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MATH 4 Algebra II Fall 2008 Section 51L
Monday, Wednesday 7:00 – 8:40 pm Reston 2 room 354
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Faculty contact
information |
Jane Serbousek
Office LR 213
(office) 703 450 2575 (Science Division Office)
jserbousek@nvcc.edu |
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Office hours: |
Wednesday 3:00 – 5:00 at
Reston 2
Thursday 12:30 – 2:00, 4:00 – 5:30 in LR 213 |
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Web Page: |
www.nvcc.edu/home/jserbousek |
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Course information |
The purpose of this 4-credit
course is to develop competency in the algebraic skills
necessary to succeed in college-level math courses. Topics
include real numbers, functions and their graphs, equations,
inequalities, exponents, rational expressions, radicals and
applications. It does not count for credit for any degree at
NVCC. It is a prerequisite for most college credit math courses.
The prerequisites are a qualifying score on the placement test
and Algebra I or equivalent. If you do not have the
prerequisites, you should not take the class. For a detailed
list of the course objectives
click here |
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Required
Materials: |
Textbook:
Intermediate Algebra: Graphs and Models, third edition
by Bittenger, Ellenbogen and Johnson Bring the text to each
class.Calculator: BRING A GRAPHING CALCULATOR EACH DAY
TO CLASS. The recommended models are TI 83, TI 84, TI83 plus or
TI84 plus. Instruction on these models will be provided. For all
other models, you will have to refer to the user’s manual. If
the calculator presents a hardship, please discuss it with me. I
do not lend calculators and students may not share calculators
on tests or quizzes.
Math XL Student Access Code: This comes with a new
textbook. If you have a used book you can purchase the Access
Kit in the bookstore on campus or online. (see handout).
Access to: NovaConnect and Blackboard |
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Optional Materials: |
Student Study Guide
that accompanies the text. I do not recommend that you buy this
unless you find that you need extra practice problems in
addition to those assigned in class.
Math Study Skills, by Alan Bass |
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Grades: |
S: Satisfactory
completion of the course. Requires an over-all average of at
least 70%
R: Re-enroll another semester to repeat Algebra II.
Given if your average is near 70% with regular attendance and
effort.
U: Unsatisfactory
Given if your average is below 70% and you have had frequent
absences, poor participation, etc. |
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Your grade will be determined by the percentage
of the total points you earn from the following:
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PERCENT |
POINTS |
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Homework |
20% |
200 |
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4 tests |
50% |
500 |
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Quizzes & Assignments |
15% |
150 |
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Comprehensive final exam |
15% |
150 |
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100% |
1000
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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 must complete all online quizzes and you
must be present for all in-class written tests. Each missed
homework assignment counts as a half absence. Arriving late,
leaving early, and disrupting class each count as a half
absence. Disruptions include cell phones and other noise makers,
food or beverage in the classroom. |
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Quizzes and Assignments: |
Online MathXL quizzes may be
taken twice and the higher grade will count. After your first
attempt, a study plan is created on MathXL based on your
results. Working through the study plan can help you improve
your skills for your second attempt. Online 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 also be some written assignments to hand
in and some assignments on Blackboard. The first assignment to
hand in is due at 7:00 pm Wednesday August 27, 2008.
Click here for
the handout. |
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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
online 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: |
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.
Homework assignments may be reworked to improve your score. |
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Attendance: |
The importance of class
attendance cannot be over emphasized. Regular and prompt
attendance is a must. Math class 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 on
MathXL 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, from your class tutor 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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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 – 1:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
MATH XL: This is an online homework, tutorial, and
assessment system designed specifically for your textbook.
MathXL has numerous practice exercises as well as tutorials and
videos. |
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Electronic Devices:
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Please TURN THEM OFF. This
does not mean vibrate! |
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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 4 outside of class time You are required to
read each section of the text before it is 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.
Do not wait until shortly before tests to begin reviewing.
Instead, review every day.
It is highly recommended that you form study groups with other
members of the class. Studying with others is encouraged. You
learn more when you discuss the ideas with others. However,
don't let others just tell you the answers; make sure you
understand . |
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Policies and dates: |
The last day to withdraw and
receive a grade of "W" instead of "U" is October 31, 2008.
I do not withdraw students unless they have never
attended.
