Beginning Algebra

Course Number:
MTH 65
Transcript Title:
Beginning Algebra
Created:
Aug 15, 2022
Updated:
May 03, 2023
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture / Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

placement into MTH 65

Course Description

Covers the use of applications, formulas, and reasoning skills to write, manipulate, interpret, and solve equations involving polynomials, radicals, and rational expressions. Introduces concepts numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Develops skills to communicate results in oral and written form. Prerequisites: placement into MTH 65. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Solve problems involving polynomials.
  2. Solve problems involving rational expressions.
  3. Solve problems involving radicals.
  4. Communicate results mathematically and in writing.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Solve Problems involving polynomials.

  • Guide students through skills needed in working with polynomials in order to solve real life problems involving polynomials.
    • Arithmetic operations with polynomials
    • Simplifying polynomials involving one or more variables
    • Special products
    • Exponent manipulation of polynomials
    • Examine the relationship between quadratics and polynomials and solve problems involving quadratics
      • Solve equations through factoring
      • Solve using the Quadratic formula
      • Solve through graphing
      • Imaginary numbers in the context of solutions
    • Factoring Polynomials
      • Finding the gcf and grouping
      • Factoring trinomials
      • Factoring special forms of polynomials
      • General strategies
      • Solving quadratic (polynomials) by factoring

Outcome #2: Solve problems involving rational expressions.

  • Guide students through skills needed in working with rational expressions in order to solve real life problems.
    • Arithmetic operations with rational expressions
    • Simplifying rational expressions
    • Simplifying complex rational expressions
    • Solving rational equations
    • Solve various applications that are best solved with rational equations

Outcome #3: Solve problems involving radicals.

  • Guide students through skills needed in working with radical expressions in order to solve real world problems.
    • Simplifying radical expressions with and without rational exponents
    • Finding roots
    • Solving radical equations
    • Arithmetic operations with radicals including rationalization

Outcome #4: Communicate results mathematically and in writing.

  • Help students find the connection between words and mathematical notation in order to communicate what has been solved. (or done)

Suggested Texts and Materials

  • Introductory Algebra for College Students, 5th ed. Blitzer
  • Graphing calculator or technology such as Desmos is helpful

Department Notes

Word problems are to be answered using complete sentences and include appropriate units.