MTH 111 Precalculus (Spring 2004)
Text: Bittenger et. al. Precalculus,Graphs and Models (Second Edition)
Calculator: A graphing calculator is required (see Technology)
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NOTICE: Due to technical problems, use of WeBWorK is suspended until further notice, and the assignment due April 7 is cancelled. We apologize for this inconvenience. SEE THE EXAM INFORMATION PAGE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE FINAL EXAM!
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For information on important dates and course assignments click Calendar/Syllabus. Start by reading General Information below. Read and sign the student Info Sheet&Contract.
Exams and Grading: There will be three exams given in the evening, from 6-7:30. See Exam Information for more detail. Your course grade will be based on a 600 point system as follows:
| Three evening exams | 300 points |
| Final exam | 200 points |
| Instructor's assignments | 100 points |
Students with disability (documented through Disability Services for Students, 330 Memorial Union) should see their instructor as soon as possible to work out reasonable accommodations.
General
Information
GOALS OF THIS COURSE: The primary goal of MTH 111 is to prepare you for further courses in mathematics, especially calculus.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. 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.
EXPECTATIONS: We expect that you will give this course 6-7 hours a week of your undivided attention, in addition to class time. This is an approximate figure of course, but don't assume that you can spend less time than this and still get a grade you'll like. We also expect that you will ATTEND YOUR CLASS.
ADVICE: 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. 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. THE EXAMS WILL REFLECT THIS PROBLEM SELECTION! 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.
Practice Problems for Exams: Before each of the hour exams we will post, on this website, a set of practice problems for review. These problems will provide a good idea of the kinds of problems that will appear on the actual exam. Although answers will be posted shortly before the exam it is essential that you work the practice problems by yourself, before looking at the answers. Your instructor may require that you hand in your solutions.
Precalculus also has a body of mathematical facts that you will have to learn. Be prepared to memorize some formulas and theorems as you learn about their meaning and uses.