Intermediate Algebra

Instructor: Theresa Hert

Office: 311, in the SJC library

Office Hours:
M W 2:30 – 3:30 pm
T Th 9:30 – 10:50 am

Or by appointment

Phone Number: (909) 487 - 3751

Courseware: Intermediate Algebra by Wright, 5^th edition Hawkes Publishing Courseware.

You have two options, you may get the courseware by purchasing it bundled with a new textbook or you
may just purchase the courseware directly from the publishing company for $50. If you are attempting to get
the courseware from another person, you will need the actual access code which will contain 30 characters,
not just the code printed on the envelope that contains the CDs.You will need to purchase the access code
to use the courseware,

Couse ID: MSJCIMA

Textbook Optional: Intermediate Algebra by Wright, 5^th edition Hawkes Publishing

Required materials: TI-30 X II S calculator, or equivalent scientific calculator, one that has a key with
the label log on or above it is required for this class. I prefer you use a scientific calculator with a 2-line
display window, so that you can enter into the calculator the problem in the same way it appears on your
paper. This will make a significant difference when we start working with exponential and logarithmic
functions.

Blackboard:

To access course documents and the Self-Review, you will need to go to the MSJC
Blackboard web site. Logging in requires knowing your username and password. Your
username is your first initial of your first name, followed by your last name in all
lower case letters and followed by the last three numbers of your student
identification, e.g. John Doe with a student identification number of 08257891 would
be jdoe891. Your initial password is the (mmddyy) of your birthdate, e.g. someone
born on February 26, 1977 would have the password 022677.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:

1) Solve quadratic, rational, absolute value and radical equations;

2) Solve quadratic and rational applications;

3) Solve quadratic inequalities and absolute value inequalities of the form |ax + b| > n,
|ax + b| < n, |ax + b| ≤ n and |ax + b| ≥ n, where n can be positive, negative or zero;

4) Factor polynomials of the form u³ + v³ and u³ – v³ where u = ax + b and v = cx + d;

5) Graph quadratic and square root functions;

6) Simplify expressions containing integer and rational exponents and radical expressions;

7) Simplify complex fractions;

8) Evaluate function notation and utilize the Vertical Line Test;

9) Determine the domain and range of a function given its graph;

10) Solve a system of three equations in three variables;

11) Write the square root of a negative radicand utilizing a factor of i;

12) Compare equations of conic sections and construct their graphs;

13) Graph exponential and logarithmic functions;

14) Formulate the logarithmic equivalent of an exponential function.

Attendance Policy

You may be dropped after missing the equivalent of four consecutive assignments.

The purpose of the attendance policy is to ensure students are making progress towards completing this class.

Drop Dates

The last day to drop a full-term course without a "W" grade issued is February 12, 2009.
The last day to drop a full-term course with a "W" grade issued is May 1, 2009.
While the attendance policy permits the instructor to drop a student (before May 1), it is the student's
responsibility to drop a course if he or she no longer wishes to be enrolled in that course. Contact
Enrollment Services if you wish to obtain an add/drop slip.

Accessibility

Mt. San Jacinto College abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 that prohibits federal and state agencies or programs from discriminating against qualified
individuals with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that limits major life activity which may
have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please notify
the Disabled Students Program and Services. DSPS is located in room 1100. You may call 487-3305 to
verify your disability and arrange for accommodations.

Math Center

Tutors are available in the Math Center on both the Menifee Valley campus and the San Jacinto campus.
The walk-in tutoring allows you to receive “quick” answers to your questions, whereas making a tutoring
appointment allows you to sit with a tutor and receive individual tutoring for 1 hour.

Course Repetition

The college is not only allowed to let students enroll in a class in which the student has received 2
substandard grades (D or F). Also students are restricted from enrolling in a class if they have already taken
the class 3 times. Therefore, if you are going to enroll in this online class, it is very important that you
realize that if you do not pass it, you will only have at most two more attempts to take it. Learning math
online is extremely difficult. There is no “easy” way through math. Because math is a sequential subject, it
is important for you to learn the material to be prepared for the next class.

Cheating

If you are caught cheating, you will receive a score of zero points for that examination and appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken.

