BASIC MATHEMATICS

I. Course Description
An introduction to the basic mathematics principles. Topics include whole numbers, fractions,
decimals, ratio and proportion, percents, and topics in algebra that include signed numbers,
exponents, algebraic expressions with sums and differences, and solving simple algebraic
equations.

II. Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Perform all arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) dealing with
whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, and only addition/subtraction of polynomials.
2. Evaluate and/or simplify simple algebraic expressions involving combining like terms,
distributive, addition and multiplication properties. Also, translate word phrases into algebraic
expressions.
3. Solve algebraic equations and one variable linear equations involving whole numbers,
fractions, decimals, and integers using the addition property and/or the multiplication property.
4. Plot and complete ordered pairs for two variable linear equations.
5. Solve and/or simplify problems using ratios and proportions.
6. Apply the use of the calculator in arithmetic computations.

Topics
· Order of Operations
· Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
· Solving Equations: The Addition Property
· Solving Equations: The Multiplication Property
· Solving Linear Equations in One Variable
· Linear Equations in One Variable and Problem Solving
· Introduction to Fractions and Equivalent Fractions
· Factors and Simplest Form
· Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
· Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Least Common Denominator
· Adding and Subtracting Unlike Fractions
· Complex Fractions and Review of Order of Operations
Solving Equations Containing Fractions
· Operations on Mixed Numbers
· Introduction to Decimals/ Adding and Subtracting Decimals
· Multiplying Decimals and Circumference of a Circle
· Dividing Decimals
· Estimating and Order of Operations
· Fractions and Decimals
· Equations Containing Decimals
· Square roots and the Pythagorean Theorem
· Ratios/Rates
· Proportions
· Proportions and Problem Solving
· Percents, Decimals, and Fractions
· Solving Percent Problems with Equations
· Percent and Problem Solving: Sales Tax, Commissions, and Discounts
· The Rectangular Coordinate System
· Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
· Multiplication Properties of Exponents

III. Required Materials

Students must check with the instructor before purchasing any materials.

Required for classroom: textbook PreAlgebra, 5^th ed. by Martin-Gay, with MyMathLab
Publisher: Pearson, ISBN 0-13-241631-X, is available in the NSCC bookstore.
Calculator: Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus. TI-89 or comparable calculators are not allowed.
The DSPM 0700 course packet is also required for the course and is available in the
NSCC Bookstore or by downloading from ww2.nscc.edu/dspm.

Recommended for all classes: CD Lecture Series, ISBN 0-13-157634-8

- OR-

Optional: PreAlgebra textbook package with CD, Study Guide, Solutions Manual,ISBN 0-13-234353-3
Optional: PreAlgebra (text and CD) ISBN 0132319519, CD Lecture series alone, 0-13-157634-8

Optional: required text separately: PreAlgebra, 5^th ed. by Martin-Gayer: Publisher: Pearson,
ISBN 0-13-231951-9.
Optional: MyMathLab access separately, ISBN 032119991X

Required for New Web Class: MyMathLab ISBN 032119991X
Strongly Recommended for Web Class: PreAlgebra, 5^th ed. by Martin-Gay,with
MyMathLab, Publisher: Pearson, ISBN 013241631X.

IV. Requirements
In order to receive credit for this course, the student must:

A. Attend class regularly.
B. Complete the homework assignments.
C. Have a final average of 75 or more.
D. Complete three (3) unit tests and a comprehensive final exam.

V. Grading
On-campus courses:
Grades for this course will be based on unit tests, homework, and a final exam as follows:

Unit tests	60%
Homework	15% (procedure to be announced by instructor)
Final Exam (comprehensive)	25%

Note: Points may be deducted from the final average for more than three absences
(3 classroom hours).

