MATH-011A Elementary Algebra

Course Objectives.- This course covers Chapters one through seven, and Appendix 13: Operations on real numbers,
algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities, algebraic methods for solving application problems,
graphing linear equations and inequalities, solving systems of linear equations, laws of exponents and operations on
polynomials, factoring and solving quadratic equations by factoring, synthetic division, and operations on rational
expressions and solving rational equations.

Materials.- Textbook , 8 ½ X 11 graph paper loose sheets for Quizzes, a graph-paper notebook for Notes and
Homework, ruler, red-pen, pencils, and a scientific calculator TI30 (or higher). Optionally, a TI 83 graphing calculator
or higher).

Grades.- The scoring for this class is based on the following assessments and grading scale:

Attendance.- You must make an effort to be at all classes. For example: if you have missed 3 classes, you will be
dropped. The dates to drop are by February 6^th and you may get refund. February 20, to drop without a ‘W’. April 23
last day to drop and receive a ‘W’. However, if you do intend to drop, you are responsible for doing so on your own.

Tests .- Chapter tests, and Final must be taken on the day they are given. Your calculator, ruler, and pencil are required
for all assessments and class work; make sure to have your materials with you every day.

All Tests are closed-book, closed-notebook, and closed-homework.

There is a Test for each Chapter except Chapter seven that may be part of the comprehensive Final Exam. No make ups
are provided for Tests. You must be present on each Test day.

Cheating and Cell Phones / iPODs.- Cheating during Quizzes, Finals, and Tests: Students caught cheating will
receive an 'F' in the course. Students who communicate in any way with any person other than the teacher during a test
or quiz are presumed to be cheating.

Cell phones / iPODs must be off during the test and in your backpacks or purses/on the floor, and they cannot be used as
a calculator. You may not leave the classroom during a Test or Quiz for any reason.

Quizzes.- There will be one open-notebook, open-homework Quiz each class day, they are time-limited, closed-book,
work-alone style.

Projects.- Projects are take-home assignments that require the students to show mastery of skills respectively in each
of the following areas: arithmetic correctness, visual display of data, and graphing of results. They must be done on
graph paper 8 ½ X 11” loose pages and a ruler must be used for all illustrations. The time to complete a project is two
weeks per the teacher’s discretion.

Homework.- The teacher will provide a homework list at the start of each Chapter. Students must do the homework
on-time in your binder or in the notebook based on the notes from the previous class. The homework is not collected or
graded but students will be allowed to use their notebooks and the homework during the daily quizzes. It is therefore
advantageous for each student to be up-to-date in your homework and keep good notes in your notebook.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Use appropriate symbols to represent real numbers and
variable expressions.
2. Perform operation on real numbers.
3. Describe and use the properties of real numbers
(commutative, associative, distributive, …).
4. Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.
5. Solve linear equations in tow variables by plotting points,
graphing intercepts, and using slope and y-intercept.
6. Graph linear equations in two variables by plotting points,
graphing intercepts, and using slope and y-intercept.
7. Find the slopes and intercepts of linear equations in tow
variables, and determine whether lines are parallel or
perpendicular.
8. Use the slope-intercept, point-slope, and standard forms to
write linear equations.
9. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables by the
graphing, substitution, and addition methods.
10. Graph the solutions to linear inequalities and express the
solutions using inequalities.
11. Identify the properties of exponents and perform operations on
polynomials.
12. Write a number in scientific notation and multiply or divide
numbers written in scientific notation.
13. Determine the greatest common factor and factor polynomials
by grouping.
14. Synthetic division
15. Factor binomials and polynomials of the form ax^2 + bx + c.
16. Simplify and perform operations on rational expressions.
17. Solve application word-problems involving linear, quadratic,
and rational equations and inequalities.

General Education Learning Outcomes.- San Jose City College has certain educational goals that all SJCC students
should acquire in addition to their course content. Toward this end, this course will also help improve your ability to
analyze critically and to think logically. It will also help you with your daily life mathematics skills, and with scientific and quantitative reasoning.

Recommendations to the students.-

• This is a 5-hour credit class. You must schedule a significant amount of weekly time to succeed in this class.
• Bring all required materials to class every day, and take good notes in your notebook.
• If you miss one class, you must get notes, handouts, and assignments from your classmates. You must not allow
yourself to fall behind. It is difficult to recuperate otherwise.
• Students not present when the roll is taken are marked absent. Late arrivals or early departures produce a tardy.
And three tardies will equate to one absence.
• HW and Quizzes have a specific format, please learn it and follow it.
• Attend regularly, pay attention in class, do the homework daily, stay ahead, and be consistent all the time.
• Strive to stay involved, think critically, and ask questions about what is being taught, and enjoy.