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math103/104 Syllabus

Math 103/104: College Algebra (5 hours)

Text: Applied College Algebra University of Louisiana Lafayette with Materials from Algebra: Form and Function, 2nd Edition, McCallum,Connally, and Hughes-Hallett, Wiley, 2015.

Note: Only one of MATH 102, MATH 103 and MATH 104, MATH 105, MATH 107, MATH 109, or MATH 143 may be used for degree credit.

Knewton Alta is required. A scientific calculator is required. A TI-83,TI-83 Plus, TI-84, or TI-84 Plus Graphics Calculator is recommended.

Objectives, Outcomes, and Competencies

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  1. Use mathematical methods and models to solve quantitative problems and communicate solutions effectively.
  2. Analyze and critically evaluate numerical and graphical data to draw reasonable and valid conclusions about real-world solutions.

Sections and Topics

  • Reordering and Regrouping
  • The Distributive Law
  • Use Operations to Solve Equations
  • What is a Function
  • Functions and Expressions
  • Functions and Equations
  • Functions and Change
  • Functions and Change
  • Functions, Modeling, and Proportionality
  • Introduction to Linear Functions
  • Linear Expressions
  • Linear Equations
  • Equations for Lines in the Plane
  • Systems of Linear Equations: Graphing Systems
  • Solving Quadratic Equations
  • Quadratic Expressions
  • Applications of Quadratic Functions
  • Converting to Factored and Vertex Form
  • Quadratic Equations: Square Root Property
  • End Behavior of Polynomials – Handout, on Moodle
  • Polynomial Functions, Working with Polynomials
  • Solving Polynomial Equations
  • Long-Run Behavior of Polynomials: End Behavior, Write and Graph Functions
  • Power Functions: Positive Exponents
  • Power Functions: Negative and Fractional Exponents
  • Power Functions and Expressions
  • Power Functions and Equations
  • Domain and Range: Of Functions
  • Composing and Decomposing Functions
  • Shifting and Scaling
  • Inverse Functions
  • Exponents with Integer Powers and Fractional Powers
  • Exponential Functions
  • Domain and Range: Exponential Functions
  • Modeling with Exponential Functions
  • Exponential Functions and Base e
  • Introduction to Logarithms
  • Natural Logarithms
  • Solving Exponential Equations
  • Applications of Logarithms to Modeling
  • Exponential Expressions
  • Exponential Functions and Base e

Last updated 15 December 2022.