Course Syllabus

MAT/116 ALGEBRA 1A (AXIA)

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Course Description
This course introduces basic algebra concepts and assists in building skills for performing specific mathematical operations and problem solving. Students will solve equations, evaluate algebraic expressions, solve and graph linear equations and linear inequalities, graph lines, and solve systems of linear equations and linear inequalities. These concepts and skills will serve as a foundation for subsequent business coursework. Applications to real-world problems are also explored throughout the course. This course is the first half of the college algebra sequence, which is completed in MAT 117, Algebra 1B

Course Topics & Objectives

Week One: Polynomials Simplify algebraic expressions involving exponents. Perform mathematical operations involving polynomials. Evaluate a polynomial for a given value of the variable. Perform mathematical operations using scientific notation.

Week Two: Factoring Polynomials Factor various types of polynomials using an appropriate method. Use factoring to solve quadratic equations.

Week Three: Rational Expressions Simplify rational expressions. Perform mathematical operations involving rational expressions.

Week Four: Rational Equations Solve rational equations.

Week Five: Radical Expressions Simplify radical expressions. Perform mathematical operations involving radical expressions. Discuss the laws of exponents.

Week Six: Radical Equations Solve equations involving radicals.

Week Seven: Quadratic Equations Solve quadratic equations.

Week Eight: Graphing Quadratic Equations Graph quadratic equations.

Week Nine: Applying Advanced Algebra Concepts

Apply advanced algebra concepts to solve mathematical problems.

Course Materials
See eCampus.

Point Values for Course Assignments

ASSIGNMENTS Individual (100%) Points

Week 1:
CheckPoint: Algebraic Expressions Participation 20 40

Week 2:
CheckPoint: Linear Equations Exercise: Week Two Concept Check Assignment: Expressions and Equations (Appendix C) Assignment: Expressions and Equations (MyMathLab Quiz) 20 5 50 40

Week 3:
CheckPoint: Solving Inequalities Participation 20 40

Week 4:
CheckPoint: Graphing Equations Exercise: Week Four Concept Check Assignment: Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations (Appendix D) Assignment: Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations (MyMathLab Quiz) 20 5 50 40

Week 5:
CheckPoint: Introduction to Functions Participation 20 40

Week 6:
CheckPoint: Looking at Functions Exercise: Week Six Concept Check Assignment: Functions and Their Graphs (Appendix E) Assignment: Functions and Their Graphs (MyMathLab Quiz) 20 5 50 40

Week 7:
CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Equations Participation 20 40

Week 8:
CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Inequalities Exercise: Week Eight Concept Check Assignment: Systems of Equations and Inequalities (Appendix F) Assignment: Systems of Equations and Inequalities (MyMathLab Quiz) 20 5 50 40

Week 9:
Final Project: Final Exam Participation Total 260 40 1000

Week One
Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions Compare the values of integers. Simplify expressions using the order of operations and properties of real numbers. Translate phrases into mathematical expressions. Use substitution to evaluate algebraic expressions.

Course Assignments
1. Course Preparation Read the course description and objectives. Read the facilitators biography and post your own.

2. Readings Read Appendix A. Read Appendix B: Using Equation Editor and MyMathLab . Read Ch. 1 and sections 2.12.6 in Ch. 2 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra. Review the Equation Editor tutorial at http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/EEGT/EEGT-01-INTRO.asp Review the How to Answer Questions tutorial to learn how to use MyMathLab . Enter MyMathLab by clicking the link provided under the Week One Materials section of your student website.

3. CheckPoint: Algebraic Expressions Complete the Week One CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in Ch. 1. DUE DAY 5

4. Discussion Questions What is the difference between an equation and an expression? Include an example of each. Can you solve for a variable in an expression? Explain your answer. Can you solve for a variable in an equation? Explain your answer. Write a mathematical phrase or sentence for your classmates to translate. Translate your classmates phrases or sentences and explain what clues indicate that the problems are either expressions or equations. Respond to classmates who have responded to your sentence or phrase and indicate whether or not they correctly translated the problem. Ask clarifying questions if you need more explanation, or help students who are struggling with the concept.

DUE DAY 2

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally and P-E-M-D-A-S are mnemonic devices for what? What do the underlines help remind you to do in P-E-M-D-A-S? Why is it important to be able to remove parentheses? Why is it important to be able to combine like terms? Provide examples that illustrate both of these processes. DUE DAY 4 What steps can be taken by students in this course if help is needed? What are some resources available to you for the course? Hint: Look in the course materials as well as MyMathLab prior to answering.

