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MATH 131 Intermediate Algebra, Pasadena City College
SYLLABUS
Section # 4020
Class Time:6:40-9:20 PM, Sat 1:00-3:40 PM
Office: R316
Instructor: Tigran Mkrtchyan
E-mail: tmkrtchy@uci.edu
Website: http://www.csun.edu/~tm856866
Textbook: “Intermediate Algebra” by Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis, 10th ed.
Prerequisite(s): Math 125 or 126C or 127B or 128B or placement based on the Math assessment process.
Attendance: It is very important that you attend every day. That means more than just showing up. It means being in your seat on time, having your supplies out, having your homework done, and being ready to participate. You need to read ahead in your book. Ten total hours of absence and I have the right to drop you from the course. Three tardies count as an absence. If you do need to drop this course it is your responsibility to do the paper work, not mine.
Come to Class Prepared!!! Make sure to bring the proper materials to class with you each meeting. Students should always come to class with pencil/pen, paper/notebook/binder, textbook, graph paper, straight edge or ruler.
Graphing Calculators will not be allowed in this class!!!
Homework: Homework will be assigned every day. It is your responsibility to schedule time to work on it every day. If you are not working on the homework every day you will not be able to participate in the class discussions and you will not be prepared for the tests. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what the assignment was and to do it before the next class. I encourage you to form study groups that meet regularly. Late homework will not be accepted.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz or class work assignment almost every day. The quiz questions will be very similar to your homework. If you are keeping up with the homework the quizzes will be no problem. The purpose of the quizzes and the class work is to let me know how you are doing as well as to let you know how you are doing. The key to surviving a math class is to stay on top of the material. Each chapter builds on the previous material. You need to make sure you are keeping up.
Exams: There will be five in class exams, but the lowest score will be dropped. NO make-up exam will be given.
Final: The final exam is on Friday February 20th. It will be a comprehensive exam. Students that do not take the final exam will automatically receive an F for the course.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will solve linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities by performing mathematical operations on complex numbers, algebraic, exponential and logarithmic expressions.
2. Students will solve systems of linear equations and inequalities.
3. Students will describe and analyze the characteristics of different types of functions.
4. Students will solve mathematical application problems by applying critical thinking skills and express the solution in oral or written form.
Course Objectives:
1. Solve, linear equations and inequalities involving absolute value and find the equation of a line from specified information.
2. Factor polynomials by grouping and factor the sum and difference of two cubes.
3. Use of the properties of rational and negative exponents to simplify expressions.
4. Perform the fundamental operations on rational expressions and complex numbers.
5. Use the discriminant to determine the number and kind of solutions in a quadratic equation.
6. Solve equations and inequalities which are quadratic or quadratic in form.
7. Solve problems involving direct and inverse variation.
8. Solve systems of linear equations in 3 variables by the elimination and substitution methods and by using Cramer's Rule.
9. Solve nonlinear systems of equations in two variables using graphical and algebraic methods.
10. Perform the fundamental operations on functions and graph a function and its inverse.
11. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations and related application problems.
Note: Work must be shown on all quizzes/tests and homework assignments.
Class Rules: All electronic devices (including cellular phones) must be turned off before entering classroom and cannot be used in the classroom. Violation of exam rules (i.e. cheating) will be cause for an automatic F on quiz/exam. If a second violation of exam rules occurs the student will be dealt with as severely as College policy allows. Feel free to ask questions but any other conversations will not be tolerated.
Grades:
Quizzes / Class participation 7%
Homework: 8%
Exams: 55%
Final: 30%
Grades will be awarded on a 10% scale:
90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, 0-59% F.
I encourage studying together. Your classmates can be an excellent resource. I also want you to feel comfortable asking questions. I can’t help you if you won’t talk to me.
Tutoring is available in the Learning Center (D300), in the TLC room (V103) and in the Math Resource Center (R407).
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns regarding the course. The best way to contact me is e-mail.
Please check the course web-site every day for announcements, sample problems and hints.
Good Luck in Math 131 this Intersession!!! | 
