MATH 120-02 Precalculus
Syllabus for Fall 2007

Tues & Thurs, 8:00 – 9:50am

329 Pasteur Hall

Prerequisite: MATH 050 or a qualifying score on the mathematics placement exam

Text & Calculator:  Precalculus by Stewart, Redlin, & Watson (5th Ed.)

Course Website:     http://course1.winona.edu/eerrthum/math120

Instructor: Dr. Eric Errthum                          Office: 203L Stark Hall

Winona Email Username: eerrthum             Office Phone: 474-5775

Office Hours:  See schedule on my home page.

Grading:   Quizzes (9 @ 15 points each, drop lowest)               120 points--- 14%
                  Homework (scaled as needed)                                  130 points--- 15%
                  Midterms (4 @ 100 points)                                       400 points--- 47%
                  Final                                                                           200 points--- 24%
                                                                                                     --------------
                                                                                                     850 points total

                  The Review Exam will not count toward your overall grade.

Grades:  A = 90% (765 pts), B = 80% (680 pts), C = 70% (595 pts), D = 60% (510 pts)

Quizzes:    We will have a short quiz every week (except for exam weeks). Each quiz will count for 15 points and the lowest quiz score will be dropped from your grade.

Exams:     There will be five in-class exams and one comprehensive final exam. Exam dates are tentative until officially announced in class. The final exam is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 3:30 – 5:30pm.

Homework:    Homework will be assigned daily and will be collected the following Tuesday. Questions on the quizzes and exams will be based on assigned homework. Group work is allowed, however each person must hand in their own answers in their own words. Homework can be found on and must be submitted through the MATH120 dropbox on D2L.

Extra Credit: Periodically extra credit homework assignments may be given. These points earned through extra homework go only toward homework points and only a maximum of 130 points total will be given for homework. Likewise, extra credit problems on quizzes apply only to the 120 points allocated for quizzes.

Technology:   Graphing calculators are not required. However, they are highly recommended, preferably a Texas Instrument. During exams (except the review exam) you will be allowed to use calculators. You MAY NOT use your cell phone, laptop, PDA, or other device capable of electronic communication in place of a calculator. Contact the instructor if you are having difficulties obtaining a calculator.

Resources: There is a text book and two student study guides under “Math 120, Joyati Debnath” in the reserve section of the library. Department tutors are available Monday through Thursday from 4pm-8pm in the room GI328/329. Click here for the schedule. Also, there will be special weekly MATH120 tutoring sessions with the following schedule:

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30pm: Minné Hall, Rm 103
Fridays, 12:00 – 1:00pm: Gildemeister Hall, Rm 326

Attend one or attend all. The more you participate the more you’ll learn and the higher the grade you will achieve.

Late/Missed Work:   Late homework or missed quizzes will result in a score of zero. There are no make-up quizzes. Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes and assignments from fellow students. If you have an unavoidable absence, please inform the instructor beforehand.

Academic Dishonesty:  Any type of academic dishonesty (cheating, copying, etc.) will result in failure and will be reported to school authorities. If you are having trouble with an assignment, please see the instructor first.

Note:   This syllabus is subject to change if deemed necessary by the instructor.

 

Tentative Schedule of Events – Math 120

(subject to change)

 

Week Beginning

Tuesday

Thursday

8/27

Chapters 1 & 2
Review
HW #1: (pg 131) chap 1: 7, 11, 19, 21, 35, 51, 63, 73, 83, 89, 101, 123-128
HW #2: (pg 234) chap 2: 3, 7, 17, 29, 31, 41, 45, 53, 61, 67, 73, 78

ExCr #1: Read pp 138-141, and do problems 4, 9, 13, 24

ExCr #2: (pg 224): 1-5

Review cont.

REVIEW EXAM

9/3

3.1 & 3.2
Polynomials and their graphs
Dividing Polynomials
HW #4: (pg 262) 3.1: 5-10, 17, 33, 41, 63, 77
HW #5: (pg 270) 3.2: 7, 17, 45, 51, 57

3.2 cont. & 3.3
Real Zeroes of Polynomials
HW #6: (pg 279) 3.3: 11, 17, 29, 47

ExCr #3: (pg 284): 2-4

Quiz: 3.1 – 3.2

9/10

3.4 & 3.5
Complex Numbers
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
HW #7: (pg 289) 3.4: 27, 33, 59
HW #8: (pg 298) 3.5: 23, 33, 43

