SOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Elementary Algebra -- Math 98 (Sec. A) Spring, 2010

Instructor Information: Class Information
Instructor: David McAvoy Class Dates: April 5 thru June 14, 2010
Phone: 754-7711 x4213 (voicemail only) Class Day/Times: Daily; 7:00 – 7:50 am
Office: Building 33, room 101 Class Room: Building 22, room 209
Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Daily ~ 10 – 11 am & by appointment
Required Materials:
Introductory Algebra, Fifth Edition by Robert Blitzer
Graph Paper
Stand-alone scientific calculator (TI 30X recommended); embedded calculator apps in electronic devices not allowed
Course Information:
Brief review of operations with signed numbers and solving basic linear equations. Graphing linear relationships, the equation of a
line, systems of equations, properties of exponents, operations on polynomials, and solving quadratic equations by factoring.
Introduction of rational expressions and roots and radicals.
College Wide Ability
Evaluate and process quantitative and symbolic data.
Course Objectives
 Communicate effectively orally and in writing about the topics addressed;;
 Accurately perform operations with rational numbers;
 Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable;
 Solve application problems which lead to linear equations or inequalities;
 Find the slope of a line;
 Use the slope-intercept form to graph an equation;
 Use information to write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form;
 Solve systems of linear equations in two variables by graphing, elimination, and substitution (demonstrate all methods);
 Use systems of equations to solve application problems;
 Perform operations on polynomials;
 Simplify expressions containing exponents, including scientific notation;
 Use factoring polynomials to solve quadratic equations;
 Identify restrictions on the variable when working with rational expressions;
 Perform operations with simple rational expressions;
 Solve basic equations containing rational expressions;
 Use rational equations to solve some application problems;
 Simplify numerical radicals.
Course Content
A. Review of Math 94 D. Polynomials
a. The Real number system a. Exponent Properties and scientific notation
b. Linear equations and inequalities b. Operations with polynomials
B. Graphs and the equation of a line c. Factoring polynomials using greatest common factor, grouping,
a. The rectangular coordinate system difference of squares, perfect square and other trinomials, and
b. The slope formula use of factoring to solve quadractic equations
c. Slope-intercept form of the equation of a line E. An introduction to rational expressions
d. Point-slope form of the equation of a line a. Definitions, simplifying, and restrictions on variables
C. Systems of equations b. Operations with rational expressions
a. Meaning of the solution of a system c. Equations involving rational expressions
b. Solving by graphing d. Complex fractions
c. Solving by substitution e. Applications
d. Solving by the elimination method F. Introduction to roots and radicals
e. Applications of systems of equations a. Notation
b. Simplifying numerical radicals

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Math 98 Spring, 2010
Course Policies:
Attendance is mandatory. Students must attend class regularly to succeed in this class. If you feel that you can learn this material
without attending, then you should not be taking this class. **NOTE – Students who miss the first three class days will be
dropped from the class roster.
Financial Aid: Students receiving financial aid should ALWAYS check with Financial aid prior to withdrawing, signing an
incomplete contract, changing to an audit, or receiving an F or V grade in a class.
Homework will be collected on dates indicated on the calender, at the beginning of class before the lecture. Homework may be
turned in early, but will not be accepted late.
Test dates are given on the calendar. It is the responsibility of the student to be present for all exams unless special
arrangements have been made IN ADVANCE of the test date with the instructor.
Extra-credit is not given on an individual basis. There will be opportunities to earn extra credit throughout the quarter.
Grading procedures:
procedures You are given a grade based on the number of accumulated points at the end of the quarter;
-5 Individual Exams(IE) --worth 100 points each 10 quizzes (quiz) worth 10 points each
-20 Homework Assignments (HW) -- worth 12 pts each -1 Final Exam -- worth 200 points

