Moraine Valley Community College

Course Syllabus

Date: 01/18/11
Course Title: College Algebra (Functions)
Course Number: MTH 141
Semester: Spring, 2011

I. Faculty Information
A. Instructor: Dr. Kristen R. Schreck
B. Office: D112
C. Office Phone: 708-974-5614
D. Office Hours: M Noon – 1:00 pm
W 10:00 – 11:00 am
T/R 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Also by appointment.
E. Mailbox location: D108
F. Instructor’s E-mail: [email protected] (note the extra "k")
G. Email Policy: 1) Students must use the e-mail account provided by
MVCC as the official means of email communication
for all business related to this course. Any email that
does not come directly from your MVCC
([email protected]) account may be
filtered as spam or junk mail or will be deleted.

2) The subject line of all emails to the instructor should

begin with the course number and section: MTH 141-301

II. Course Identification

A. Credit hours: 4
B. Total contact hours: Lecture: 0 Lab: 0
C. Class meetings: Since this is an online course, there are no
on-campus class meetings for this course. However,
students must take the four exams and the final exam on
campus.
D. Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math, including advanced algebra,
and appropriate placement test score, or MTH-098 with a
grade of "C" or better.
E. Catalog description: This functions approach to college algebra includes
polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic
functions. Effective and efficient use of graphing
calculators will be an integral part of the course.

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III. Textbooks and Supplies
A. Required Textbook (physical copy of textbook or e-book is acceptable):
1. Hornsby, Lial, and Rockswold, A Graphical Approach to College
Algebra, 4th Edition, 2007.
2. Student’s Solutions Manual by Randy Krieger and Terry A. Krieger
B. Required Supplies:
1. CourseCompass/MyMathLab (MML) Access Code.
The MML Access Code comes free with any new textbook purchased
in the MVCC Bookstore for MTH 141 Section 301. Or, you may
purchase the MML Access Code separately online and it will include
the e-book (an online multimedia version of the textbook – chapters
can be printed). If you purchase the MML Access Code separately, it
can only be purchased online at:
http://www.coursecompass.com/website/student_register.html
Note: The MVCC Bookstore does not sell the MML Access Code
separate from the textbook.

2. Also required is a graphing calculator: TI-83/84 series. Note that the

use of calculators may be restricted on quizzes and exams, including
the final exam.

IV. Learning Outcomes

The student will:
A. correctly interpret and manipulate the following “basic” functions by graphical and
algebraic means: constant, linear, square, cubic, reciprocal, square root, cube root,
absolute value, greatest integer, logarithm with base a > 1, natural logarithm,
exponential with base a >1.
B. find the domain, symmetries, zeros, intercepts, vertex, and asymptotes for functions
of the following categories: quadratic, elementary higher degree polynomial, rational,
radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
C. sketch the graph for functions in these same categories.
D. solve application problems which are modeled by functions in these same categories.
E. find the inverse function for a one to one function and state the domain and range of
both the function and the inverse function.
F. solve exponential and logarithmic equations.
G. use graphing calculators for graphing functions and fitting a regression line to a set of
data points.

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V. Classroom Policies/Procedures
A. Attendance:
• This is an online course -- there are no regular on-campus class
meetings.
• All exams will be taken on campus (see sections below on Testing Center
and Grading Policies).
• As a student enrolled in this course, you are responsible for
your own learning, specifically, you are responsible for the course material and
assignments given on the MVCC MTH 141-301 BlackBoard website, for
following this Syllabus and the Course Schedule, for reading the textbook, and for
the assignments given on the CourseCompass/MyMathLab (MML) website.

B. Cheating/Plagiarism: Any form of academic dishonesty (plagiarizing/cheating)

will result in a grade of “0” on that particular assignment/exam. A repeated
offense results in failure of the course. In addition, students will be issued
official notification of this action which will become part of his/her permanent
record.

C. Student Conduct: Each student is responsible for adhering to the Code of Student
Conduct as stated in the college catalog.

D. Course Withdrawal: A student who does not officially withdraw from this course will
receive a grade of “F” which will become a part of the student’s permanent record.
The course withdrawal date is listed in the General Information Sheet (see separate
file).

E. Testing Center: The Testing Center (B101) will be used for all exams.
The test number for all exams in this course is #489 – you must give this number
to Testing Center personnel every time you take an exam. In addition, you
are required to present your MVCC Photo ID in order to take an exam in the Testing
Center. A driver's license will NOT be accepted. MVCC Photo ID’s may be obtained
in the Student Union. Pay close attention to the hours of operation of
the Testing Center which can be found on the General Information Sheet.
WARNING: Do not arrive close to the time when the Testing Center is closing, you
will not be allowed to take the exam. SPECIAL NOTE: The Testing Center will be
providing TI-83/84 calculators to use for all exams – students must use the Testing
Center calculators when taking an exam. No student may use his or her own personal
calculator in the Testing Center when taking an exam.

