Math V03 (12:30) Start Page, Fall 2009

Introduction and Announcements

Welcome to the start page for Math V03 (Intermediate Algebra) at Ventura College. Michael Bowen (email) will be teaching this course during the fall 2009 semester.

Important note: This web page is not a substitute for attending class; regular attendance is an expectation of this course. Modifications to homework assignments, and other important news announced in class, may not appear on this page for several days. You are still responsible for all assignments and in-class announcements even if they do not appear here! If you wish to verify information on this page, please contact the instructor.

Textbook Information

The ISBN number is provided as a convenience if you wish to purchase this item online. The VC bookstore may stock a different ISBN number; either may be used for the course. If you buy from the bookstore, obtain the least expensive version you can find; do not pay extra for MyMathLab, WebAssign, or other software. If you obtain the book from another source, please be sure to obtain the correct edition, as noted below. Older editions are, of course, much less expensive, but the homework problems are different. This will place you at a disadvantage relative to your classmates on quizzes, which are taken directly out of the homework problems in the current edition.

This text is required:

• Author: E. Martin-Gay
• Title: Intermediate Algebra, Fifth Edition
• ISBN-10: 0-13-600729-5
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-600729-6

Holidays

Classes at Ventura College will meet Monday through Friday each week of the semester, excepting only the dates listed below.

• Monday 7 Sep 2009 (Labor Day)
• Monday 9 Nov 2009 (Veterans Day)
• Thursday 26 Nov through Friday 27 Nov 2009 (Thanksgiving)

Final Examination

Date/time:  Friday 11 December 2009, 1:00 p.m. (last-minute questions answered beginning at 12:30)

Be sure that your big party to celebrate the end of finals occurs after the appropriate date. Requests for administration of early or late finals that require the instructor to reschedule his work or make a special trip to campus are subject to a deduction of points, regardless of the reason for the request.

Current Assignments

• These are listed in reverse chronological order.
• Note: "EOO" (every other odd) means to do problems
  1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, etc.
• Note: Please do "E.C." (extra credit) problems on a separate sheet of paper from the regular assignment.

Due Date	§	Title	Problems	E.C.
23 Nov 2009	6.1	Rational Functions and Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions	Required: 1–11 ODD; 13–69 EOO; 71; 73 Recommended: Remaining ODD problems from 15–67 if time permits and you need extra practice	—
	6.2	Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions	Required: 1–45 ODD Recommended: 47–67 ODD	—
	6.3	Simplifying Complex Fractions	(No assignment)	—
	6.4	Dividing Polynomials	(No assignment)	—
	6.5	Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions	1–47 ODD; 63; 65	72
	7.1	Radicals and Radical Functions	1–51 ODD; 85–91 ODD (requires graph paper)	—
18 Nov 2009	Chapter Test 3 (Sections 5.1–5.2 and 5.4–5.8) Recommended study problems suggested at right		(For students with minimal study time) Page 335 (Test): 1–4; 9–29
			(For students with additional study time) The above plus Page 332 (Review): 1–15 ALL; 20–35 ALL; 58–135 ODD (or ALL if time permits); and Additional problems taken from the unassigned homework exercises
16 Nov 2009	5.1	Exponents and Scientific Notation	(Recommended, if you need review; please note that this section will be included on the next exam) 1–89 EOO	—
	5.2	More Work with Exponents and Scientific Notation	(Recommended, if you need review; please note that this section will be included on the next exam) 1–65 EOO	—
	5.3	Polynomials and Polynomial Functions	(No assignment)	—
	5.4	Multiplying Polynomials	1–47 ODD; 49–77 EOO; 81; 83; 85	—
	5.5	The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping	9–21 ODD; 25–31 ODD; 33–73 EOO (additional odd problems from 35–75 strongly suggested if you need extra practice)	90; 92
	5.6	Factoring Trinomials	1–85 EOO (additional odd problems from 3–87 strongly suggested if you need extra practice)	106; 108
	5.7	Factoring by Special Products	1–65 ODD; Problems 29–33 employ grouping using a 3+1 method instead of the usual 2+2 method; Problems 35–65 may include any of the four basic factoring methods	—
	5.8	Solving Equations by Factoring and Problem Solving	1–25 ODD; 29–65 EOO; 71–87 EOO; 89–94 ALL	—
10 Nov 2009	Chapter Test 2 (Sections 3.2, 3.3, and 4.1–4.5) Optional study problems suggested at right		(For students with minimal study time) Page 200 (Test): 2–9; 22–25 Page 253 (Test): 1–15
			(For students with additional study time) The above plus Page 197 (Review): 19–54 ALL Page 251 (Review): 1–55 ODD (or ALL if you have time); and Additional problems taken from the unassigned homework exercises
10 Nov 2009	4.1	Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables	7–63 ODD	88; 90; 92
	4.2	Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables	5–31 ODD	—
	4.3	Systems of Linear Equations and Problem Solving	1; 3; 7; 9–45 EOO	—
	4.4	Solving Systems of Equations by Matrices	1–23 ODD	—
	4.5	Systems of Linear Inequalities	1–23 ODD	—
2 Nov 2009	3.2	Introduction to Functions	1–17 ODD; 23–39 ODD; 55–81 ODD	—
	3.3	Graphing Linear Functions	1–11 ODD; 23–31 ODD; 35–59 ODD	—
	3.4	The Slope of a Line	(No assignment)	—
	3.5	Equations of Lines	(No assignment)	—
	3.6	Graphing Piecewise-Defined Functions and Shifting and Reflecting Graphs of Functions	(No assignment)	—
	3.7	Graphing Linear Inequalities	(No assignment)	—
28 Oct 2009	Chapter Test 1 (Sections 2.1–3.1) Optional study problems suggested at right		(For students with minimal study time) Page 115 (Test): 1–10 ALL; 14–26 ALL; 28 Page 200 (Test): 2; 3; 4; 5; 8; 9
			(For students with additional study time) The above plus Page 113 (Review): 1–32 ALL; 47–84 ALL; 85; 86; 87; 90–101 ALL Page 197 (Review): 7–18 ALL; 106; 107; 117; 118; and Additional problems taken from the unassigned homework exercises
26 Oct 2009	—	Syllabus Worksheet (obtain a copy) (NOTE: This assignment is worth 15 points.)
	2.1	Linear Equations in One Variable	1–65 EOO	—
	2.2	An Introduction to Problem Solving	(No assignment)	—
	2.3	Formulas and Problem Solving	(No assignment)	24
	2.4	Linear Inequalities and Problem Solving	1–77 EOO	—
	2.5	Compound Inequalities	1–69 EOO	—
	2.6	Absolute Value Equations	1–23 ODD; 27–71 EOO	—
	2.7	Absolute Value Inequalities	1–27 ODD; 29–81 EOO	—
	3.1	Graphing Equations	27–53 ODD	—

