UW COLLEGES
DEPARTMENT OF
MATHEMATICS
COURSE GUIDELINES
Course Title: Elementary
Algebra
Course No: MAT
091
No. of Credits 2-4
Course No: MAT
095
No. of Credits 2-4
Course No: MAT
097
No. of Credits 2-4
Contact hrs/wk: Lecture 2-4
Lecture/Discussion
Lab
Course Prerequisites: Placement
determined by the UWS Math Placement Test
Catalog description:
Intended for
students with little or no previous algebra. Topics include the real
number system and operations with real numbers and algebraic expressions,
linear equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, and introduction to
quadratic equations. This course is offered through a contractual arrangement
with the local WTCS institution as Mat 095. This course is offered by the
campus TRIO/minority/disadvantaged program as Mat 097.
Course content (list of topics normally covered):
Review of the Basics
Notation and symbols
Operating with signed numbers
Operations on fractions and
decimals
Properties of numbers
Real numbers and the number line
Linear Equations and Inequalities
Evaluating expressions
Addition and multiplication
properties of equality
Solving linear equations
Linear equation story problems
Simple literal equations and
formulas
Solving linear inequalities
Exponents and Polynomials
Adding and subtracting polynomials
Multiplying and dividing with exponents
Special polynomial products
Multiplying polynomials
Monomial divisors (leave long
division for the succeeding course)
Factoring
Greatest common factor
Factoring by grouping
Difference of perfect squares
Quadratic trinomial forms
Quadratic Equations
Solving by factoring
Applications
Graphing
Cartesian coordinate system
Plotting points
Graphing linear equations
x-
and y-Intercepts
Slope and its interpretation
Optional topics:
Algebraic Fractions
Reducing to simplest form
Equations involving algebraic
fractions
Applications
Square Roots and Radicals
Simplest square root form
Notes
Story problems
appear as a main topic under Linear Equations; they should, however, be
integrated into the course whenever appropriate.
Hand Calculators—the
instructor is encouraged to incorporate hand calculators into instructional
materials.
Content-based department proficiencies:
The successful student will:
· be able to perform arithmetic calculations on
real numbers and understand the order of operations.
· use variable notation and be able to simplify
and evaluate algebraic expressions.
· be able to solve linear equations in one
variable.
· know the rules of exponents as applied to
variable terms.
· be able to add, subtract, and multiply
polynomials.
· know how to factor polynomials using greatest
common factoring, the grouping method, trinomial factoring, and
difference of perfect squares.
· be able to graph linear equations with two
variables in the rectangular coordinate system.
Colleges-wide
proficiencies assigned to course:
Students should be able to
demonstrate the following:
A. Analytical skills Performance Indicators: Students should be able to:
1. Interpret and synthesize information
and ideas.
4. Select and apply scientific and
other appropriate methodologies.
B. Quantitative skills Performance Indicators: Students should be able to:
1. Solve quantitative and
mathematical problems.
2. Interpret graphs, tables, and
diagrams.
Representative textbooks used for the courses:
Beginning
Algebra, Munem/Tschirhart (Worth
Publishing)
Beginning
Algebra, 4th ed.,
Streeter/Hutchison/Hoelze (McGraw Hill)
Beginning
Algebra, 4th ed., Tobey/Slater (Prentice
Hall)
Beginning
Algebra, 5th ed., McKeague, (
Developmental Mathematics, 5th ed., Wood/Capell (PWS Publishing Co.)
Elementary
Algebra, 3rd ed., Johnson (Harper)
Elementary Algebra, 4th ed.,
Angel (Prentice Hall)
Elementary Algebra, 5th ed.,
Angel (Prentice Hall)
Essential
Algebra, 7th ed., Johnston/Willis/Lazaris
(Thompson Learning)
Introductory
Algebra, 4th ed., Aufman/Barker
(Houghton-Mifflin)
Approved
April 22, 2006