MATH 31                                                                              SANTA MONICA COLLEGE INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS                                        SPRING 2008   SPRING 2008; Your homework assignment is on the website: www.math.acppb.cc INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Daniel Aka OFFICE NO: E-mail: aka_daniel@smc.edu or danokey@ca.rr.com TEXTBOOK: Introductory Algebra for College Students; 4th Edition; Robert Blitzer PREREQUISITE: Math 84 is highly recommended including an appropriate score on math placement test. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND METHOD OF PRESENTATION: In this class, student will be able to perform arithmetic operations with real numbers, polynomials, rational expressions, and radicals; factoring polynomials; linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables; Systems of linear equations and inequalities in two unknowns; Application problems; Equations with rational expressions; Equations with radicals; Introduction to quadratic equations in one variable. Calculators are allowed in the classroom. To receive credit for this course, the student must PASS EACH TEST AND THE FINAL EXAM. Homework will be assigned and is due at the end of each chapter. Questions arising on the homework should be discussed at the beginning of the class. New material should be presented in a lecture format that contains a larger number of examples. In-class assignments can be given to allow the students to work in groups. Students should be highly encouraged to continue these groups outside of class lecture. For students in need of additional assistance outside of class lecture, they should go to the Math Lab where Math Assistants and Math tutors are available at no charge. Students should be highly encouraged to form the habit of using the Lab. EXAMS: There will be 6 in class exams worth 100 points each, and in class Final Exam with 150 points, and 50 points* for the homework and class participation. I will throw out the lowest in class exam score except the final exam in determing your course grade. The total point count will be 700 points. There will be absolutely no makeup exams given. If you miss an exam, you will receive a zero score. Also note that there will be a common final exam for all Math 31 students.  Students caught cheating will be given a grade of zero for the exam and the incident reported to the Department Chairman's Office. GRADING CURVE: 90-100% A OOOO 80-89% B OOO 68-79% C OO 60-67% D O 0-59% F RULES AND ATTENDANCE: Failure to turn in homework will result in lowering your grade. For the final grade homework and class participation will be deterministic for borderline cases. My exams are entirely based upon the lectures and materials presented in class. I regularly give out hints on exam questions and solve sample problems during my lectures. Therefore missing my lectures will put you at a disadvantage when it is time to take exams. IMPORTANT NOTES: Please let me know if you decide to stop attending class. Do not automatically assume that I will drop you if you decide not to show up anymore. I may not drop a student especially if it is passed the midpoint of the course. It is better to get a "W" rather than to fail the class. It is your responsibility to be aware of college drop deadlines and regulations. A SUGGESTED GUIDE TO STUDY FOR THIS CLASS: 1. Read your notes. Do the problems in your notes over and over again. Make sure you understand the content of your notes completely. 2. Study the corresponding sections in the text, by first; a) Carefully reading the sections, b) Creating a formula sheet, that includes all the theorems and formulas covered in the specific section, c) Doing the examples, and after all of the above, d) Do the exercises. 3. Randomly select problems from each section and solve them without your notes/text. 4. Put together a study group and regularly get together to do problems. (This step may be your ticket out of this class) * The distribution of the 50 points will be completely based upon my judgment call. It will be directly related to the amount of participation, homework, group work, quizzes, and effort a student has put in this class may be part of the evaluation process.