MATH 120-05 Precalculus
Syllabus for Spring 2009

Tues & Thurs, 9:00 – 10:50am

B8 Stark 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: 124A Gildemeister Hall

Winona Email Username: eerrthum             Office Phone: 474-5775

Office Hours:  See schedule on my home page.

Grading:   Quizzes (10 @ 15 points each, drop lowest)            135 points---- 15.00%
                  Homework (scaled as needed)                                  130 points---- 14.45%
                  Midterms (4 @ 100 points)                                       400 points---- 44.45%
                  Final                                                                          200 points---- 22.22%
                  Assessment Participation (if enrolled)                        35 points----- 3.88%
                                                                                                    --------------

                                                                                                     900 points total

Grades:  A = 90% (810 pts), B = 80% (720 pts), C = 70% (630 pts), D = 60% (540 pts)

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

Exams:     There will be four in-class exams and one comprehensive final exam. Exam dates are tentative until officially announced in class. The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 – 8:00pm in Pasteur 133. Note: This is NOT the standard time for the final exam listed on the Registrar’s webpage.

Homework:    Homework will be assigned daily and will be collected on quiz days. Problem numbers can be found on the course webpage and are subject to change. Always check the course webpage for up-to-date problem numbers. Most, but not all, questions on the quizzes and exams will be based on assigned homework and “Suggested” problems. Groups up to three people are allowed to work together on homework, but make sure that everyone is contributing equally and that all names are on the assignment when you hand it in.

Extra Credit: Periodically extra credit homework assignments may be given. The 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 135 points allocated for quizzes.

Assessment Participation:     This class will be part of a study to examine the effects of different homework arrangements on student success. Being a part of the study is optional. Participation and completion of the assessment surveys will enhance your grade by 35/35 points.

Technology:   Graphing calculators are not required. However, they are highly recommended, preferably a Texas Instrument. Most exams will be split into two sections: one with calculators allowed, and one without. 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: The Mathematics Achievement Center (MAC) is located in Gildemeister 135. The MAC will be staffed with one or two tutors Monday through Thursday, 10am – 7pm.  The MAC will be open from 8am – 9pm, M-Th and open during the day on Friday for student use (even though tutors may not be present).  Wireless and wired access is available.

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 understanding something on a quiz or exam, ask the instructor. Working in groups on the homework is allowed, however it is to your benefit to be an active participator in that group.

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

1/12

Introductions

Chapters 1 & 2 Review

HW #1: (pg 10) 26, (pg 22) 70, (pg 32) 76, (pg 42) 44, (pg 55) 62, (pg 69) 30, (pg 85) 70, (pg 99) 60, (pg 121) 18

HW #2: (pg 155) 26, 48, (pg 168) 56, (pg 179) 2, (pg 190) 2, 4, (pg 210) 10, 14, (pg 220) 40, (pg 231) 38
ExCr #1: Read pp 138-141, and do problems 2, 4, 14, 18, 24, 26

ExCr #2: (pg 224): 1 – 5

Review cont.

ASSESSMENT SURVEY

1/19

Quiz: Chapters 1 & 2

3.1 & 3.2
Polynomials and their graphs
Dividing Polynomials

HW #3: (pg 262) 5 – 10, 26, 28, (Suggested: 13, 17, 21)

3.2 cont. & 3.3
Real Zeroes of Polynomials

HW #4: (pg 270) 4, 28, 58, 62

HW #5: (pg 279) 4, 18, 42, 52

ExCr #3: (pg 284): 2 – 4

1/26

Quiz: 3.1 – 3.3

3.4 & 3.5
Complex Numbers
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

HW #6: (pg 289) 12, 18, 26, 42, 60

HW #7: (pg 298) 4, 10, 32, 38, 54

ExCrs #1 & #2 Due
3.6
Rational Functions

Asymptotes

HW #8: (pg 312) 6, 18, 22, 38, 50, 62

2/2

Quiz 3.4 – 3.6

4.1 & 4.2
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

HW #9: (pg 336) 18, 19 – 24, 40, 66

HW #10: (pg 349) 4, 10, 20, 32, 62, (Suggested 41 – 46)
ExCr #4: (pg 341): 1 – 5

4.3, 4.4, & 4.5
Laws of Logs
Logarithmic and Exponential Equations

HW #11: (pg 356) 8, 24, 30, 42, 44

HW #12: (pg 366) 8, 12, 22, 32, 44

HW #12: (pg 379) 8, 14

2/9

Quiz 4.1 – 4.5

Chapters 3 & 4 Review

EXAM I

2/16

NO CLASS

University Assessment Day

ExCrs #3 & #4 Due
5.1 & 6.1
The Unit Circle and Angle Measure

HW #13: (pg 406) 12, 20, 26, 32, 34, 48

HW #14: (pg 474) 2, 14, 44, 50, 52

2/23

6.2, 5.2, 6.3

Right Triangles,

Trig Functions

HW #15: (pg 484) 2, 8, 14, 16, 36, 40

HW #16: (pg 416) 8, 16, 30, 54

HW #17: (pg 495) 26, 28, 38, 44, 48

ExCr #5: (pg 499): 6 – 9

Quiz 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 – 6.3

5.3, 5.4 & 5.5

Trig Graphs

Modeling Harmonic Motion

HW #18: (pg 429) 16, 18, 34, 42, (Suggested 9, 11, 23)

HW #19: (pg 441) 1 – 6

HW #20: (pg 451) 10, 32

ExCr #6: (pg 433): 1 – 4

3/2

SPRING BREAK

3/9

6.4 & 6.5
Law of Sines and Law of Cosines

HW #21: (pg 506) 4, 8, 18

HW #22: (pg 513) 4, 8, 16, 22, 24

Quiz 5.3 – 5.4, 6.4, 6.5

Chapters 5 & 6 Review

3/16

EXAM II

ExCrs #5 & #6 Due

7.1 & 7.4
Trig Identities
Inverse Trig Functions

HW #23: (pg 533) 8, 16, 18, 22 (Suggested: 29, 35, 39, 41, 49)

HW #24: (pg 557) 4, 14, 22, 42, 44

ExCr #7: (pg 560): 1 – 2

3/23

8.1 & 8.2
Polar Coordinates, Graphs & Equations
Polar Coordinate Module

Polar Graphing Module

(Note: Right-click and “Save File As…” to download.
Then open with Mathematica.)

HW #25: (pg 586) 14, 16, 18, 20, 26, 28, 36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 56

HW #26: (pg 594) 1 – 6, 43 – 46

ExCr#8: (pg 587): 61, (pg 596): 55 – 57

Quiz 7.1, 7.4, 8.1 & 8.2

8.3
Complex Numbers in Polar Form
Euler’s Formula (not in the text)
DeMoivre's Theorem
Roots of Complex Numbers

(Note: Right-click and “Save File As…” to download.
Then open with Mathematica.)

HW #27: (pg 603) 26, 36, 40, 50, 60, 66, 70, 78, 90
(For 26, 36, 40, 50, 60, 78, put answers in Euler’s Form)

3/30

7.2, 7.3 & 7.5
Addition and Subtraction Formulas
Double-Angle & Half-Angle Formulas
Trig Equations

HW #28: (pg 539) 8, 10, 12, (Suggested: 27, 33, 39)

HW #29: (pg 548) 2, 22, 32, 36, (Suggested: 61, 65)

HW#30: (pg 568) 4, 14, 32, 36

Quiz 7.2, 7.3, 7.5 & 8.3

Chapters 7 & 8 Review

4/6

EXAM III

ExCrs #7 & #8 Due

9.1, 9.2 & 9.3

Systems of Equations in More Than One Variable

HW #31: (pg 642) 6, 34, 48

HW #32: (pg 649) 10, 16, 44, 46
HW #33: (pg 657) 18
ExCr #9: (pg 660): 1 – 3

4/13

10.1, 10.2 & 10.3
Parabolas, Ellipses, Hyperbolas

HW #35: (pg 751) 1 – 6

HW #36: (pg 759) 1 – 4

HW #37: (pg 768) 1 – 4

Quiz 9.1 – 9.3, 10.1 – 10.3

 11.1
Sequence and Sum Notation
HW #38: (pg 830) 8, 14, 38, 46, 66

4/20

11.2 & 11.3
Arithmetic Sequences
Geometric Sequences

HW #39: (pg 837) 34, 36, 50
HW #40: (pg 844) 34, 46, 50

Quiz 11.1 – 11.3

Chapters 9 – 11 Review

4/27

EXAM IV

ExCr #9 Due
ASSESSMENT SURVEY

Final Review

 

 

Final Exam: Wednesday, May 6th, 6:00 – 8:00pm in Pasteur 133.

(Note: This is NOT the standard time or the standard room.)

 

 

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.