MTH4410 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA COURSE PROCEDURE

MTH4410 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

3 Credit Hours

Student Level:  

This course is open to students on the college level in their freshman year.

Catalog Description:

MTH4410 - Intermediate Algebra (3 hrs.)

[KRSN MAT0990]

Simplifying algebraic expressions. Solving equations and word problems involving linear and quadratic polynomials, rational expressions, rational exponents, and radicals. Graphing linear and quadratic functions. This course requires that the students furnish their own TI‐83 or TI‐83 PLUS graphing calculator. 

Course Classification:

Lecture

Prerequisites:

Minimum grade of C in EBM4405 Elementary Algebra or the equivalent, or placed based on mathematics course placement guidelines. This course does not fulfill AS or AA math degree.

Controlling Purpose:

This course is designed to equip students with the background necessary for the study of College Algebra.

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course with a grade of A or B the student should be able to simplify, manipulate, evaluate and perform operations on algebraic expressions, solve equations, graph simple equations on the rectangular coordinate plane, and analyze and solve application problems involving one variable.

Core Outcomes:

The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course meet, or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Project for this course, as sanctioned by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Unit  Outcomes for  Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.

UNIT 1: Linear Equations and Inequalities

Outcomes: Upon completion of this material, the student will be able to set up and solve application problems involving linear equations and inequalities in one variable.

• Model and solve direct translation problems.
• Model and solve mixture problems.
• Model and solve uniform motion problems.
• Solve for a variable in a formula.
• Use formulas to solve problems.
• Represent inequalities using the real number line and interval notation.
• Understand the properties of inequalities.
• Solve linear inequalities.
• Solve problems involving linear inequalities.
• Plot points in the rectangular coordinate system.
• Determine whether an ordered pair is a point on the graph of an equation.
• Graph an equation using the point-plotting method.
• Identify the intercepts from the graph of an equation.
• Interpret graphs.
• Graph Linear equations using point plotting.
• Graph linear equations using intercepts.
• Graph vertical and horizontal lines.
• Find the slope of a line given two points.
• Interpret slope as an average rate of change.
• Graph a line given a point and its slope.
• Use the point-slope form of a line.
• Identify the slope and y-intercept of a line from its equation.
• Find the equation of a line given two points.
• Define parallel lines.
• Define perpendicular lines.
• Find equations of perpendicular lines.
• Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution to a linear inequality.
• Graph linear inequalities.
• Solve problems involving linear inequalities.

UNIT 2: Relation, Functions, and More Inequalities

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to recognize, graph and perform operations on functions. Student will also be able to sketch linear equations and functions in 2 variables and use a multivariate approach to solving application problems involving linear equations.

• Understand relations.
• Find the domain and the range of a relation.
• Graph a relation defined by an equation.
• Determine whether a relation expressed as a map or ordered pairs represents a function.
• Determine whether a relation expressed as an equation represents a function.
• Determine whether a relation expressed as a graph represents a function.
• Find the value of a function.
• Work with applications of functions.
• Find the domain of a function.
• Graph a function.
• Obtain information from the graph of a function including the range.
• Interpret graphs of functions.
• Graph linear functions.
• Find the zero of a linear function.
• Determine the intersection or union of two sets.
• Solve compound inequalities involving “and”.
• Solve compound inequalities involving “or”.
• Solve problems using compound inequalities.
• Solve absolute value equations.
• Solve absolute value inequalities involving <or<.
• Solve absolute value inequalities involving >or>.
• Model and solve problems involving direct variation.
• Model and solve problems involving inverse variation.
• Model and solve problems involving combined or joint variation.

UNIT 3: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit students will be able to solve systems of equations by graphing and using the substitution and addition methods.

• Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution to a system of linear equations.
• Solve a system of two linear equations containing two unknowns by graphing.
• Solve a system of two linear equations containing two unknowns by substitution.
• Solve a system of two linear equations containing two unknowns by elimination.
• Identify inconsistent systems.
• Express the solution of a system of dependent equations.

UNIT 4: Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to perform standard polynomial operations and solve equations involving polynomials.

