Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Telephone: 925-283-2101 x3307
Email Address: fkral
Homework and more information: teach.kralsite.com reachable through the usual Bentley School faculty page.
Course Description
Building upon Algebra I and Geometry, this course integrates reading, writing, and problem-solving skills so that the student is well prepared for college mathematics. Students develop skills in handling complex algebraic expressions as well as reading mathematics and writing results in a technical manner. Emphasis is placed upon a solid grounding in functional analysis and mathematical modeling. Topics covered include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and inverse functions, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, sequences and series, and probability.
Required text and supplemental materials
- Larson, Ron and Robert Hostetler, Algebra and Trigonometry, 7th Edition, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. ISBN: 0-618-64321-4. Required. Note: this is the 7th edition.
- Student Solutions Guide for Larson/Hostetler's Algebra and Trigonometry, 7th, 7th Edition. ISBN: 0-618-64323-0. Recommended.
- Student companion website to the textbook, http://college.cengage.com/mathematics/larson/algebra_trig/7e/resources.html. Recommended. Note the "navigate by chapter" menu.
- Web searching, wikipedia.org and reputable websites such as Ask Dr. Math (http://mathforum.org/dr.math/) and Paul's Online Math Notes (http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu). Strongly recommended.
- Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator (Plus and Silver Editions are OK). TI-Nspire with a TI-84 face plate is also OK. Required.
- Organizer of paper: holes punched and not; pencils (mechanical suggested); cover for textbook.
Course Outline
| Chapter P | Real Numbers, Expressions, and the Rectangular Coordinate System | |
| Chapter 1 | Equations, Inequalities, and Mathematical Modeling | |
| Chapter 2 | Functions: Graphs, Transformations, and Inverses | |
| Chapter 3 | Polynomial Functions | |
| Chapter 5 | Exponential and Logarithmic Functions | |
| Chapter 9 | Systems of Equations and Inequalities | |
| Chapter 11 | Sequences, Series, and Probability | |
| Chapter 4 | Rational Functions and Conic Sections | |
| Selected Topics from | ||
| Chapter 10 | Matrices and Determinants | |
| Chapter 6 | Trigonometry |
Assessment
| Homework: timely completion of homework assignments. Assessed formally and informally. | 1 point per homework |
| Review homework: timely completion of representative problems in preparation for tests and exams. | 10 points per review |
| Quizzes: written and graphical solutions of problems similar to homework problems. | 50 points per quiz |
| Mid-Trimester Tests: written and graphical solutions of problems from recent material. | 200 points per test |
| End-Trimester Examinations: written and graphical solutions of problems from the whole trimester (comprehensive). | 20% of course grade |
| In-Class work: positive energy and interest level, relative to individual capability, during in-class work including discussion, working on investigations, and practice during class. Assessed informally. | 10 points per week |
Course Rules
Each student is expected to abide by the Bentley rules in the Student Handbook. In addition, you may not re-take quizzes, tests or exams for credit and there is no extra credit. You may work with other students as long as you share the work. It is wise to put the name of each contributing student on an assignment to avoid issues with plagiarism. I encourage study groups.
Please see the web site for other information including assignments.