Skip navigation linksBanner



--
Nicoloff home page
--
Paradise Valley Community College
--
ALEKS Placement Testing
--
Guidelines for homework
--
Schedule & Office Hours
--
my.maricopa.edu
--
Changes to assignments & other announcements
--
Enhanced Web Assign
--
My Math Lab
--
The Calculus Page
--
Blackboard
--
Spring 2010
--
Fall 2009
--
Summer 2009
--
Spring 2009
--
Fall 2008
--
Summer 2008
--
 

PRECALCULUS
MAT 187 COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2010
Paradise Valley Community College

INSTRUCTOR: Stephen J. Nicoloff
e-mail: [email protected]
web page: http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/~nicoloff
Phone: 602-787-6676
Office Hours:
M-F 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Office: Building G, Room 132
TEXT:
  PreCalculus Mathematics for Calculus 5th Edition Stewart, Redlin and Watson
MATERIALS & OTHER RESOURCES:
  Texas Instruments TI-83, or TI-84 or suitable Graphing Calculator.

Learning Support Center (LSC) Building E, Room 180
Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Drop-in and individual Tutoring

DVDs of each lesson are available for checkout in the library,  for on campus viewing in the LSC and for your own copy in the Media Center in the library.
CLASS LOCATION:
  Building J, Room 136
SECTION NUMBER:
  68287
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
 

A precalculus course combining topics from college algebra and trigonometry. Preparation for analytic geometry and calculus. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or equivalent, or satisfactory score on district placement exam.

COURSE COMPETENCIES:
    Upon Successful completion of this course, you will have mastered the following basic competencies:

  • Solve and graph inequalities involving absolute value, rational expressions, and one or two variables.
  • Define function and give several examples.
  • Graph linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
  • Use logarithms to solve exponential equations.
  • Find distance between points, midpoint of a line segment, and determine the equation of a line, given two points.
  • Solve any polynomial equation and graph any polynomial function.
  • Use right-triangle trigonometry, laws of sine and cosine to find missing parts of a triangle.
  • Find inverses of trigonometric functions and graph both the function and its inverse.
  • Solve trigonometric equations, write complex numbers in trigonometric form, and graph using polar coordinates.
  • Solve systems of equations using matrices.
  • Use symmetry, asymptotes, and other analytical aids to graph functions.
  • Graph equations of conic sections.
  • Identify arithmetic or geometric sequences, find specific terms of a sequence or series, solve series problems, and use the binomial theorem to find a specific term of an expansion.
PVCC General Education Learning Outcome: Problem Solving

This course will help you meet PVCC’s General Education Problem Solving Outcome by enabling you to
define problems, collect and analyze quantitative information, develop reasonable interpretations and appropriate mathematical models to solve problems, compare alternative solution strategies, and communicate process and results. Your ability to use quantitative methods to analyze information and solve problems will be measured using PVCC’s cross-discipline rubric which measures the following dimensions of problem solving:
1. Define the problem.
2. Develop a plan to solve the problem.
3. Collect and analyze appropriate information.
4. Interpret findings to determine plausible solutions.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the problem-solving process and the results obtained.
6. Communicate the results.



