Math 055: Prealgebra
Division: Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Credit Hours: Four (4) credits
Textbook: Prealgebra, Second Edition by Lial and Hestwood, Addison-Wesley, 2002, ISBN # 0-321-18469-6 (for Textbook, Interact Math CD and Student Workbook); ISBN # 0-321-06460-7 (for book alone); ISBN # 0-321-20513-8 (for the book and MyMathLab).
Course Description: This is a developmental mathematics course intended to prepare students for algebra. Concentration is on operations of integers, exponents, order of operations, understanding variables and solving equations. Operations of rational numbers in the form of signed fractions and decimals are also discussed, as well as problem solving in terms of perimeter and area.
Required Materials Textbook, as listed above.
for Instruction:
Scientific calculator may be used in classroom discussions
only. Its use is NOT permitted on any test or final.
Course Syllabus (in the college store)
Supplemental Materials: Student Solutions Manual
Real-to Reel Videotape Series and Digital Video Tutor CD-Roms (located in both the Pemberton and TEC libraries)
InterAct Math Tutorial Software/ InterAct MathXL:
www.mathxl.com
Addison-Wesley Math Tutor Center
Attendance: Attendance is taken at all class meetings. Students are required to attend all class meetings. Please refer specifically to your instructor for his/her policy.
Course Content: Unit I Chapter 1 - Introduction to Algebra: Integers
· Place Value
· Introduction to Signed Numbers
· Adding Integers
· Subtracting Integers
· Problem Solving: Rounding and Estimating
· Multiplying Integers
· Dividing Integers
· Exponents and Order of Operations
Unit II Chapter 2 – Understanding Variables and Solving Equations
· Introduction to Variables
· Simplifying Expressions
· Solving Equations Using Addition
· Solving Equations Using Division
· Solving Equations with Several Steps
Unit III Chapter 4 – Rational Numbers: Positive and Negative Fractions
· Introduction to Signed Fractions
· Writing Fractions in Lowest Terms
· Multiplying and Dividing Signed Fractions
· Adding and Subtracting Signed Fractions
· Problem Solving: Mixed Numbers and Estimating
· Exponents, Order of Operations, and Complex Fractions
Unit IV Chapter 5 – Rational Numbers: Positive and Negative
Decimals
· Reading and Writing Decimal Numbers
· Rounding Decimal Numbers
· Adding and Subtracting Signed Decimal Numbers
· Multiplying Signed Decimal Numbers
· Dividing Signed Decimal Numbers
· Fractions and Decimals
Chapter 3 – Solving Application Problems
· Problem Solving: Perimeter
· Problem Solving: Area
· Translating Word Phrases into Algebraic Expressions
Evaluation: There are four (4) tests – one each on Units I, II, III and IV.
Each test will have 25 free-response questions dealing with the content covered in each unit. Part-credit may be given for each problem. Each test is worth 100 points. It is recommended that each test be given during class time, not in the test center, to enable students to ask questions, if the need arises. Students may retest only once!
Each test will be graded using the following scale:
|
Percent Correct |
Letter Grade |
|
100 – 90 |
O (Outstanding) |
|
89 – 75 |
P (Passing) |
|
74 – 0 |
U (Unsatisfactory) |
The final exam will be comprehensive and administered during final exam week. It consists of thirty multiple-choice questions.
The course grade will be determined from the final test average. Adding the percent grades for each test, along with the score for the final exam (which must be at least 75%), and dividing this sum by five will compute the final test average. The letter grades listed in the above scale will be used to determine the course grade.
Grades of “I” or “X” are assigned at the discretion of the instructor.