Future Assignments

• These are tentative; the instructor may make changes to this list from time to time.
• Students must not rely on printed versions of this list; instead, they should check the live online version periodically for possible updates.
• Students who work ahead and complete one or more assignments in advance are taking a risk that the assignment(s) may change before the due date, in which case the advice in the preceding sentence is particularly applicable.
• Students are responsible for completing the assignments as finalized in the Current Assignments section above, and should not expect to earn extra credit for completing tentatively assigned exercises that are later modified or removed from this list.
• (Due dates to be determined)

§	Title	Problems	E.C.
7.2	Rational Exponents	Required: 1–97 EOO Recommended: 1–97 ODD	—
7.3	Simplifying Radical Expressions	1–81 ODD	—
7.4	Adding, Subtracting, and Multipling Expressions	Required: 1–73 EOO Recommended: 1–73 ODD	—
7.5	Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions	Required: 1–47 ODD Recommended for students who eventually need to take calculus: 49–77 ODD	—
7.6	Radical Equations and Problem Solving	1–21 ODD; 25–49 EOO	—
7.7	Complex Numbers	1–83 ODD; 99; 101; 103	—
Chapter Test 4 (Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, Chapter 7) (Last chapter test before the final exam) Optional study problems suggested at right Warning: Check all answers to equations by direct substitution!		(For students with minimal study time) Page 409 (Test): 1–14 ALL; 21; 22; 23; and Page 475 (Test): 1–13 ALL; 15–34 ALL
		(For students with additional study time) The above plus Page 406 (Review): 1–35 ALL; 63–69 ALL; 83–92 ALL; 97; 98; and Page 472 (Review): 1–23 ALL; 26–48 ALL; 55–70 ALL; 72–107 ALL; 114–154 ALL; and Additional problems taken from the unassigned homework exercises
8.1	Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square	1–25 ODD; 37–73 EOO	—
8.2	Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula	1–39 ODD	52; 94; 96
8.3	Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods	1–55 ODD	—
8.4	Nonlinear Inequalities in One Variable	1–53 EOO	—
8.5	Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs	1–53 EOO	—
8.6	Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions	1–41 EOO	46; 52
9.1	The Algebra of Functions; Composite Functions	1–35 ODD	—
9.2	Inverse Functions	11–39 ODD; 47; 49	—
9.3	Exponential Functions	1–15 ODD; 21–35 ODD	42; 44
9.4	Logarithmic Functions	1–81 EOO	—
9.5	Properties of Logarithms	25–61 EOO	72; 74; 76; 78 (all must be completed to earn credit)
9.6	Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms, and Change of Base	1–31 ODD; 33–49 EOO; 51–59 ODD	—
9.7	Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Applications	1–41 EOO; remaining odd problems recommended if time permits	—
10.1	The Parabola and the Circle	TBD	—
10.2	The Ellipse and the Hyperbola	TBD	—
Final Examination (Chapters 8–10) Optional study problems suggested at right Bring your Chapter 8/9/10 homework to the final to turn in (up to 20 points credit) Exam starts at 1:00 p.m.		(For students with minimal study time) Page 537 (Test): 1–20 ALL; 22 Page 599 (Test): 1–10 ALL; 12–26 ALL
		(For students with additional study time) The above plus Page 536 (Review): 1–6 ALL; 13–28 ALL; 31; 32; 34; 36; 37; 41–52 ALL; 57–67 ALL Page 596 (Review): 1–12 ALL; 15–30 ALL; 32–41 ALL; 45–90 ALL; 93; 94; 97–110 ALL; and Additional problems taken from the unassigned homework exercises

