INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

Number of Credits: 3

I) Course Objectives
This course provides a preparation for more advanced study in mathematics. Topics include
simplifying and factoring polynomial, fractional, and radical expressions; solving linear and quadratic
functions; introduction to logarithms.

Prerequisite: MATH095 Basic Algebra (C or better) or Math Placement score of 5.

II) Textbook and other Aids
A. Required: The textbook is Intermediate Algebra, 10th Edition by Lial, Hornsby, McGinnis (ISBN
978-0-321-44362-5) published by Pearson Education, Addison-Wesley. A new textbook will
include a MyMathLab access code (see D.) BCCC bookstore price is listed as $146.00 new or
$104.95 used.

B. Optional: A Student Solutions Manual (ISBN 978-0-321-44115-7) contains detailed solutions to all
odd-numbered problems. BCCC bookstore price is listed as $7.00 new or $5.95 used.

C. Optional: A Video Lectures on CD (ISBN 978-0-321-44959-7) set will give you a different
explanation of the material along with solutions to selected odd-numbered problems. BCCC
bookstore price is listed as $7.00 new or $5.95 used.

D. Optional: A MyMathLab access code can be purchased separately from the publisher for $57. This
access code will give you online access to the book, study aids, and detailed explanations of
problems at the publisher’s web site. This could be a cost saving approach if you are able to
effectively use online access to the book in lieu of buying a printed copy. To use this you will need
to register at CourseCompass.com with a valid email address and a course ID code which you may
find at the class web site (URI shown above).

E. The bookstore package includes the textbook, MyMathLab access code, solutions manual, and
video lectures. This package is the best value! BCCC bookstore price is listed as $146.00 new or
$104.95 used.

F. Other student aids are available from the publisher. See the link at the class web site.

III) Course Content and Direction

A. Learning Goals
1. To develop an understanding of the concepts and procedures for solving equations and
inequalities and sampling expressions.
2. To provide a variety of applications of equation solving.
3. To develop the understanding of function and relation.
4. To utilize a scientific calculator for exponential and logarithmic computations.
5. To develop the habit of completing assignments on time.
6. To develop the skill of graphing a variety of linear and non-linear functions and relations.
7. To understand the concept of slope in working with linear relationships.

B. Course Topics

1. Linear Equations and Inequalities
a. Linear Equations
b. Word Problems and Formulas
c. Applications of Algebra
d. Linear Inequalities
e. Equations and Inequalities with Absolute Value
f. Linear Functions
g. Slope-Intercept Form
h. Point-Slope Form
i. Applications of Graphing Functions

2. Exponents and Factoring Polynomials
a. Exponent Rules
b. Operations with Polynomials
c. Factoring Polynomials
d. Second Degree Equations
e. Applications of Second Degree Equations

3. Rational Expressions and Equations
a. Operations with Rational Expressions
b. Complex Fractions
c. Rational Equations
d. Applications of Rational Equations
e. Systems of Linear Equations

4. Radical Expressions, Radical Equations, Quadratic Formula
a. Simplifying Radical Expressions
b. Rational Exponents
c. Operations with Radical Expressions
d. Complex Number Expressions
e. Quadratic Formula
f. Radical Equations
g. Applications of Quadratic Equations

5. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
a. Exponential Functions
b. Exponential to Logarithmic Form
c. Logarithmic Functions

IV) Teaching Methods to be used

A. I will use lecture, recitation, problem solving, and class discussion as appropriate.

B. I make extensive use of email and a web site to keep you aware of class business. I frequently send
important information regarding homework, tests, and grades, so you should check your email
regularly. I also add important information, including this document and the assignment sheet, to
the class web site and will notify you of updates to it by email and in class. The college assigns
you a unique student email address when you register for the first time. You can access that
mailbox from anywhere using a web browser or you can forward that address to another address
that you are accustomed to using. If you will not be using your college address, please make sure
that you give me an accurate email address and keep me informed if it changes. If you don’t have
ready access to a computer at home, use a computer in the library or elsewhere on campus.

C. An assignment sheet will list all homework problems from the text. Please attempt all assigned
problems and bring your questions to class. All problems assigned are odd-numbered so the
answers are listed in the back of the textbook. Homework will be collected with each test and
selected problems will be graded and used as a portion of that test grade. In order to get credit for a
given homework problem, I need to be able to find it (organize and label it), read it (write neatly),
see the work (don’t just copy the answer), and see the correct answer.

D. Calculators or graphing calculators may be used during class and during any test and the final
exam. You are not required to have one, but you may find it useful here and in other classes. Many
types are available but examples in the book and by me are geared towards Texas Instruments (TI)
models 83, 83+, 84, 84+, etc. that are readily available at retail stores and online.