DUE DAY 2

Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 1 Deliverables Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 Participation Algebraic Expressions Check Point Main Forum Main Forum Main Forum Assignment section Location Due Day 2 Day 4 All week Day 5

Week Two
Solving Algebraic Equations and Inequalities Solve one-variable equations using the addition and multiplication principles. Determine whether a given point is a solution for a linear equation. Solve a formula for a variable.

Course Assignments
1. CheckPoint: Linear Equations Complete the Week Two CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to apply concepts introduced in sections 2.1 2.6 of Ch. 2. DUE DAY 5

2. Exercise: Week Two Concept Check Post your 50-word response to the following: o o How do you know when an equation has an infinite number of solutions? How do you know when an equation has no solution? DUE DAY 5

3. Assignment: Expressions and Equations Complete Appendix C to apply the skills learned in Ch. 1 and sections 2.1 2.6 of Ch. 2 to a real life situation. Use Equation Editor to write mathematical equations and expressions in Appendix C. Complete the Week Two Quiz in MyMathLab . This assignment assesses content from Ch. 1 & 2 (sections 2.12.6). DUE DAY 7

Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 2 Deliverables Assignment Week Two Concept Check and Linear Equations checkPoint Expressions and Equations Location Assignment Section Assignment Section Due Day 5 Day 7

Week Three
More on Solving Equations and Inequalities Solve one-variable inequalities using the addition and multiplication principles. Graph one-variable inequalities. Determine whether a given point is a solution for a linear inequality. Translate sentences into inequalities.

Course Assignments
1. Readings Read sections 2.7 & 2.8 of Ch. 2 & Ch. 3 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.

2. CheckPoint: Solving Inequalities Complete the Week Three CheckPoint in MyMathLab This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 2.7 & 2.8 of Ch. 2. DUE DAY 5
.

3. Discussion Questions Why does the inequality sign change when both sides are multiplied or divided by a negative number? Does this happen with equations? Explain why or why not? Write an inequality for your classmates to solve. In your inequality, use both the multiplication and addition properties of inequalities. Solve your classmates inequalities. Explain how you arrived at your answers. Also, help other students who may be having difficulty solving inequalities. Ask clarifying questions if you need additional assistance. DUE DAY 2 How do you know if a value is a solution for an inequality? How is this different from determining if a value is a solution to an equation? If you replace the equal sign of an equation with an inequality sign, is there ever a time when the same value will be a solution for both the equation and the inequality? Write an inequality and provide a value that is, or is not, a solution to the inequality. Respond to a classmate and determine whether or not the solution provided is a solution to the inequality. If the value he or she provides is a solution, provide a value that is not a solution. If the value is not a solution, provide a value that is a solution. DUE DAY 4

Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 3 Deliverables Assignment DQ1 DQ2 Solving Inequalities Check Point Participation Main Forum Main Forum Assignment Section Main Forum Location Day 2 Day 4 Day 5 All week Due

Week Four
Graphing Linear Equations Graph points from ordered pairs in an (x,y) coordinate system. Determine whether a given point is a solution for a linear equation. Graph a linear equation using tables and intercepts. Find the slope of a line given two points or the equation of a line.

Course Assignments
1. CheckPoint: Graphing Equations Complete the Week Four CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in Ch. 3. DUE DAY 5

2. Exercise: Week Four Concept Check Post your 50-word response to the following: Explain in your own words why the line x = 4 is a vertical line. DUE DAY 5

3. Assignment: Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations Complete Appendix D to apply skills learned in Ch. 2 & 3 to a real life situation . Use Equation Editor to write mathematical equations and expressions in Appendix D. Complete the Week Four Assignment in MyMathLab . This assignment assesses content learned in Ch. 2 & 3. DUE DAY 7

Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 4 Deliverables Assignment Week Four Concept Check and Graphing Equations Check Point Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations Location Assignment section Due Day 5

Assignment section

Day 7

Week Five
Functions Differentiate between functions and equations. Find function values for specific domain values. Determine the domain and range of a function.

Course Assignments
1. Readings Read Ch. 7 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.