If you stop attending and don’t withdraw yourself on or
before October 31, 2008, your grade is a "U"
I do not sign for audits and I do not give Incompletes.
No food, beverages, 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.
if
class is canceled by the college the first day we return will be
the same as the first day that we missed. This includes any
tests. Check
www.nvcc.edu
or local media stations for updates on closings.
Any special
announcements from me will be on MathXL. It is your
responsibility to check the announcements on MathXL. |
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Academic honesty |
Cheating is not tolerated.
Anyone found cheating will receive a U 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 online quizzes by
yourself without any assistance from another person. |
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Remember that: |
- If you miss a quiz, your grade
is a zero.
- 20 points will be added to your lowest test grade before
the final exam if you qualify for the participation bonus
points.
- Cheating is not tolerated. Anyone caught cheating
receives a U for the course
- If you miss one written test, your final exam will count
double.
- If
you miss two or more written tests, your grade is a zero on
each.
- There are no makeups.
- If you make at least 80% on the final exam, your grade
for the course is S.
- If
your average on the day before the final exam is at least
80% you are exempt from the final exam. You must have this
in writing from me.
- To communicate with me about grades or any personal
issues by email, you must use your NVCC-VCCS email account.
Put MTH 4 in the subject line.
Click here and follow the links for setup and login.
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Mth 4 Class Schedule Fall 2008
Before completing homework assignments play the section video on
MathXL under STUDY PLAN or read the section in the text or both.
Homework is due at the beginning of the following class. MathXL homework
will start the second week of class. NOTE: You must click "submit work"
to receive credit for MathXL homework and quizzes. Online 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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Aug 25 Monday |
1.1 Some Basics of Algebra 1.2 Operations with Real Numbers
1.3 Equivalent Algebraic Expressions |
Homework in the textbook: 1.1: 19, 21, 31, 33, 35, 41,
45, 49, 51, 53, 67, 69
1.2: 11, 13, 21, 25, 27, 37, 41, 51, 61, 63, 65, 73, 75,
79, 83, 87, 91, 95, 99, 101, 107, 109, 113, 115, 119, 123, 127
1.3 7, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 41, 47, 51, 59, 61, 65, 67 |
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Aug 27 Wednesday |
1.4 Exponential and Scientific Notation 1.5 Graphs
1.6 Solving Equations and Formulas |
FIRST assignment (handout) due at the beginning of class.
Click here for the
handout. Homework in the textbook:
1.4: 19, 23, 29, 31, 35, 37, 39, 45, 49, 59, 65, 67, 75,
79, 81, 111, 113, 117, 119, 121
1.5: 31, 33, 35, 39, 43, 47, 53, 55, 57, 61, 63
1.6: 11, 15, 21, 29, 33, 45, 47, 53, 55, 59, 67, 73, 77,
79, 89, 95 |
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Sept 1 Monday |
HOLIDAY |
NO Class |
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Sept 3 Wednesday |
1.7 Introduction to Problem Solving and Models 2.1 Functions |
Be sure to bring your syllabus, MathXL handout, MathXL access
code, textbook, graphing calculator and all of your completed
homework.
We will spend the last half of class in a computer classroom.