3.6
Rational Functions
Chapter 3 Review
HW #9: (pg 312) 3.6: 5, 11, 23, 45, 61, 77
HW #10: (pg 317) Review: 11, 15, 25, 31, 41, 65

Quiz: 3.3 – 3.5

9/17

EXAM I

4.1 & 4.2
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
HW #11: (pg 336) 4.1: 13, 19-24, 39, 43, 64
HW #12: (pg 349) 4.2: 29, 41-46, 53, 81

ExCr #4: (pg 341): 1-5

9/24

4.3, 4.4, & 4.5
Laws of Logs
Logarithmic and Exponential Equations
HW #13: (pg 356) 4.3: 27, 28, 42, 43, 60
HW #14: (pg 366) 4.4: 8, 20, 32, 46, 57, 75, 80
HW #15: (pg 379) 4.5: 6, 12, 23, 27, 32, 37

5.1 & 5.2
The Unit Circle and Trig Functions
HW #17: (pg 406) 5.1: 16, 26, 42

Quiz: Chapter 4

10/1

5.2, 5.3 & 5.4

Trig Functions, cont.
Graphs of Trig Functions

HW #18: (pg 416) 5.2: 8, 14, 19, 30, 65, 82

HW #19: (pg 429) 5.3: 12, 20, 31, 41-48, 59, 69, 77

HW #20: (pg 441) 5.4: 18, 26, 38

ExCr #5: (pg 433): 1-4

Chapters 4 & 5 Review
HW #16: (pg 383) Review: 8, 18, 50, 59, 86
HW #21: (pg 455) Review: 14, 21, 32, 44, 59

Quiz: Chapter 5

10/8

EXAM II

6.1, 6.2 & 6.3
Angle Measure, Right Triangles,

Trig Functions of Angles

HW #22: (pg 474) 6.1: 8, 16, 50, 60, 70
HW #23: (pg 478) 6.2: 16, 22, 40, 45, 60

HW #24: (pg 495) 6.3: 10, 22, 38, 44, 61, 66

ExCr #6: (pg 499): 6-9

10/15

6.4 & 6.5
Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
HW #25: (pg 506) 6.4: 8, 14, 22, 32, 33
HW #26: (pg 513) 6.5: 14, 24, 37, 42

7.1, 7.2 & 7.3
Trig Identities
Addition and Subtraction Formulas
HW #28: (pg 533) 7.1: 28, 37, 42, 56, 60, 76
HW #29: (pg 539) 7.2: 28, 32, 38

Quiz: Chapter 6

10/22

7.3, 7.4 & 7.5
Double-Angle & Half-Angle Formulas
Inverse Trig Functions
Trig Equations
HW #30: (pg 548) 7.3: 30, 62
HW #31: (pg 557) 7.4: 4, 10, 18, 26

HW #32: (pg 568) 7.5: 4, 18, 36, 56, 68

ExCr #7: (pg 560): 1-2

Chapters 6 & 7 Review
HW #27: (pg 516) Review: 9, 12, 26, 66
HW #33: (pg 571) Review: 4, 11, 28, 36, 42

Quiz: Chapter 7

10/29

EXAM III

8.1 & 8.2
Polar Coordinates, Graphs & Equations
HW #34: (pg 586) 8.1: 13-20, 32, 36, 42-45, 51-56
HW #35: (pg 594) 8.2: 1-6, 43-46

Polar Coordinate Module

Polar Graphing Module

(Note: These files require Mathematica 6,
which is available to any student
with a university laptop)

11/5

8.3

Euler’s Formula (not in the text)
DeMoivre's Theorem
HW #36: (pg 603) 8.3: 8, 14, 16, 20, 22, 38, 50, 58, 67, 79

Roots of Complex Numbers

(Note: This file requires Mathematica 6,
which is available to any student
with a university laptop)

9.1 & 9.2

Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

HW #37: (pg 642) 9.1: 6, 10, 28

HW #38: (pg 649) 9.2: 12, 22, 32, 46, 51

Quiz: Chapter 8

11/12

9.3 & 9.8
Systems of Linear Equations in Several Variables

Partial Fraction Decomposition
HW #39: (pg 657) 9.3: 6, 11, 12, 32

HW # 40: (pg 720) 9.8: 12, 16, 20, 26, 30, 34

ExCr #8: (pg 660): 1-3

10.1, 10.2 & 10.3
Parabolas, Ellipses, Hyperbolas
HW #41: (pg 751) 10.1: 1-6, 43
HW #42: (pg 759) 10.2: 1-4, 19, 20
HW #43: (pg 768) 10.3: 1-4, 20

Quiz: Chapter 9

11/19

Review

No Class
Thanksgiving Break

11/26

EXAM IV

11.1, 11.2, & 11.3
Sequence and Sum Notation
Arithmetic & Geometric Sequences
HW #44: (pg 830) 11.1: 8, 14, 30, 46, 64
HW #45: (pg 837) 11.2: 20, 36, 48
HW #46: (pg 844) 11.3: 20, 24, 36, 44, 48

HW #44, 45, 46 due on 12/6

12/3

11.3, cont.

