Math 1011Q: 
Introductory College Algebra and
Mathematical Modeling

Fall 2016



I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already                                           
an adept in it: your head will be less muddy, and  you will leave                                   
off tormenting your neighbors about paper  and packthread....
 
            
                                                    --  Samuel Johnson   


                   
teaching        Instructor Resources   
               --  Group Projects, Handouts, Sample Exams, etc.  

         Coping with Math anxiety 
      -- a great article for you 


          Math Links for Information and Fun
    
--  find out the links between math and everything


pantherStudent's  Handouts 
        --  take with you for your next Q course
 
Name
Section
Office
Office Hours
Sarah Glaz               
sarah.glaz@uconn.edux
(click on link and remove end x)


 Faculty Contact
MONT 230
(860) 486 9153
TBA
Maria Gageonea
maria.gageonea@uconn.edux
(click on link and remove end x)

Instructor
001
TTh 8:00-9:15 MONT 113
M 3:35-4:25 MONT 113

MONT TBA
(860) 486 3595
TBA
+ extra office hours before exams
and by appointment
                                                                         
General Information

Math 1011Q is a course designed to serve as preparation for all the other Q courses offered at UConn. It emphasizes two components, the mastery of each is equally important for success in any course employing mathematics. The first component is made up of  the collection  of fundamental algebraic concepts and their manipulations. Most of this material is taught in High Schools and Community Colleges under the name Intermediate Algebra or Algebra II. Math 1011Q covers this material using a college algebra approach. The second component consists of using these algebraic concepts for solving multi-step problems from other disciplines. This practice is called Mathematical Modeling, and is the part of the course that gives Math 1011Q its unique interesting flavor, liveliness and usefulness beyond a usual Intermediate Algebra course. Students work on mathematical modeling projects in small groups. Math 1011Q is the permanent replacement for the course formerly numbered Math 101. Math 1011Q earns students 3Q credits which count towards graduation.

Who Should Take Math Math 1011Q


All students whose high school algebra needs reinforcement. In particular, students who did not take a course in Intermediate Algebra prior to enrollment at UConn, or had taken such a course and obtained a grade of C or lower, or had not taken a course in mathematics for a number of years, are strongly advised to take Math 1011Q, before attempting to enroll in any other Q Course. It is a small investment of your time, that earns you 3 Q credits which count towards graduation, and repays you with a successful completion of your other Q courses at UConn.

Textbook  

textbook   Intermediate Algebra, by K. Elayn Martin-Gay, 7th edition
   Available at UConn's bookstore in a package which includes a Student Solution Manual.



Other Requirements
 

A simple Scientific Calculator, for example TI-30Xa.

Expectations

You are expected to attend all classes. To encourage attendance there are occasional assignments due at the end of the class, or one-question quizzes at the beginning of the class. You are responsible for everything that happens in class. If you miss a class, you are expected to find out what happened either from your Instructor or from your classmates. You are also expected to work outside of class about 4 hours per week. Most of all, I hope that as the course progresses you will get excited about what you are learning and delight in your own, perhaps unexpected, ability to solve mathematical problems.

Homework

Individual homework assignments are assigned after every section, collected on the first class of the week, and returned the following class. These appear in the Syllabus table below. In addition there are weekly assignments of  group projects provided as handouts in class. Group assignments are graded, individual assignments carry exam points (this will be explained in class). The majority of homework assignments are done outside of class, but we devote 30 to 50 minutes every week to questions related to difficulties in the homework. You are encouraged to work with other students in this class on all your homework assignments.

Calculator Policy

No calculators are allowed during exams or quizzes. All calculations required in these instances can reasonably be done by hand. Calculators will be used for mathematical modeling group projects using real data, and other in-class and homework assignments where hand calculations may be too time consuming.

Tutoring Options

You are welcome and encouraged to come to your instructor with any difficulties arising in this class. If you have difficulties coming to the scheduled office hours, talk with your instructor about finding another time when you can meet. If you feel you need additional help, there are a variety of other tutoring options:

The UConn Q Center:      Free drop-in tutoring available at the Q Center's various locations. Check the Q Center's website for schedule.
                                         The Q Center also maintains a list of private tutors, and can direct you to online helpful resources.
                                                                            
                                              
Exams Schedule

There will be three in-semester, in-class exams and a Final Exam. None is strictly cumulative, but there is overlap of material between the exams. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS unless there is a very serious emergency for which you provide proof.

Exam 1: TBA, in class
Exam 2: TBA, in class
Exam 3: TBA, class
Final Exam: Time, Date &Location, TBA

For help with location of the Final Exam Building click on The Campus Map.
UConn Final Exam Policy.

Grading Policy

Homework, Quizzes, and Group Projects: about 12%.  Each Exam (including the Final Exam): about 22%.

Syllabus

Expect the course to cover every week, 2 to 4 sections from the textbook, and one Group Project selected from the table below. The table below provides a list of individual homework assignments for each section of the book. The actual homework assignments may vary according to progress in class. In addition, a number of fun and interesting group projects highlighting applications of the material will be handed out in class every week. Those will be selected from the activities labeled Group Projects in the table below. You will work on them together in small groups during class time, and complete them as out-of-classroom homework projects. Instructors of  Math 1011Q may find the Group Projects by clicking on the Instructor's Resources icon at the top of the page. If you forgot the password send an e-mail to Sarah Glaz.