E. Study Requirements: It is important to study two hours for each class hour. In Mathematics you
learn by doing:
1. Read the assigned section of the textbook and go over all example problems.
2. Do assigned homework problems. Check your answers in the back of the book, in the
solutions manual if you have it, or in the next class.
3. Do not hesitate to get extra help from me, a friend, or the Tutoring Center.

F. Study Skills: Another objective for this course is to increase your awareness of how personal habits
and attitudes influence your success in this class, in other classes, and in your employment. Some
works habits to practice include:
1. Setting realistic goals and developing plans of action to achieve them.
2. Taking responsibility for your learning by monitoring your progress and making changes
in behavior as necessary.
3. Setting and meeting deadlines.
4. Setting priorities and using time efficiently.
5. Using outside resources to reach your goal.

By fulfilling the requirements, making a point of seeing me during my office hours and availing
yourself to the support services of the Tutoring Center, you will attain the skills necessary to be
successful in this course.

V) Withdrawal
Withdrawal is allowed up to Tuesday, April 7, 2009, and can be accomplished by filling out the
appropriate form which you may obtain at the reception desk, from the UBC administrative suite,
or in the Admissions Office. After that date, you may not withdraw from the course.

VI) Extra Help

A. My office hours are listed at the top of this sheet. If you cannot be available during scheduled
hours, we can select a time which is mutually convenient.

B. Tutoring help is available, free of charge, in the Tutoring Center in Upper Bucks Campus room
126, across from the Library, or at the Newtown Campus on the first floor of the Library in room
L121. Their hours are listed at the BCCC web site.

C. Use the Student Solutions Manual if you have it.

D. If you have them, watch the video tutor discs to see alternate explanations of the material on your
PC.

E. If you have a MyMathLab access code, you can use the many study aids that are available there.

F. See my web site for links to several online help locations.

G. All students with disabilities are required to register with the Office for Disability Services on
campus for the provision of appropriate accommodations. If you have a documented disability
which requires classroom accommodations, please notify me.

H. Student Services has counseling available if you have a personal, family, work or similar problem
that you would like to discuss. They also publish short TIPS for common student problems. A
link to these is shown at my web site.

VII) Please read the statement on cheating and plagiarism on page 159 of the current BCCC
Catalog (2008-2010). College policies will be strongly enforced! Penalties for cheating are severe and
range from a requirement to redo the work, an automatic failing grade for the work, automatic withdrawal
or failure of the course, up to a three year suspension from the college.

VIII) Attendance

A. I expect you to attend every class unless absence is unavoidable. Excessive absence may result in
my filing an instructor-initiated Withdrawal. I follow the syllabus rigorously, so if you do need to
miss a class because of illness or an emergency, you will know exactly what was discussed and
what homework was assigned.

B. You should plan your day such that you can arrive to class on time and stay until the end. If you
know that you will be delayed or must leave early, it would be considerate of you to email me
ahead of time. It’s not necessary to call the college.

C. Please show respect during class for me and your fellow students by not having side
conversations, keeping your cell phone off or its ringer set to quiet, staying awake, not eating in
class, etc.

IX) Grading Procedures

A. There will be four in-class tests. Randomly selected homework problems will form a portion of
each test grade. A departmental Final Examination will be scored as the equivalent of two tests
and will cover material from the entire course.

B. I normally prepare a pretest as a review for each test and publish the content, answers, and
solutions at my web site.

C. In determining the Final Course Grade, the lowest of the six grades will be dropped and the
remaining five will be averaged. The standard BCCC scale will be used for the course grade:
A 90-100 
B+ 87-89
B 80-86
C+ 77-79
C 70-76
D 60-66
D+ 67-69
F 0-59

D. Mid-term grades will be reported as a “S”atisfactory if your average at that point is 70 or greater.
Otherwise, I will report an “U”nsatisfactory.

E. I will keep an up-to-date list of test grades at the class web site. I will ask you to make up a sixdigit
number to identify yourself in that list.

F. If you know that you will be absent for a scheduled test, speak to me ahead of time. I may be able
to set up an alternate testing date at the UBC or Newtown Testing Center.

G. If you are absent for a scheduled test without alerting me, then that will become your drop grade.
If you are absent for more than one test, the Final Examination grade will be used to replace that
missing grade. No make-up tests will be given. No extra credit work is available.

H. All students must take the Final Examination in order to receive a passing grade.

I. You have the responsibility to, and are urged to, retain all graded work until you receive your final
grade from the college for this course. If you believe your grade is incorrect, refer to the “Academic
Policies” section on page 135 of the 2008-2010 BCCC Catalog for more information.