20804202Intermediate Algebra 1
Course Information
Description
Understand the structure of the real numbers (their construction, operations and properties); solve first degree (linear) equations and inequalities in one variable; graph first degree equations and inequalities in two variables; be introduced to the concept of the function and the use of functional notation; solve systems of equations in a two-dimensional Cartesian plane; perform algebraic operations on polynomials; factor algebraic expressions; solve polynomial equations by factoring and solve applications problems that relate to all of the above.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Use the real number system
    Assessment Strategies
    by a satisfactory score on all tests, quizzes, or graded assignments incorporating this competency
    Criteria
    you identify the different sets of real numbers
    you graph real numbers on the number line
    you add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers
    you manipulate expressions using the correct order of operations
    you simplify expressions with exponents and radicals
    you recognize and use the commutative, associative, and distributive laws and the additive and multiplicative identities and inverses on algebraic expressions
    you definesthe absolute value of a real number
    you translatesphrases and sentences into algebraic form

  2. Solve linear equations and linear inequalities
    Assessment Strategies
    by a satisfactory score on all tests, quizzes, or graded assignments incorporating this competency
    Criteria
    you solve equation in one variable
    you solve formulas for a specific variable
    you generate equations from specific equation
    you solve applications using formulas and linear equations
    you solve simple linear inequalities in one variable

  3. Demonstrate graphing skills on a Cartesian coordinate plane
    Assessment Strategies
    by a satisfactory score on all tests, quizzes, or graded assignments incorporating this competency
    Criteria
    you plot ordered pairs, reads coordinates, identifies x- and y- intercepts
    you calculate the slope between two points
    you identify the slope of a line on the x-y plane
    you use slope to determine if two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither
    you graph a line give its slope and a point on the line or two points on the line or give a slope and the y-intercept
    you write the equation of a line in standard or in point-slope form
    you graph any linear equation
    you determine if a rational equation is a function

  4. Solve systems of equations that involve 2 equations in two unknowns
    Assessment Strategies
    by a satisfactory score on all tests, quizzes, or graded assignments incorporating this competency
    Criteria
    you solve a system of linear equations by graphing, elimination, and substitution
    you classif systems as being either consistent, inconsistent, dependent or independent
    you translate applications problems into appropriate methods
    you solve applications problems by using appropriate methods

  5. Perform operations on exponents and polynomials
    Assessment Strategies
    by a satisfactory score on all tests, quizzes, or graded assignments incorporating this competency
    Criteria
    you apply power, product, and quotient rules to integer exponents
    you perform operations in scientific notation
    you add and subtract polynomials
    you multiply polynomials
    you use special product rules
    you divide polynomials
    you divide using synthetic division

  6. Factor polynomials
    Assessment Strategies
    by a satisfactory score on all tests, quizzes, or graded assignments incorporating this competency
    Criteria
    you factor out the greatest common factors
    you factor trinomials
    you factor out the difference of two squares, of two cubes, and the sum of two cubes
    you factor by grouping
    you factor by substitution
    you use the zero factor property to solve polynomial equations
    you solve application problems involving the use of the zero factor property