Course Syllabus

 Course Description:

This course covers arithmetic and key concepts in elementary algebra, which are typically difficult for elementary algebra students. Topics include arithmetic operations on integers, fractions and decimals, application of order of operations to simplifying arithmetic and algebraic expressions, solving linear equations, graphing linear equations, and applications.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Apply the order of operations and rules of exponents to integers, fractions and decimals.
2. Write a whole number as a product of prime factors.
3. Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.
4. Solve linear equations in one variable using the addition and multiplication properties of equality.
5. Write an algebraic expression as a product of factors using the distributive property.
6. Graph linear equations in x and y.

Course Content:

• Whole numbers: Write and read in words; commutative, associative and distributive laws; exponents, order of operations, prime numbers, some word problems
• Positive and negative integers and the number line: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers; raising integers to whole number and integer powers, multiplication and division of monomials, some word problems
• Common fractions: Least common multiple, greatest common factor, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with fractions (positive and negative); order of operations, complex fractions, some word problems
• Decimal fractions: Place value, rounding, operations with decimal fractions (positive and negative) with order of operations, interchanging common fractions with decimal fractions, operations on monomials, some word problems
• Ratio, proportion, percent, square roots, simplifying square roots of numbers that are not perfect squares, Pythagorean theorem, properties of our base ten number system, multiplication and division by powers of ten, scientific notation, some word problems
• Measurement: Metric system, perimeter, area, volume, and surface area of common figures
• Problem solving techniques: Some algebraic techniques, pattern recognition, and guess and check methods should be demonstrated throughout the course

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Prealgebra from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-00-X

You have several options to obtain this book:

• View online (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
• Download a PDF (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
• Order a print copy (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Important Notes:

• All first week assignments need to be completed and submitted by the due date to avoid possibly being dropped from the class.

• Any student needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disabled Student Program and Services (DSP&S) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. All information will remain confidential.

• ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

  Students at Reedley College are entitled to the best education that the college can make available to them, and they, their instructors, and their fellow students share the responsibility to ensure that this education is honestly attained. Because cheating, plagiarism, and collusion in dishonest activities erode the integrity of the college, each student is expected to exert an entirely honest effort in all academic endeavors. Academic dishonesty in any form is a very serious offense and will incur serious consequences.

   Cheating is the act or attempted act of taking an examination or performing an assigned, evaluated task in a fraudulent or deceptive manner, such as having improper access to answers, in an attempt to gain an unearned academic advantage.  Cheating may include, but is not limited to, copying from another’s work, supplying one’s work to another, giving or receiving copies of examinations without an instructor’s permission, using or displaying notes or devices inappropriate to the conditions of the examination, allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the student, or failing to disclose research results completely.

   Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating: the use of another’s words or ideas without identifying them as such or giving credit to the source. Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to, failing to provide complete citations and references for all work that draws on the ideas, words, or work of others, failing to identify the contributors to work done in collaboration, submitting duplicate work to be evaluated in different courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors involved, or failing to observe computer security systems and software copyrights. Incidents of cheating and plagiarism may result in any of a variety of sanctions and penalties, which may range from a failing grade on the particular examination, paper, project, or assignment in question to a failing grade in the course, at the discretion of the instructor and depending on the severity and frequency of the incidents.