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Intermediate algebra |
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Date
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Activities |
| ANN: You will see Chapter O (Orientation) Homework and Section 13.1 Homework assignments are both due on MML on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The first is an introductory assignment that will help familiarize you with the interface of MML. We will cover section 13.1 this Thursday and so it will come due the following Tuesday. In class, I introduced the class by referring to the syllabus and mentioning a few extra tidbits. Read it and make sure you understand what is expected of you. I referenced the Math Resource Center which is our tutoring location and gave out a handout with their information. They are available online and in-person this semester. I talked about MyMathLab (MML) which is described on the syllabus. I even did a brief demonstration to show it off and get you started. You should thoroughly read the syllabus and get MML set up before next class when we will start the math! Students completed First Day Questions so that I may know a bit of your histories. | |
Aug. 25 |
ANN: You will see Chapter O (Orientation) Homework and Section 13.1 Homework assignments are both due on MML on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The first is an introductory assignment that will help familiarize you with the interface of MML. ANN: I reminded students of my late policy. You are allowed to do MML homework late but problems done after the due date are worth only 50% of the original credit. Problems done before the due date are counted fully even if you do some problems in an assignment late. Read the syllabus for details on the late policy. In class, we covered the Class Notes for 13.1. I handed out two worksheets. They are Graphing calculator basics and Things to know about your calculator to help you get started on the graphing calculators. I will collect Graphing calculator basics Tuesday as your first graded paper worksheet. People who have TI84 calculators should follow instructions for the TI83 if no TI84 instructions are listed. With this exception in mind, you can skip paragraphs that talk about calculators other than yours. (I do have somewhat outdated instructions for the TI85 and 86 which are older models and very few people have them.) If you do not have a calculator yet, you can get an app for your phone (preferably the TI app) or borrow a calculator at the Math Resource Center (CM 233) on the second floor. |
| ANN: You will see Chapter O (Orientation) Homework and Section 13.1 Homework assignments are both due tonight at midnight in MML. In class, I collected Graphing calculator basics and we then covered the Class Notes for 13.2. We discussed Tips for factoring trinomials of the form x^2 + bx + c and Rules for Divisibility that were mentioned in the 13.2 Notes. We completed (and collected for a grade) PairDoThis: Factoring trinomials which is mentioned on page 4 of the Notes. If you need to make this up, have a friend make up a trinomial as instructed or come to office hours and I will be be your partner. We did finish the Class Notes for 13.2 so do work on that homework as soon as you can. | |
Sep. 1 |
[Friday, Sep. 2 is the last day to drop the course for a full refund.] ANN: Section 13.2 Homework in MML will be due next Tuesday, Sep. 6 since we finished those Class Notes this week. The Section 13.3 Homework and Section 13.4 Homework assignments will both be due the following Tuesday, Sep. 13. You should work on them as soon as you can even though we will be finishing up our discussion next week. In class, we worked on the Class Notes for 13.3/13.4 (combined). The majority of our time was spent working on the worksheets. I did cover the definition of a perfect square trinomial at the bottom of page 1 of the Notes, but then we went on to cover three of the four-part worksheet series (stapled together and handed out in class). We started with Factoring trinomials: Part 1: Introduction, Factoring by grouping, and A-C Method which is actually covered in 13.4 in the book. The A-C method is what the book calls "factoring by grouping" in section 13.4. On this worksheet, we discussed pages 1, 2, 4, and 5, leaving page 6 as extra practice. We then covered most of Factoring trinomials: Part 2: Reverse FOIL Method which is covered in section 13.3 in the book, calling it "trial and error". On this worksheet, we covered through page 3 and will continue next time. We will cover another method next time and there is a fourth available under Assorted Handouts and Tutorials called Factoring trinomials: Part 4: Upside Down method. |