2. CheckPoint: Introduction to Functions Complete the Week Five CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 7.1 & 7.2 of Ch. 7. DUE DAY 5

3. Discussion Questions Address the following: What similarities and differences do you see between the functions and linear equations studied in Ch. 3? Are all linear equations functions? Is there an instance when a linear equation is not a function? Support your answer. Create an equation of a nonlinear function and provide two inputs for your classmates to evaluate. Find examples that support or refute your classmates answers to the discussion question. Provide additional similarities and differences between functions and linear equations. Challenge your classmates by providing more intricate examples of nonlinear functions for them to solve. DUE DAY 2

Explain the domain and range of a function. Under what circumstances would the domain be something other than all real numbers? Provide an example. DUE DAY 4

Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 5 Deliverables Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 Introduction to Functions Check Point Participation Location Main Forum Main Forum Assignment section Main Forum Due Day 2 Day 4 Day 5 All week

Week Six
Graphs of Functions Graph linear equations using slope and y-intercepts, or x- and y-intercepts. Determine whether lines are perpendicular, parallel, or intersecting. Write linear equations using point-slope and y-intercept forms.

Course Assignments
1. CheckPoint: Looking at Functions Complete the Week Six CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 7.3 7.5 of Ch. 7. DUE DAY 5

2. Exercise: Week Six Concept Check Post your 50-word response to the following: How can you determine if two lines are perpendicular? DUE DAY 5

3. Assignment: Functions and Their Graphs Complete Appendix E to apply the skills learned in Ch. 7 to a real life situation. Use Equation Editor to write mathematical expressions and equations in Appendix E. Complete the Week Six Assignment: Ch. 7 Quiz in MyMathLab . This assignment assesses content learned in Ch. 7. DUE DAY 7

Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 6 Deliverables Assignment Week Six Concept Check and Looking at Functions Check Point Functions and Their Graphs Location Assignment Section Assignment Section Due Day 5 Day 7

Week Seven
Systems of Equations Solve systems of linear equations using graphing and methods of substitution and elimination. Determine whether a system is consistent or inconsistent. Determine whether equations of a system are dependent or independent.

Course Assignments
1. Readings Read sections 8.18.4 of Ch. 8 and sections 9.19.3 of Ch. 9 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.

2. CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Equations Complete the Week Seven CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 8.1 8.4 of Ch. 8. DUE DAY 5

3. Discussion Questions Address the following: Systems of equations can be solved by graphing, using substitution, or elimination. What are the pros and cons of each method? Which method do you like best? Why? What circumstances would cause you to use a different method? Respond to your classmates by indicating pros and cons they may not have considered. If you chose different methods, try to persuade them to see the value of the method you like best. Describe situations in which you might use their methods of solving equations. DUE DAY 2

What is the difference between intersecting and perpendicular lines? Can two lines exist that are not intersecting or parallel? Explain your answer. DUE DAY 4

Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 7 Deliverables

Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 Solving Systems of Equations CheckPoint Participation

Location Main Forum Main Forum Assignment Section Main Forum

Due Day 2 Day 4 Day 5 All week

Week Eight
Systems of Inequalities Solve and graph systems of inequalities in one and two variables.

Course Assignments
1. CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Inequalities Complete the Week Eight CheckPoint in MyMathLab . This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 9.1, 9.2, & 9.4 of Ch. 9. DUE DAY 5

2. Exercise: Week Eight Concept Check Post your response to the following: Describe what the graph of interval [-4,10] looks like. DUE DAY 5

3. Assignment: Systems of Equations and Inequalities Complete Appendix F to apply the skills learned in sections 8.18.4 (Ch. 8) & sections 9.1, 9.2, & 9.4 (Ch. 9). Use Equation Editor to write mathematical equations and expressions in Appendix F. Complete the Week Eight Assignment: Ch. 8 & 9 Quiz in MyMathLab . This assignment assesses content learned in section 8.18.4 of Ch. 8 and sections 9.1, 9.2, & 9.4 of Ch. 9. DUE DAY 7

Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 8 Deliverables Assignment Week Eight Concept Check and Solving Systems of Inequalities CheckPoint Systems of Equations and Inequalities Location Assignment Section Assignment Section Day 5 Due

Day 7

Week Nine
Apply Algebraic Concepts Apply algebraic concepts to solve mathematical problems.

Course Assignments
1. Capstone Discussion Questions Create a list of three to five important suggestions for students starting a new MAT/116 section on Monday. These suggestions can also be applied in MAT/117. Write your suggestions to help a fellow student succeed in this course using short sentences, and arrange them in decreasing order from greatest to least important. DUE DAY 3

2. Final Project: Final Exam Resources: Appendix A, MyMathLab Complete the Week Nine Final Exam in MyMathLab . This test assesses content learned throughout the course. DUE DAY 7

Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 9 Deliverables Assignment Capstone Discussion Question Final Exam Location Main Forum Assignment Section Due Day 3 Day 7