Your Course Grade

The scores you earn on a self-review, forty-seven (47) certifications, four (4) open discussions, four (4)
double discussions, five (5) journal assignments, four (4) tests and a final examination will determine your
course grade. The points possible for each of these items is as follows:

To earn a passing grade, you must earn at least a 65% on the final exam. Then the letter grade you will
receive will be determined by the total amount of points earned and according to the following scale:

You can access your grades within the Blackboard environment.
Click on Tools and then click on My Grades.
Grades will be updated approximately within 48 hours after the assignment due date.

Examinations

All exams will be proctored. There will be four tests and a comprehensive final examination. The four tests
and final examination will be written examinations consisting primarily of exercises comparable in difficulty
to those included in the certification assignments. You must show all your work to a solution to receive full
credit for that exercise. Partial credit will be given for a partial solution. I will post a test study guide in
Course Documents at least 1 week prior to the scheduled testing window. Arrangements have already been
made to allow you to take the tests and final exam in Learning Center on either the San Jacinto or Menifee
Valley campus depending on your response to the Student Survey in the Introduction folder. If you would
like to be able to take the test in another location you will need to work with me to make those arrangements.

You may use a scientific calculator on the proctored tests and the final examination.
You will not be allowed to use graphing calculators on the tests.

You may not use books or notes when taking any examination.

If you take all four tests, and the percentage you earn on the final examination is greater than your lowest
percentage score on a test, that score will be replaced by the percentage earned on your final examination.

When you come in to take a test, if you supply a self-addressed 8.5” by 11” envelope with at least 2 stamps, I
will mail you back your test and as well as the complete solutions.

Make sure to save your tests and the solutions so that you can use them to study for the
comprehensive final examination.

If you miss a test …

If you miss a test, the score for that test will equal 44.44% of the points earned on your final examination.
Since the final is worth 225 and a test is only worth 100, to earn the same grade I calculate it by multiplying
44.44% * 225 = 99.99

If you miss another test …

If you miss two tests, the score for the first test missed will equal 44.44% of the points earned on your final
examination. If you have scored at least 70% on at least one test, you will be offered a make-up test for the
second missed test. If you have yet to score 70% or better on a test, you will earn zero points for the second
missed test.

If you miss three (or more) tests…

If you miss a third test, you will earn zero points for that test. If you miss the fourth test, you will earn zero
points for that test as well.

If you miss the final examination…

If you do not take the final examination, you will not pass this class. Therefore, if you miss the final
examination, you should contact enrollment services to obtain an incomplete grade application form and
arrange to meet with the instructor as soon as possible. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the
process to apply for an incomplete grade.

Examination Schedule

Certification : Our Course ID is MSJCIMA

The majority of the assignments you will complete for this class are not in the Blackboard environment, but
are found by accessing the courseware, Hawkes Learning Systems for Intermediate Algebra. You will need
to verify that you have learned the concepts by completing certifications. The textbook is optional for this
course, but is helpful for those you do not like to read computer screens. It is also useful to try problems
when you do not have easy access to a computer. You may buy the courseware bundled with the textbook at
either of the Mt. San Jacinto College bookstores, or you may purchase at the courseware directly from the
publishing company and download it to your computer. The cost for the courseware online is $50.

You are required to certify that you have learned the required concepts for this course. Each week you will
be given 4 to 6 certification assignments which will need to be completed within the courseware. Those
certifications will automatically be recorded in the Hawkes gradebook if, when you complete the
certification, you are connected to the internet. However, you do not need to be connected to the internet to
complete a certification. Therefore, the next time you access the courseware and you are connected to the
internet, you will be prompted to submit any completed certification codes that have not been recorded.

If you have any trouble with this courseware, you can contact the company for technical support through
by phone: (800) 426-9538 between the hours of 5:30 am to 2:30
pm, Monday – Friday. Or you can post a question or comment in the blackboard environment by clicking on
Discussion Board, click on the forum Trouble Shooting and add a new thread.

