Bethune-Cookman University

Course: Pre-Calculus                Prefix/number: MA 135

Credit Hours: 3                       Semester: Spring 2008

1. Instructor Information

Professor Name: Dr. Ron King

Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science

Telephone: 386 481-2670

E-Mail Address: kingr@cookman.edu

Office: Science Hall 108

Office Hours:  MWF 10:15AM – 12:15PM and TR 4:15PM – 5:15PM

 

2. Prerequisites

An appropriate Score on the B-CC MAPS MATHEMATICS TEST and/or an "A" in MA112 and two years of high school algebra and one year of high school geometry.  Note: A major unrecorded prerequisite needed to achieve a mastery of this course material is the willingness to spend an average of 2 hours of study time for each hour in class.

 

3. Catalog Course Description

This course is a general education course for computer science, engineering, mathematics, and science majors and each student MUST maintain a grade of "C" to pass the course.  Course content include, but not limited to the following, polynomical, rational, exponential, inverse, logarithmic, and circular functions, sets, set operations, and relations; solutions of systems of equations, partial fractions, matrices, sequences, series, and inequalities, trigonometric, circular and certain special functions.

 

4. Textbook and Optional Materials

  1. Precalculus – A Problems-Oriented Approach  (6th edition) by Cohen(Thomson)
  2. A graphing calculator such as the TI-84 is highly recommended.  Many of the textbooks examples require a graphing calculator.

 

5. Main Course Goal

This course provides the preparation needed for a student to begin a study of calculus by developing the student’s ability to think and reason mathematically.

 

 

6. Course Competencies/outcomes

Competency 1: Student will demonstrate an understanding of algebraic functions.

 

  1. Given a function, determine if it is a one-to-one function.
  2. Find all values of x that make a polynomial P(x) equal zero.
  3. Given the equation for a rational algebraic function, simplify and sketch the graph.
  4. Determine what values are excluded from the domain of a rational function.
  5. Use appropriate theorems of polynomials to factor a polynomial.
  6. Add and subtract rational algebraic expressions.
  7. Graphing rational functions which have asymptotes including vertical, horizontal and oblique.

 

Competency 2: Student will demonstrate an understanding of exponential and logarithmic functions by:

  1. Understand the relationships between exponential and logarithmic functions.
  2. Identifying the domain of logarithmic and exponential functions.
  3. Find the logarithm, base, or argument, if the other two are given.
  4. Solving equations involving logarithmic and exponential functions.
  5. Use mathematical models to solve applications of exponential functions.

 

Competency 3: Student will demonstrate an understanding of systems of equations by.

  1. Solve a system of 2 linear equations in 2 variables using the substitution method.
  2. Solve a system of 3 equations in 3 unknowns using third order determinants
  3. Perform basic matrices operations, addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

 

Competency 4: Student will demonstrate an understanding of sequences and series by:

  1. Once given the first few terms of a sequence discover a pattern and write additional terms of the sequence.
  2. Once given the first few terms of a sequence tell whether it’s a arithmetic, geometric, or neither.
  3. Given a partial sum in Sigma notation, evaluate it by writing all the terms, then adding them.
  4. Given a geometric series, tell whether or not it converges. If it does converge, find the limit to which it converges.

 

7. Objectives

Teach basic analytic skills:  After successfully completing this course, the student will:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theory of functions.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of polynomial and rational functions, their parametric equations and their graphs.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions and their application to problem situations.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of graphs and their relation to the Cartesian coordinate system.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of limit and its applications.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical induction and sequence series.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems using concepts from matrix algebra.
  8. Development of problem solving and critical thinking skills.

 

8. General Requirements/Student Expectations:  

  1. Read the section to be covered prior to class and arrive on time.
  2. Perform ALL homework assignments. ALWAYS try homework problems BEFORE asking for help from ANYONE.  Once you decide to seek help be prepared to communicate your difficulties in order to obtain the appropriate help.
  3. Participate in class discussions.
  4. Be responsible for any material missed when you are absent.
  5. Disabilities: If you need special consideration due to a disability documented by the college, please inform me during the first week of class and I'll be pleased to accommodate you.
  6. Academic Dishonesty: Cheating of any form will not be tolerated. Any student found guilty of plagiarism or cheating will automatically receive an "F" for the course, and will be referred for disciplinary action that could result in probation or suspension.  Please remember that academic dishonesty includes initialing the attendance sheet for another student who is not in attendance or late for class.

9. Methods of Instruction

A mixture of lectures and demonstrations combine with group work.

 

10. Course outline:  Activities/assignments

Reasonable changes may occur to this syllabus at the discretion of the instructor.

