UW COLLEGES DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

COURSE GUIDELINES

Course Title: College Algebra

Course Number: MAT 110 Number of Credits: 3

Contact hrs/wk--Lecture: 3 Lecture/Discussion _________Lab_________

Course Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT 105 or placement based on placement test score.

Catalog description: Definition of function; linear and nonlinear functions and graphs including logarithmic and exponential functions; systems of linear equations; theory of polynomial equations and optional topics such as mathematical induction, matrix solution of linear systems and Cramer's rule.

Course content (list of topics normally covered):

1. Review of Basic Algebra(optional)

2. Rectangular Coordinates, Graphs of Equations

Rectangular coordinates

Equations of lines

Graphing equations: intercepts, symmetry, circles, common functions such as x², x³, ,, |x|,    

3. Functions

Basic Properties

Graphing Quadratic functions

Graphing Polynomials and other functions

Translating and stretching graphs

Graphing Rational functions

Operations on functions

Inverse functions

4. Theory of Polynomial Equations

Remainder and factor theorems

Complex numbers and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

Synthetic division (optional)

Descates' rule (optional)

Rational roots of polynomial equations (optional)

5. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Exponential functions: basic properties, graphing

Applications of Exponential functions

Logarithmic functions: basic properties, inverse of exponential, graphing

 Applications of logarithms

            Exponential and logarithmic equations

6. Systems of Equations

Solving systems of linear equations

7. Optional  Topics:

Matrices and Determinants

Gauss-Jordan method for solution of systems of equations

Matrix algebra

Matrix inversion and applications to solving systems

 Determinants and Cramer's rule

Conic Sections

Content-based department proficiencies:

The successful student will be able to:

· Graph a variety of basic equations using intercepts and symmetry where appropriate.

· Complete the square for graphing circles and parabolas.

· Graph polynomial and rational functions.

· Use function transformations.

· Use function arithmetic and composition.

· Understand functions and inverse function evaluation.

· Use the Factor Theorem for polynomials, and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.

· Apply the properties of Logarithms.

· Solve logarithmic and exponential equations.

· Solve systems of linear equations.

· Solve applied Problems.

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:

1. Sullivan-College Algebra, and College Algebra Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, Pub-Prentice Hall

2. Lial, Hornsby, Schneider-College Algebra, Pub-Addison Wesley Longman

3. Cohen-Algebra and Trigonometry, Pub-West

4. Gustafson, Frisk-College Algebra, Pub-Brooks Cole

5. Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen-College Algebra, Pub-McGraw Hill

6. Larson, Hostetler, Edwards-College Algebra, Pub-Houghton Mifflin

 Approved April 22, 2006