5 semester credits

Catalog Description- An accelerated course covering both Elementary and Intermediate Algebra in one semester. Providing the fundamentals of numbers, numeric and algebraic expressions and equations, fractions, exponents, radicals, linear and quadratic inequalities, systems of linear equations, and functional notation. Students enrolling in this course must have a good background in pre-algebra and must be prepared to devote sufficient time and effort to complete the standard two-course sequence in one term. Restriction: credit will not be granted for both Math 0100 and Math 0098 or 0099.

Prerequisites-Completion of Math 0093 with a grade of A or appropriate ASAP placement score.

Offered : Fall, Spring

Grading : A,B,C,D,F

This course should be considered to be a developmental course and should not be expected to transfer to other institutions. See you student handbook for information about the application of these credits towards graduation requirements at RCTC.

Effective date: October 2002

Major Topics-
1. Operations on numbers
2. Algebraic expressions
3. Equations
4. Polynomials
5. Inequalities
6. Expressions
7. Functions
8. Graphing
9. Conics
10. Complex numbers
11. Applications

Optional topics-
1. Exponents and logarithms

Course objectives- Each objective corresponds to the major topic above with the same number.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. a. Simplify numeric expressions using the order of operations
b. Simplify numeric expressions using the properties of numbers

2. a. Add, subtract, multiply, divide polynomial expressions
b. Simplify expressions containing exponents; includes scientific notation
c. Translate English models to/from mathematical models
3. a. Set up equations of lines
1. Know slope, parallel, perpendicular
2. Know point-slope, slope-intercept, standard forms
b. Solve absolute value equations
c. Solve quadratic equations by factoring, square root method, complete the square, and by using the quadratic formula
d. Solve linear, rational, radical, literal equations
e. Solve a system of linear equations by addition, substitution, row reduction of a matrix using 2 and 3 equations in the same number of variables

4. a. Factor polynomials by greatest common factor, by grouping
b. Factor polynomials by difference of squares, by sum/difference of cubes
c. Factor polynomials by trinomial factoring

5. a. Solve linear inequalities in one variable
b. Solve absolute value linear inequalities
c. Solve systems of non-linear inequalities

6. a. Add, subtract, multiply, divide and simplify rational expressions
b. Add, subtract, multiply, divide and simplify radical expressions

7. a. Know the definition, notation, and domain of functions
b. Know how to find and graph inverse functions
c. Know the algebra of functions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and
composition

8. a. Graph lines
b. Graph parabolas by completing the square
c. Graph the solution of a linear inequalities in one and two variables
d. Graph a system of non-linear inequalities

9. a. Complete the square on a parabola and identify the vertex, direction of opening,
and axis of symmetry
b. Complete the square on a circle and identify the center and radius
c. Identify an ellipse in standard form only
d. Identify a hyperbola in standard form only

10. a. Know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers

11. a. Solve application problems such as mixing, DRT, interest

Methods for evaluation
1. Tests over covered topics and/or
2. Quizzes and/or
3. Homework and/or
4. Group assignments and/or
5. Projects and/or
6. Comprehensive final exam (The comprehensive final exam should include but not be limited to evaluating the skills listed above in Course Objectives)