INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

REQUIRED:
(1) Intermediate Algebra by Lial, Hornsby and McGinnis (custom edition for Pasadena City College)
(2) On line Math XL (If you buy a new textbook, the MathXL code is included. If you buy a used textbook, then
you need to purchase the MathXL code on line. If you use MathXL for the previous course, you may continue to
use it for our course within a year.)
(3) Scientific calculator, 3-ring binder with dividers, lined paper, graph paper, pencils, eraser, ruler, protractor,
stapler, staples

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME:

1. Students will solve linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities by performing mathematical
operations on complex numbers, algebraic, exponential and logarithmic expressions.
2. Students will solve systems of equations and inequalities.
3. Students will describe and analyze the characteristics of different types of functions.
4. Students will solve mathematical application problems by applying critical thinking skills and
express the solution in oral or written form.

OBJECTIVES (TMOs): Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Solving linear equations and inequalities involving absolute value and find the equation of a line
from specified information.
2. Factor polynomials by grouping and factor the sum and difference of two cubes.
3. Use the properties of rational and negative exponents to simplify expressions.
4. Perform the fundamental operations on rational expressions and complex numbers.
5. Use the discriminant to determine the number and the kind of solutions in a quadratic equation.
6. Solve equations and inequalities, which are quadratic or quadratic in form.
7. Solve problems involving direct and inverse variation.
8. Solve systems of linear equations in three variables by elimination and substitution methods and
by using Cramer’s Rule.
9. Graph second-degree inequalities in two variables centered at the origin.
10. Solve nonlinear systems of equations in two variables using graphical and algebraic methods.
11. Perform the fundamental operations on functions and graph a function and its inverse.
12. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations and related application problems.

CLASS REQUIREMENT:
ATTENDENCE: You are expected to attend all class sessions. Please be on time.
The class will begin each session with a roll call. Those who arrive late by 10 minutes have the
responsibility of informing the teacher of their tardiness at the end of the class. Those who arrive after
10 minutes will be marked absent for one hour. Three tardies count as one hour absence. Students
with 10 hours of absences may be dropped from the course; refer to the PCC catalog for more detail.
Students missing class are responsible for finding out what they missed and what is due. I suggest you
get phone numbers from a few classmates. Do not schedule appointments with your counselor,
doctor, prospective employers, etc., during class hours.

HOMEWORK:
1. It is recommended that students spend at least 3 hours each day to review the class notes, read the
pertinent sections in the textbook, solve the homework problems and pre-read and take notes for
the sections which will be covered in the next class session. Homework problems should be written
up neatly and solved completely and with sufficient explanations and solutions. The section
number of the problems appearing on a homework page must be written at the top of each page.
You will not earn any credit for solutions without work. Only use a calculator to check your work,
not to do your work. I encourage you to form study groups and discuss the homework among
yourselves outside the class. Do not get behind in your homework. It will be difficult to catch up
with the class. Come see me during consultation hours if you get stuck. Homework help is also
available in the Math Homework Lab (R407) and the Learning Assistance Center (D300).
2. The homework will be collected on Tuesday and Friday and will be graded for completion. The
homework must be submitted on stapled or bound sheets arranged in the correct order. No late
homework will be accepted.

QUIZZES:
Quizzes will be given in accordance with your homework assignments. Quizzes often include
problems directly taken from the homework assignment. One of your lowest scoring quizzes will be
dropped. NO MAKEUP!

EXAMS:
There will be several comprehensive exams. No calculator will be allowed. In the event that you
miss an exam, that exam will be replaced by the Final exam. No make-up exams except for extreme
circumstances. If you can not take an exam due to a documented excuse, the instructor must be
notified prior to the exam with a written statement or a document. All missed exams without
appropriate reasons and/or documentation will receive a score of zero. Exams will be brought to the
classroom once after they have been graded. If you are absent from class on the day the exams are
returned, you must come to the instructor’s office hours to pick up your exam.

GROUPWORK. / PROJECTS:
In class, you will be assigned group-work to help you better prepared for the test. All members of the
group are expected to work on each problem. Although I will help you out with difficult problems, I
encourage you to talk to EACH OTHER first before asking me questions. You will work with 2 or 3
different groups throughout the semester. Students who are absent may submit missed group work for
that day for a maximum score of 8 points.

BLACKBOARD WORK:
All students are encouraged to volunteer to solve problems on the blackboard. These problems will
come from the homework or exam problems. They will count as extra credit of 1 points each for the
group work. Therefore, it is possible to get a perfect score on your group-work.

NOTEBOOK BINDER:
I will check your notebook periodically. You need to have dividers in your three ring binder to
contain the following subjects: a) course info (syllabus and handouts), b) lecture notes c) Homework
assignments, d) group-work assignments, e) quizzes, f) exams.

THINGS I WOULD APPRECIATE:
If you have a pager/cellular phone, please turn off while you are in class. They will be kept with the
instructor until the end of the class if they ring during the class time. Please do not have unnecessary
talking and gossiping, food or drinks, chewing gum, going in and out during the class, sleeping, rude
yawning, disrespect for one another, writing on desktops, retractable erasers. People not registered in
the class (including children and those who withdraw) will not be allowed stay in the classroom.

CHEATING POLICY:
All students are expected to conduct themselves with the highest standards of ethics and behavior.
Any cheating which includes any copying from other students or unauthorized cooperation on any
graded assignments will be dealt with as severely as College policy allows. Any infringement upon
the rights of others will be tolerated as well.

GRADING POLICY:
Homework & Notebook: 10%
Quizzes & Group-work 10%
Comprehensive Exams: 55%
Final Exam: 25%

GRADING SCALE:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F

FINAL EXAM DATE: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1:00 -3:00 P.M.

How we learn
10% of what we READ
20% of what we HEAR
30% of what we SEE
50 % of what we SEE and HEAR
70% of what is DISCUSSED with OTHERS
80% of what is EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
95% of what we TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE
William Glasser

Good Luck in Math 131 this semester!