Difference between revisions of "ModelCourses/BeginningAlgebra"

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#* multiplication
 
#* multiplication
 
#* division
 
#* division
#* factoring: greatest common factor (GCF)
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#* factoring greatest common factor (GCF)
#* factoring: <math>x^2 + bx + x</math>
+
#* factoring <math>x^2 + bx + x</math>
#* factoring: <math>ax^2 + bx + x</math>
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#* factoring <math>ax^2 + bx + x</math>
 
#* special products and factoring
 
#* special products and factoring
 
#* zero product rule
 
#* zero product rule

Revision as of 20:11, 5 August 2012

Beginning Algebra

The beginning algebra model course spans "developmental" algebra between Arithmetic/Pre-algebra and College Algebra/Pre-calculus. There are many ways to arrange this material, and it is usual for the material to overlap with College Algebra.

A common two-course sequence (with two separate books) is Beginning Algebra followed by Higher/Intermediate Algebra. There are also combined Beginning and Intermediate Algebra textbooks.

  1. Arithmetic (review)
    • integers
    • rational numbers (fractions)
    • integer exponents
    • percent
    • square roots
    • decimals
    • order of operations
    • variables and variable expressions
    • sets
  2. Linear Equations
    • introduction to linear equations
    • general linear equations
    • translating sentences into equations
    • applications of linear equations
    • linear inequalities
    • absolute value equations
    • absolute value inequalities
  3. Geometry
    • points, lines, and angles
    • plane figures
    • solids
  4. Graphing Linear Equations
    • The Cartesian Plane
    • introduction to functions
    • linear functions
    • slope of a line
    • equation of a line
    • linear inequalities in two variables
  5. Systems of Linear Equations
    • 2x2 linear systems: introduction and graphing
    • solving 2x2 linear systems: substitution
    • solving 2x2 linear systems: elimination
    • determinants and Cramer's rule
    • applications of linear systems
    • systems of linear inequalities
  6. Polynomials
    • exponents and simplifying
    • evaluation
    • multiplication
    • division
    • factoring greatest common factor (GCF)
    • factoring [math]x^2 + bx + x[/math]
    • factoring [math]ax^2 + bx + x[/math]
    • special products and factoring
    • zero product rule
  7. Rational Expressions
    • multiplication and division
    • addition and subtraction
    • complex fractions
    • rational equations
    • variation
  8. Radicals
    • fractional exponents and radicals
    • radical operations
    • radical equations
    • complex numbers
  9. Quadratic Equations
    • solving by factoring or taking roots
    • completing the square
    • quadratic formula
    • equations quadratic in form
    • quadratic inequalities
    • applications
  10. Functions
    • quadratic functions
    • graphs of functions
    • algebra of functions
    • 1-1 and inverse functions
  11. Exponents and Logarithms
    • exponential functions
    • logarithms
    • rules of logarithms
    • exponential and logarithmic equations
    • applications

Notes

Some Higher/Intermediate Algebra textbooks include conic sections, series and sequences, probability, and statistics. These topics are in the College Algebra model course.

Geometry problems are usually mixed among algebra sections as application problems. The geometry section here covers basic plane geometry along with common formulas and applications with area and volume.


Below is a link to some WebWork problem sets for a Beginning Algebra course. Login as guest.

http://webwork.fdltcc.edu/webwork2/Math0020_Beginning_Algebra/

- Wetherbee @ FDLTCC, 8/1/2012