COURSE SYLLABUS FOR ELEMENTS OF MATH

REQUIRED TEXT:
Basic College Mathematics, Seventh Edition; Lial, Salzman
and Hestwood

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory course designed to prepare
students for the algebra sequence. Emphasis is placed on
familiarizing the students with basic areas involving signed
numbers, percentages, fractions, decimals, and beginning
algebra.

EXPECTED LEARNER
OUTCOMES:
1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers.
2. Use exponential notation.
3. Apply the order of operations.
4. Simplify fractions , determine whether two fractions
are equivalent, and order fractions.
5. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
6. Use decimal notation to re present fractions .
7. Solve expressions & equations that contain decimal
numbers
8. Set up and solve proportions using ratio.
9. Use percents to solve problems.
10. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide signed numbers.
11. Combine operations with signed numbers.
12. Identify and classify geometric terms and figures.
13. Find perimeter and area of polygons.

LEARNING TASKS
& ACTIVITIES:
Chapter 1 Whole Numbers
Exercises 1.1 – 1.10 and Review Exercises

Chapter 2 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Exercises 2.1 – 2.8 and Review Exercises

Chapter 3 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Exercises 3.1 – 3.5 and Review Exercises

Chapter 4 Decimals
Exercises 4.1 – 4.6 and Review Exercises

Chapter 5 Ratio and Proportion
Exercises 5.1 – 5.5 and Review Exercises

Chapter 6 Percent
Exercises 6.1 – 6.8 and Review Exercises

Chapter 7

Chapter 8 Geometry
Exercises 8.1 – 8.9 and Review Exercises

Chapter 9 Basic Algebra
Exercises 9.1 – 9.8 and Review Exercises

ASSESSMENT OF
OUTCOMES:

90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F
Incomplete grades will not be given unless a student has
had to miss at least six weeks of school for medical
reasons. The student must request a grade of I
(Incomplete) prior to the end of the semester.
The Student’s final grade will be based upon:

 ATTENDANCE
POLICY:

Students are expected to attend all classes. Regular class
attendance is necessary for maximum success in college.
It is the responsibility of students to make definite
arrangements for all work before going on field trips.
School sponsored activities will be counted as excused
absences providing students complete all necessary
assignments designated by the instructors and the activity
sponsors notify the instructor at least three days prior to
the day the students will be absent.

Excused absences are to include college sponsored
events as approved by the Vice President of Instruction, if
the instructor has advanced notice.

Make-up work will be due the next class period along with
daily assignment that is made.

A student may be withdrawn from class for excessive
absences.

No cell phones or electronic music devices are allowed
during class time. Calculators are permitted for some
assignments.

ELEMENTS OF MATH

1. Compare whole numbers on a number line.
2. Know symbols for greater than, less than, and equal to.
3. Identify place value.
4. Apply the rules for adding and subtracting whole numbers.
5. Apply the rules for multiplying and dividing whole numbers.
6. Multiply by a power of ten.
7. Write a whole number as the product of factors.
8. Find the prime factorization of whole numbers.
9. Determine whether a whole number is divisible by 2, 3, 5, or 10.
10. Round numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, ten-thousand,
hundred thousand, etc.

1. Write a repeated product using exponential notation.
2. Identify the base and exponent in an exponential expression.
3. Find the value of an expression written in exponential notation.
4. Find the square root of a square number.
5. Estimate the square root of a whole number.
6. Find the cube root of a cubed number.

1. Use grouping symbols in an expression.
2. Use the rules for order of operations.
3. Apply the Commutative Property.
4. Apply the Associative Property.
5. Apply the Distributive Property.
6. Simplify expressions using variables .

1. Find a fraction that is equivalent to a fraction with a given denominator.
2. Determine whether two fractions are equivalent using cross multiplication.
3. Find the Greatest Common Factor ( GCF ).
4. Divide a numerator and denominator by a common factor to simplify a
fraction.
5. Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) to simplify a fraction.
6. Write a mixed numeral as an improper fraction.
7. Write an improper fraction as a mixed numeral.

1. Write a reciprocal of a fraction.
2. Use rules to multiply and divide fractions.
3. Find a common denominator of two or more fractions.
4. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) of two or more fractions.
5. Use a common denominator to order fractions.
6. Add and subtract fractions having same denominators.
7. Add and subtract fractions that have different denominators.
8. Use properties of fractions and the order of operations to add, subtract,
multiply, and divide fractions.
9. Add and subtract fractional terms that contain a letter such as “x” or “y”.
10. Solve equations containing fractions.

1. Find the place value of digits in a decimal number.
2. Read and write decimal numbers.
3. Order decimal numbers from least to greatest and from greatest to least.
4. Round decimal numbers.
5. Use a number line to relate fractions and decimals.
6. Convert decimals to fractions and vice versa.

1. Use rules to add and subtract decimal numbers.
2. Apply rules to add and subtract decimal terms that contain a letter such as “x”
or “y”.
3. Solve for an unknown by getting the unknown by itself on one side of the
equation and simplify by adding or subtracting decimal numbers.
4. Use rules to multiply and divide decimal numbers.
5. Use properties of real numbers and the order of operations to add, subtract,
multiply, and divide decimal numbers.

1. Use a ratio to compare two quantities.
2. Know the definition of equivalent ratios
3. Interpret how to use a ratio to represent a rate.
4. Solve a proportion by cross multiplication and getting the missing value by
itself on one side of the equation.
5. Set up and solve a proportion with similar triangles.

1. Know the definition of percent.
2. Convert percents to decimals to fractions and vice versa.
3. Find percent of decrease and increase.
4. Draw number line to understand principles of percent.

1. Order signed numbers on a number line.
2. Find absolute value of a number.
3. Apply rules for adding two numbers with same and with different signs.
4. Find opposite of a number.
5. Write a subtraction as an equivalent addition.
6. Apply rules for subtracting signed numbers.
7. Know rules for multiplying two numbers with different and same signs.
8. Know rules for dividing two numbers with different and same signs.

1. Evaluate an exponential expression with a negative base .
2. Use the order of operations with signed numbers.
3. Apply the commutative property of multiplication and the commutative
property of addition with signed numbers.
4. Apply the associative property of multiplication and the associative property of
addition to signed numbers. Use the distributive property with signed
numbers.

1. Identify points, lines, line segments, and rays.
2. Define and measure angles.
3. Classify angles as acute, right, obtuse, or straight.

1. Learn formulas for finding perimeter of a polygon.
2. Learn formulas for areas of a rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, and
trapezoid.

This syllabus is subject to revision with prior notification to the
student by the instructor.