Grade Scale: A 930 - 1000 B+ 870-899 C+ 770-799 D+ 670-699

A– 900 - 929 B 830-869 C 730-769 D 600-669
B– 800-829 C– 700-729 F below 600
Incompletes: Because of extenuating circumstances, the instructor may consider issuing an Incomplete. The student is eligible if
he or she is halfway through the course, is earning at least a C, and is able to complete the course -- working with the
instructor -- no later than the subsequent quarter.
The following is a list of things one can do to make sure that one has a successful experience in Math 98:
 Review the sections to be covered the night before the lecture; This will allow you to become familiar with the section and come
into class with questions.
 Be aware of deadlines and test dates – refer to the academic calendar when in doubt.
 If you must miss class, study the scheduled sections on your own before seeking help.
 Exchange phone numbers and form study groups with your classmates.
 Seek help from your instructor during his office hour or make an appointment for some other time.
 Go to the Math Center in Building 22, room 222 for individual help – no appointment is necessary.
 Use the online SmartThinking tutoring service provided free of charge to SPSCC students. To get started, a student should
logon at www.smarthinking.com. The username is SPSCC + the student’s nine-digit student ID number. The password is
SPSCC. For help with this or with any SMARTHINKING service, e-mail [email protected], call 888-430-7429 ext. 1
or visit the Customer Support section of the SMARTHINKING Web site.
 There are videotapes that supplement the text available in the Media Center and the Math Center. You can watch them there or
check them out from the media center to watch at home..
Classroom Expectations:
You will be expected to behave in a manner that contributes to a positive learning environment for you and your fellow classmates.
These behaviors include but are not limited to:
 Being punctual and prepared for class;
 Be willing to give help to your group members;
 Being patient if it takes others longer to understand a concept;
 Showing respect for others by being quiet while they are speaking;
 Turning off and putting away cellphones, pagers, and other electronic devices during class sessions;
 All work is to represent own efforts rather than to be copied from another. Cheating will result in an F grade for the assignment
or test. For the academic honesty policy, refer to the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities found on the college’s
website.

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Math 98 Spring, 2010
Academic Calender
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday KEY
4/5 4/6 4/7 4/8 4/9
Week Class HW (Homework) – There are twenty
1 Introductions Sec 1.1 – 1.2 Sec 1.2 – 1.3 HW#1 Quiz #1 of these homework assignments,
Sec 1.4 Sec 1.5 – 1.6 roughly 25 – 30 questions each.
4/12 4/13 4/14 4/15 4/16 The homework is due at the
beginning of class. I will not
Week
HW#2 TH#1 HW#3 Sec 2.1 – 2.2 Sec 2.3 – 2.4 accept late homework, so if you
2
Sec 1.7 – 1.8 IE#1 are going to miss a class when
homework is due, turn it in early.
4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23
Week Quiz – short (15 mins) group test at
3 HW#4 Quiz #2 HW#5 Sec. 3.2 Quiz #3 beginning of period; will begin
Sec. 2.5 Sec 2.6 Sec 3.1 Sec 3.3 promptly and I will collect one
answer sheet from each group; if
4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/30 you are late for class you will
miss these points.
HW#6 IE#2 Sec 4.1 – 4.2 HW#7 Quiz #4
TH#2 Sec. 4.3 – 4.4 Sec. 4.5 TH (Take Home practice test); this
5/3 5/4 5/5 5/6 5/7 is a practice test for the exam to
HW#9 follow; you will receive extra
Week
HW#8 Sec 5.2—5.3 Quiz#5 HW#10 IE#3 credit if you have done this exam.
4
Sec 5.1 Sec 5.4 TH#3 We will go over the exam on the
day indicated on the calendar.
5/10 5/11 5/12 5/13 5/14
ADVISING IE (Individual exam); this is the
Week
Sec 6.1 – 6.2 HW#11 Quiz #6 DAY HW#12 exam over the material; except for
5
Sec. 6.3 Sec 6.4 No Day Sec 6.5 IE#1, which covers chapter 1,
Classes each exam covers material from
5/17 5/18 5/19 5/20 5/21 two chapters.
Week HW#13
Sec. 6.7 Quiz #7 Sec. 7.2 HW#14 Quiz #8 Sec The section numbers are the
6
Sec. 7.1 Sec 7.3 Sec. 7.4 sections I plan to lecture on that
day; If you have to miss class, you
5/24 5/25 5/26 5/27 5/28 should study the scheduled
Week section on your own and try some
7 HW#15 HW#16 IE #4 of the problems at the end of the
Sec 7.5 – 7.6 TH #4 Sec. 8.1 Sec. 8.2 section. Make arrangements to
5/31 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4 meet with me, go to the math lab,
Week MEMORIAL HW#17 or get help from a peer if you
8 DAY Quiz # 9 Sec 8.4 HW#18 Sec 8.6 have trouble. Be ready with
(No Classes) Sec. 8.3 Sec. 8.5 specific questions and problems
that you are having issues with.
6/7 6/8 6/9 6/10 6/11
Week
9
Quiz #10 HW#19 Sec. 9.2 TH#5 IE#5
Sec. 8.7 Sec. 9.1

6/14 6/15 6/16 6/17 6/18

Week Final Exam NO FINAL NO NO
10 Review CLASS EXAM CLASS CLASS
7 – 9 am

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