This courseware has 3 major components. Instruct provides an explanation about a new concept, Practice
will give you the opportunity to try a few problems, in this area you can invoke the assistance from the
Interactive Tutor and there is an area to Certify that you have learned the concept. You will be required to
complete 47 certifications for this course, each worth 5 points. When you have successfully completed the
certification, make sure you save the certification code in case there is a problem with the Hawkes web site.
The certification must be completed by the indicated due date. If you are not connected to the internet, you
may attach the saved file to an email and send it to me.

To prepare for a test and/or the final exam, you should complete your certifications in a timely fashion and
review those problems associated with the material over which you will be tested. So that you can complete
your certification, you should use the courseware’s Instruct section to gain a better understanding of the
concept. You should study the examples and memorize the definitions and theorems in the instruct area of
the courseware. If after memorizing the definitions and theorems you cannot understand the solutions to the
problems, you will be better prepared to ask meaningful questions in the Discussion Forum of the
Blackboard environment, choose the appropriate chapter. Remember, no matter how simple a solution
appears in the textbook or on the courseware, you won't have an accurate estimate of the mathematics you
can do yourself until you try to certify!

The certification assignment requires a minimum number of problems you should complete successfully.
Depending on your mathematics background and the concept in question, you may need to do additional
problems in the Practice area. If you find yourself struggling to complete a certification assignment, you are
encouraged to contact the instructor during an office hour for extra help or post questions in the Discussion
Forum. You may also wish to employ a tutor, either privately or through the Learning Center, or form a
study group with other students in this class.

Since the problems on the test will be very similar to problems done in the “mini” lecture videos and the
assigned certifications, doing all your certifications is the best way to prepare for an examination. In
particular, to ensure that you will know how to complete the problems that will be on the test, you should
attempt the practice test assigned by your instructor in the Web Test section within the Hawkes Learning
System until you are confident that you understand how to successfully complete those problems.

Journal Assignments

Journaling is one way to allow you to reflect on the learning process.
There is a required journal assignment as part of the check-in activities found in the Introduction folder, there
is also one journal assignment in each of the 4 units as well as an exit survey. You will need to go into the
assignments area, which can be accessed with a link embedded in the instructions for the assignment. Your
journal assignment can only be accessed within the Blackboard environment. After I have graded your
journal, I will send you feedback comments within that same assignments area. Depending on how thorough
you are with these assignments, you can earn up to 15 points for each journal entry. Make sure you include
your name ON the journal document you send back to me.

Discussions

Some of the work for this class involves you posting comments into the discussion board, located within the
communications area. The purpose of the Discussion Forums is to allow students to interact with each other
as well as gain a better understand of the concepts that will be covered in this class. Discussion topics are
chosen based on the concepts that students often have difficulty learning. To hear how students approach
learning these concepts could help other students with new insights about those concepts. One of the hardest
things to do in a math class is to put into words what you do to solve problems. Verbalizing your thoughts
will improve your understanding of the concept. Although only 10% of your grade is determined by these
discussion forums, your participation will greatly influence your success as a math student.

In an Open Discussion you may either post a new thread or reply to another students comment. In a Double
Discussion you must both add a new thread and reply to at least one other student’s comment. Your
original comments must be posted as indicated by the first due date. You do not have to wait until after the
first due date to respond to other posts. It is just very important that you make the first posting by the first
deadline so students have time to reply. Points for posting and responding to the discussion boards will be
subjectively awarded by me with a maximum of 10 points for each Open Discussion and maximum of 20
points for each Double Discussion.

The Open Discussions and Double Discussions are very impersonal and do not require that we all adhere to
formal writing guidelines (this includes the instructor-- please forgive any misspellings by me). Do not be
fearful of spelling, grammatical errors, etc. within these areas. You will not be graded for your spelling, etc.
within the discussion area. Instead the focus will be on the quality and content of your dialogue

• When responding to a question or statement posed by me or a fellow classmate, do not merely make a
statement of agreement or tell a person they did a "good job". Explain your agreement or
disagreement with a statement. In your responses, tell me or your classmates exactly what you
liked/disliked about something we have posted. Be specific.

• When posting to the discussion group, refrain from attacking an individual personally. Point your
comments in the direction of the statements made by the person and not at the person.

