MAT 1033 - Intermediate Algebra

Mathematics Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2022 (610)

Requisites

Prerequisite Appropriate score on the SPC mathematics placement test or
Prerequisite Completion of required developmental education coursework

Course Description

Major topics include: factoring, algebraic fractions, radicals and rational exponents, complex numbers, quadratic equations, rational equations, linear equations and inequalities in two variables and their graphs, systems of linear equations and inequalities, introduction to functions, and applications.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will apply concepts of solving equations and inequalities by:
    1. identifying the slope and y-intercept of a line graphically and algebraically.
    2. writing the equation of a line given two points or one point and the slope.
    3. solving systems of linear equations in two variables graphically and algebraically.
    4. solving systems of linear inequalities in two variables by graphing.
    5. translating applied problems from their verbal descriptions into linear equations and solving the problem.
    6. solving literal equations.
  2. The student will apply concepts of solving nonlinear equations and simplifying nonlinear expressions by:
    1. solving quadratic equations by factoring.
    2. solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
    3. solving quadratic equations that result in complex number solutions.
    4. solving application problems which require the use of quadratic equations.
    5. simplifying and performing arithmetic operations with radical expressions.
    6. multiplying and dividing exponential expressions with rational exponents.
    7. solving radical equations involving one radical expression (square root).
    8. solving quadratic equations using the square root method.
  3. The student will perform the methods of factoring polynomials by:
    1. factoring using the greatest common factor.
    2. factoring by grouping.
    3. factoring trinomials of the forms x2+bx+c, ax2+bx+c, and perfect square trinomials.
    4. factoring the difference of squares.
    5. factoring the sum and difference of cubes.
  4. The student will apply concepts of rational expressions by:
    1. performing arithmetic operations on algebraic fractions including monomial, binomial, and trinomial denominators.
    2. simplifying rational expressions.
    3. solving rational equations.
  5. The student will perform the basic concepts of functions by:
    1. using functional notation to evaluate a function.
    2. graphing a linear function.
    3. applying the vertical line test.
    4. identifying the domain and range of a function.

Criteria Performance Standard

In order to earn a grade of C or better, the student will achieve at the 70% level or higher on classroom measures. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 8/84, DBT 11/19/91, Effective Session 19912. 3 YR C&I Review 8/95. C & I 11/25/97; DBT 12/15/97, Effective Session 19981. Online 19982. 3 year review 2001. Effective 20052(0360). Flex Access 20091(0415). 3-Year Review 2009 Amended prerequisites effective 20112(0450). C&I Approval: 11/08/2005, BOT Approval: 12/20/2005, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2015 (505). C&I Approval: 11/21/2014, BOT Approval: 02/17/2015, Effective Term: Fall 2015 (505).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2022 (610)