Mr. Minion's Math Page



Course Syllabus

Math 163—Precalculus I

Instructor: Kevin Minion

Office: Haysi High School

Office Hours: Planning—10:10 AM to 11:40 AM

Phone: 276-865-5126 (Work)

276-275-9273 (Cell)

Email: kminion@dickenson.k12.va.us

Textbook: Precalculus Graphical, Numerical, and Algebraic, 8th ed. Demana, Watts, Foley, and Kennedy.

Pearson Education, Inc, 2011

Calculator: Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator will be needed in class at all times.

Course Description: Presents college algebra, matrices, and algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Prerequisites: a placement recommendation for MTH 163 and Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry or equivalent. Lecture 3 hours per week.

Course Objectives:

Chapter P: Prerequisites

1. Convert between decimals and fractions, write inequalities, apply the basic properties of algebra, and work with exponents and scientific notation.

2. Graph points, find distances and midpoints on a number line and in a coordinate plane, and write standard-form equations of circles.

3. Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable.

4. Use the concepts of slope and y-intercept to graph and write linear equations in two variables.

5. Solve equations involving quadratic, absolute value, and fractional expressions, by finding x-intercepts or intersections on graphs, by using algebraic techniques, or by using numerical techniques.

6. Add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers; and find complex zeros of quadratic functions.

7. Solve inequalities involving absolute value, quadratic polynomials, and expressions involving fractions.

Chapter 1: Functions and Graphs

1. Use numerical, algebraic, and graphical models to solve problems; and translate from one model to another.

2. Represent functions numerically, algebraically, and graphically; determine the domain and range for functions; and analyze function characteristics such as extreme values, symmetry, asymptotes, and end behavior.

3. Recognize graphs of twelve basic functions, determine domains of functions related to the twelve basic functions, and combine the twelve basic functions in various ways to create new functions.

4. Build new functions from basic functions by adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and composing functions.

5. Define functions and relations parametrically and find inverses of functions and relations.

6. Algebraically and graphically represent translations, reflections, stretches, and shrinks of functions and parametric relations.

7. Identify appropriate basic functions with which to model real-world problems and be able to produce specific functions to model data, formulas, graphs, and verbal descriptions.

Chapter 2: Polynomial, Power, and Rational Functions

1. Recognize and graph linear and quadratic functions, and use these functions to model situations and solve problems.

2. Sketch power functions in the form of [pic] (where k and a are rational numbers).

3. Graph polynomial functions, predict their end behavior, and find their real zeros using a grapher or an algebraic method.

4. Divide polynomials using long division or synthetic division; to apply the Remainder Theorem, Factor Theorem, and Rational Zeros Theorem; and find upper and lower bounds for zeros of polynomials.

5. Factor polynomials with real coefficients using factors with complex coefficients.

6. Describe the graphs of rational functions, identify horizontal and vertical asymptotes, and predict the end behavior of rational functions.

7. Solve equations involving fractions using both algebraic and graphical techniques and identify extraneous solutions.

8. Solve inequalities involving polynomials and rational functions by using both algebraic and graphical techniques.

Chapter 3: Exponential, Logistic, and Logarithmic Functions

1. Evaluate exponential expressions and identify and graph exponential and logistic functions.

2. Use exponential growth, decay, and regression to model real-life problems.

3. Convert equations between logarithmic form and exponential form, evaluate common and natural logarithms, and graph common and natural logarithmic functions.

4. Apply the properties of logarithms to evaluate expressions and graph functions, and be able to re-express data.

5. Apply the properties of logarithms to solve exponential and logarithmic equations algebraically and solve application problems using these equations.

6. Use exponential functions and equations to solve business and finance applications related to compound interest and annuities.

Chapter 7: Systems and Matrices

1. Solve systems of equations graphically and algebraically.

2. Find sums, differences, products, and inverses of matrices.

3. Solve systems of equations using the reduced row echelon form of a matrix or an inverse matrix.

Grading: Final grades will be determined by three components. The components are (1) homework, (2) tests, (3) final exam.

Daily homework problems will be assigned. It is impossible to learn mathematics without working problems related to the concepts discussed. The standard procedure is to work all problems assigned that relate to the material that was discussed in class. Some problems may be assigned as extra-credit from time to time and points for these problems will be “all or nothing”. Homework will be averaged into a test grade. No homework grades will be dropped.

A test will be given at the end of each chapter. Tests are to be taken on the day assigned. If a student misses a test, the student must present an acceptable reason for missing the test no later than the first class meeting the student returns to class. The student must select an appropriate time for taking a makeup test (no later than one week) of the students return to class. The student must take the makeup test on the scheduled day (No makeup of a makeup test will be allowed). The lowest test grade will be dropped.

There will be a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester. The exam will count as a test grade. A student with an “A” average (before any test grade is dropped) will be exempt from the exam i.e., the student may use the exam as his/her drop test grade.

Evaluation: Grades will be based on the average of the highest of six (6) out of seven (7) test grades from Chapter P, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 7, Homework Average, and Exam.

Grades will be based on the following scale:

90—100 A

80—89 B

70—79 C

60—69 D

Below 60 F

Attendance: College policy states that regular class attendance is required. When absence from a class is necessary, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor prior to the absence. The student is responsible for the completion of all work missed during the absence. Excessive absences in class could result in a drop of a letter grade

Instructions for individuals with disabilities: Students may request academic accommodations through the guidance office of their school. That office will evaluate the request and make recommendations for appropriate and reasonable accommodations which the student will provide to the instructor. Individuals requiring temporary handicapped parking accommodations due to short-term illness should contact the main office of their school. All correspondence will be kept confidential.

Emergency Statement: In the event of a school-wide emergency, course requirements, classes, deadlines, and grading schemes are subject to changes that may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class materials, and/or classmate. A revised attendance policy, revised semester calendar, and/or grading scheme may also change due to a school-wide emergency. In the event of a school-wide emergency, the instructor of this class will contact students to inform them of any changes that will take place.

Tentative Schedule: This schedule may be altered as needed based on the instructor’s discretion and student needs.

Aug 13 Introduction

14 No Class

15 Section P.1

16 Section P.2

17 Section P.3

20 Section P.4

21 Section P.5

22 Section P.6

23 Section P.7

24 Chapter P Review

27 Chapter P Test

28 Section 1.1

29 Section 1.2

30 Section 1.3

31 Section 1.4

Sep 03 No Class

04 Section 1.5

05 Section 1.6

06 Section 1.7

07 Chapter 1 Review

10 Chapter 1 Test

11 Section 2.1

12 Section 2.2

13 Section 2.3

14 Section 2.4

17 Section 2.5

18 Section 2.6

19 Section 2.7

20 Section 2.8

21 Chapter 2 Review

24 Chapter 2 Test

25 Section 3.1

26 Section 3.2

27 Section 3.3

28 Section 3.4

Oct 01 Section 3.5

02 Section 3.6

03 Chapter 3 Review

04 Chapter 3 Test

05 Section 7.1

08 Section 7.2

09 Section 7.3

10 Chapter 7 Review

11 Chapter 7 Test

12 Exam Review

15 Exam

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