--

PVCC MATHEMATICS/COMPUTER SCIENCE DIVISION EXPECTED
STUDENT BEHAVIOR FOR SUCCESS
  • As a college student you need to discipline yourself as to your study habits and classroom behavior. Get to class at least a couple of minutes early. You are expected to at least be on time for each class and remain seated for the entire class. If you must leave early, it is considered only common courtesy to leave quietly and to have informed your instructor beforehand. Please leave beepers, ipods, cell phones and other electronic devices off. Inattentiveness, disruptiveness or extensive tardies/absences may affect a student's grade.
  • If for some reason you decide to drop this course, you are advised to discuss it first with your instructor. If you are having difficulties, please see your instructor before giving up or dropping the class. A grade of W will be assigned if you drop before 10/08/2010. I will drop you with a W by this date if you are not attending class. Not attending means that you have missed one test, or have not been in class for 3 consecutive class meetings. If you request to be dropped after that date (your instructor has the right to refuse to drop you after 10/08/2010) your drop grade will reflect your status at that time, you will get a W if you are passing and a Y if you are failing. If you are still on the class roster at the end of the semester, you will be assigned a grade of A, B, C, D or F, based on your class average. You will not be automatically dropped after 10/08/2010. It is your responsibility to get the appropriate paperwork signed.
  • If you have completed at least 70% of the homework and have attended class on a regular basis, I will drop you with a W after 10/08/2010. Completing 70% of the homework means that you have scored an average of 80% on them.
  • Undergraduate study is time consuming. You can anticipate spending two or more hours of study, reading and research for every hour you spend in the classroom. To earn three hours of academic credit, classes must meet for a minimum of forty-five (45) classroom hours. Take these demands seriously as you plan your academic schedule.
  • Have your homework completed before class starts. Please feel free to contact me whenever you run into difficulty, and make use of the LSC.
  • Have questions ready from the previous night's homework and be seated when class begins.
  • Continuously self test.
  • Make it a goal to attend all classes and stay the entire class period. There is a high correlation between regular class attendance, punctuality, and good grades. Even though you are absent for any reason, you are still responsible for all homework and material covered in class. Get notes from another student for classes missed.
  • Ask questions – participate, don't wait for someone else to ask questions.
  • Be prepared as if you expect a quiz every day.
  • It is the student's responsibility to understand and follow all of the policies found in the College Catalog and Student Handbook.
  • All students now have a Maricopa email address. Go to http://my.maricopa.edu/student-center/index.php to access this email and/or to have it forwarded to your own email address.
  • The student is responsible for all information contained in the syllabus.
  • Make note of Article III, Section B, paragraph 15, page 171 in the PVCC Student Handbook regarding the college’s policy on the misuse of computer technology.
  • Make note of the college’s policy on Academic Misconduct Section 2.3.11 found on pages 149 through 150.
  • Students with disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center in the Gina Kranitz Student Center, Room119 or call 602–787–7171
ALL PROVISIONS IN THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR. SUCH REVISIONS, IF ANY, WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS AND POSTED ON THE INSTRUCTOR'S WEBSITE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
https://www2.paradisevalley.edu/~nicoloff/changes.html

--

CLASS ATTENDANCE:
  Attendance and punctuality is required!! Read the school catalog to become familiar with policies on withdrawals and incompletes. There will be no make-up tests or quizzes, students must be present on test and quiz days.
ASSIGNMENTS:
  Assignments are required and will be due at the beginning of class. They will be worth 100 pts. toward the final grade. The assignments will consist of the problems on Enhanced WebAssign. Late homework will not be accepted. Late homework is defined to be any homework that is completed after the beginning of class on the day it is due.
TESTING:
  There will be up to 10 unannounced quizzes worth 100 pts. (10 pts. each) There will be 6 - 100 pt. tests during the semester to cover all chapters studied, and a final exam, worth 150 pts.
GRADING:
 
Quizzes 100 A=90-100% 765-850 pts
Homework 100 B=80-89% 680-764 pts
Tests 500 C=70-79% 595-679 pts
Final Exam 150 D=60-69% 510-584 pts
Total 850    
 
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
DATE OF CLASS MEETING SECTIONS TO BE COVERED TOPICS TO BE COVERED ASSIGN # DUE DATE
(M) 8/23 Introduction
Introduction  
(W) 8/25
2.1 What is a function? #1 8/30
(M) 8/30 2.2 Graphs of functions #2 9/1
(W) 9/1 2.3 Increasing and Decreasing Functions; Average Rate of Change #3 9/8
(M) 9/6 NO CLASS LABOR DAY
(W) 9/8 2.4 Transformation of functions #4 9/13
(M) 9/13