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F. Resources/Tutoring: To be successful in this online course you need to be able to
study on your own, carefully follow the Course Schedule, and submit all
assignments on time. While such independent work can be very rewarding, online
courses often demand more time than on-campus classes do. It is imperative, then, that
you familiarize yourself with the structure of the course from day one to ensure that
you do not get behind in your coursework

It is your responsibility to see the instructor if you are having difficulties in mastering
the course objectives. Please do not delay in seeking help. In addition, there is free
tutoring by mathematics faculty and qualified students available in the Tutoring
Center (L200) on a walk-in basis.

VI. Online Homework Assignments, Online Practice Exams, Written Worksheet

Assignments, On-Campus Exams, On- Campus Final Exam, and Grading
Policies

A. Online Homework Assignments: At the end of this syllabus is a list of the textbook
problems that have been assigned for the course. The Online Homework problems
are taken from (are a subset of) this list of problems. Students are strongly
encouraged to work through the textbook problems given in the list in addition to
working through each Online Homework Assignment (or Practice Exam). The more
problems you do, the more successful you will be in this course.

To complete the Online Homework Assignments, students will logon to the

CourseCompass/MyMathLab (MML) website using the Access Code that either
came with a new textbook purchased in the MVCC Bookstore or a code that was
purchased separately at www.coursecompass.com.

Students should go to the MVCC MTH 141-301 BlackBoard course

website set-up by the instructor and click on the “MML” menu button for detailed
information on how to access and submit the Online Homework and Online Practice
Exams.

There are 12 Online Homework Assignments.

Each Online Homework Assignment is worth 12 points.
The two lowest Online Homework scores will be dropped.
Missed Online Homework Assignments will earn a score of zero.

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The sections covered in each Online Homework Assignment are listed in the
following table. Due dates are given in the Course Schedule.

Online
Homework
Assignment Sections Covered
Week 1 1.1, 1.2
Week 2 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
Week 3 1.6, 2.1
Week 5 2.2, 2.3
Week 6 2.5, 2.6, 3.1
Week 7 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Week 9 3.5, 3.6
Week 10 3.7, 3.8
Week 11 4.1, 4.2
Week 13 5.1, 5.2
Week 14 5.3, 5.4
Week 15 5.5, 5.6

B. Online Practice Exams: There will be four (4) Online Practice Exams also taken at
CourseCompass/MyMathLab.

Each Online Practice Exam is worth 25 points.

The lowest Online Practice Exam score will be dropped.
Missed Online Practice Exams will earn a score of zero.

The sections covered in each Online Practice Exam are listed in the table
below. The due dates are given in the Course Schedule.

Online
Practice Sections Covered
Exam
1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1
2 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
3 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2
4 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6

C. Worksheet Assignments: There will be four hand-written worksheet assignments

each worksheet is worth 20 points. Each worksheet will be provided online (at least) one
week before the due date. See the Course Schedule for the Worksheet due dates.

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D. On-Campus Exams: There will be four (4) on-campus exams that cover the sections
listed below. Each exam is worth 100 points. The lowest exam score (excluding the
final exam) will be dropped. No make-up exams will be given. Missed exams will
earn a score of zero.

Exam Sections Covered

1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1
2 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
3 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2
4 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6

E. Procedures for Taking the On-Campus Exams: The four on-campus exams must be
taken on campus in the Testing Center (B101). You will have three days (Tuesday,
Wednesday, or Thursday) to take an exam during each exam week (the days for the final
exam are slightly different). The specific dates on which each exam is to be taken are
given in the Course Schedule. Reminders of exam dates will be given on the
Announcements page of the MVCC MTH 141-301 BlackBoard course website
throughout the semester. The Testing Center number for this course is #489. An MVCC
ID is required for the Testing Center – do not go to the Testing Center without your
MVCC Photo ID. The location and hours for the Testing Center are listed on the General
Information sheet on the MVCC MTH 141-301 BlackBoard course website.

F. On-Campus Final Exam: The final exam is worth 150 points. The final exam is
comprehensive and must be taken on campus during the final exam week – the exact
dates are provided in the Course Schedule listed below. There is no make-up if you
miss the final exam. The final exam score is never dropped. If you miss the final
exam for any reason, a zero will be recorded as the final exam score.

