MATH 104 - College Algebra

What's New

• Sep 10: Math Tutoring has begun, Sunday to Thursday 4-8pm in 105 Wright.
• Aug 29: Final Exam time posted, Monday Dec 17th 8-11am.
• Aug 27: First day of class. This web-page will be your main source of information about this class. Plan to check this page regularly.

Course Details

Textbook

Explorations in College Algebra (3rd Edition) by Linda Almgren Kime, Judith Clark and Beverly K. Michael, 2005 ISBN: 978-047146576-8 Find this book at Amazon

Overview

In this course we will be finding patterns in real world data and abstracting these to understand mathematical functions and relations. This course is a study of elementary mathematical models using linear functions, exponential functions, logarithms, and data analysis, including the study of regression lines. This course will also prepare you for Math 107: Elementary Functions.

Course Outcomes

1. Represent real-life problems through the use of mathematical formulas

   You will abstract patterns in data into linear, exponential and logarithmic functions.

2. Solve problems using symbolic manipulation

   You will use the mathematics of statistics and algebra to analyze changing quantities.

3. Interpret the meaning of mathematical representations (such as calculations, graphs and equations)

   You will present interpretations of mathematics through homework, discussion, exams and an individual project.

4. Verify the validity of a mathematical argument

   You will analyze mathematical arguments made about issues of public policy and social concern.

Calculator

A graphing calculator that can do linear regression is required for this course. I will be using a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition in class, but any TI-83 or TI-84 should be fine.

Participation

Active participation in class discussions will comprise 5% of your final grade. This will be awarded for answering questions, asking questions, presenting material, etc.

Extra Credit

Extra credit for this course can be earned by participating in the Centenary Math Problem of the Week (POTW). Each reasonable submission will be worth an additional 0.5% toward your final grade; CC me with your submission for credit.

Disabilities

Centenary assures students with disabilities equal opportunity to reach the same level of achievement as other students. Strict confidentiality will be maintained on students with disabilities. Services for students with disabilities are available through the Counseling Center, located on the ground floor of Rotary Residence Hall, phone (318) 869-5424.

Honor Code

All students are bound by the Honor System. The Honor System is applicable to all academic work. See the Centenary College Handbook for the complete Honor Code.

Extensions

Extensions and rescheduling for homework, exams and the project are only given when circumstances beyond your control (e.g. being sick, choir or sports travel) prevent you from completing a project on time. You must notify me either by email or phone of your circumstances well in advance of the due date. No extensions are given for requests made within three days of the due date.

Syllabus

We will be covering most of the material in the textbook from Chapters 1-6 and partially Chapter 7. You should view your textbook as another perspective on the material presented in class. We will also be using additional supplemental material such as relevant web-pages and background material. Readings will be assigned before material will be covered in class. You are expected to review the material and come to class prepared. As readings are assigned, they will be posted here.

• August 27th
  • Chapter 1.1
  • City Data
• August 29th
  • Chapter 1.2, 1.3
• August 31st
  • Chapter 1.4
• September 7
  • Chapter 2.1-2.4
• September 10
  • Chapter 2.4-2.6
• September 12
  • Chapter 2.7, 2.9
• September 28
  • Chapter 3.1-4
• October 3
  • Chapter 4.1-3
• October 10
  • Chapter 4.4-5
• October 22
  • Chapter 4.6-7
• October 26
  • Chapter 5.1
• October 29
  • Chapter 5.2-5
• November 5
  • Chapter 5.6-7

Homework

Each class I will assign homework related to the concepts from that lecture. Homework will be due the following Monday at 4:00 pm. You may give the homework to me in person or slip it under my door.

Some important notes on homework:

1. Your solutions must be your own work in your own words, and you must follow the honor code. However, you can receive aid from anyone as long as you credit them on each problem where you were assisted. You may discuss the problems in groups, consult tutors or myself, but your work must be written and understood by you.

2. You must show your work on all problems. If you only turn in solutions without work, you will not receive full credit for the assignment, and may receive a zero if this happens frequently.

3. Each homework will be worth a variable amount of points depending on the number of problems assigned. Your score for the Homework section of your final grade will be calculated by dividing the total points you earned by the total points possible.

Assignments for Homework will be shown below.

• Homework 1: Due Wed Sep 5th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 1 ppg 38-42, exercises #5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, 17, 21, 26
  • Find a graph from City Data for your hometown, print and describe what it means.

  • Chapter 1 ppg 42-45, exercises #34, 35, 41, 42, 44, 47

  • Chapter 1 pgg 46-51, exercises #52, 54, 60, 61, 67, 74, 82, 86, 93

• Homework 2: Due Mon Sep 10th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 2 ppg 106-112, exercises #5, 8, 14, 21, 24, 31, 35, 38

• Homework 3: Due Mon Sep 17th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 2 ppg 112-116, exercises #52, 65, 70, 74, 78, 81, 84, 88, 89, 95

  • Chapter 2 ppg 117-118, exercises #99, 110, 113, 116

• Homework 4: Due Mon Oct 1st 4pm
  
  • Extended Explore pg 151, exercises #12

  • Chapter 3 ppg 185-196, exercises #6, 9, 14, 24, 27, 29, 30, 35, 42, 73, 74, 83, 87
• Homework 5: Due Mon Oct 8st 4pm
  
  • Chapter 4 ppg 237-242, exercises #3, 7, 11, 12, 21, 26, 29, 34, 35, 41, 46, 47, 54, 57, 65

• Homework 6: Due Mon Oct 29th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 4 ppg 246-249, exercises #118, 121, 125, 127, 131, 133, 139, 142, 143, 146, 147, 151
  • Chapter 5 ppg 300-301, exercises #1, 4, 7, 12

• Homework 7: Due Mon Nov 5th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 5 ppg 301-306, exercises #17, 19, 20, 24, 30, 35, 38, 40, 43, 50, 55, 58

• Homework 8: Due Mon Nov 12th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 5 ppg 307-314, exercises #65, 66, 70, 79, 82, 85, 98, 109, 111, 112, 115

• Homework 9: Due Mon Dec 3rd 4pm
  
  • Chapter 6 ppg 361-363, exercises #5, 7, 10, 16, 18, 21, 22, 25, 32

• Homework 10: Due Mon Dec 10th 4pm
  
  • Chapter 6 ppg 363-366, exercises #35, 42, 47, 48, 55, 63, 64, 71, 72

Project

There will be a final project in this course, worth 15% of your final grade.

You must work individually on this project. You may discuss concepts and ideas with your classmates, but ultimately the work you turn in must be your own. You will be graded not only on correctness, but also technique, documentation and evaluation of your project. More details on the project, such as selection of a dataset and appropriate tools, can be found at the link below:

Term Project Description

Exams

There will be four exams (including the final exam), each worth 15% of your final grade.

• Exam 1: Sep 21th, covering Chapters 1, 2

• Exam 2: Oct 15th, covering Chapters 3, 4.1-3

• Exam 3: Nov 16th, covering Chapters 4.4-7, 5,

• Exam 4: Dec 17th 8-11am, covering Chapters 5.7, 6.1-3

Grading

Your final grade for this course will be based on the Homework, Project, Quizzes, Exams and Participation described above.

Grading Scale 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 0-59 F

Weights Homework 20% Project 15% Participation 5% Exams 60%

---

© Mark Goadrich, Centenary College of Louisiana