Precalculus
Spring 2009
Mathematics
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Math 163 Precalculus
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Mathematics
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Back to J. Serbousek's home page |
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 PowerPoint presentations |
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Tutorials and assignments |
Schedule |
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MATHXL handout |
MTH 163 Precalculus Spring 2009
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Faculty contact information |
Jane
Serbousek Office LR 213 703 450 2620 (office) 703 450 2575 (Science Division Office) jserbousek@nvcc.edu |
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Office hours |
Monday, Thursday, 3:30 – 4:30 in LR 213 and Wednesday, 5:30 – 7:00 pm at
Reston 2 |
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Course information |
Math
163 is a 3-credit Precalculus course designed to include the skills that
are necessary for the study of calculus, in preparation for MATH 271. It
is not to be taken if Math 166 has been completed. Trigonometry is
included in MTH 166, but not in MTH 163. Topics include: equations,
inequalities, functions, graphs of linear, quadratic, and other
polynomial functions, graphs of exponential, and logarithmic functions,
zeroes of functions,matrices, systems of linear quations and use of a
graphing utility as an aid in problem solving. For a detailed list of
the course objectives visit
www.nvcc.edu/depts/academic/coursecont/prefixesm.htm#mth The Loudoun math web page is: www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/scidiv/math
Math 271 is the calculus course designed for business and social science
majors. The prerequisite is Math 163 or 166 |
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites for Math 163 are Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry and a qualifying score on the placement test. If you do not have the prerequisites, you should not take the class. Your enrollment in Math 163 assumes that you have demonstrated competency on the placement test in the following areas: arithmetic with rational numbers, including signed numbers, fractions, mixed numerals and decimals, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, operations with polynomials including factoring; operations with rational expressions including simplifying, use of positive integer exponents and basic geometric concepts. Very little class time will be spent reviewing these topics. An algebra review is available in the Appendix of your textbook and on MathXL. |
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Required Materials |
Textbook: Precalculus - Enhanced with Graphing Utilities; 5th edition, by Sullivan (Bring to every class) Math XL Student Access Code: This comes with a new textbook. Access to: NovaConnect and Blackboard New to Blackboard? Visit tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard/student Graphing Calculator |
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Calculator |
Bring a Graphing Calculator each day to class. The required models are any of the TI 83 OR TI 84 models. Instruction on these models will be provided. For all other models, you will have to refer to the users' manual. There are calculator resources on reserve in the library and in the Math Center. Links to tutorials are available on my web page and in your Blackboard course. If the calculator presents a hardship, please discuss it with me. There are calculators on reserve in the library and in the Math Center for use while you are on campus. Cell phones, TI89s or TI92s may not be used. |
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Grades
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The
10-point grading scale is used: 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D,
below 60 F. Homework 200 points 3 tests 300 points Quizzes & Assignments 150 points Comprehensive final exam 150 points
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Participation Grade |
20 points will be added to your lowest test score before the final exam if you qualify for the participation bonus points. To qualify you may not have more than two absences, you have completed all online quizzes, your homework average is at least 80%, and you have been present for all tests. Arriving late, leaving early, and disrupting class each count as a half absence. Disruptions include cell phones and other noise makers, food in the classroom. |
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Quizzes and Assignments |
Each
MathXL quiz may be taken twice and the higher grade will count. After
your first attempt you can review the quiz and see what you missed. A
study plan is generated on MathXL based on what you missed. Working
through the Study Plan, reworking the homework, reviewing your notes,
textbook and the multimedia resources on Blackboard can help you improve
your skills for your second attempt. MathXL quizzes are due at the
beginning of class. Complete each quiz before class on the due date.
Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. In-class quizzes may be announced or unannounced. There will be written assignments, and some assignments on Blackboard. Assignments and MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of the class. Late assignments are a zero. |
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Makeups |
There are no makeups. If you miss a written test, your final exam counts double. If you miss 2 or more written tests, your grade is a zero on each. A missed MathXL quiz or in-class quiz is a zero. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances will be handled on an individual basis. You must contact me PRIOR to the scheduled test or quiz. |
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Homework |
Math homework the first week is from your textbook. All homework assignments after the first week are on MathXL. Completing homework is essential. You will not be successful in the course if you do not complete homework. MathXL homework assignments may be reworked to improve your score. Although your are required to submit homework online in MathXL, you are required to copy the problem, show all of your work on paper and keep it organized, just as if you were completing homework from the textbook |
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Attendance |
The importance of class attendance cannot be over emphasized. Regular and prompt attendance is a must. Math should be your only commitment for your class time. Schedule doctor visits, vacations and other things for other times. I have the option of withdrawing you from the class or lowering your grade for poor or erratic attendance. This includes incomplete assignments as well as arriving late or leaving early or disrupting the class. In the event that you must miss class, avoid falling behind by completing the missed assignment described in the attached class schedule. |
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Help |
Do
not wait until just before test time to get help. Free tutoring is available. Sign up in the Counseling Office room LR 253 or contact Clint Young at 703-450-2537. Get help from in-class discussion, from email, from your study group, and individually during office hours. For a current list of math resources available to you go to http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/scidiv/math/resources.html |
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Blackboard |
Multimedia resources are available in your math Blackboard course for help in every topic in MTH 163. Resources include video lectures, animated mini-lectures, and PowerPoints. Some assignments will be on Blackboard. For tutorials visit: http://tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard/student |
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MathXL |
MathXL is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment system designed specifically for your textbook. MathXL has numerous practice exercises as well as tutorials and videos. See the last page of this syllabus for information. |
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Math Center |
There
are some computer-tutor programs, video tapes, DVDs and help available
in The Math Center, room LR 204. The instructors in the Math Center can
help you when they are not helping their own students. Hours are:
Mon, Tues, Weds 9:20 am - 9:00 pm Thursday 9:30 am - 9:00 pm Friday 9:30 am – 6:45 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Please TURN THEM OFF. This does not mean vibrate! There is a penalty for disrupting the class with any electronic device. |
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Students with disabilities |
If you have any disability that requires special classroom or testing needs, please discuss it with me and the Counseling office. The Counseling office will determine appropriate accommodations for special needs. |
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Suggestions for success |
Expect to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on MTH 163 outside of class time.
(This is a CHALLENGING
course!) You are required to read each section of both textbooks before the topics are discussed in class. You are responsible for all of the information in the shaded boxes in the text. Attend class regularly. Do not be absent for tests. Stay with the schedule. Do not fall behind. Complete all homework assignments. Write down the questions you have while completing the assignments. Ask these during class. Ask questions when you do not understand. Get extra help from any of the sources listed as soon as you feel you need it. Do not wait until just before test times to study or seek help. Be an active participant in class. Don't just take notes and plan on thinking about the topic later. Before beginning your homework, read over your class notes AND the section in your textbook. Use and read your textbook or use the Multimedia resources in Blackboard or both. Do not wait until shortly before tests to begin reviewing. Instead,
review every day. |
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Policies and dates |
The
last day to withdraw and receive a grade of W instead of U/F is March
27, 2009.