• Please do not respond to the same classmate's postings in the different discussion boards over and
over again. Allow yourself the opportunity to become familiar with as many different members of the
class as possible. To achieve this goal pick different students each time to write your responses.

•Feel free to use emotions, e.g. :-) :-O in your postings as these help students interpret the tone of your
written communication.

• Please do not use all capital letters as this intimates that you are SCREAMING or YELLING! Unless
of course that is your intention :-O

Please adhere to the Mt. San Jacinto College's Acceptable Use Policy (you must have a signed AUP on file
to take an online course). Any improper use of the discussion boards, e-mails, etc. will result in a loss of
privilege in using these communications tools and possibly other disciplinary action.

Self-Review

It is the instructor’s intent to allow you to demonstrate that you have the skills needed for this algebra course,
the second course within the sequence. If you have a difficult time remembering how to do certain types of
problems, you should seek additional help through the Math Center as soon as possible. This assignment is
worth ten points, regardless of the number of correct answers. Since your initial score will indicate the
number of questions you got correct, after the deadline to complete this review has past, all grades will be
changed to 10.

Taking Notes: Writing and Watching

I have generated Class Notes that are in outline form. They highlight the information for a particular
concept, have a few worked out examples with explanations, and have several problems that are need to be
worked out. For those problems, I have created “mini” lecture videos that demonstrate how to solve them.
I have placed copies for those notes in Blackboard, under Course Documents, Outline of Notes.

As in a traditional face-to-face class it is important to take notes during the lecture either during the “mini”
lecture videos and/or in the Instruct area of the courseware. It is particularly important to make detailed
notes as problems similar to those you'll be doing for the certifications are worked out. That way, you can
refer to your notes for help if you forget how to complete a solution to a certify problem. While you are
reading from the instruct area of the courseware for the assigned sections and/or viewing the “mini” lecture
videos, you should also be working out the problems on paper.

You may find it helpful to use at least two colors when taking notes and doing the homework. That way you
will quickly remember and more fully understand the steps utilized in a solution when you later review your
notes and your homework when you study for an exam.

Extra Credit Opportunities

There are several ways you can earn extra credit. With the Blackboard Quiz in the Introduction folder, you
can earn up to 5 extra credit points. Although the certifications are worth 235 points, if all required
certifications are done on time, you can earn 30 extra credit points. If all 6 journal assignments are
submitted, you can earn 15 extra credit points. For each mistake that you identify in my “mini” lecture
videos, you can receive 5 extra credit points. At some point during the semester, I will indicate that you can
send me an email for 5 extra credit points. In the courseware, at the end of each chapter there is a Chapter
Review and Test that you may take. For each Chapter Test you certify, you will receive 3 extra credit points.
Therefore you can earn at least 77 extra credit points. No other extra credit will be offered.

Dates and Certification Assignments that will be collected

All assignment will have an established due date. However, you will have the option to complete assignments early.
Nevertheless, if you wait until the day they are due, the assignment must be completed before 11:59 pm on that day.
All assignments completed after the due date will receive half credit.

Introduction: Due by Tuesday, January 27

Student Survey

Self-review (10 points)

Journal Assignment: Expectations (15 points)

Blackboard Quiz (optional)

Unit 1

Week 1: All assignments due by Tuesday, February 3

Chapter 1 Section 3b: Solving Linear Equations

Chapter 1 Section 1a: Name that Real Number

Chapter 1 Section 6a: Solving Linear Inequalities

Open Discussion: Difficult Concept

Week 2: All assignments due by Tuesday, February 10

Chapter 1 Section 4a: Solving Formulas

Chapter 1 Section 5: Applications

Appendix A.1: Applications of linear equations

Chapter 1 Section 3c: Solving Absolute Value Equations

Chapter 1 Section 6b: Solving Absolute Value Inequalities

Double Discussion: How to prepare for a Test first posting due by Saturday, February 7

Week 3: All assignments due by Tuesday, February 17

Chapter 1 Section 7: Simplifying Integer Exponents I

Chapter 1 Section 8a: Simplifying Integer Exponents II

Chapter 2 Section 1b: Graphing Linear Equations by Plotting Points

Chapter 2 Section 2: Graphing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

Chapter 2 Section 3b: Finding the Equation of a Line

Week 4: Test 1 must be taken by Saturday, February 21

Test 1 will be available by Tuesday, February 17 and must be taken by Saturday, February 21.