2.5

Quadratic Functions; Maxima and Minima #5 9/20
(W) 9/15 2.5 Quadratic Functions; Maxima and Minima #6 9/20
(M) 9/20 2.6
2.7
2.8
Modeling with Functions
Combining Functions
One-to-One Functions and Their Inverses
#7 9/22
(W) 9/22
3.1
3.2
3.3
Polynomials Functions and Their Graphs
Dividing Polynomials
Real Zeros of Polynomials
#8 9/27
(M) 9/27 3.4
3.5
3.6
Complex Numbers
Complex Zeros and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Rational Functions
#9 9/29
(W) 9/29 4.1
REVIEW
Exponential Functions
REVIEW
#10 10/6
(M) 10/4 TEST I TEST I CHAPTER 2 & SECTIONS (3.1 - 3.3)
(W) 10/6 4.2
4.3
4.4
Logarithmic Functions
Laws of Logarithms
Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
#11 10/11
(F) 10/8
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT INSTRUCTOR’S SIGNATURE
(M) 10/11 4.5
5.1
5.2
Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
The Unit Circle
Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers
#12 10/13
(W) 10/13 5.3
REVIEW
Trigonometric Graphs
REVIEW
#13 10/20
(M) 10/18 TEST II TEST II SECTIONS (3.4 - 3.6) & CHAPTER 4
(W) 10/20 5.4
6.1
6.2
More Trigonometric Graphs
Angle Measure
Trigonometry of Right Triangles
#14 10/25
(M) 10/25 6.3
6.4
6.5

Trigonometric Functions of Angles
The Law of Sines
The Law of Cosines

#15 10/27
(W) 10/27 7.1
7.2
Trigonometric Identities
Addition and Subtraction Formulas
#16 11/1
(M) 11/1 7.3
REVIEW
Double-Angle, Half-Angle, and Sum-Product Formulas
REVIEW
#17 11/8
(W) 11/3
TEST III TEST III CHAPTERS (5 & 6)
(M) 11/8

7.4
7.5
8.1

Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric Equations
Polar Coordinates
#18 11/10
(W) 11/10

9.1
9.2
9.3

Systems of Equations
Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
Systems of Linear Equations in Several Variables
#19 11/15
(M) 11/15
9.4
9.5
9.9
Systems of Equations: Matrices
The Algebra of Matrices
Systems of Inequalities
#20 11/17
(W) 11/17

10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

Parabolas
Ellipses
Hyperbolas
Shifted Conics
#21 11/22
(M) 11/22

11.1
REVIEW

Sequences and Summation Notation
REVIEW
#22 11/29
(W) 11/24 TEST IV TEST IV CHAPTERS (7 - 9)
(M) 11/29 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH INSTRUCTOR’S SIGNATURE
(M) 11/29 11.2
11.3
11.5
11.6
Arithmetic Sequences
Geometric Sequences
Mathematical Induction
The Binomial Theorem
#2312/1
(W) 12/1
REVIEW REVIEW
(M) 12/6
TEST V TEST V CHAPTERS (10 & 11)
(W) 12/8 REVIEW REVIEW
(M) 12/13
COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL EXAM
2:00 PM - 4:15 PM


--






STUDENT INFORMATION/SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
Course Prefix & Number______________
Semester__________________________
Lecture Section Number______________
Phone # (_____)-___________________
e-mail address_________________________________
I have received a copy of the syllabus, and I understand the following:
 
A) The instructor contact information and the most appropriate way to use this information.
B) I am responsible for all course material and preparation for class.
C) All of the policies and procedures for this course, especially the Grading, Attendance and Withdrawal Policies.
D) I am responsible for knowing all of the information that pertains to my legal rights that are contained in the current Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) Student Handbook and College Catalog.
E) In order to receive any special accommodations for this class I must register myself with the PVCC Disability Resource Center.
F) The class syllabus is subject to change, and it is my responsibility to know the changes.
 
__________________________________________________________________
Student Printed Name
 
__________________________________________________________________
Student Signature
____________________________
Date
--


Last upTuesday, November 2, 2010 7:27 PM-->-->
Paradise Valley Community College-
URL-http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~nicoloff/187syl20106.html
© 2004 Maricopa County Community College District. All Rights Reserved.
Click here for Questions or Comments.

Maricopa County Community CollegesBack to top of page