Basic Algebra
Spring semester 2000
Instructor: Dr. Bernhard Laurich
office: PB1-9
phone: 974-7452
leave messages at General Education office: 974-7422
consultation hours: mo/we/fri 11:00 - 11:50 am,
mo/we 1:30- 2:20 pm
Required Material: Elementary Algebra
A.S. Tussy, and R.D. Gustafson
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., 1998
workbook for notes
ringbinder/paper for homework and tests
pocket calculator (optional)
Grading: The performance will be graded by midterm and final tests , unannounced quizzes, and regular homework.
40% final
15% midterm
25% quizzes (approx. 12)
20% homework (approx. 30)
Grades: A 90 %
B 80 %
C 70 %
D 60 %
The quizzes (about one per week) will not be announced.
A missed test, quiz or homework will give you 0 points. There will be no make-up tests or make-up homework. Exeptions will only be possible if an absence is justified and has been reported timely. It is your responsibility to make up for the classes you missed.
In order to provide guidance through the wealth of topics covered in the book, regular attendance and taking personal notes is very important.
A high level of personal responsibility is expected to make this course a success for each individual. This includes regular attendance and active participation in class as well as keeping up with the material covered, using the book or other sources, e.g. classmates, tutors, and the consultation hours which are provided.
Week 1: Introduction and review (Ch. 1)
Week 2: What are real numbers and how to deal with them (Ch.2)
Week 3: What can we do with equations? (Ch. 2)
- This is an important chapter, dealing with formulas and application in real life
Week 4: Graphs (Ch.3)
- Visualizing Mathematics.
Week 5, 6: Solving Equations (Ch. 4)
- This is the useful part of the semester; you will solve equations in physics, astronomy, and accounting
Week 7: Midterm
Week 8: Exponents and Polynomials, Scientific Notation (Ch. 5)
Week 9: Roots. (Ch. 6)
- Be good to and with your calculator.
Week 10,11: Quadratic equations. (Ch. 7) - A lot of procedures and some practical real live applications.
Week 12: Ratios. (Ch. 8) - how to deal with them, and what to do if we have a ratio in an equation
Week 13/14: Review
Week 15: Final