Course Handouts and Study Aids

The documents listed below are available for viewing or download. The list below provides links to download free software to read the file formats of the various documents.

• PDF (Adobe® Acrobat Reader™) is the best format to use if you want to print on paper (for example, to replace a lost copy).
• HTML files are not, for the most part, printer-friendly; this is the best format for on-screen reading, and if you can read these words, you already have the software!
• DOC files are in the native Microsoft® Word format; if you do not have Word, use this Word Viewer from the Microsoft web site (this software can display Word files, but cannot modify them).
• PPT files are PowerPoint® presentations; if you do not have PowerPoint, use this PowerPoint Viewer, again from the Microsoft web site.

Course Handouts

• Course Information:  (HTML)  |  (PDF)
• Course Requirements and Grading, Side 1:  (HTML)  |  (PDF)
• Course Requirements and Grading, Side 2:  (HTML)  |  (PDF)
• Tips for Success:  (HTML)  |  (PDF)
• Standards of Student Conduct and Classroom Rules  (HTML)  |  (PDF)
• Syllabus Worksheet:  (DOC)  |  (PDF)
• Instructor's Schedule (PDF; not really a handout; this is a copy of the printed schedule that appears on the instructor's office door)

Study Aids

• Multiplication Tables:  (DOC)  |  (PDF)
• Divisibility Rules:  (DOC)  |  (PDF)
• Sieve of Eratosthenes (PDF) with directions (finds prime numbers) (HTML)
• Powers of Ten Tutorial (off-site; requires Java™ Runtime Environment [free download] to be installed and enabled on your computer):  (HTML)
• Translating English Phrases Into Algebraic Expressions:  (DOC)  |  (PDF)
• Multilingual Vocabulary for Mathematics (possibly helpful for students whose first language is not English):  (HTML)
• Basic Geometry Review:  (PPT)  |  (PDF)
• Rectangular Graph Paper (PDF):  5 squares to the inch  |  2.5 squares to the inch
• Transformations of Functions (may require downloading and installation of free software to view all portions; see the page itself for details):  (HTML)

Will You Succeed or Fail in Mathematics?

This checklist is adapted from a handout prepared by math and philosophy instructor Steve Thomassin. It will allow you to compare your approach to a mathematics course to the approaches taken by successful … and unsuccessful … students.

Attribute Type	Predictor of Success	Predictor of Failure
Attitude	Focus on things that are under your control.	Blame things that are out of your control (the text, the instructor, or "the system") for your difficulties.
	Be optimistic. Believe that you can do it.	Be pessimistic. Convince yourself that you will fail.
	Be positive. Find ways to make math interesting and fun.	Be negative. Find ways to make math dull and painful.
	Be open. See the uses, power, patterns, and magic of mathematics.	Be closed. Blind yourself to math's uses and its practical and esthetic value.
	Be practical. Make yourself aware of the doors that passing each math class opens to you.	Be impractical. Ignore the doors that open when you pass a math class.
Class Work	Attend every class. Aim for perfect attendance, even if you already know it all.	Be absent often. Dig a hole so deep that you cannot climb out except by dropping the course.
	Be focused. Concentrate on the math topic at hand.	Be mentally elsewhere. Daydream. Talk. Distract and annoy neighboring students.
	Take good notes. Solve problems along with the instructor.	Avoid participating in the discussion. Just watch the instructor.
	Be inquisitive. Ask questions so that the instructor knows what you would like to learn more about.	Be uninterested. Make the instructor guess what it is that you might be confused about.
Homework	Be regular. Always do at least some homework before the next class, and finish by the due date.	Be sporadic. Do homework only when it easily fits your schedule.
	Invest time. Spend double to triple the amount of in-class time.	Invest little time. Spend less time doing homework than you spend in class.
	Review notes; read text; do all assigned problems (maybe even more), and check the answers.	Ignore notes and text explanations; try a few problems, and don't bother checking to see if they are right.
Getting Help	When needed, take advantage of all opportunities: study groups, tutors, instructor office hours.	Even when lost, never seek assistance.