Fundamentals of Precalculus

MTH 111 Precalculus

Definition of Precalculus

Fundamentals of Precalculus

MATH 111 COURSE INFORMATION


Spring 2017 - Course Webpage


  • This website is the course syllabus.
  • This course is designed for students who need to strengthen their background in mathematics before taking Calculus. Earning a C- or better in MTH 111 is a prerequisite requirement for both MTH131 and MTH 141.
  • Please use this course website to familiarize yourself with the policies, procedures and components for this course. If you have any questions, please consult your instructor.
  • The final exam is scheduled for Friday, May 5, 7 - 10 pm in Edwards Auditorium. The final exam will cover all material covered during the semseter.



  • Calendar

    Course Materials

    Attendance and Advice

    Exams and Grade Evaluation

    Calculators

    Sakai

    MTH111 Learning Outcomes and Objectives

    WebWork

    Help through the AEC

      Students with Disabilities


     

    Course Material

    Text

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

    Calculators

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

    Check with your instructor (before you go to an exam) if you are not sure if the calculator you have can be used on the exams.


     

    WeBWorK Online Homework System


     

    Exams and Grade Evaluation

    There will be three common evening exams and a common final exam this semester.
    Exam Time/Date Location
    Exam 1 6:00 - 7:30 pm Wednesday March 1 Edwards Auditorium
    Exam 2 6:00 - 7:30 pm Wednesday March 29 Edwards Auditorium
    Exam 3 6:00 - 7:30 pm Wednesday April 26 Edwards Auditorium
    Final Exam TBD Edwards Auditorium

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

    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


    REMARKS


     

    Policy on Make-ups for Exams

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



     

    In class

    Before each exam there will be an in class pretest worth 25 points.
    In class Pretest Date
    In class Pretest 1 Feb. 23 for a TTh class or Feb. 24 for a MWF class
    In class Pretest 2 Mar. 23 for a TTh class or Mar. 24 for a MWF class
    In class Pretest 3 Apr. 20 for a TTh class or Apr. 21 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.


     

    MTH111 Learning Outcomes and Objectives

    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 completely fulfills the general education requirements for Mathematical, Statistical or Computational Strategies, (MSCS) A,B and C elements and for Knowledge Outcome: STEM Discipline (STEM) elements. However, 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 10 Precalculus Competency Areas (PCA).

  • PCA-1: Inequalities – Solve and graph simple linear inequalities, compound inequalities, absolute value inequalities quadratic inequalities and rational inequalities Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.2, STEM1, STEM2
  • PCA-2: Graphs and Graphing – Find the distance between and midpoint of two points. Calculate and graph x-intercepts and y-intercepts. Graph horizontal and vertical lines. Identify families of functions and shifted graphs for linear, quadratic, cubic, square root, cubic root and greatest integer functions. Transform the graphs of linear, quadratic, cubic, square root and step functions by identifying the horizontal and vertical shifts, stretches, shrinkages and reflections. Discern symmetry from a graph. Graph piecewise functions. Determine and notate increasing, decreasing and constant intervals. Rubric Elements – A.2, A.2, B.1, C.3, STEM1, STEM2, STEM3, STEM4
  • PCA-3: Linear Equations and Lines – Calculate and identify the slope of a line, slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines, and slopes of vertical and horizontal lines. Create the equation of a line given two points or given a point and a slope or the line parallel or perpendicular. Detect the slope of a line given the graph of the line. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, STEM1, STEM2, STEM3
  • PCA-4: Functions – Test whether a given relation is a function for sets, graphs and equations. Use function notation. Evaluate the value of a function. Explain piecewise functions. Perform basic operations with functions. Determine the domain and range of a function. Compute the difference quotient of a function. Compose two or more functions. Test whether a given function is even or odd algebraically. Explain how to determine one-to-one functions for sets, graphs and equations. Find the inverse of a given function. Verify inverse functions using composition. Find the inverse of a mathematical model. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2 C.1, C.2, C.3, STEM1, STEM2, STEM5, STEM6. STEM7
  • PCA-5: Polynomials – Factor polynomials, expand/multiply polynomials. Convert from the standard quadratic form to the standard parabola form by completing the square. Find the vertex, axis of symmetry, and other properties of a parabola represented by given quadratic function. Perform basic operations on complex numbers. Solve quadratic equations with real and imaginary roots. Divide two polynomials by both the long division and synthetic division methods. Recognize and apply the Zero Factor Theorem. Interpret and apply the Remainder Theorem. Interpret and apply the Rational Roots Theorem. Interpret and apply Descarte’s Rule of Signs. Graph higher order polynomials. Determine the end behavior of a polynomial function using the Leading Coefficient Test. Find all roots of a higher order polynomial. Determine the behavior of a polynomial function at the x-intercepts. Create the polynomial given its roots (both real and complex). Understand and apply the Complex Conjugate Theorem. Graph higher order polynomial functions. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, STEM1, STEM2, STEM5, STEM6
  • PCA-6: Radicals and Exponents – Perform basic operations on radical expressions. Explain the domain of exponential functions. Graph exponential functions and the associated family of functions. Simplify exponential expressions. Transform between radical, fractional and exponential forms. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, C.1, STEM1, STEM2, STEM5
  • PCA-7: Rational Expressions – Identify the domain of a rational expression. Evaluate rational expressions. Determine the vertical and horizontal asymptotes. Graph rational equations including asymptotes and ‘holes’. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, STEM1, STEM2, STEM5, STEM6
  • PCA-8: Trigonometric Functions – Evaluate basic trigonometric functions. Convert angles to degrees or radians. Find the domain and the range of the trigonometric functions. Understand Sine and Cosine functions from unit circle. Memorize and recall the trigonometric values at important angles based on unit circle. Understand and identify the graphs of trigonometric functions. Calculate the values of all other trigonometric functions. Transform and graph Sine and Cosine functions including phase shifts, periodicity and amplitude. Determine the values and graph inverse trigonometric functions. Solve right triangles and use right triangle trigonometry to solve application problems involving angle of elevation and angle of depression. Memorize and recall the Pythagorean Identities, Odd and Even Identities, Sum and Difference Identities, Double-Angle Identities and Half-Angle Identities. Simplify trigonometric expressions and prove equivalent expressions using trigonometric identities. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.1, C.1, C.2, STEM1, STEM2, STEM5, STEM6, STEM7
  • PCA-9: Logarithms – Evaluate logarithms. Apply logarithmic rules to simplify an expression. Solve logarithmic equations. Solve exponential equations. Understand and apply the properties of exponential functions and logarithmic functions. Apply mathematical methods and properties of exponential and logarithmic functions to solve real world application problems of compound interest calculation and radioactive decay. Rubric Elements – A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, C.1, C.2, C.3, STEM1, STEM2, STEM3, STEM5, STEM6, STEM7
  • PCA-10: Problem Solving – For all PCA’s, justify solutions and the problem solving process. Verify, interpret and communicate solutions with respect to the original problem. C.2, C.3, STEM7


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    Attendance and Advice

    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.


     

    Students with Disabilities

    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

    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.