Web courses:
Grades for this course will be based on unit tests, discussions, homework, and the final exam as
follows:
Tests--50%
Discussions (Introduce Yourself, Summary and Reflections)--10%
Homework--15%
Final Exam (comprehensive)--25%

Grading scale:
A 93 -100
B 84 - 92
C 75 - 83
F 0 - 74
X Continuation Grade - See below for criteria.
1. Must be first attempt (no W, F, X, or WF grades on record)
2. Must have completed all requirements (homework, all three unit tests, and
final exam)
3. Attendance record must not be in violation of stated attendance policy
4. Overall average must in the "D" range (59.5-69.5)
WF It is mandatory that an instructor issue a student a withdraw/failing grade
if the student misses class for two (2) consecutive weeks without contacting
the instructor.

VI. Policies
Attendance:
A. Students are expected to attend all classes and be on time.
B. A maximum of three absences (3 classroom hours) is allowed with no direct effect
on the final grade. Each hour of absence over this number will lower the student's
final average by one point for each hour of absence. Students will be dismissed
from class with a WF grade after missing the sixth classroom hour.
C. Tardies will be recorded and will lower the course grade. Guidelines will be
announced by the instructor.

Makeup Tests: Students who miss a scheduled unit test must make up the test in the
Testing Center within two days of returning to class. Ten points will be deducted from the
score of any makeup test taken after the assigned test day. Makeup tests are to be taken in
the Testing Center in the Library, K-158 (353-3564).

Other: Any changes in course sections must be made on or before the second class
meeting. Students will only be allowed into sections with open seats and with the
instructor/ mathematics’ coordinator approval.

VII. Instructor Information
Record the following information concerning the course instructor.
Name: _______________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________
Office Number: ____________________
Office Phone: _____________________
Office Hours: ____________________________________ (or by appointment)
Messages may be left on the instructor’s voice mail, with the department secretary in
K-240 (353-3369) during daytime hours or with the division evening secretary in


Nashville State complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you wish to request any
accommodation(s) for this class, please notify the Student Disability Services’ Coordinator
and the instructor as soon as possible.   The phone number is 353-3721.

Nashville State Community College has a zero tolerance policy for disruptive conduct
in the classroom. Students whose behavior disrupts the classroom will be subject to
disciplinary sanctions.
The instructor has primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance
of academic integrity. He/she can order temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of
any student engaged in disruptive conduct or in conduct which violates the general rules and
regulations of the College. Disruptive behavior in the classroom may be defined as, bur is not
limited to, behavior the obstructs or disrupts the learning environment (e.g., offensive
language, harassment of students and professors, repeated outbursts from a student which
disrupt the flow of instruction or prevent concentration on the subject taught, failure to
cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, etc.), the continued use of any electronic or other
noise or light emitting device which disturbs others (e.g., disturbing noises from beepers, cell
phones, palm pilots, lap-top computers, games, etc.)
Academic Dishonesty (Honor Code)
Any form of academic dishonesty, cheating, plagiarizing, or other academic misconduct is
prohibited. "Plagiarism may result from: (1) failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas, (2)
failing to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks, and (3) failing to put summaries and
paraphrases in your own words" (A Writer's Reference 331). Academic dishonesty may be
defined as, but is not limited to, intentionally trying to deceive by claiming credit for the work of
another person, using information from a web page or source without citing the reference,
fraudulently using someone else's work on an exam, paper, or assignment, recycling your own
work from another course, purchasing papers or materials from another source and presenting
them as your own, attempting to obtain exams/materials/assignments in advance of the date of
administration by the instructor, impersonating someone else in a testing situation, providing
confidential test information to someone else, submitting the same assignment in two different
classes without requesting both instructor's permission, allowing someone else to copy or use
your work, using someone else's work to complete your own, altering documents, transcripts or
grades, and forging a faculty/staff member's signature.
In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed through
regular college procedures as a result of academic dishonesty the instructor has the
authority to assign an "F" or a "Zero" for the exercise, paper, or examination or to
assign an "F" for the course.
NOTE: This syllabus is meant simply as a guide and overview of the course, the topics, the
objectives, the general assessments, and some standard college policies. Some items are
subject to change or revision at the instructor’s discretion. Each instructor will further clarify their
criteria for grading, classroom procedures, attendance, exams and dates, etc.