PreAlgebra Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

MAT 051 is designed as a review of the basic operations of arithmetic and an
introduction to algebra. The course is not designed for college transfer. The student
must earn a grade of “C” or higher in order to enroll in MAT 052. In addition, the student
will need to enroll in MAT 052, MAT 061, and MAT 062 before progressing to transferlevel
mathematics courses. This course will cover the integers, fractions and decimals;
ratio, proportion and percent; prime numbers, factoring; exponents; and solving
equations.

PREREQUISITES: None

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Perform arithmetic operations with integers, rational numbers (fractional, decimal,
and mixed number forms), real numbers, algebraic expressions and polynomials.
2. Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable.
3. Solve and graph linear equations in two variables.
4. Learn and apply the rules (laws) of exponents.
5. Perform geometric concepts of perimeter and area.
6. Understand the basic concepts of square roots.
7 Find the least common multiple (LCM) using the prime factorization method
applying concepts of prime numbers and divisibility tests.
8. Convert numbers to their fractional, decimal, and percent forms and apply these
concepts to solve basic percent problems.
9. Apply the order of operations to numerical and algebraic expressions.
10. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems involving right triangles.
11. Use algebra as a strategy to solve word problems.
12. Solve real-life applications of percent problems.

COURSE OUTLINE:

A. INTEGERS
1. Introduction to Integers
2. Adding Integers
3. Subtracting Integers
4. Multiplying and Dividing Integers
5. Order of Operations
6. Solving Equations: The Addition and Multiplication Properties

B. SOLVING EQUATIONS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
2. Solving Equations: Review of the Addition and Multiplication Properties
3. Solving Linear Equations in One Variable
4. Linear Equations in One Variable and Problem Solving

C. FRACTIONS
1. Introduction to Fractions and Mixed Numbers
2. Factors and Simplest Form
3. Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
4. Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions, Least Common Denominator and
Equivalent Fractions
5. Adding and Subtracting Unlike Fractions
6. Complex Fractions and Review of Order of Operations
7. Operations on Mixed Numbers
8. Solving Equations Containing Fractions

D. DECIMALS
1. Introduction to Decimals
2. Adding and Subtracting Decimals
3. Multiplying Decimals and Circumference of a Circle
4. Dividing Decimals
5. Fractions, Decimals, and Order of Operations
6. Equations Containing Decimals
7. Decimal Applications: Mean, Median, and Mode

E. RATIO AND PROPORTION
1. Ratios and Rates
2. Proportions
3. Proportions and Problem Solving
4. Square Roots and the Pythagorean Theorem
5. Congruent and Similar Triangles

F. PERCENT
1. Percent, Decimals, and Fractions
2. Solving Percent Problems with Equations
3. Solving Percent Problems with Proportions
4. Applications of Percent
5. Percent and Problem Solving: Sales Tax, Commission and Discount
6. Percent and Problem Solving: Interest

G. GRAPHING AND INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
1. Reading Pictographs, Bar Graphs, Histograms, and Line Graphs
2. Reading Circle Graphs
3. The Rectangular Coordinate System and Paired Data
4. Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables

H. POLYNOMIALS
1. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
2. Multiplication Properties of Exponents
3. Multiplying Polynomials
4. Introduction to Factoring Polynomials

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Required Materials. The textbook, along with the usual notebook, paper, pencils,
straight-edge, etc. represent the required materials for the class. Calculators may not
be used on any test until Chapter 6. Starting with Chapter 6, a scientific calculator
capable of finding square roots will be required.

Homework Practice. Homework will be assigned for each section of the text that is
covered. Homework may be collected for a grade. The student should do the problems
assigned as a minimum to attain the skill necessary to do well in the course. You are
responsible for doing at least the odd numbered problems in each practice set, as well
as the margin exercises. The student should expect to spend about two hours of study
outside of class for each hour of class time.

Attendance. Attendance in this class is both expected and required. John A. Logan
College's attendance policy will be enforced:

1. Students are expected to attend all scheduled class periods for the courses in
which they are enrolled unless they are participating in a scheduled, supervised
college trip or function. There are no excused absences or minimum number of
class "cuts." All absences must be made up in a manner acceptable to the
instructor.

