MTH 111 Precalculus

Text

Fundamentals of Precalculus 2^nd edition, by M. Dugopolski, Pearson Publishing (Custom Edition for URI or Standard Edition)

Calculators

A calculator is not needed on exams. Exam permitted calculator.

• Basic function (+, -, ×, ÷) calculators are the ONLY calculators permitted on exams (e.g. TI-108).
• A cellphone CANNOT be used as a calculator!
• Examples of calculators not permitted on exams. (The list is not complete.)
  • Graphing calculators (e.g. TI-89)
  • Scientific calculators (e.g. TI-34).

• Online homework will be administered using the free system WeBWorK.
• Log in at https://webwork.math.uri.edu/webwork2/mth111_fall2015/ Your username is your URI student ID number, and your default password is the first eight letters your last name in all lowercase letters. Ignore spaces and characters other than letters. Use your entire last name if it contains eight or less letters. Some examples: Tim Smith, Jr., password: smithjr Bob Jones-Smith, password: jonessmi John O'Sullivan, password: osulliva Please change your password as soon as you log in. This will be in the upper left menu.
• All questions about online homework system WeBWorK, please email mth111webwork@gmail.com

• Each weekly assignment opens on Monday at 12:01am and is due 10 days later on Wednesday at 11:59pm. Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason.
• The week number and range of availability for each assignment overlap but do not coincide. The week number is listed to display the week during which the problem set was initially assigned, with Week 0 being the sole exception.
• The last column lists the total number of problems assigned during that particular week. Make sure to get them all done by the due date.
• There are 540 total problems assigned in WeBWorK this semester, so 7.2 WeBWorK questions are equal to one MTH 111 grade point.

• MTH111 WeBWorK Schedule

There will be three common evening exams and a common final exam this semester.

Exam	Time/Date	Location by section number
Exam 1	7:00pm - 8:30pm Wednesday October 7	Section 002 Lippitt 205, Secton 007 Lippitt 204, All other sections Chafee 271
Exam 2	7:00pm - 8:30pm Wednesday November 4	Section 002 Lippitt 205, Secton 007 Lippitt 204, All other sections Chafee 271
Exam 3	7:00pm - 8:30pm Wednesday December 2	Section 002 Lippitt 205, Secton 007 Lippitt 204, All other sections Chafee 271
Final Exam	Tuesday, December 15, 7 - 10 pm Edwards Auditorium	all sections

The following policies apply to all exams, and no exceptions will be made.

• You must have a URI Photo ID with you to take an exam, and show it to the proctor as you hand in your exam.
• No books, bags, papers, extra scrap paper, or anything else may be taken with you to your seat. If you bring any of these items with you, you must leave them at the front of the room.
• A calculator is not needed on exams, however you may use a basic function (+, -, ×, ÷) calculators. A basic function calculators are the ONLY calculators permitted on exams (e.g. TI-108).
• No cellphones, MP3 players, or any electronic devices of any kind may be used or even accessible to you at any time during the exam. Any student found with any cell phone or electronic device for ANY REASON during an exam is cheating.
• You may not ask any questions during the exam; understanding the questions is a part of the exam. If you think there is a typo or error, do the best that you can with the given information.
• You may not leave the room during the exam. Remember to use the bathroom before the exam. If you leave the room for any reason, your exam will be collected.
• Once finished, you must hand your exam to a proctor (your instructor, if in the room) and show your URI photo ID.
• You are advised to bring multiple pencils to the exams, just in case. Do NOT use a pen.

3 Exams	300 pts, 100 pts each
Final Exam	200 pts
Online WeBWorK Homework	75 pts
In class Pretests	75 pts
Class work	75 pts
Diagnostic Test / CAE Program	75 pts
TOTAL	800 pts

A (92% - 100%)	A- (90% - 91%)	B+ (87% - 89%)	B (82% - 86%)	B- (80% - 81%)	C+ (77% - 79%)
C (72% - 76%)	C- (70% - 71%)	D+ (67% - 69%)	D (60% - 66%)	F (0% - 59%)
Compute Grade -> (your total points)/800 * 100 = your percentage

• Final exam date and time will be posted during the semester and cannot be changed. You may only request a date change if you have three final exams in one day.
• Incompletes can only be given if you are passing the course at the time of the request.
  
• No across the board curves allowed.
  
• No extra credit allowed.
• The particular breakdown of the Class work points will be given by your instructor. All other points: Exams, Final Exam, In class Pretest, Diagnostic Test, and WeBWorK, will be as stated above for ALL sections.

The following policies apply to all Make-up exams, and no exceptions will be made.

