Course Outline

 

Institution:                     Clackamas Community College

Course Title:                  College Algebra

Course  Prefix / #:          Mth 111

Type of Program:           Transfer

Credits:                         5

Date:                            February 24, 2005

Outline Developed by:     Carrie Kyser

Last Review Date:          February 24, 2005

 

Course Description:        A transfer course designed for students preparing for trigonometry, statistics, or calculus.  AMATYC standards-based approach utilizing the rule of four to analyze functions and their properties, including rates of change, short- and long-run behavior, transformations and symmetry, algebra and composition of functions, inverse functions, discrete functions, and fitting functions to data.  Particular attention will be paid to the use of functions to model applications and solve problems.

 

Length Of Course:          52 lecture hours

 

Grading Criteria:             Letter grade or Pass / No Pass

 

Prerequisites:                Required:  MTH 095 (C or better) or appropriate score on the Math Placement Exam.

Recommended:  Placement in RD 115 and WR 121.

 

Required Material:          Functions Modeling Change:  A Preparation for Calculus, 2/e by Connally, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et al.  © 2004; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A graphing calculator is also required (the department recommends the TI-83 Plus).

 

Course Objectives:         This course will foster an understanding of functions and their properties, including rates of change, short- and long-run behavior, transformations and symmetry, algebra and composition of functions, inverse functions, discrete functions, and fitting functions to data.  Particular attention will be paid to the use of functions to model applications and solve problems.

 

Student Learning            The student will be able to:

Outcomes:                   

·         Define and identify functions using each method from the rule of four.

·         Read and write function notation as a means of communication.

·         Compute and interpret the average rate of change of a function over an interval.

·         Determine the short-run behavior of a function.

·         Determine the long-run behavior of a function.

·         Construct linear functions to model applications.

·         Fit linear functions to data sets.

·         Determine an appropriate domain and range for a function.

·         Read and write formulas for, and model applications using piecewise-defined functions.

·         Determine and describe the concavity of a function.

·         Define and identify an exponential function.

·         Construct exponential functions to model applications.

·         Fit exponential functions to data sets.

·         Use the natural exponential function to model applications.

·         Define and identify a logarithmic function.

·         Construct logarithmic functions to model applications.

·         Fit logarithmic functions to data sets.

·         Use the natural logarithmic function to model applications.

·         Use the properties of logarithms to solve equations.

·         Identify rigid transformations of elementary functions.

·         Identify non-rigid transformations of elementary functions.

·         Determine symmetries of a function.

·         Define and compute the composition of functions.

·         Perform the algebra associated with the composition of functions.

·         Determine if a function is invertible.

·         Find the inverse of an invertible function.

·         Compare the domain and range of a function with those of its inverse.

·         Define and identify polynomial functions.

·         Use polynomial functions to model applications.

·         Define and identify rational functions.

·         Use rational functions to model applications

·         Compare and contrast linear, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, and rational functions.

·         Define and identify discrete functions.

·         Compare and contrast arithmetic and geometric sequences.

·         Define and identify series.

·         Compute the sum of an arithmetic series.

·         Compute the sum of a finite geometric series.

·         Determine when an infinite geometric series converges.

·         Compute the sum of a convergent infinite geometric series.

·         Model and solve applications using sequences and series.

·         Demonstrate rigorous and analytical thinking by reading, writing, and utilizing the technical and logical language and symbolism necessary to do mathematics and to solve problems effectively and efficiently.

·         Work effectively as a team member to engage in problem solving.

 

Major Topic Outline:       Linear Functions

Function notation, rate of change, formulas for and geometry of linear functions.

 

Properties of Functions

Domain and range, piecewise-defined functions, function inverses, composition, concavity.

 

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Comparison with linear, properties of these functions and their graphs, solving exponential equations, modeling.

 

Function Transformations

Shifts, reflections, symmetry.

 

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Comparison with linear, properties of these functions and their graphs, solving equations, modeling.

 

Sequences and Series

Sequences; arithmetic, finite geometric and infinite geometric series.

 

 

Suggested timeline:       CLASS HOURS             TOPIC

 

                                              7                           Linear Functions

                                              7                           Properties of Functions

                                             10                           Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

                                              7                           Function Transformations

                                              7                           Polynomial and Rational Functions

                                              7                           Sequences and Series

                                               7                           Assessments / Final Exam

                                             52