Section
Topic
 Individual Homework Assignments
Introduction

Math-autobiography
Chapter 1

1.2
Algebraic expressions and sets of numbers
page 16-17: 1,5,7,31-36,59,61,73,78-80,83,97
1.3
Operations with real numbers
page 28-30: 1,9,11,17,21,27,31,35,37,45,47,53,67,73,79
1.4
Properties of real numbers
page 40-41: 3,9,15-20,41,47,55,76,80,105,109
Conversion
Rectangle


1. Calculate 15% of 723.
2. If 9.8 is 12% of your grade, find your grade.
3. Find the height in meters of a person 5'6" tall.
Group Project
Are irrationals rational?
after 1.2
Group Project
Calculate your BMI
after1.4
Group Project
Analyze newspaper circulation
If time permits
Chapter 2


2.1
Linear equations in one variable
page 57-58: 1,11,13,17,23,26,35,43
2.2
Introduction to problem solving
page 65-70: 1,5,11,13
2.3
Formulas and problem solving
page 75-78: 1,5,53
2.4 Linear inequalities and problem solving page 87-90: 1,3,7,11,43,45,59,63
2.6
Absolute value equations
page 102-103: 5,9,15,21,53,57
Group Project
Algebraic poetry -- Lilavati's swarm
after 2.2
Group Project
Algebraic poetry  -- The rose-red city
If time permits
Group Project
Calculate your income
after 2.4
Exam  1


Chapter 3


3.1
Graphing equations (include material from 3.3)
page 129-131: 1,3,5,7,9,17,19,27,33,37
3.2
Introduction to functions
page 142-146: 1,3,11,23,25,29,35,37,53,55,57,59
3.4
The slope of a line
page 164-168: 5,23,29,31,41,43,64,69,71,95
3.5
Equations of lines
page 175-178: 1,13,25,41,42,44,47
Group Project
Hurricane season  (and Tracking Chart)
If time permits
Group Project
Three swimmers
after 3.1
Group Project
Cigarette ads
after 3.4
Group Project
Life expectancy
after 3.5
Chapter 4


4.1
Linear equations in two variables page 216-218: 1,3,9,17,21,77
Group Project
Which Honda should you buy?
If time Permits
Group Project
Photos of all sizes
after 4.1
Exam 2


Chapter 5


5.1
Exponents
page 267-268: 7,13,19,25,33,49,69
5.2
More exponents
page 273-274: 1,5,7,21,24,55
5.3
Polynomials and polynomial functions
page 284-287: 17,23,35,45,47
5.4
Multiplying polynomials
page 293-295: 1,7,23,25,29
5.5
The greatest common factor
page 299-301: 3,9,11,13
5.6
Factoring trinomials (use quadratic formula for roots from 8.2) page 308-309: 15,25,27,47
5.7
Factoring special products
page 314-315: 1,13,41,45
5.8  (partial)
Solving quadratic equations (via quadratic formula and roots)
page 327-331: 5,9,13
Group Project
The largest box
A Special Largest Box (Spring 2006) (after 5.4)
Group Project
Factoring trinomials completely
after 5.7
Group Project
Free falling from bridges
If time permits
Exam 3


Chapter 6

6.1
Multiplying and dividing rational expressions page 351-354: 1,17,37,41,47,63
6.2
Adding and subtracting rational expressions page 359-361: 7,21,30,31,33
Group Project
Calculate your areas
If time permits
Group Project
Calculate your lottery winning
after 6.2
Chapter 7


7.1
Radicals and radical functions
page 423-425: 3,9,19,25,39,43,45,53,75
7.2
Rational exponents
page 431-433: 1,11,19,29,39,41,47,51,61,65
7.6 (partial)
Radical equations
page 460-463: 1,9,11,13 (with 7.2),53,59 (with 7.1)
Group Project
Skid marks
after 7.6
Group Project
Run Fido, Run!
If time permits
Chapter 9


9.3
Exponential functions
page 567-569: 2,5,18,20,21,27,35,37
9.5
Logarithmic functions
page 581-582: 29,31,41,45,51,69
9.6
Properties of  logarithms page 587-589: 1,9,17,21,35,43,53,55,57
9.8 (partial)
Exponential and logarithmic equations
page 599-601: 11,27, 28 (with 9.5),31,32,33 (with 9.6)
Group Project
The black bear population
after 9.5
Group Project
Puzzled by Logs?
after 9.8
Optional Topics


5.1
Scientific notation
page 267-268: 102,104,109,125, 128
5.2
More scientific notation
page 273-274: 69,73
Group Project
Very large and very small numbers

4.2
Linear Equations in Three variables
page 224-225: 5,7,9,13
Group Project
Tacos anyone?

9.7
Logarithms and Change of  Base
page 594-595: 15,21,27,39,45,47
Group Project
How long it takes to double your money?
If time permits
Final Exam



Academic Integrity

A fundamental tenet of all educational institutions is academic honesty; academic work depends upon respect for and acknowledgment of the research and ideas of others. Misrepresenting someone else's work as one's own is a serious offense in any academic setting and it will not be condoned. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation (e.g. papers, projects, and examinations); any attempt to influence improperly (e.g. bribery, threats)any member of the faculty, staff, or administration of the University in any matter pertaining to academics or research; presenting, as one's own,the ideas or words of another for academic evaluation; doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the instructors involved. A student who knowingly assists another student in committing an act of academic misconduct shall be equally accountable for the violation, and shall be subject to the sanctions and other remedies described in The Student Code.

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This page is maintained by Sarah Glaz   
Last modified: Fall 2016