| ANN: Exam 1 over chapter 13 is scheduled for Tues., Sep. 20. We will meet in NU L201. It is a computer classroom where we can all have our own computers. We will take the exam in MML and then return to our regular classroom at 11:00 to continue on with new material. Be sure to arrive on time as we have little time reserved in the room. ANN: I explained the grading process on paper worksheets. First, a checkmark means an answer is correct. If an answer has been marked down, you will see "-1/2" or the like next to it to its left. I then add the points taken off for each page, putting that number in the bottom left corner of each page. I then add those numbers up and subtract from 10, giving you a grade out of 10. You will see the grade on the first page next to your name. All paper worksheets are worth 10 points so they count all the same. I do post these grades in the MML Gradebook so you can keep track of them. In class, we finished the Class Notes for 13.3/13.4 by finishing the Factoring Trinomials worksheet packet handed out last time. Specifically, we covered letter b on page 4 of Factoring trinomials: Part 2: Reverse FOIL Method from last time. On this worksheet, I will leave problems a and c on page 4 for practice. We then discussed Factoring trinomials: Part 3: Cross-product method and Wrap-up which is essentially just another way to write this method. On this worksheet, we covered page 1 leaving the rest as practice. Also available under Assorted Handouts and Tutorials is Factoring trinomials: Part 4: Upside Down method. This is a method you may have seen (or not). I just like to give as many methods as I can so you can find the one you like best. Several of my worksheet packets I handed out actually do have the Part 4 worksheet as well; it is optional and will not be covered in class unless someone asks. We then returned to the Class Notes for 13.3/13.4 to do page 2. We skipped PairDoThis: Factoring trinomials 2 due to a photocopying error. We then started the Class Notes for 13.5, getting through example 6. | |
Sep. 8 |
ANN: I realized after class last time that the Class Notes for 13.5 I handed out that were labeled "Section 6.5" but then I had crossed that off and replaced it with "13.5" were missing pages 4-5. I handed out those pages to people who needed them. [It turns out that noone in the class today needed them.] If you need them still, please print them for yourself or come to me. ANN: I mentioned that I post paper worksheet grades in MML so they will show up with your other grades in the MML Gradebook. ANN: Exam 1 over chapter 13 is scheduled for Tues., Sep. 20. We will meet in NU L201. It is a computer classroom where we can all have our own computers. We will take the exam in MML and then return to our regular classroom at 11:00 to continue on with new material. Be sure to arrive on time as we have little time reserved in the room. In class, we finished the Class Notes for 13.5 and then started the Class Notes for 13.6, getting through example 6. [I did not mention this in class but there is a worksheet with these Notes that will be assigned next time.] |
| ANN: Exam 1 over chapter 13 is scheduled for Tues., Sep. 20. We will meet in NU L201. It is a computer classroom where we can all have our own computers. We will take the exam in MML and then return to our regular classroom at 11:00 to continue on with new material. Be sure to arrive on time as we have little time reserved in the room. You are allowed to use your homework notebook, Notes, book (available online), and non-phone calculator. If you are using a phone app for your calculator, please borrow a calculator from CM 233. You will see a Chapter Review Homework that is due along with this week's Section Homework Assignments in MML. These will be due Mon., Sep. 19 as they need to be done before the exam. In class, we finished the Class Notes for 13.6. A worksheet (stapled to the Notes as given in class), Solving Equations by Factoring, will be due Thursday. We then started the Class Notes for 13.7, getting through example 5. A worksheet (stapled to the Notes as given in class), Story problem pieces, is attached and should be done if you have trouble with story problems. It will not be collected. In fact, its Solutions are listed under Assorted Handouts and Tutorials. | |
Sep. 15 |
ANN: Exam 1 over chapter 13 is scheduled for Tues., Sep. 20. We will meet in NU L201. It is a computer classroom where we can all have our own computers. We will take the exam in MML and then return to our regular classroom at 11:00 to continue on with new material. Be sure to arrive on time as we have little time reserved in the room. You are allowed to use your homework notebook, Notes, book (available online), and non-phone calculator. If you are using a phone app for your calculator, please borrow a calculator from CM 233. You will see a Chapter Review Homework that is due along with this week's Section Homework Assignments in MML (13.6 and 13.7). These will be due Mon., Sep. 19 as they need to be done before the exam. In class, I collected Solving Equations by Factoring. We then finished the Class Notes for 13.7. |
