
1. Properties, applications and basic operations on integers
2. Whole number exponents and order of operations on integers
3. Evaluation of algebraic expressions involving integers
B. Rational Numbers, decimals and Real Numbers
1. Meaning and properties of decimals and rational numbers
2. Basic operations on rational numbers, including complex fractions
3. Graphs of inequalities in one variable
4. Perfect square roots , approximation of square roots
5. Introduction to scientific notation
C. Percents
1. Converting percents, decimals, and rational numbers
2. Percent application including sales tax, commission, percent increase or
decrease,
discount and interest
D. Algebraic Expressions and Equations, Polynomials
1. Translation of simple English expressions into algebraic expressions
2. Simplifying algebraic expressions (combine like terms , distribute, multiply
and divide
monomials, monomials with non- negative exponents
3. Solve linear equations in one variable
4. Ratios and proportions
5. Addition and subtraction of polynomials
E. Measurement and the Metric System
1. Length
2. Perimeter of polygons, circumference of a circle
3. Area of triangles, rectangles, squares , parallelograms (trapezoids) and
circles
4. Volume of right rectangular prisms and right cylinders
5. Finding area and volume of other geometric figures by application of
formulas.
6. Converting measures within a system (English and Metric)
7. Converting between systems (pounds to kilogram, inches to centimeters, miles
to
kilometers, gallons to liters)
F. Introduction to the Rectangular Coordinate System
1. Points in the rectangular coordinate system
2. Graphing lines by plotting points
G. Representation of Data
1. Tables, circle graphs, bar graphs
2. Mean, median, mode
IX. TextslInstructional Materials
Richard Aufmann, Vernon Barker and Joanne Lockwood:
Prealgebra, 4th edition, Houghton
Mifflin Company, Mass., 2005, ISBN 0-618-37262-8
Other Instructional Material
Notebook paper, writing implements, scientific calculator
V. Course Objectives
The Student Will Be Able To:
A. Add, subtract, multiply, divide
and exponentiate rational
numbers.
B. Evaluate numerical expressions
using the order of operations
agreement.
C. Convert between scientific
notation and decimal form.
D. Identify and apply real number
properties.
E. Simplify and evaluate algebraic
expressions using real number
properties.
F. Translate English expressions to
arithmetic and simple algebraic
expressions and vice versa.
G. Solve simple algebraic equations
including proportions.
H. Find the perimeter and area of
simple geometric figures
I. Find the volume of simple
polyhedrons using formulas
J. Convert measures within the
metric and US systems.
K. Read simple graphs and find
mean, median and mode of data
VI. Methods of Instruction
A. Lecture presentation and classroom
discussion
B. Small-group work
C. Videos available through the MSC
D. Software packages providing
demonstration of the algorithms
necessary to master the algebraic skills
E. Individualized instruction including
one-on-one discussions between
instructor and student
VII. Assignments
A. Reading from the class text
and/or supplementary material
B. Exercises from class text
and/or supplementary material
Revised 6/19/03
VIII. Methods of Evaluation
A. Assess mastery of course
content through written
examinations covering basic skills
and problem solving techniques
B. Assess attempt and correctness
of mathematical procedure through
written homework and in class
assignments/quizzes covering basic
skills and problem solving
techniques
