Math 103

Elementary Algebra

3 Credit Hours

Instructor:  James Taulman                         Email:  jtaulman@olc.edu 

Locations:   White Clay Center, Oglala                    Time:  Thurs 5-8 pm

Office Hours:  By appointment                              

 

Course Description:  The course prepares students for Intermediate Algebra.  Topics covered include the Real number system, solving linear equations, formulas, graphing in the two-dimensional plane, exponents, and polynomials. 

 

Prerequisites:  To enroll in this course a student must have successfully completed Math 093 or have a satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam.

 

Required Text:  Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 4th addition by Larson and Hostetler 

 

Required Materials:  Notebook paper, pencil, scientific calculator. 

 

Writing Expectations:  Homework assignments, quizzes, and exams will contain questions requiring the student to write complete sentences.

 

Lakota Perspective:  The Lakota perspective will be provided by way of daily interaction between student and instructor where traditional Lakota values such as patience, respect, and honor will be maintained.  The students will be expected to aid the instructor with the inclusion of the Lakota perspective. 

 

Course Objectives:

ü      Change word phrases into algebraic expressions and equations.

ü      Build, read, and interpret graphs.

ü      Simplify expressions with the order of operations.

ü      Use unit analysis and formulas from geometry.

ü      Solve linear equations numerically, graphically, and algebraically.

ü      Perform the four operations with integers and fractions.

ü      Solve polynomial and quadratic equations.

ü      Solve problems involving ratios and proportions.

 

Attendance Requirements:      Attendance requirements will follow OLC’s attendance policy.  If a student misses 3 consecutive classes, a total of 5 classes, or a total of 15 hours the instructor has the right to drop that student from the course. 

            Attendance will be taken each hour.  If you are late to class you will be counted absent for the first hour.  If you leave class early, you will be counted absent for the last hour. 

Usually classes will be cancelled only because of severe weather.  Check with the college center an hour or two before class is scheduled to start if you are uncertain.  If the instructor is not present at the beginning of class, and the college center staff has not been called, you should wait at least 15 minutes past the class’ normal start time.  If the instructor is still not present, you may leave and will not be counted absent.

 

Turn off cell phones before you come to class.

 

Evaluation: 

          Final grades will be figured using the following scale:

 

                        90-100             A

                        80-89               B

                        70-79               C

                        60-69               D

                        below 60          F

 

Your overall grade will be determined by the following:

 

Exams: 4 at 100 points apiece                                                   400 possible

Homework, class participation and

attendance will be taken into consideration

for students with grades on the borderline                     

            Final comprehensive test:                                                          100 possible

Homework Exercises:   Problems in each chapter will be assigned each class period and will be due at the next class.  Homework will be discussed in class and students may be asked to explain their work at the board. No late homework will be accepted. 

 

Chapter Exams:  If a student misses an exam it must be made up prior to the next class.  It is the student’s responsibility to get a hold of the instructor to set up a time to do the make up. 

 

Final Exam:  The final exam will be a comprehensive final.  All students having at least a 90% average at the time the final exam is to be given will not be required to take the final exam as long as they took all other exams throughout the semester.

 

Suggestions to the Student:  To succeed you need to attend class and do the suggested exercises weekly.  Plan your study time, take good notes, and ask questions when needed.  Your education will be only as good as the amount of effort you put into it. 

            Your instructor’s email address is given to you for a reason.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions via email throughout the week as you do your suggested exercises.  Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help.

            Mathematics must be practiced on a daily basis.  Set some time aside each day to do your homework.  It’s like learning to play a musical instrument.  No matter how much you watch someone else do math, you must do it yourself to learn it.  It is essential that you come to class each day and stay caught up on your suggested exercises.

 

Disclaimer:  Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester.  However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Oglala Lakota College and any student. 

 

Tentative schedule of classes                                                                       Chapter

                                                                                                                         

Sept. 1 - Introduction, Real numbers and operations on integers                                    1

 

Sept. 8 – Rational numbers, fractions, and operations on them                           1

 

Sept. 15 – Wrap up of operations on fractions,                                                 1

 

Sept. 22 – Test #1, Algebraic expressions, simplifying

algebraic expressions, problem solving                                      2

 

Sept. 29 – Algebraic equations                                                                         2

 

Oct. 6 – Solving linear equations                                                                                   3

 

Oct. 13 – Test #2, Percents, ratios, proportions                                                            3

 

Oct. 20 – Linear inequalities, absolute value                                                                  3

 

Oct. 27 – Test #3, Graphs, paired coordinates                                                  4

 

Nov. 3 – Graphs of equations, functions                                                                        4

 

Nov. 10 – Graphs of linear inequalities                                                              4

 

Nov. 17 – Line equations                                                                                              4

 

Nov. 24 –                                                                                           

 

Dec. 1 – Test #4, Review                                                                                 1, 2, 3, 4

 

Dec. 8 – Final comprehensive test