Journal: Course Structure due by Tuesday, February 24

Unit 2

Week 5: All assignments due by Tuesday, March 3

Chapter 2 Section 4: Introduction to Functions

Chapter 3 Section 1b: Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution

Chapter 3 Section 1c: Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Addition

Chapter 3 Section 2: Applications (Systems of Equations)

Open Discussion: Functions: Domain vs Range

Week 6: All assignments due by Tuesday, March 10

Chapter 3 Section 3: Solving Systems of Linear Equations w/ 3 Variables

Chapter 4 Section 1b: Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Chapter 4 Section 2a: Multiplying Polynomials

Chapter 4 Section 3b: The Division Algorithm

Double Discussion: Troubles with Word Problems first posting due by Saturday, March 7

Week 7: All assignments due by Tuesday, March 17

Chapter 4 Section 4a: GCF of a Polynomial

Chapter 4 Section 4b: Special Factorizations - Squares

Chapter 4 Section 4d: Factoring Trinomials by Trial and Error

Chapter 4 Section 5a: Special Factorizations - Cubes

Chapter 4 Section 5b: Factoring by Grouping and with Negative Exponents

Chapter 4 Section 6: Solving Equations by Factoring

Week 8: Test 2 must be taken by Saturday, March 21

Test 2 will be available by Monday, March 16 and must be taken by Saturday, March 21

Journal: How are you doing in this class? due by Tuesday, March 24

Unit 3

Week 9: All assignments due by Tuesday, March 31

Chapter 5 Section 1a: Defining Rational Expressions

Chapter 5 Section 1b: Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions

Chapter 5 Section 2: Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions

Chapter 5 Section 3: Complex Fractions

Open Discussion: Fractions: Multiplying vs Adding

Week 10: All assignments due by Tuesday, April 14

Chapter 5 Section 4a: Solving Equations Involving Rational Expressions

Chapter 5 Section 5: Applications Involving Rational Expressions

Chapter 6 Section 1b: Simplifying Radicals

Chapter 6 Section 1c: Division of Radicals

Double Discussion: Solve vs Simplify first posting due by Saturday, April 4

Week 11: All assignments due by Tuesday, April 21

Chapter 6 Section 2: Rational Exponents

Chapter 6 Section 3a: Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

Chapter 6 Section 3b: Multiplication of Radicals

Chapter 6 Section 4: Functions with Radicals

Chapter 6 Section 5: Complex Numbers

Week 12: Test 3 must be taken by Saturday, April 25

Test 3 will be available by Monday, April 20 and must be taken by Saturday, April 25

Journal: Time Management due by Tuesday, April 28

Unit 4

Week 13: All assignments due by Tuesday, May 5

Chapter 7 Section 1a: Quadratic Equations: The Square Root Method

Chapter 7 Section 1b: Quadratic Equations: Completing the Square

Chapter 7 Section 2: Quadratic Equations: The Quadratic Formula

Chapter 7 Section 3: Applications

Open Discussion: Complete the square

Week 14: All assignments due by Tuesday, May 12

Chapter 7 Section 4: Solving Radical Equations

Chapter 8 Section 2: Solving Quadratic Inequalities

Chapter 8 section 3: Function Notation and Translations

Double Discussion: Instructions first posting due by Saturday, May 9

Week 15: All assignments due by Tuesday, May 19

Chapter 8 Section 1: Graphing Parabolas

Chapter 8 Section 4: Parabolas as Conic Sections

Chapter 8 section 5: Distance Formula, Midpoint Formula, and Circles

Chapter 8 section 6: Ellipses and Hyperbolas

Week 16: Test 4 must be taken by Saturday, May 23

Test 4 will be available by Monday, May 18 and must be taken by Saturday, May 23

Journal: Did you meet your expectations due by Tuesday, June 2

Week 17: All assignments due by Tuesday, June 2

Chapter 9 section 3: Exponential Functions and the Number e

Chapter 9 section 4: Logarithmic Functions

Week 18: Final Exam must be taken by Thursday, June 4

The Final Exam will be available by Saturday, May 30 and must be taken by Thursday, June 4

