Math 099:Intermediate Algebra

Required Supplies:
• Text: You are required to either have the physical textbook or use the ebook provided with
your MyMathLab Access Kit
Martin-Gay, Elayn. Beginning and In termediate Algebra , 3^rd Edition. Prentice-Hall
• Calculator: You must have a scientific calculator at the minimum, but either a TI-83 or a TI-
84 would be recommended.

Course Description:
A course de signed to prepare students for entry into college-level mathematics courses. Topics
include: systems of equations , linear and absolute value inequalities, rational exp onents and
radicals , complex numbers , solving and graphing quadratic equations , composite and inverse
functions,logarithmic and exponential functions . A graphing calculator may be required.
Prerequisite: Math 098with a grade of C or better or appropriate placement test score.

Student Outcomes:
After completion of this course the student will demonstrate proficiency working in the following
areas:
• Solve quadratic equations and inequalities;
• Solve linear, compound, absolute-value and quadratic inequalities;
• State solutions to linear , compound, absolute-value and quadratic inequalities using setbuilder and interval notations;
• Graph solutions to linear, compound, absolute-value and quadratic inequalities;
• Solve quadratic equations using factoring, completing the square , and the quadratic formula;
• Identify components of rational exponents;
• Convert between rational exponent and radical notations;
• Solve equations utilizing rational exponents;
• Solve equations with radical notation;
• Perform computations with complex numbers;
• Determine composite functions;
• Determine inverse functions;
• Graph quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions;
• Apply properties of logarithms ;
• Solve exponential and logarithmic equations;
• Solve applications related to exponential and logarithmic functions;

Textbook content:
Intermediate Algebra

Inequalities and Absolute Value..........................................................Chapter 9: 9.1 – 9.4
Rational Exponents, Radicals and Complex Numbers..................Chapter 10: 10.1 – 10.7
Quadratic Equations and Functions...............................................Chapter 11: 11.1 – 11.6
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions.........................................Chapter 12: 12.1 – 12.6

Homework Philosophy:
You are expected to work through as many of the homework problems in each assigned section
of the textbook (this can be done with paper and pencil using the book or online using the Study
Plan) as possible. Just working the assigned homework problems is typically not enough to
master the material. Work should be done on a daily basis – working only one or two days each
week on course material will not leave you enough time. Remember, there are deadlines for
exams and homework… leave yourself time to learn material and reduce self -imposed stress by
developing a regular work habit.

Homework assignments:
Collected homework assignments will be completed online at our Course Compass site. Below
are some important notes about homework.
• General information: There will be a total of 25 homework assignments. Each homework
assignment will have approximately 20 to 30 problems – the work will vary by section. Each
homework assignment is tied to a section in your textbook.
• Accessing: All homework will be completed online. Make sure to run the MyMathLab
installation wizard prior to accessing the homework. If you are a returning Course Compass
user, do not assume that the version you have previously installed will operate properly . To
work on homework assignments, click on the “Do Homework” button.
• Posting: All homework assignments will become available on the day listed (see schedule
at the end of the syllabus) by no later than 2:00 p.m. When possible, homework
assignments for a week will be posted on Monday by 2:00 p.m.
• Due: All homework assignments are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14^th.
• Pre-requisite: Each homework assignment, other than HW01, has a pre-requisite. To
access homework 2 (HW02), you must complete HW01 with a minimum of 70%.
• Repeatability: Each homework assignment may be repeated as often as you like until you
achieve either the required pre-requisite score or the score you desire. You do not have to
repeat the entire assignment, only the problem(s) you missed.
• Grading: Each assignment is worth 10 points. If you repeat an assignment (or any portion
of one) your most recent score is recorded.

Exams:
There will be 3 exams plus a cumulative final exam given during the quarter.
Details for Exams 01-03:
• General information: Each of these exams will be on-site. These exams are worth 150
points each and cover one to two chapters (see the schedule for exact content).
• Time: You will have the entire class to work on these exams.

Details for the Final Exam:
• General information: The final exam will be given on Thursday, August 14th. This exam
will be worth 250 points. The final exam will be cumulative, spanning chapters 9 – 12.
• Mandatory final exam and grading: If your score on the final exam is less than 50%, the
highest grade you can earn in this class is a “D.” This supersedes your point total to that
point. In other words, if your point total indicates you should have an “A”, but your final exam
score was 120 out of 250 points (48%), your course grade will be a “D.”