Unit I
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student should be able to define, explain,
symbolize, and/or illustrate the following:
1. Learn to identify whole numbers and their place values
2. Graph signed numbers on a number line; compare integers; round integers; find the absolute value of integers
3. Add, subtract, multiply and divide integers
4. Identify properties of addition and multiplication; simplify expressions with
exponents and fraction bars
5. Problem-solve using integers
Unit II
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student should be able to define, explain,
symbolize, and/or illustrate the following:
1. Learn how to identify variables, constants, and expressions
2. Evaluate variable expressions for given replacement values
3. Use exponents with variables; combine like terms using the Distributive Property; simplify expressions
4. Determine whether a given number is a solution of an equation
5. Solve equations using the addition and division properties of equality; simplify equations before solving
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student should be able to define, explain,
symbolize, and/or illustrate the following:
1. Learn to identify proper and improper fractions; graph positive and negative fractions on a number line; find the absolute value of a fraction; write equivalent fractions
2. Write a fraction with/without variables in lowest terms; prime factorization
3. Multiply and divide signed fractions; problem-solve using multiplication and division
4. Find the lowest common denominator for unlike fractions; add and subtract signed fractions
5. Identify mixed numbers and solve application problems containing mixed numbers
6. Use exponents and the order of operations with fractions; simplify complex fractions
Unit IV
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student should be able to define, explain,
symbolize, and/or illustrate the following:
1. The student will read and write decimals; identify place value of a digit; write decimals as fractions or mixed numbers
2. Round decimals
3. Add, subtract, multiply and divide signed decimals; use the order of operations with decimals
4. Write fractions as equivalent decimals; compare the size of fractions and decimals
5. Problem-solve using decimals
6. Find the perimeter and area of rectangles, squares, and parallelograms; translate word phrases into algebraic expressions; translate sentences into equations and solve
Supplemental Computer Exercises are provided for every content area listed below using the Tutorial CD-Rom provided with the textbook. In addition, students may use the Tutorial Software via the internet @ www. mathxl.com.
Week # 1: Introduction to the Course: course content and requirements for course
1. Review of whole numbers during the first class: Chapter R in the back
of the textbook
Assignment: P. 789, 790 # 1 - 20
2. Chapter 1: section 1.1 – Place Value
Assignment: P. 5 - 7 # 1 - 37 odd
3. Section 1.2 - Introduction to Signed Numbers
Assignment: P. 13, 14 # 2 - 44 even
4. Section 1.3 - Adding Integers
Assignment: P. 21 - 23 # 1 - 23 odd; # 28 - 62 even; # 67 - 74 all
________________________________________________________________________
Week # 2: 1. Section 1.4 - Subtracting Integers
Assignment: P. 27, 28 # 1 - 56 all
2. Section 1.5 - Problem Solving: Rounding and Estimating
Assignment: P. 35 # 2 - 26 even
3. Section 1.6 - Multiplying Integers
Assignment: P. 45 - 47 # 1 - 45 odd; # 51 - 63 odd
4. Section 1.7 - Dividing Integers
Assignment: P. 55, 56 # 1 - 44 all
Week # 3: 1. Section 1.7 (continued) – Problem solving using addition, subtraction,
multiplication, or division; estimating
Assignment: P. 56 - 58 # 45 - 73 odd
2. Section 1.8 - Exponents and Order of Operations
Assignment: P. 65 - 68 # 1 - 11 odd; # 19 - 69 odd; # 73 - 81 odd
3. Summary Exercises on Operations with Integers
Assignment: P. 69, 70 # 1 – 54 all
4. Review Chapter 1 with Sample Test 1: Pg.10 in Syllabus;
with Review Exercises on Pages 77 - 79 # 1-92,
and/or Chapter 1 Test on P. 81, 82 # 1 - 34 all
Week # 4: 1. TEST # 1 (Unit I / Chapter 1)
2. Return and go over test # 1.
3. Unit II: Chapter 2 - Understanding Variables and Solving Equations
Section 2.1 - Introduction to Variables
Assignment: P. 91 - 94 # 1 - 57 odd
Week # 5: 1. Section 2.2 - Simplifying Expressions
Assignment: P. 103 - 106 # 1 - 87 all
2. Section 2.3 - Solving Equations Using Addition
Assignment: P. 113 - 117 # 1 - 63 all
3. Section 2.4 - Solving Equations Using Division
Assignment: P. 123 # 1 - 16 all
________________________________________________________________________
Week # 6: 1. Section 2.4 (continued) – Simplifying before Solving Equations
Assignment: P. 124, 125 # 17 - 45 odd
2. Section 2.5 - Solving Equations with Several Steps
Assignment: P. 131 - 133 # 1 - 16 all; # 17 - 47 odd
3. Review Chapter 2 with Sample Test 2: Pgs. 12, 13 in Syllabus;
with Review Exercises on Pages 143, 144 # 1-35,
and/or Chapter 2 Test on P. 145, 146 # 1 - 25 all
Week # 7: 1. TEST # 2 (Unit II / Chapter 2)
