Math 108 - Modeling and Applications

Instructor: David Grothen
Home Phone: 476-9909
Cell Phone: 560-0752
Work Phone: 436-1303 (Northeast High School) call only to leave a message.

Course Description - The following topics will be covered in this course: Rational
expressions , exponents, factoring, equations , inequalities , and functions.

Prerequisites - Enrollees must either pass the math competency test or pass MTH 090
with a “C-” or better or meet the competency requirement through established college
guidelines.

Who should take this course - This course satisfies the Doane Plan requirement. This
course is a prerequisite for MTH 115 Finite Math, required for Business and Accounting
majors and suggested for ISM majors. Any student wanting to learn more mathematics is
invited to take this class.

Text: Intermediate Algebra : A Text/Workbook, 8th Edition
Charles P. McKeague
Thompson Publishing
ISBN: 0-495-82675-8
**** please note: this is a new edition ****

A student solutions manual is available, but not required.

Course goals

1. To review and master mathematical skills involving real numbers , order ,
absolute value , polynomials , and linear equations .

2. To further develop an understanding and working knowledge of
factoring , the rectangular coordinate system , linear relations, and
parabolas .

3. To introduce and provide a knowledge base of rational expression ,
rational exponents , radicals, complex numbers, quadratic equations ,
inequalities, symmetry, functions and their combinations , and linear
systems of equations in 2 and 3 variables.

4. To provide the algebraic background necessary for taking MTH 115,
Finite Math.

5. To develop problem solving skills in a mathematical setting.

Class Agenda

1. The first 20 minutes will be used for asking questions of the
previous week’s material.
2. A closed book quiz will be administered
3. New material will be discussed.

Course Schedule

1st session - Introductions - Discussion of course objectives -
Discussion of course requirements - Discussion of new
material.
2nd session - Q&A session - Quiz #1 - Discussion of new material.
3rd session - Q&A session - Quiz #2 - Discussion of new material.
4th session - Q&A session - Quiz #3 - Discussion of new material.
5th session - Q&A session - - Quiz #4 - Discussion of new material -
Hand out take-home test #1.
6th session - Q&A session - Collect take-home test #1 Quiz #5 -
Discussion of new material.
7th session - Q&A session - Quiz #6 - Discussion new material.
8th session - Q&A session - Quiz #7 - Discussion of new material .
Hand out take-home test #2.

The Saturday immediately following the last class
- take-home test #2 must be returned to the instructor.

Evaluation

Your grade will be based on the following percentage scale:

60% of your grade will be determined by 2 take home tests.
40% of your grade will be determined by 7 closed book quizzes.

Suggested problem sets will be handed out at each
class.

Course Policies

It is very important that you attend all classes. In the event that you should
have to miss a session, you will be responsible for getting the notes from
another person in the class and to be ready to take the quiz and hand in
the homework required for the next class.

Any student missing 3 or more classes will receive an F for the
course.

If an emergency should arise and you need to miss class, please phone
my work number, home number, or Doane college and leave a message,
then the next day call me at home to make arrangements for making up
any missed work.

The Doane College Academic Policy will be adhered to in this class. All
tests, quizzes should be done without assistance from outside sources.
Any violation of these policies can result in a loss of points for that
particular test or quiz.