We do not withdraw students unless they have never attended. If you stop attending and don’t withdraw yourself on or before March 27, 2009, your grade is an F. Only senior citizens and students with certain documented disabilities may audit. I will not sign for other audits and we do not give incompletes. No food, cell phones or other noise makers in the classroom. There is a penalty for any of these disruptions. If we have to evacuate the building, be sure to take all of your
belongings with you. |
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Remember that |
If you miss a quiz, your grade is a zero. If you miss two or more written tests, your grade is a zero on each. There are no makeups. 20 points will be added to your lowest math test grade before the final exam if you qualify for the participation bonus points. If you make an A on the final exam, your grade for the course is A regardless of your average. To communicate with me about grades or any personal issues by email, you must use your NVCC-VCCS email account. Put MTH 163 in the subject line. Go to http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd/student/email/google.htm for setup and login. |
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Academic honesty |
Cheating is not tolerated. Anyone found cheating will receive an F in the course. Some assignments will be in groups. If you are not sure if working together is cheating or not, ask me for clarification. You are on your honor to complete the MathXL quizzes without any assistance from another person. |
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The class schedule follows. Before completing homework assignments, review your notes, and view at least one of the multimedia resources on Blackboard or read the section in the text. Homework is due at the beginning of the following class. MathXL homework will start after the first week. NOTE: You must click "submit work" to receive credit for MathXL homework and quizzes. Although homework is entered online, you are required to copy the problem, show all of your work on paper and keep it in your notebook, just as if you were completing homework from the textbook. MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of class. Complete each quiz before class on the due date. The schedule is subject to change. |
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January 14
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Syllabus quiz 1.1-Rectangular Coordinates 1.2-Intercepts, Symmetry 1.3- Solving Eqns w/ graphing utility |
Homework in the textbook:
(Algebra Review: pp. A46-A55,
more on Blackboard) 1.1: 13, 17, 31, 39, 53, 59, 69, 73, 75,
77, 85, 91, 105, 113 1.2: 15, 17, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71 1.3: 9, 11, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33 Submit the calculator quiz in blackboard by 7:00 PM on Jan. 21. For next class: Make sure you know how to sign into Blackboard and that you bring your MathXL Student Access code. If you do not bring your Access code it will count as an absence. Study and take notes on the PowerPoint "Lines in a Plane" at www.nvcc.edu/home/jserbousek/m166powerpoint.htm |
The remaining homework assignments are in MathXL. All assignments and MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of class.
| Date | New topic for today. | The
MathXL HW for today’s topic is due at the beginning of the next class. |
| January
21
7 :00 – 8 :00 |
1.4-Lines 1.5-Circles Introduction to MathXL |
Bring
your MathXL handout, and MathXL access code. If you do not bring your
Access Code, it will count as an absence. If you already have a MathXL
account make sure you know how to login. Algebra Review for next time is on Blackboard. Blackboard assignment on graphing calculators due. Submit in
Blackboard by 7:00 |
| January 28 |
2.1-Functions 2.2-The graph of a Function |
MathXL quiz 1.4, 1.5 due |
| February 4 |
2.4-Library of Functions
2.5-Transformations |
Blackboard: Difference Quotient
Assignment due. Hand it in to me. MathXL quiz 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 due |
| February
11 Meet in room 314 7 :00 – 8 :00 |
3.1-Linear Functions 3.2-Linear Models |
Blackboard: Average Rate of Change Assignment due. Hand it in to me. In-class Quiz: 2.4, 2.5 |
| February 18 |
3.4-Quadratic Models Test Chapters 1 and 2 |
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| February 25 |
3.5-Quadratic Inequalities 4.1-Polynomial Functions and Models |
MathXL quiz 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 due |
| March 4 Meet in room 314 7 :00 – 8 :00 |
4.2-Properties of Rational Functions 4.3-The Graph of a Rational Function |
In-Class quiz : 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 |
| March 9 - 13 | No class | Spring Break |
| March 18 |
4.4-Polynomial and Rational Inequalities 4.5-Real Zeros 4.6-Complex Zeros |
Blackboard: Regression Assignment
due. Hand it in to me. MathXL quiz 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 due |
| March 25 |
5.1-Composite Functions 5.2-One-to-One Functions and Inverse Functions |
MathXL quiz 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 due |
| April 1 |
5.3-Exponential Functions Test Chapters 3 and 4 |
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| April 8 Meet in room 314 7 :00 – 8 :00 ? |
5.4-Logarithmic Functions 5.5-Properties of Logarithms 5.6-Logarithmic and Exponential Equations |
MathXL quiz 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 due |
| April 15 | 5.7, 5.8, 5.9 Logarithmic and Exponential Applications and Models | |
| April 22 Meet in room 314 7 :00 – 8 :00 ? |
Matrices 12.1-Sequences and Summation Notation TEST : Chapters 4 and 5 |
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| April 29 | Matrices
and Wrap Up |
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| May 6 | Final Exam | 7:00 – 9:40 |
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Contact: jserbousek@nvcc.edu Last modified: January 15, 2009 |
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