G. Grades: The following grade scale will be used:

Grade Average
A 90% or above
B 80-89.9%
C 70-79.9%
D 60-69.9%
F Below 60%

Grade Distribution:
Online Homework Assignments (best 10 of 12) 120 points
Online Practice Exams (best 3 of 4) 75 points
Worksheet Assignments (4) 80 points
On-campus Exams (best 3 of 4) 100 points
On-campus Final Exam 150 points
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VII. Course Assignments
The problems in the Online Homework and the Online Practice Exams are taken from
problems similar to those listed in the table below. The following is a list of the sections
to be covered in MTH 141 in the text, A Graphical Approach to College Algebra, 4th
Edition. The answers to the odd–numbered exercises, all the Chapter Review Exercises,
and the Chapter Tests are given in the back of the text beginning on page A–1. Worked-
out solutions with step–by–step annotations can be found in the (optional) Student’s
Solutions Manual. Remember: The more problems you do – the more successful you will
be in this course.

Section Read Do Exercises

Pages
Chapter 1 Linear Functions,
Equations, and Inequalities
1.1 Real Numbers and the 2–7 5–23 odd, 24, 25–33 odd, 39,
Rectangular Coordinate 40, 41, 43, 45, 55, 57, 59, 65,
System 67, 71, 75, 77, 81, 85–93 odd
(part a only), 107
1.2 Introduction to Relations and 12–19 1–6 all, 15–61 odd
Functions
1.3 Linear Functions 23–32 1, 3, 5, 9, 13–21 odd, 22, 23–33
odd, 34, 35, 39–45 odd, 47–54
all, 55–61 odd, 65–68 all, 69–
83 odd
1.4 Equations of Lines and Linear 36–45 1–9 odd, 10, 11–49 odd, 63–69
Models odd, 71–76 all
1.5 Linear Equations and Inequalities 51–55 1–9 odd, 10, 11–17 odd, 21–39
odd
1.6 Applications of Linear Functions 69 33, 35, 53, 55

Chapter 2 Analysis of Graphs

2.1 Graphs of Basic Functions and 90 – 100 1–10 all, 11–45 odd, 49–73 odd
Relations; Symmetry
2.2 Vertical and Horizontal Shifts of 103–107 1–9 odd, 11–19 all, 21–26 all,
Graphs 27–41 odd, 43–46 all, 47–55
odd, 61
2.3 Stretching, Shrinking, and 113–121 1–21 odd, 22, 23–59 odd, 63–
Reflecting Graphs 73 odd, 87, 89, 91
2.5 Piecewise–Defined Functions 138– 141 1–7 odd, 9–12 all, 16, 21–24
all, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43
2.6 Operations and Composition 149–154 1–6 all, 7–19 odd, 21–27 odd
(omit domain), 29, 31, 33, 45,
49, 57–63 odd (omit domain),
65–68 all, 71–74 all, 77,79

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Chapter 3 Polynomial Functions
3.1 Complex Numbers 174–179 1–27 odd, 41–61 odd, 69–74
all, 85–97 odd
3.2 Quadratic Functions and Graphs 181–189 1–4 all, 5–37 odd, 39–42 all,
47–59 odd
3.3 Quadratic Equations and 194–200 9–59 odd, 67, 69, 77–89 odd,
Inequalities 103, 117
3.4 Further Applications of Quadratic 208–211 1, 2, 3, 5 (omit part d), 6, 7–25
Functions and Models odd
3.5 Higher–Degree Polynomial 218– 226 17, 21, 25–35 odd, 37–40 all,
Functions and Graphs 41–65 odd
3.6 Topics in the Theory of 232–238 13–49 odd, 53–71 odd
Polynomial Functions (I)
3.7 Topics in the Theory of 240–246 1, 3, 5, 13–35 odd, 37–44 all,
Polynomial Functions (II) 47–55 odd, 75
3.8 Polynomial Equations and 254–256 53 & 54 (omit part d), 56
Inequalities

Chapter 4 Rational, Power, and

Root Functions
4.1 Rational Functions and Graphs 271–275 1–17 odd, 19-33 odd (omit
draw sketch by hand), 35–38
all
4.2 More on Graphs of Rational 277–286 1–8 all, 9–17 odd, 18, 19–63
Functions odd, 71–75 odd, 81, 83, 89, 90

Chapter 5 Inverse, Exponential,

and Logarithmic Functions
5.1 Inverse Functions 339–345 1–65 odd, 73–97 odd, 103–109
odd, 113, 115
5.2 Exponential Functions 350–359 13–18 all, 19–63 odd, 65–69
odd (part a only), 77, 79, 81,
86, 87
5.3 Logarithms and Their Properties 363–371 1–95 odd, 23, 29-95 odd
5.4 Logarithmic Functions 374–380 1–13 odd, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29,
31–38 all, 39–47 odd, 53–59
odd, 65, 67, 69
5.5 Exponential and Logarithmic 384–390 1 and 3 (part a only), 5–51 odd,
Equations and Inequalities 55–61 odd, 71–74 all, 77, 83,
87, 89
5.6 Further Applications and 394–398 1–9 odd, 15, 21, 23, 24, 39, 50,
Modeling with Exponential and 52, 53
Logarithmic Functions

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