MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

DIVISION OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS

COURSE NUMBER: MAT 090 (and equivalents MAT 087, MAT 088, and MAT 089)

COURSE NAME: Beginning Algebra

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A review of basic topics in arithmetic and algebra. Arithmetic topics include operations on the natural numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals. Algebra topics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and factoring of polynomial expressions; solving linear equations and inequalities; applying the properties of exponents; solving quadratic equations by factoring; and graphing linear equations in two variables. PREREQUISITE: None

TEXT:

Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, A Unified Approach, 1st edition, Hutchison, Bergman, and Hoelzle, McGraw Hill COURSE OBJECTIVES:
  In general, the objective of this course is to provide the student with a review of elementary arithmetic and to introduce topics from elementary algebra. More specifically, the following goals will be attained:
    1. To review addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, the order of operations, and the properties of real numbers, including integers, fractions, decimals and percents.
    2. To add, subtract, multiply and divide algebraic expressions.
    3. To apply the properties of exponents to algebraic expressions.
    4. To solve linear equations and inequalities.
    5. To factor algebraic expressions.
    6. To solve quadratic equations by factoring.
    7. To graph and manipulate linear equations and inequalities in two variables.
STUDENT COMPETENCIES:

In order to successfully meet the course objectives, students will be able to:

    1. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, apply the order of operations, and apply the properties of real numbers to integers, fractions, decimals and percents.
    2. Plot real numbers on the number line.
    3. Add, subtract, multiply and divide algebraic expressions.
    4. Evaluate algebraic expressions given a specified value for the variable.
    5. Simplify algebraic expressions by applying the properties of exponents.
    6. Solve linear equations (inequalities) using the appropriate properties of equality (inequality).
    7. Solve linear application problems.
    8. Solve literal equations and formulas.
    9. Factor out the greatest common factor in a polynomial.
    10. Factor trinomials.
    11. Factor the difference of two squares.
    12. Factor the sum or difference of two cubes.
    13. Solve quadratic equations by factoring.
    14. Solve quadratic application problems.
    15. Plot ordered pairs in the rectangular coordinate system.
    16. Graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables.
    17. Determine the slope of a line.
    18. Determine the equation of a line.
COURSE OUTLINE: I. From Arithmetic to Algebra
    1. Exponents and Order of Operations
    2. Translation to Algebraic Expressions
    3. Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
    4. Adding and Subtracting Algebraic Expressions
    5. Sets
II. Equations and Inequalities
    1. Solving Equations by Adding and Subtracting
    2. Solving Equations by Multiplying and Dividing
    3. Literal Equations and Their Applications
    4. Solving Linear Inequalities
III. Graphs and Linear Equations
    1. Solutions of Equations in Two Variables
    2. The Cartesian Coordinate System
    3. The Graph of a Linear Equation
    4. The Slope of a Line
    5. Forms of Linear Equations
IV. Polynomials
    1. Positive Integer Exponents and Monomials
    2. An Introduction to Polynomials
    3. Polynomials: Addition and Subtraction
    4. Multiplication of Polynomials and Special Products
V. Factoring Polynomials
    1. An Introduction to Factoring
    2. Factoring Special Polynomials
    3. Factoring Trinomials
    4. Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring