Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

10834110Elementary Algebra with Applications

Course Information

Description

This course offers traditional algebra topics with applications. Learners develop algebraic problem solving techniques needed for technical problem solving and for more advanced algebraic studies. Topics include linear equations, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions, and roots and radicals. Successful completion of this course prepares learners to succeed in technical mathematics courses.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Perform basic operations with real numbers

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers

you evaluate numerical expressions using exponents

you evaluate expressions containing parenthesis

you evaluate expressions using the order of operations

you evaluate algebraic expressions
Solve linear equations

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you identify like terms

you solve one step linear equations

you solve linear equations with the variable on one side of the equation

you solve linear equations with the variable on both sides of the equation

you solve factional equations

you rearrange formulas
Use formulas to solve problems

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you solve proportions

you solve application problems using proportions

you solve equations for a specified variable

you find the value of a variable in a given formula
Use the rules of exponents

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you simplify expressions using positive exponents

you simplify expressions using negative exponents

you use exponents to express a number in a scientific notation

you change a number from scientific notation to decimal notation
Perform operations with polynomials

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you perform addition of polynomials

you perform subtraction of polynomials

you perform multiplication of polynomials

you perform division of polynomials
Apply factoring methods

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you find the greatest common factor

you factor binomials

you factor trinomials

you factor polynomials with four terms

you factor polynomials completely
Perform basic operations with rational expressions

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you reduce rational expressions to lowest terms

you multiply rational expressions

you divide rational expressions

you add rational expressions

you subtract rational expressions

you simplify complex fractions
Solve rational equations

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you solve rational equations using proportions

you solve rational equations by clearing the equation of fractions

you determine if roots are extraneous roots
Graph algebraic equations

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you plot ordered pairs on the X-Y axes

you graph lines on the X-Y axes

you find a slope of a line given two points

you determine the slope and the Y-intercept given the equation of the line

you graph the solution to quadratic equations

you determine equations of lines
Solve systems of equations

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you determine the solution to a system by graphing

you determine the solution to a system using the addition-subtraction method

you determine the solution using the substitution method
Perform basic operations with roots and radicals

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you simplify radicals using numerical values

you simplify radicals using algebraic terms

you use pythagorean theorem to solve problems

you simplify distance formula
Solve quadratic equations

Assessment Strategies

by completing assignments, quizzes, lab work, and tests with a satisfactory score as detailed in the grading scale

by active participation in class discussion and activities

Criteria

you solve quadratics by factoring

you solve quadratics by completing the square

you solve quadratics by using the quadratic formula

you identify the number of roots for any quadratic equation by using the discriminant