• Makeup exams may be scheduled in the event you are unable to attend the evening exams under the following conditions. Note in particular that if you must miss the exam because of a scheduling conflict, you must notify your instructor before, not after, the exam, and emergencies require you to contact your instructor within 24 hours.
• If your reason for missing the exam as scheduled is:
  • (i) a University santioned event for which verifiable documentation can be provided (including another scheduled class), or
  • (ii) a responsibility to an employer that cannot be rescheduled (with documentation from your employer), then you MUST INFORM YOUR INSTRUCTOR 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE EXAM AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
  Such events are scheduled in advance, so you must provide advanced notice to your instructor in order to have a makeup exam. Failure to provide this advanced notice will result in a grade of 0 for the exam. No exceptions. Makeup exams must be scheduled after the actual exam, and preferably before the class period when exams are to be handed back, but no later than two class days (excluding weekends and holidays) after the actual exam.
• If the reason for missing the exam as scheduled is due to:
  • (i) illness (with verifiable documentation from a medical provider), or
  • (ii) an emergency (with appropriate documentation), then you MUST INFORM YOUR INSTRUCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE EXAM and provide documentation upon your return.
  Failure to notify your instructor within 24 hours will result in a 0 for the exam. No exceptions. Makeup exams may be scheduled no later than two class days (excluding weekends and holidays) after the actual exam, unless the illness or emergency precludes this, in which case the makeup exam will be given on a common date during the last few weeks of the semester.
• If your circumstances do not meet either of the above (no documentation, a non-emergency excuse without sufficient notice, etc.), then you will receive a zero for the missed exam. No exceptions.

Before each exam there will be an in class pretest worth 25 points.

In class Pretest	Date
In class Pretest 1	Oct. 1 for a TTh class or Oct. 2 for a MWF class
In class Pretest 2	Oct. 29 for a TTh class or Oct. 30 for a MWF class
In class Pretest 3	Nov. 24 for a TTh class or Nov. 23 for a MWF class

The questions are non-multiple choice and similar to the multiple choice evening exam questions. This does NOT replace or add points to your exam grade. These points are separate from your exam points and are REQUIRED points.

The primary goal of MTH 111 is to prepare you for calculus (MTH131 or MTH141). The calculus sequence is often an essential step toward degree and career objectives, so MTH 111 is also such a step. Thus MTH 111 is aimed at the student for whom it will be the first of an important series of courses rather than a last math course. The prerequiste requirement for MTH131 and MTH141 is earning a C- or better in MTH 111. This course is NOT a good choice simply to fulfill a general education requirement. It demands a very substantial amount of hard work for 3 credits. In order to succeed in this course and future math courses, you will have to master the following 9 Precalculus Competency Areas (PCA).

• PCA-1: Inequalities (quadratic inequalities, rational inequalities)
• PCA-2: Graphs and Graphing (identifying families of functions, shifting graphs, piecewise functions, identifying increaseing/decreasing regions, graphing lines and quadratics)
• PCA-3: Linear Equations and Lines (finding a line given two points, finding a parallel or perdendicular line)
• PCA-4: Functions (domain, function notation). Test whether a given relation is a function, use function notation, evaluate the value of a function, find difference quotient, graph simple and piecewise functions, do simple transformations of functions, compose two or more functions, test whether a given function is even or odd, understand one-to-one functions and find inverse of a given function.
• PCA-5: Factoring and Expanding (factoring polynomials, expanding/multiplying polynomials). Find the vertex and other properties of a parabola represented by given quadratic function, solve quadratic equations with imaginary roots, understand polynomial functions, divide 2 polynomials, apply factor theorem and remainder theorem, properties of graphs of polynomial functions including symmetry, rational functions and asymptotes.
• PCA-6: Radicals and Exponents (simplifying exponential expressions, transforming between radical/fractional/exponential forms)
• PCA-7: Algebra (solving a multivariable equation for a given variable, simplifying algebraic expressions)
• PCA-8: Trigonometric Functions (evaluating basic trig functions, finding the range). Understand Sine and Cosine functions from unit circle, learn the values at important angles based on unit circle, understand graph of trigonometric functions, understand and find values of all other trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, tri gonometric identities, calculations and problems using trigonometric identities.
• PCA-9: Logarithms (evaluating logs, solving a log equation, simplifying using log rules). Understand and apply the properties of exponential functions and logarithmic functions, properties of logarithms, do applications in compound interest calculation and radioactive decay.

The math department expects that you will give this course 12-14 hours per week of your undivided attention, in addition to class time. The key to success in this course is the problem material. It is very important that you try all the assigned problems listed on the syllabus and do all of the WeBWorK problems. The problems chosen for each textbook section indicate what we feel is important in that section and which ideas and skills you should focus on. Also, an important part of this course is strengthening your algebra skills and using them in new ways. Much of your success in precalculus depends on your grasp of basic algebra -- be prepared to review basic algebra and seek help as needed.

Any student with a documented disability should contact your instructor early in the semester so that he or she may work out reasonable accommodations with you to support your success in this course. Students should also contact Disability Services for Students: Office of Student Life, 330 Memorial Union, 874-2098. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Sakai is being used in part for this course. All math 111 instructors have a Sakai site for their math 111 section. The Sakai site will contain your grades and how the classwork points will be given. Your instructor might place other important class material in the Sakai course shell. Check with your instructor. You can access Sakai at the following web address: https://sakai.uri.edu/portal/ Use your e-campus id and your URI Webmail password.