2. A student who is absent from a class for three consecutive meetings or who is
excessively absent as defined by the instructor (more than 6 absences), without
prior approval, may be required by the instructor to meet with the department
chair before being readmitted to the class. Students who claim illness as a
cause for excessive absences may be required to present a physician's
statement before being readmitted to class.

3. Each student will be given 50 attendance points that will be added to their total
points accumulated from homework, quizzes, or tests under the following
conditions:
a. 10 points will be deducted for each absence.
b. 5 points will be deducted for each time the student is tardy or leaves early.
c. No more than a total of 50 points can be deducted during the semester.

Student Success Center. Tutors may be obtained through the Student Success Center.
Contact the staff in C219 if this service is desired. John A. Logan College will make
reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities under Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Any student with a disability that may have some impact on work in this class, who feels
she/he needs an accommodation, should make an appointment with the Coordinator of
Services for Students with Disabilities on campus, Jennifer Frost, Room C219B, Ext.
8516. Before services can be provided, this advisor must determine eligibility and
arrange appropriate academic adjustments. It is the student's responsibility to
register in advance of a school term with this office and to turn in a schedule
each term to ensure that there is every opportunity for success in this class.

English Writing Center/Tutoring: For assistance with writing assignments in any college
course, students are encouraged to visit “The Write Place” in E109. English instructors
are available for one-on-one tutoring each semester during hours posted at the center.

Financial Aid. Students who receive financial assistance and completely withdraw from
classes prior to 60% of the semester being completed (approximately 2-3 weeks after
midterm) could be responsible to return a portion of their Federal Pell Grant award.
Prior to withdrawing from courses, students should contact the Financial Aid Office.

Course Withdrawal Information. It is expected that you will attend this class regularly.
If you stop attending for any reason, you should contact your advisor and withdraw
officially to avoid the posting of a failing grade (an E) to your transcript. It is also
advisable to discuss the situation with your instructor before dropping.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:

Tests. There will be eight standardized chapter tests counting 100 points each. Limited
partial credit may be given on tests. Students will not be given any of the tests to take
home. No books or notes will be allowed on any test.

Final Exam. A 200-point comprehensive final exam will be given. All students are
required to take the final exam.

Graded homework: Assignments may be collected and graded. A quiz may be given
and may or may not be announced. These homework assignments and quizzes will
total no more than 100 points.

Retake Policy: A retake is an opportunity for a student to take a chapter test a second
time. The retake is not the same test, but one similar to the tests given in class. Retake
tests will be given outside the regular class period in the Learning Lab. The student will
be required to show a picture ID before taking the retake test. Each student will be
permitted to retake three tests during the semester. The student will be given the better
of the two grades. Each retake test has a maximum of a two-hour time limit. Students
are limited to one retake and/or make-up test per day in the Learning Lab.

***The first retake B covering Chapters 2-3-4 should be taken within one week following
the completion of Chapter 4.

***The second retake B covering Chapters 5-6-7 should be taken within one week
following the completion of Chapter 7.

***The third retake B covering Chapters 8 or 10 should be taken prior to the first day of
final exam week.

Any adjustments granted to the above schedule must be discussed and approved
by the instructor.

In order to be allowed to take a retake test, the student must take the test on the day it
is scheduled, unless the student has discussed the excused absence with the instructor
prior to the test.

Make-up Policy. Only those students who have a valid excuse as approved by the
instructor and who have discussed the absence with the instructor prior to the test may
make up a missed test. That make-up test should be taken prior to that chapter test
being returned to the class and discussed. If the student does not take the test the day
it was scheduled, that test grade is a zero. The student’s only recourse is to use their
retake for the missed test, if approved by the instructor.

Grading scale:

NOTE: Successful completion means completion of this course with a "C" or
better.

METHOD OF PRESENTATION:

Primary method is lecture and class discussion involving assigned problems.
Independent study may be utilized on some topics. The student can obtain additional
help through (1) school tutoring (free) in the Math Help Room, (2) videotapes available
in the Learning Lab, or (3) the instructor during office hours or by appointment.