SyllabusB1ALF24
SyllabusB1ALF24
CRN: 70486
Fall 2024
Office Hours: Office hours are MW from 11 AM - 1 PM in MS 113. You can also reach me via email at
any time.
Textbook: Stewart, Redlin, and Watson, Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 7th ed., Cengage Learn-
ing, 2016.
Course Description:
In this course, students prepare for calculus. Students will be able to apply their knowledge of algebraic
and graphical analysis of polynomial, rational, logarithmic and exponential functions and their applications,
systems of linear and nonlinear equations, graphing, inequalities, absolute value, and complex numbers upon
completing the course.
1. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will translate and solve application problems
including exponential, linear, quadratic, and optimization problems, and be able to interpret solutions.
2. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will classify various functions, and apply an
appropriate algorithm to find solutions, both algebraically and by using the graph of the function.
3. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will describe the behavior of various functions
and formulate conjectures on the nature of the roots of polynomials.
1. define and develop the concept of a “function” which will include the domain, range, graph, inverse,
and algebra of functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition).
2. apply various techniques to graph polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions involv-
ing intercepts, asymptotes, multiplicity, symmetry, and transformations.
4. solve systems of nonlinear equations and inequalities using graphical methods and algebraic methods.
5. apply the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and its consequences to determine possible rational roots
of polynomials and obtain information about the number of positive, negative, or complex roots.
page 1 of 3
Precalculus I November 4, 2024
Technology:
• You must have the ability to create and upload Portable Document Format (PDF) files.
NO OTHER FILE TYPES WILL BE ALLOWED.
Course Policy:
• Homework will be assigned on Canvas and is due when indicated on the Canvas assignment.
• Collaborative labs on the application of the theory covered in lectures will be assigned throughout the
course and must be turned in by the end of the class that day.
• Attendance and participation are essential to your success. The material in this course can be very
difficult and cannot be learned by simply watching lectures. It is your responsibility to ask questions
when you have them.
• All emails must include a subject header reading ”Math B1A: ” followed by your email subject. It is
recommended that you use Remind to contact me throughout the course.
• Behavior that impedes the education of your fellow students is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Examination Procedures:
• Once you start an exam or quiz, you will have a limited amount of time to complete the assessment
and upload your answers.
• Quiz and exam submissions will only be accepted on Canvas. Emailed submissions and submissions
through Remind will earn no points.
Grading Policy: Homework (10%), Labs (10%), Quizzes (20%), Midterm Exams (30%), Final (30%). The
following grade scale will be used:
90 − 100% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
80 − 89% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
70 − 79% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
60 − 69% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D
≤ 59% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F
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Precalculus I November 4, 2024
Academic Honesty: Do not cheat. Any cheating will result in a failure on the assignment (and possibly
the course) and a referral to the Office of Student Life. Cheating can consist of, but is not limited to, the
following:
For more information regarding academic integrity please read the catalog description here.
Accessibility:
Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS) is available to provide accommodations to students with
diagnosed learning, mental, physical, and/or health related disabilities that are either permanent or tempo-
rary. Students with disabilities needing accommodations, including those who had an IEP or a 504 plan in
high school, should make requests to the DSPS office by contacting the office by phone call, email, or by
visiting their Virtual Lobby. All requests for accommodations require appropriate advanced notice to avoid
a delay in services. After completing the intake process with DSPS, please provide your professors with a
copy of your DSPS approved accommodation checklist so that we can work together to ensure your access
and success at BC.
• Email: [email protected]
More Resources For student services you can visit the Student Services Offices’ website here, or visit the
Renegade Bot. Free math tutoring can be found in the Math Learning Center here.
page 3 of 3
Precalculus I November 4, 2024
Course Topics
Part I: Functions
Section Topic Textbook Alignment
1.1 The Real Numbers: R 1.1
1.2 Equations of a Single Variable in R 1.5
1.3 The Complex Numbers: C 1.6
1.4 Functions 2.1
1.5 Graphs of Functions and Transformations 2.2, 2.6
1.6 Information Encoded in Graphs of Functions 2.3, 2.4
1.7 Linear Functions and Models 2.5
1.8 The Algebra of Functions 2.7
1.9 Inverse Functions 2.8
Part II: Polynomial Functions
Section Topic Textbook Alignment
2.1 Quadratic Functions and Models 3.1
2.2 Introduction to Polynomials 3.2
2.3 Graphs of Polynomials 3.2
2.4 Dividing Polynomials 3.3
2.5 Roots of Polynomials 3.4
2.6 Complex Roots 3.5
2.7 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra 3.6
2.8 Polynomial Inequalities 3.7
Part III: Rational Functions
Section Topic Textbook Alignment
3.1 Defining Rational Functions 3.6
3.2 Graphs of Rational Functions 3.6
3.3 Rational Inequalities 3.7
Part IV: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Section Topic Textbook Alignment
4.1 Exponential Functions 4.1, 4.2
4.2 Logarithmic Functions 4.3
4.3 Properties of Logarithmic Functions 4.4
4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 4.5
Part V: Systems of Equations
Section Topic Textbook Alignment
5.1 Systems of Linear Equations in R2 10.1
5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in R3 10.2
5.3 Introduction to Matrices 10.3
5.4 The Algebra of Matrices 10.4
5.5 Invertible Matrices 10.5
5.6 Matrix Equations 10.5
5.7 Determinants 10.6
5.8 Cramer’s Rule 10.6
5.9 Partial Fraction Decomposition 10.7
5.10 Non-Linear Systems of Equations 10.8
5.11 Systems of Inequalities 10.9
Precalculus I November 4, 2024
Tentative Schedule
Date Topic Date Topic
8/26 §1.1 9/2 Labor Day
8/27 §1.2 9/3 §1.4
8/28 §1.2 9/4 §1.5
8/29 §1.3, Quiz 1 9/5 §1.5, Quiz 2
9/9 §1.6 9/16 §1.8
9/10 §1.6 9/17 §1.9
9/11 §1.7 9/18 Part I Review
9/12 §1.8, Quiz 3 9/19 Part I Exam
9/23 §2.1 9/30 §2.4
9/24 §2.2 10/1 §2.4
9/25 §2.3 10/2 §2.5
9/26 §2.3, Quiz 4 10/3 §2.6, Quiz 5
10/7 §2.7 10/14 §3.3
10/8 §3.1, 3.2 10/15 Part II and III Review
10/9 §3.2 10/16 Part II and III Exam
10/10 §2.8, Quiz 6 10/17 §4.1
10/21 §4.1 10/28 §4.4
10/22 §4.2 10/29 §4.4
10/23 §4.3 10/30 Part IV Review
10/24 §4.3, Quiz 7 10/31 Part IV Exam
11/4 §5.1 11/11 Veteran’s Day
11/5 §5.1 11/12 §5.3
11/6 §5.2 11/13 §5.4
11/7 §5.2, Quiz 8 11/14 §5.5, Quiz 9
11/18 §5.6 11/25 §5.9
11/19 §5.7 11/26 §5.10
11/20 §5.8 11/27 §5.11, Quiz 11
11/21 §5.9, Quiz 10 11/28 Thanksgiving Day
12/2 Part V Review 12/9 (Mon) Final Exam 6:00 PM - 7:50 PM
12/3 Part V Exam
12/4 Cumulative Review: Parts I, II, III
12/5 Cumulative Review: Parts IV and V