MATH 1301 COLLEGE ALGEBRA

 

Goals/Objectives:  At the completion of this course, a student should be able to: (1) write complex numbers in standard form and perform the four elementary operations with complex numbers; (2) solve quadratic equations in one variable by the methods of factoring, extraction of roots, completing the square, and the Quadratic Formula; (3) set up and solve word problems involving quadratic equations as well as identify extraneous solutions; (4) recognize the equation of a straight line and determine the equation of a line from information such as: given two points on the line, or, one point on the line and the slope of the line, etc.; (5) state the definition of a function, determine the domain and range of a function, evaluate expressions involving functional notation, simplify expressions involving the algebra of functions, and given a function find its inverse, if it exists; (6) solve problems involving direct variation (inverse and joint variation may be added if time); (7) graph linear functions and quadratic functions by hand; (8) recognize the important features of graphs of general polynomial functions, piecewise-defined functions, and absolute value functions; (9) find the vertex and intercepts of a parabola; (10) state the basic properties of polynomial functions; (11) solve nonlinear, i.e. quadratic (rational and quadratic in form if time), inequalities, state the solution using interval notation, and graph the solution; (12) state the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions, graph both types, use the properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions, and solve exponential and logarithmic equations; (13) set up and solve systems of equations in three variables by algebraic techniques.

 

Course Content:  The following sections of the textbook are covered; however, each section is not entirely covered.

Chapters

Sections

Chapter 1

1.1 Numbers, Data, and Problem Solving

1.2 Visualization of Data

1.3 Functions and Their Representations

1.4 Types of Functions and Their Rates of change

Chapter 2

2.1 Linear Functions and Models

2.2 Equations of Lines

2.3 Linear Equations

2.4 Linear Inequalities

2.5 Piecewise-Defined Functions

Chapter 3

3.1 Quadratic Functions and Models

3.2 Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving

3.3 Quadratic Inequalities

Chapter 4

4.1 Nonlinear Functions and Their Graphs

4.2 Polynomial Functions and Models

4.4 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

4.5 Rational Functions and Models

4.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities

Chapter 5

5.1 Combining Functions

5.2 Inverse Functions and Their Representations

5.3 Exponential Functions and Models

5.4 Logarithmic Functions and Models

5.5 Properties of Logarithms

5.6 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

5.7 Constructing Nonlinear Models

Chapter 6

6.3 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

 

Tips for Becoming a Successful College Student:

  1. Come to class.
  2. Take notes.
  3. Read your book: to learn new vocabulary and new concepts; to learn from examples; to benefit from suggested strategies for problem solving; to benefit from summaries.
  4. Do your homework.
  5. Listen and ask questions.
  6. Contribute to classroom discussions.
  7. Interact with your teachers, either face to face or using the phone or email.
  8. Form study groups with your classmates.
  9. Meet with your advisor.
  10. Get involved in campus activities.
  11. Share new ideas with your friends and family.

 

VISIT THE UHD ALGEBRA STUDENT WEB PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://cms.dt.uh.edu/qep/algebra