| ANN: Several people had time issues with the Exam. We had a bad start with the computers not working right and so many were probably frazzled; I know I was. I will be emailing you about some oppotunity to retake or continue the exam. I do not know what exactly is possible in MML. Expect an email from me today or tomorrow. Respond if you want to take part. If you did not take the Exam today, expect an email from me about a makeup. In class, we started off in room NU L201 to take the Exam 1. We then met in our regular room and started the Class Notes for 14.1, getting through page 1. I assigned the worksheet Simplifying rational expressions: Cancelling common factors to be done for Thursday. | |
Sep. 22 |
ANN: I am offering a retake opportunity for Exam 1 on Tuesday, Sep. 27. If you did not get the grade you want or you still need to take it, we will meet in room NU L101. Bring a laptop if you can since the computers may be in bad shape as in the room we used on Tuesday. You are still allowed to use your Notes, homework, and calculator. Be sure they are organized. You will be given 1.5 hours for the exam this time (and for all other exams this semester). In class, I collected Simplifying rational expressions: Cancelling common factors and we worked to finish the Class Notes for 14.1 (skipping example 10) and then went on to work on the Class Notes for 14.2, getting through example 3. I will be postponing the due date for this 14.2 Homework in MML but you should try to work on it while it is fresh if you can. |
| We retook Exam 1. If you missed it today, I will be sending a makeup exam for you to the Haskell Testing Center. I will also send you an email to you with the details. | |
Sep. 29 |
ANN: Exam 1 went better for most, if not all, students. I may be adding a small amount after all makeup exams are in. That would be to counteract the effect of the harsh MML grading. In class, we discussed the worksheet Simplifying rational expressions: Cancelling common factors and the process by which we check algebraic simplifications. It is important to use the order of operations in original expressions to simplify them and not use the very "simplification" we are trying to check. I showed a student's paper who did this correctly. We then returned to the Class Notes for 14.2, finishing them. After that, we covered the Class Notes for 14.3, finishing them. |
| ANN: Exam 2 over chapter 14 and section 16.2 is scheduled for Thursday, October 13. We will meet in NU L201 again so if you have a laptop, please bring it. You will need to complete all MML homework to a score of at least 20% for the exam to open. This includes the Chapter Review Homework (combined chapter 14 and section 16.2). In class, we covered the Class Notes for 14.4. The worksheet Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions should be done for Thursday; it will be collected. We then started the Class Notes for 14.5, getting through the paragraph about cross-multiplying on page 3. | |
Oct. 6 |
Class cancelled due to teacher illness. |
| ANN: We will skip 14.6, finishing up lecturing today and taking the Exam 2 (Chapter 14 (without 14.6) and Section 16.2) Thursday, Oct. 13 as planned. We will meet in NU L101 so if you have a laptop, please bring it. You are allowed to use your homework notebook, Notes, book (available online), and non-phone calculator. You will need to complete all MML homework to a score of at least 20% for the exam to open. This includes the Chapter Review Homework (combined chapter 14 and section 16.2). The due dates for Sections 14.5 and 14.6 and the Chapter 14 Review Homework are curtailed and so are Wed., Oct. 12. In class, I collected Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions and we finished the Class Notes for 14.5. We then covered the Class Notes for 16.2. The worksheet Solving absolute value equations is attached as extra practice but will not be collected. | |
Oct. 13 |
In class, we took Exam 2. If you missed it today, I will be sending a makeup exam for you to the Haskell Testing Center. I will also send you an email to you with the details. |
| ANN: Remember that you can do late MML work for half credit. You must get all late work from chapters 13-16 done by Oct. 25. ANN: The exam scores were low. I will be adding a curve when all makeups are in. In class, we worked on the Class Notes for 17.1, getting through example 6. The worksheet, Domain of Radical Functions, will be assigned when we get to that place in the Notes but we did not today. | |
Oct. 20 |
Class cancelled due to illness. |
| [This is the last day you can do late MML work from chapters 13-16.] We finished the Class Notes for 17.1. The worksheet, Domain of Radical Functions, is due Thursday. We then went on to cover the Class Notes for 17.2, getting through example 4. | |