• Define monomial and determine the coefficient and degree of a monomial.
• Define polynomial and determine the degree of a polynomial.
• Simplify polynomials by combining like terms.
• Evaluate polynomial functions.
• Add and subtract polynomial functions.
• Multiply a monomial and a polynomial.
• Multiply a binomial by a binomial.
• Multiply a polynomial by a polynomial.
• Multiply special products.
• Multiply polynomial functions.
• Divide a polynomial by a monomial.
• Divide polynomials using long division.
• Divide polynomials using synthetic division.
• Divide polynomial functions.
• Use the remainder and factor theorems.
• Factor the greatest common factor.
• Factor by grouping.
• Factor trinomials of the form x² + bx + c.
• Factor trinomials of the form ax² + bx + c.
• Factor trinomials using substitution.
• Factor perfect square trinomials.
• Factor the difference of two squares.
• Factor the sum of difference of two cubes.
• Factor polynomials completely.
• Write polynomial functions in factored form.
• Solve polynomial equations using the zero-product property.
• Solve equations involving polynomial functions.
• Model and solve problems involving polynomials.

UNIT 5: Rational Expressions and Rational Functions

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to solve equations involving rational expressions.

• Determine the domain of a rational expression.
• Simplify rational expressions.
• Multiply rational expressions.
• Divide rational expressions.
• Work with rational functions.
• Add or subtract rational expressions with a common denominator.
• Find the least common denominator of two or more rational expressions.
• Add or subtract rational expressions with different denominators.
• Simplify a complex rational expression by simplifying the numerator and denominator separately.
• Simplify a complex rational expression using the least common denominator.
• Solve equations containing rational expressions.
• Solve equations involving rational functions.
• Solve for a variable in a rational expression.
• Model and solve ratio and proportion problems.
• Model and solve work problems.
• Model and solve uniform motion problems.

UNIT 6: Radicals and Rational Exponents

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to simplify expressions containing rational exponents and radicals and solve equations containing such expressions.

• Evaluate nth roots.
• Simplify expressions that are in radical form.
• Evaluate expressions of the form a^1/n.
• Evaluate expressions of the form a^m/n.
• Use the laws of exponents to simplify expressions involving rational exponents.
• Use the laws of exponents to simplify radical expressions
• Factor expressions containing rational exponents.
• Use the product property to multiply radical expressions.
• Use the product property to simplify radical expressions.
• Multiply radicals with unlike indices. 
• Add or subtract radical expressions
• Multiply radical expressions.
• Rationalize a denominator containing one term.
• Rationalize a denominator containing two terms.
• Evaluate functions whose rule is a radical expression.
• Find the domain of a function whose rule contains a radical.
• Graph functions involving square roots.
• Graph functions involving cube roots.
• Solve radical equations containing one radical.
• Solve radical equations containing two radicals.
• Evaluate the square root of negative real numbers.
• Add or subtract complex numbers.
• Multiply complex numbers.
• Divide complex numbers.
• Evaluate the powers of i.

UNIT 7: Quadratic Equations and Functions

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to solve quadratic equations and work application problems involving quadratic equations.

• Solving quadratic equations using the square root property.
• Complete the square in one variable.
• Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.
• Solve problems using the Pythagorean Theorem.
• Solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
• Model and solve problems involving quadratic equations.
• Solve equations that are quadratic in form.
• Graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = ax² + bx + c.
• Develop and solve mathematical models such as variation, mixture, motion, work, and geometrical applications.  

UNIT 8: Conics

 Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will calculate the distance and midpoint between two points.

• Use the distance formula.
• Use the midpoint formula.

Projects Required:

None

Textbook:

Contact Bookstore for current textbook.

Materials/Equipment Required:

Text, TI-83 or TI84 PLUS Graphic Calculator; the graphing calculator is required for this course and may be introduced after graphing “by hand” has been reviewed. The graphing calculator should be utilized in later topics such as systems of equations and graphs of functions. Though calculator programs on factoring, solving equations, completing the square and more available, instructors are discouraged from introducing these programs to students at this time.

Attendance Policy:

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

A minimum 50% of the course grade shall consist of proctored assessment(s) of which at least 25% of the course grade shall include a comprehensive departmental final exam.

Maximum class size:

Based on classroom occupancy

Course Time Frame:

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time,  The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies:

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 Student Code of Conduct

Disability Services Program:

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability.  If a student has a disability, which may impact work in this class, which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.

Updated 3/24/22