MA135B – Pre-Calculus – Spring 2008

Tentative Schedule

 

Date

Topic

Assignments

      -

Review/quadratic equation

Chapter one

1/9/2008

Equations of lines

1/11/2008

Factoring

Appendix B.4

1/14/2008

Factoring

Appendix B.4

1/16/2008

Fractional Expressions

Appendix B.5

1/16/2008

Equations and inequalities

Chapter two

1/18/2008

Equations and inequalities

Chapter two

1/21/2008

Dr. Martin Luther King (Federal Holiday)

 

1/23/2008

A day to review

Chapters 1, 2& Appendix B

1/25/2008

Test One

Chapters 1, 2& Appendix B

1/28/2008

Functions

Chapter three

1/30/2008

Average rate of change

Section 3.3

2/1/2008

Inverse Functions

Section 3.6

2/4/2008

Linear Functions

Section 4.1

2/6/2008

Quadratic Functions

Section 4.2

2/8/2008

Problem Solving

Section 4.4

2/11/2008

Maximum and Minimum problems

Section 4.5

2/13/2008

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Sections 4.6 and 4.7

2/15/2008

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Sections 4.6 and 4.7

2/18/2008

A day to review

Chapter 3&4

2/20/2008

Test two

Chapter 3 &4

2/22/2008

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Chapter 5

2/25/2008

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Chapter 5

2/29/2008

Exponential Growth

Section 5.7

3/3/2008

Spring Break

 

3/10/2008

Review

Chapter 5

3/12/2008

Systems of equations

Chapter 10

3/14/2008

Systems of equations

Chapter 10

3/17/2008

Review

Chapter 5&10

3/19/2008

Test Three

Chapter 5&10

3/21/2008

Sequences and series

Sections 13.3-13.5

3/24/2008

Sequences and series

Sections 13.3-13.5

3/26/2008

Sequences and series

Sections 13.3-13.5

3/31/2008

Mathematical Induction

Sections 13.1

4/11/2008

Mathematical Induction

Sections 13.1

4/14/2008

Review

 

4/16/2008

Test Four

Chapter

4/21/2008

Final Exam Week

 

 

11. Technology

You are required to have a high-quality calculator for this course.  A graphing calculator such as the TI-84 is highly recommended.  Calculators may not be shared during exams.

12. Assessment/Grading scale

 

a. Your grade will be based on four in class tests (67%), and homework (33%).  Each test is worth 200 points and tends to be cumulative.  The final exam is optional and can be used to replace the lowest score on one of the four mid-term examinations. All examinations are close-book and close-notebook. Calculators are allowed and should be used during exams.   A total of 1200 points make-up this course with 800 coming form exams and 400 from homework.

b. The grade you receive will be based on the percentage of possible course points that you obtain. Final grade lines are based on many factors, including the distribution of the class performance, and difficulty level of testing material. I reserve the right to set grade lines at the end of the course. For your information, the following are my historical grade lines.

Grade line cutoffs for the lowest grades:

Bottom "A" was 90% (i.e., 1080 points)

Bottom "B" was 80% (i.e., 960 points)

Bottom "C" was 67% (i.e., 804 points)

c. If you discover an error in the grading of your work, please discuss it with me ASAP!  As a rule, you and I should discuss any grading problems within five days after the distribution of test grades. Please, do not wait until the end of the course to bring up problems with test one. You will find that I am very reluctant to change a grade after two weeks.

 

d. The rumor that homework is assigned so that instructors have something to do late at night and on weekends is not entirely true.  Actually, homework is supposed to help you learn the course material.  However, often two heads may be better than one and studying together or exchanging ideas on a difficult problem can be very helpful, provided that there is active participation by all concerned.  However, the work submitted is expected to be your independent effort.  Verbal discussion of approaches is fine, but that is where it must stop. You do not work out homework problems together.  You do not show other students copies of your work, or look at theirs, before turning in your work.  All students enrolled in this class should make a note that the instructor strongly believes that doing homework problems provides students with the skills needed to succeed on his exams.  The very best way to ensure you receive a good grade in this class is to sincerely attempt all homework problems.

 

e. Homework Assignments: Homework exercises will be assigned on a weekly basis. It is expected that students will complete all assigned homework exercises. Some homework sets will be collected other will not. Students will be told which homework problems I will collect in advance (no surprises).   I will collect homework before each exam!  There will be in-class discussion and group work. Participation is expected.

 

f. Makeup Test Policy:

Ř      NO makeup tests will be given without a five day advance notice that the student will not be present for a scheduled test, or an extreme emergency situation arrives.  I reserve the right to refuse to give a makeup test without suitable proof that an extreme emergency have occurred.  A makeup test will likely be different from the original test and may be more difficult. No makeup exam will be given after the scheduled date for the final exam, under any circumstances.

Ř      NOTE: Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class on a test day due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.

 

I look forward to working with you to achieve both our objectives for this course. I want you to learn and do well in this course. The key to success is good study habits. Good luck!

 

Ronnie King, Ph.D.