Final Review

Quiz: Chapter 11

 

 

Final Exam: Wednesday, December 12, 3:30 – 5:30pm

 

 

Welcome to college math!

 

If this is your first math class taken in college, there are some important things you need to know. College math classes are run very differently from high school math classes. On the surface it may seem they are similar as you listen to the lecture and take notes, but there are significant underlying differences. Knowing these ahead of time can help you make the most of this coming semester.

 

#1: College math classes generally stay on the schedule in the syllabus. If there is one day allotted to the topic that is probably all of the class time that will be spent on it, even if “most” of the students “don’t get it.”

 

#2: It is expected that you will read the text and do the problems in order to learn the material, even if no one checks up on you. The instructor might never collect the homework, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect your grade.

 

#3: You will sometimes be responsible for material in the textbook that is not covered in class. If there is a text reading and/or homework problems covering a concept that was not discussed in class, you are still expected to learn it. If you don’t understand it, make an appointment with your instructor for help.

 

#4: Some material is covered only in class, is not in the textbook, and may not have any homework problems on it. If you miss class, you may miss content that you are responsible to know. If you have an unavoidable absence, be sure to get the notes and any announcements from a classmate.

 

#5: There will be test questions that don’t look “just like the homework.” In college, you are expected to focus on learning the concepts, not just memorizing how to do certain types of problems. These concepts can – and will – appear in very different forms on tests and quizzes.

 

#6: At times you will be expected to be able to explain why a problem is done a certain way in addition to being expected to do the problem. As you work on problems in class and on homework, don’t be satisfied with getting the correct answer; ask yourself why that method is logical, and how you could explain that logic to someone else.

 

#7: Most importantly, you are responsible for your own learning. If you attend class faithfully, get the notes and announcements if you have an unavoidable absence, read the text, do the homework and question yourself (as in #6), and still don’t understand something, it is up to you to get the extra help you need. Visit the instructor during office hours or make a special appointment to ask questions, form a study group, etc. There are many resources and people willing and happy to help, but you need to take the initiative and seek out the help you need.

 

Good luck on a happy and successful semester!

This course can be used to satisfy the University Studies requirements for Basic Skills in Mathematics.  This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to…

a.         use logical reasoning by studying mathematical patterns and relationships;

Math 120 includes functional notation and identifies and uses the combination of functions, such as sums, products and compositions. Formulas are written that involve variation.

Understanding the relation between exponential and logarithmic functions and the simplification of expressions using the trigonometric identities are covered.

 

b.         use mathematical models to describe real-world phenomena and to solve real-world problems - as well as understand the limitations of models in making predictions and drawing conclusions;

Linear models for bivariate functions, exponential models for growth or decay, and periodic models with trigonometric functions are differentiated, studied and used. Properties of trigonometric quantities are examined by the use of the unit circle.  

 

c.         organize data, communicate the essential features of the data, and interpret the data in a meaningful way;

The domain and range of a function are found and functional notation is used to show the relation between variables. The average rate of change is calculated from a graph, a function or a table.

 

d.          express the relationships illustrated in graphical displays and tables clearly and correctly in words;

The student is able to express solution sets correctly with a number line graph by using interval notation and inequalities. Students identify and express the characteristics of the graphs of powers, polynomials, rational functions, exponential, and trigonometric functions.

This includes increasing/ decreasing intervals, curvature, local optima, long-term behavior of functions when given a function, a formula, or a graph.  Explanations of how transformations change the characteristics of a function and graphing the transformed function are done.

 

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence:  WSU recognizes that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences.  If you feel your differences may in some way isolate you from WSU’s community or if you have a need of any specific accommodations, please speak with the instructor early in the semester about your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an active and engaged member of our class and community. 

 

Campus Resources (Short version):

 

Campus Resources (Long version):

 

The Standard Disclaimer applies.