Intermediate Algebra

Course Objectives: The goal is for students to master solving and graphing first and
second degree equations, and solving simultaneous equations.

Book: Intermediate Algebra with Applications & Visualization by G.K.Rockswold and
T.A.Krieger (Pearson/ Addison Wesley publishing; second edition 2005)

Materials: A graphing calculator is required for this course (equivalent to the TI-83 is
recommended). You will also need graph paper

Attendance: Daily attendance is required. Since emergencies may arise, students are
allowed four absences. This means four absences for any reason at all. After four
absences students will be asked to withdraw from the class.

Help: Free tutoring will be available starting_TBA_onwards in room 540B Nightingale.
Assistance is also available during my office hours. Additional assistance is available at
the Academic Assistance Center. Sign -up for appointments in 102 Cahners Hall

Homework: Completed daily homework assignments should be brought to class, and
will be spot-checked, as time permits.

Quizzes and Tests: Your grade will be based largely on short Quizzes based on
homework (weekly; usually given on Thursdays), and on the two hourly Tests.

Grading: This course is graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, with 70 or above
constituting a Satisfactory average. This course is 4 semester hours, but does not
count as 4 credits towards graduation.

Make-Up Quizzes: There will be no make-up of quizzes. A missed quiz will be
entered as zero. However, the lowest quiz grade will be dropped for everyone, and the
second lowest quiz grade will be dropped for the students who produce homework on the
timely basis. The quizzes will usually take place on Thursdays.

Make-Up Tests: You may take one make-up test (within a week from the original test
date), if you missed a test and have a doctor’s note on letterhead stationary with a phone
number for confirmation. Mark these dates: Test #1 is on October 4; Test #2 is on
November 8.

Finals: No student may request for a special final exam time unless it is due to a registrar
created conflict. If you miss the final you will be given a grade of zero on it , and there
will be no make-up given. Check the finals’ schedule before you make plans to go
home for vacation.

How to get on my Good Side: Switch off your cell phone before entering the classroom.
No electronic gadgets of any kind, please. If you must talk to your neighbors, discuss
Math only.

Note: It is your responsibility to be aware of any changes to this syllabus that are
announced in class. Students are responsible for all information given when they are
absent. If you have any concerns about the course that cannot be resolved with me,
please see Prof. Sherman in 455 Lake, x2785. It is the University policy that no
grade, including an incomplete, can be changed after one year. Exceptions must be
authorized by the Academic Standing Committee.

DAILY SCHEDULE: (reading [by section] and homework assignments [by pages
and exercise numbers])

Week of September 3: section 1.3 Integer Exponents
Day 1: definition of exponents , zero and negative exponents
HW: p.35-36: 1-36
Day 2: laws of exponents
HW p.36: 37-82 odd

Week of September 10:
Day 1: section 1.3 order of operations and scientific notation
HW p. 36-37: 83-98, 103 - 116
Day 2 section 1.4 Modeling Data with Formulas
HW p.46-47: 1-12, 21-32 (skip absolute value), 39-42, 47, 48, 54, 57
(Skip section 1.5)
Day 3 Review (no quiz due to Rosh Hashanah holiday)

Week of September 17:
Day 1 section 2.1 Functions and Their Representations- emphasis on evaluating functions
HW p.85: 1-10, 15-24, 41-45, 51-54
Day 2 section 2.2 Linear Functions : graphing lines, constant rate of change;
(Note: you may be able to start some of 2.3 this day) HW: p.98: 1-15 odd;
Day 3 section 2.3 Slope of a line
HW p.111-114: 1-6; 7, 9, 11, 14, 21, 23, 31, 39, 41, 45, 47,
48, 49, 57-60, 61, 74

Week of September 24:
Day 1 and 2 section 2.4 Equations of Lines and Linear Models (omit perpendicular
lines)
HW: p. 127-128: 13-17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 31, 32, 35, 43, 46, 49, 63, 76, 79, 93
Day 3 Review

Week of October 1:
Day 1 and 2 section 3.1 Solving Linear Equations
Day 1: solving graphically, solving simple equations symbolically
HW: p. 154-155: 1-5, 11-16, 17-20, 23, 24, 29, 31, 32
Day 2: solving equations involving the distributive law, review
HW: p. 154: 22, 25, 26, 27, 33-46 odd
Day 3 Test #1

Week of October 8: (no school October 8, Columbus Day)
Day 1 Test #1 Review
Day 2 section 3.2 Introduction to Word Problems
HW: p. 165: 20, 23, 41, 42, 45, 47, 53

Week of October 15:
Day 1 section 3.3 Linear Inequalities
HW: p. 175-176: 1-8, 11-24
Day 2 section 3.4 Compound Inequalities
HW: p. 187-189: 1- 8, 12, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 41, 43, 44, 48, 49
Day 3 review

Week of October 22:
Day 1 section 4.1 Systems of linear equations: graph and numeric solutions
HW: p. 225-226: 1-8, 11, 13, 21, 27, 30, 45, 49, 58, 62
Day 2 and 3 section 4.2 Substitution and Elimination
Day 2: substitution: p.237-240: 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 19, 22, 74, 89
Day 3: elimination: p. 239- 240: 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 48, 49, 76, 86, 90
(Note: Skip 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5)

Week of October 29:
Day 1 section 5.1 Polynomial Expression and Evaluation (up to page 307)
HW: p.310-312: 1-8, 35-45 odd, 45-53 odd, 61-67 odd, 83, 87-91 odd
Day 2 section 5.2 Multiplying polynomials
HW: p. 322-323: 1-6, 7-23 odd, 41-57 odd, 73-97 odd
Day 3 section 5.3 Factoring Polynomials
HW: p. 333-334: 1-6, 7-31 odd, 41-49 odd, 63-71 odd, 93

Week of November 5
Day 1 section 5.4 Factoring Trinomials
HW: p.344-346: 1-6, 7-49 odd, 71, 81-89 odd
Day 2 section 5.5 Special Factors, review
HW: p. 352: 1-10, 11-35 odd, 37-40, 49-65 odd
Day 3 Test #2

Week of November 12: (no school November 12, Veteran’s Day)
Day 1 Review Test #2
Day 2 section 8.1 Quadratic Functions and their Graphs
HW: p. 537–538: 1-10, 19, 20, 23, 24, 43-48

Week of November 19: (no school November 21, 22; Thanksgiving vacation)
Day 1 section 8.3 Quadratic Equations
HW: p. 560–561: 1-16, 25-49 odd

Week of November 26:
Day 1 section 8.3 Quadratic Equations (continued)
HW: p. 561–562: 51-58, 59-79 odd
Day 2 section 8.4.Quadratic Formula
HW: p. 572–573: 1-6, 7-23 odd, 25-28, 29-34 a),c) parts only
Day 3 section 8.4.Quadratic Formula (continued) (skip complex solutions )
HW: p. 573–574: 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42 (parts a),b) only); 85-92

Week of December 3: (last day of school December 5)
Day 1 Review of Quadratic Equations

LAST DAY Final Exam Review
Week of December 10: FINAL EXAM TBA