You will take an online quiz on sections 1.1 – 1.3 in
class. |
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Sept 8 Monday |
2.2 Linear Functions: Slope, Graphs and Models 2.3 Another
Look at Linear Graphs |
Online quiz: 1.4 – 1.6 due at the beginning of
class |
Sept 10
Wednesday |
2.4 Introduction to Curve Fitting: Point-Slope Form 2.5
Domains and the Algebra of Functions |
Online quiz: 1.7 and 2.1 due at the beginning of
class In class quiz: : 2.2 and 2.3 |
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Sept 15 Monday |
3.1 Systems of Equations in Two Variables 3.2 Solving by
Substitution or Elimination |
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Sept 17 Wednesday |
3.3 Solving Applications: Systems of Two Equations 3.4 Systems
of Equations in Three Variables
3.5: Solving Applications: Systems of Three Eqns |
Online quiz: 2.4 and 2.5 due at the beginning of
class In-class quiz: 3.1, 3.2 |
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Sept 22 Monday |
4.1 Inequalities and Applications 4.2 Solving Equations and
Inequalities by Graphing
4.3 Intersections, Unions, and Compound Inequalities |
Online quiz: 3.3 – 3.5 due at the beginning of
class |
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Sept 24 Wednesday |
4.4 Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities TEST:
CHAPTERS 1, 2 AND 3 |
TEST |
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Sept 29 Monday |
4.5 Inequalities in Two Variables 5.1 Introduction to
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions |
Online quiz: 4.1 – 4.3 due at the beginning of
class. |
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Oct 1 Wednesday |
5.2 Multiplication of Polynomials 5.3 Polynomial Equations and
Factoring
5.4 Equations Containing Trinomials of the Type
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Online quiz: 4.4 – 4.5 due at the beginning of
class |
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Oct 6 Monday |
5.5 Equations Containing Trinomials of the Type
5.6 Equations Containing Perfect-Square Trinomials and
Differences of Squares |
In-Class quiz: 5.2 – 5.4 |
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Oct 8 Wednesday |
5.7 Equations Containing Sums or Differences of Cubes 5.8
Applications of Polynomial Equations |
Online quiz: 5.5 and 5.6 due at the beginning of
class. |
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Oct 13 Monday |
FALL BREAK |
NO CLASS |
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Oct 15 Wednesday |
6.1 Rational Expressions and Functions: Multiplying and Dividing
6.2 Rational Expressions and Functions: Adding and Subtracting |
Online quiz: 5.7 – 5.8 due at the beginning of
class. |
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Oct 20 Monday |
6.3 Complex Rational Expressions TEST: CHAPTERS 4 AND 5 |
TEST |
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Oct 22 Wednesday |
6.4 Rational Equations
6.5 Solving Applications Using Rational Equations |
Online quiz: 6.1 – 6.3 due at the beginning of
class. |
Oct 27
Monday |
7.1 Radical Expressions, Functions, and Models
7.2 Rational Numbers as Exponents |
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Oct 29
Wednesday |
7.3 Multiplying Radical Expressions
7.4 Dividing Radical Expressions |
In-Class quiz: 6.1 – 6.5 |
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Nov 3 Monday |
7.5 Expressions Containing
Several Radical Terms
7.6 Solving Radical Equations |
Online quiz: 7.1,
7.2 due at the beginning of class. |
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Nov 5 Wednesday |
7.7 Geometric Applications
7.8 The Complex Numbers |
Online quiz: 7.3 – 7.4 due at the beginning of
class |
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Nov 10 Monday |
8.1 Quadratic Equations
8.2 The Quadratic Formula |
Online quiz: 7.5 – 7.7 due at the beginning of
class |
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Nov 12 Wednesday |
8.5 Equations Reducible to Quadratic TEST: CHAPTERS 6 AND 7 |
TEST |
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Nov 17 Monday |
8.3 Applications Involving Quadratic Equations
8.6 Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs |
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Nov 19 Wednesday |
8.9 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities |
Online quiz: 8.1, 8.2, 8.5 due at the beginning of
class (note that the sections in chapter 8 are not in order.) |
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Nov 24 Monday |
9.2 Exponential Functions 9.3 Logarithmic Functions |
In Class quiz: 8.3, 8.6, 8.9 |
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Nov 26 Wednesday |
HOLIDAY |
NO CLASS |
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Dec 1 Monday |
9.4 Properties of Logarithmic Functions 9.5 Natural logarithms
and changing bases |
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Dec 3 Wednesday |
9.6 Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Eqns 9.7 Applications
of Exponential and Log Functions |
Online quiz: 9.2 – 9.5 due at the beginning of
class |
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Dec 8 Monday |
TEST: CHAPTERS 8 AND 9 and GEOMETRY |
TEST |
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Dec 10 Wednesday |
Wrap-up |
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Dec 15 Monday |
Comprehensive Final Exam |
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EXAM REVIEW:
30 questions
See the state course requirements:
click here
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6 equations to solve: linear,
quadratic, radical, rational, absolute value
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1 system of linear equations
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graphs:
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linear functions - name the intercepts and slope
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quadratic functions-name the vertex and intercepts
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“Rocket”
problems: h=-16x2 + v0x + h0
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Simplify: exponents, FOIL,+,-,*, /
rational expressions, complex fractions, radicals, complex
numbers
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Division of polynomials
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Inequalities: linear, absolute value, quadratic
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Name the domain and evaluate functions: polynomial, radical,
rational, abs. value, logs, exponential
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Write the equation of a line given two points.
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3 word problems: motion, geometric
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