Journal: Exit Survey due by Thursday, June 4

Tips For Success

The online learning environment is similar, yet much different than the traditional classroom
experience for students. You will be required to send e-mail (possibly with attachments), receive
and send Assignments, navigate the World Wide Web, download browser plug-ins to view
multimedia enhanced web pages, be able to participate in threaded discussions and use the
courseware that is required for this class. Information is vital and regularly keeping up with it in this
course is critical for your success. Here are a few items of importance:

• Don't try and read everything on screen. Print any lengthy materials or descriptions of
assignments, syllabi, etc. to read off-line.

•Check the Blackboard site regularly.

•Review announcements. I will post announcements to keep you inform, let you know when
test study guides are made available, and to make general comments about the progress of the
class. To review old messages click on the tab atop the announcements window and select to
read announcements by selecting view 7 days ago, view 30 days ago, or view all to view all
messages posted for the entire duration of the course.

•If you don't see me responding to your posts in the discussion board don't be alarmed. I am
reading them, but I believe it is more important for the discussions to be between students
rather than between each student and the instructor. All questions about math concepts and
certification problems should be asked in the forum in the Discussion Board for Chapter
Questions. If you have a question that needs personal attention or you want to make a
comment pointed directly to me, please send me an e-mail.

• Eighteen weeks will fly by-- trust me. Waiting to the last second will only cause both you
and me heartache. I assume you have signed up for this class because you can handle the
rigors of taking an online course in an eighteen-week format. Please do not ask for special
favors, for example extended deadlines, etc. If you are unable to fulfill the requirements of
the course, and/or the technology is overwhelming, please drop and retake the course when
you are capable of completing the requirements.

•Plan on spending between 15 - 20 hours per week completing the reading assignments,
writing assignments, participating in discussions, etc. Remember you are completing a 5-unit
course. I tell the students in all of my face-to-face math classes to expect to spend between 2
and 3 hours per week for every hour in class. For this online class, that means 5 hours “class”
time and 10 -15 hours “at home”. Add them together and you get 15 - 20 hours per week.
Please remember, however, that each student is different. Some may require less time, most
will require more time. The ability to use the online tools in a proficient manner will directly
affect the amount of time spent in this course.

NOTE: Save all materials from this course (text, class notes, homework, tests, test solutions) for use in the
next course.

Below is information copied from the MSJC Distance Learning web site. Please take time to review the
additional keys to success. A successful online student will:

•take responsibility for their own learning.

•set aside time each week to complete the requisite reading and homework assignments required by
their instructor.

•complete and submit all assignments in a timely manner.

•read threaded discussions at least twice weekly (in Blackboard this area is known as the Discussion
Board).

•respond to threaded discussions as required by the instructor. (Expect to read and respond to the
threaded discussions at least twice weekly. This should take approximately one to two hours reading
students posts and responding to them.)

• utilize communication tools (e-mail, threaded discussions, chat, etc.) to ask questions and provide
information valuable to the course.

•share information with their classmates and instructor.

•view other students as valuable resources to their learning experience.

•rely on classmates for evaluation of assignments before submitting them to the instructor for final
evaluation.

•realize that learning is a lifelong journey and not a destination.

These are additional questions to help you become a successful math student. If you are not doing as well as
you'd like in the course, ask yourself the following questions:

"Am I working on this class regularly?"

"Am I reading each assigned section in the Instruct section in the courseware?"

"Am I using the interactive tutor in courseware?"

“Have I watched all the instructor’s “mini” lecture videos?”

"Am I completing my certifications on time?"

"If I am not able to complete my certification, am I getting extra help (from the instructor, a
classmate, the Student Success Center, the Math Center, from a tutor, etc.)?"

“Am I spending at least 15-20 hours doing problems, reading the information in the Instruct area of
the courseware, studying class notes, getting help from the instructor or a tutor?”

“Am I using materials from the previous course to help refresh my knowledge?”

If the answer to any of these questions is "no", your performance should improve as you change each "no" to
a "yes"!