2. Return and go over test # 2.
3. Unit III: Chapter 4 – Rational Numbers: Positive and Negative
Fractions
Section 4.1 – Introduction to Signed Fractions
Assignment: P. 205 - 208 # 2 - 50 even
4. Section 4.2 - Writing Fractions in Lowest Terms
Assignment: P. 219 - 222 # 6 - 14 even, # 21 - 35 odd,
# 49 - 65 odd
Week # 8: 1. Section 4.3 - Multiplying and Dividing Signed Fractions
Assignment: P. 231, 232 # 2 - 24 even, # 31 - 47 odd
2. Section 4.4 - Adding and Subtracting Signed Fractions
Assignment: P. 243 # 1 - 24 all
Week # 9: 1. Section 4.5 - Problem Solving: Mixed Numbers and Estimating
Assignment: P. 257, 258 # 1 - 31 odd, # 41 - 51 odd
2. Section 4.6 - Exponents, Order of Operations, and Complex Fractions
Assignment: P. 267 - 270 # 1 - 12 all, # 21 - 31 odd, # 39 - 47 odd
Week # 10: 1. Review Chapter 4 with Sample Test 4: Pgs. 14-16 in Syllabus;
and/or the Review Exercises on P. 299, 300 # 1 - 31,
and/or Chapter 4 Test on P. 301, 302 # 1 - 21 all
2. Test # 3 (Unit III/ Chapter 4)
3. Return and go over test # 3.
4. Unit IV: Chapters 5 and 3
Section 5.1 - Reading and Writing Decimal Numbers
Assignment: P. 311 - 313 # 2 - 56 even
Week # 11: 1. Section 5.2 - Rounding Decimal Numbers
Assignment: P. 321, 322 # 1 - 35 odd
2. Section 5.3 - Adding and Subtracting Signed Decimal Numbers
Assignment: P. 329 - 331 # 1 - 19 odd, # 23 - 37 odd, # 41 - 51 odd
3. Section 5.4 - Multiplying Signed Decimal Numbers
Assignment: P. 337 - 339 # 9 - 20 all, # 23 - 37 odd
Assignment: P. 349 - 352 # 1 - 15 odd, # 27 - 41 odd, # 51 - 59 odd
2. Section 5.6 - Fractions and Decimals
Assignment: P. 357 - 360 # 1 - 17 odd, # 30 - 44 even, # 53 - 60 all
Assignment: P. 155, 156 # 2 - 30 even
Week # 13: 1. Section 3.2 - Problem Solving: Area
Assignment: P. 165 - 167 # 1 - 4 all, # 17 - 26 all, # 35, 36, 41
2. Section 3.3 - Solving Application Problems with One Unknown
Quantity
Assignment: P. 175, 176 # 1 - 29 odd
Week # 14: 1. Test # 4 (Unit IV/ Chapters 5 and 3)
2. Return and go over test # 4.
3. Final Exam Review: Pgs. 22-24 in Syllabus
Week # 15: FINAL EXAM – 30 multiple-choice questions; cumulative
WORDSTHAT IMPLY MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS
|
plus |
sum |
the sum of… |
total |
|
in all |
add |
more than |
exceeds |
|
gain |
more |
increased by |
added to |
|
older than |
perimeter |
all together |
larger than |
|
diminish |
*subtracted from |
*less than |
fewer than |
|
reduced by |
smaller than |
shorter than |
less |
Multiplication
|
multiply |
of |
factor |
times |
|
product of… |
twice |
double |
triple |
|
area |
square |
cube |
|
|
divided by |
quotient of… |
ratio |
average |
|
divided into |
per |
|
|
( ) are to be used in place of “the quantity of” or when a multiplier is over a sum or difference.
= means… equals, is equal to, is/are.