Oct. 27 |
ANN: I have curved the Exam 2 scores significantly. In class, I collected Domain of Radical Functions from last time and we finished the Class Notes for 17.2. We then started the Class Notes for 17.3, getting through example 9. |
| We finished the Class Notes for 17.3. We covered the Class Notes for 17.4. We started the Class Notes for 17.5, getting through example 3. | |
Nov. 3 |
ANN: Exam 3 over chapter 17 is set for Thurs., Nov. 17. We will meet in NU L101. You need to have 20% on all homework for the exam to open. You can use Class Notes, homework, calculator, and book (online). ANN: There is no school next Tuesday, Nov. 8. In class, we finished the Class Notes for 17.5 and then started the Class Notes for 17.6, getting through example 5. The worksheet, Solving radical equations with verbal models, will be due next Thursday. |
| No class; college closed for Election Day | |
Nov. 10 |
I Zoomed class due to illness. We finished the Class Notes for 17.6. Here is the video we made. The 17.6 worksheet will be collected next time. https://lewisclark.zoom.us/rec/share/oeMp6ZsRyTlVs7GvRld |
| ANN: Exam 3 will still be Nov. 17. I Zoomed class due to illness. We covered the Class Notes for 17.7. Here is the video we made. The 17.6 worksheet will be collected next time. https://lewisclark.zoom.us/rec/share/DnpKXJ4038zZ3X2 zsOFwjaNMsjssyq9bSy7CSkEqz_CZSZdojsi-9PhGNB8hV3Jj.tCqMhCtMqLpEla9Q Passcode: L*1z^@W1 |
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Nov. 17 |
[Friday, Nov. 18 is the last day to withdraw (grade of W) to avoid a D or F.] I collected Solving radical equations with verbal models. We took Exam 3. If you need to make it up, look for an email from me. |
| We started the Class Notes for 18.1, getting through example 5. We also completed example 10 so that all we have to do next time is the completing the square material. | |
Nov. 24 |
No class; college closed for Thanksgiving |
| ANN: Exam 4 over chapter 18 will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13. That will be the last day we meet, unless there is a snow day and school is cancelled between now and then. In class, we worked to finish the Class Notes for 18.1 and then started the Class Notes for 18.2, getting through example 5. Next class period, we will be working to program calculators. If you have a TI83 or 84 calculator, I will show you how. Be sure to bring it. Attached to these Notes are the three handouts Instructions for programming your calculator (TI82, 83, 84, 85, 86), Quadratic formula program for the TI-83, and QUADFORM program instructions. We will use them next time. | |
Dec. 1
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ANN: Exam 4 over chapter 18 will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13. That will be the last day we meet, unless there is a snow day and school is cancelled between now and then. In class, we finished the Class Notes for 18.2 and then started the Class Notes for 18.3, getting through example 5. I will postpone the MML homework for 18.3 but do start on it if you can. We will have to program our calculators next time. |
| ANN: Exam 4 over chapter 18 will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13. That will be the last day we meet. In class, we finished the Class Notes for 18.3 and then covered the Class Notes for 18.5. (We are skipping 18.4.) There was a bad typo in the Notes. On page 3, variation 4 was described as a reflection over the y-axis. That is wrong. It should say it is a reflection over the x-axis. We had class over Zoom; here is the link and password to the video we made. https://lewisclark.zoom.us/rec/share/83k_Ojepgw549B68f 6T9i60xODkspWqf5Iwvv82y7RQ2hPGJUlqlYyL7gl56r-p-.qxz3v-MvAoqIq1bd Passcode: 4$iGOiNS |
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Dec. 8 |
ANN: Exam 4 over chapter 18 will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13. That will be the last day we meet. ANN: Remember you can do late MML work from chapters 6-8 for half credit. In class, we covered the Class Notes for 18.6. We did not have time to program the TI calculators. The handouts from 18.2 Notes, Instructions for programming your calculator (TI82, 83, 84, 85, 86), Quadratic formula program for the TI-83, and QUADFORM program instructions, can be used without me. If you want to try it on your own, please ask if you run into trouble. The first handout gives general instructions on programming the calculators. The second gives the program itself with some instructions. The third gives instructions on how to use the program once it is programmed. |
| ANN: Remember you can do late MML work from chapters 17-18 for half credit. In class, we took Exam 4. If you missed it, look for an email from me about making it up. | |
Dec. 15 |
Last day to complete MML work. No class scheduled. Period may be used in case of a snow day. |