Grading information:

Grading scale:

Tips for success:
• Work on class materials each day.
• Do or try all of the suggested homework problems.
• Ask questions - become an active learner.
• Plan and expect to do well.
• Plan to spend a minimum of two hours per day on the material outside of the classroom.
• If possible, find other students, whose study habits are compatible with yours, to work with regularly.
• Be as neat and organized as you possibly can.
• Please make sure to utilize all the tools myMathLab provides for you. Many homework
problems have the following links available:
 o Video (watch a similar problem being solved),
 o Animation (text animated example)
 o Textbook pages (pages from our text illustrating the problem)
 o Ask My Instructor (sends me an email link to the very problem on which you are working)

NEVER hesitate to ask questions (in person, phone, email, or the discussion board). If
you are able to visit the campus, feel free to come and see me during and/or outside of
my office hours. If you are unable to visit the campus, please feel free to email me with
any of your questions. I regularly check my email Monday – Friday.

Web-based programs:
• CourseCompass (myMathLab): CourseCompass, through which we will access
myMathLab, is a web-based program created by Prentice-Hall. The site we will be using
mirrors our text. This website will become the hub for our class. All assignments, exams,
and grades will be kept at this site. There will also be announcements posted here when
applicable.
• Reliability of web-based programs: While not perfect , they do function most of the time.
Please keep in mind, that when blackboard or myMathLab is malfunctioning, it is just as
frustrating for instructors as you. If you are working on a quiz or exam and something out of
character takes place, just drop me a line and we can work around it.
• Computer skills: The bulk of the homework and exams will be submitted online. For that
reason you will need to be confident in using the internet and a web browser of your choice.

Email corresponding:
• Checking email:
The times below are when I check email on a regular basis (typically a couple times each hour).
I promise that if you email me between Monday and Thursday, I will try to reply in less than 24
hours.
 o Monday-Thursday: 8:30am and 5:00pm
 o Friday: between 8:30am and 12:00pm.
 o Weekends: please note that I do check email a couple of times on Saturday and on
Sunday so if you have questions, please let me know.

• E-mail correspondences:
As I receive a lot of email on a daily basis. To ensure that I get to your email in a timely manner,
please take care to use the following example when creating the "subject" line. This also
ensures that I get your email - this campus gets a lot of spam - if the subject lines are not
properly filled in, they may be deleted. If you are writing with a question, please indicate on the
subject line.

Examples of acceptable email subject headings:
1. Subject: Math 099, Chapter 9 page 9 question
2. Subject: math 99 Assignment 1
Examples of unacceptable email subject headings:
1. Subject: question
2. Subject: (blank)

Expectations:
It is my responsibility to provide each of you with a positive learning environment. Any student,
who disrupts this environment, therefore interfering with others’ right to learn, is subject to
dismissal from class, and possibly the course (Please consult your student handbook). Here are
some behaviors which will not be tolerated:
• Sexual harassment and/or racially/ethnically discriminatory behavior;
• Cheating, plagiarism, or any act of academic dishonesty (see your Student Handbook).
Note: any evidence of academic dishonesty will result in a “0” on that activity and possibly an
“E” in the course and possible disciplinary action brought against parties involved.

Plagiarism:
Definition
Plagiarism is presenting as one’s own, intentionally or not, someone else’s words, ideas,
conclusions, images, or data, without specific acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited
to presenting the source’s language without quotation marks (with or without citation);
paraphrased language that is not cited; and/or language that is cited, but insufficiently
paraphrased.
If students have questions about citation, acknowledgement, paraphrasing, or specific course
standards related to plagiarism, they should consult with their instructor BEFORE submitting
assignments that may contain questionable material.

Consequences
If it is determined that a student plagiarized any portion of an assignment, s/he can receive a
failing grade for the assignment. S/he will fail the course in which the plagiarism occurred if the
course instructor determines that the plagiarism is repeated or serious in nature. In these cases,
a student has the right to appeal the course grade via the student grievance process. Since
plagiarism is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, all incidents of plagiarism on which an
instructor takes action are reported to the office responsible for student discipline. The college
may take disciplinary action in addition to any academic penalty assigned by instructors. If a
student is found responsible for repeated or serious plagiarism offenses, s/he may be
suspended or expelled from the college in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct, WAC
132D-120-080. Disciplinary decisions may be appealed via the disciplinary appeals process
described in the Code of Student Conduct, WAC 132D-120-230.