MCR 6 - Learning Support for PreCalculus I at Reynolds Community College
Course Description
Effective: 2017-08-01
Provides instruction for students who require minimum preparation for college-level Precalculus. Students in this course will be co-enrolled in MTH 161. Credits not applicable toward graduation and do not replace MTE courses waived. Successful completion of Precalculus I results in the prerequisite MTE modules being satisfied.
Lecture 1-2 hours. Total 1-2 hours per week.
1-2 credits
General Course Purpose
To enable qualified students to enter into credit bearing courses sooner, with the appropriate support, and with equal or better success than those students meeting course prerequisite requirements. The course provides support and enhancement of foundational and course content required of the credit course.
Course Prerequisites/Corequisites
Prerequisites: Completion of any seven of the MTE modules 1-9 and Corequisite: MTH 161: Precalculus I.
Course Objectives
- Relations and Functions
- Distinguish between relations and functions.
- Evaluate functions both numerically and algebraically.
- Determine the domain and range of functions in general, including root and rational functions.
- Perform arithmetic operations on functions, including the composition of functions and the difference quotient.
- Identify and graph linear, absolute value, quadratic, cubic, and square root functions and their transformations.
- Determine and verify inverses of one-to-one functions.
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Determine the general and standard forms of quadratic functions.
- Use formula and completing the square methods to determine the standard form of a quadratic function.
- Identify intercepts, vertex, and orientation of the parabola and use these to graph quadratic functions.
- Identify zeros (real-valued roots) and complex roots, and determine end behavior of higher order polynomials and graph the polynomial, and graph.
- Determine if a function demonstrates even or odd symmetry.
- Use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, Rational Root test, and Linear Factorization Theorem to factor polynomials and determine the zeros over the complex numbers.
- Identify intercepts, end behavior, and asymptotes of rational functions, and graph.
- Solve polynomial and rational inequalities.
- Interpret the algebraic and graphical meaning of equality of functions (f(x) = g(x)) and inequality of functions (f(x) > g(x))
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Identify and graph exponential and logarithmic functions and their transformations.
- Use properties of logarithms to simplify and expand logarithmic expressions.
- Convert between exponential and logarithmic forms and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the two forms.
- Solve exponential and logarithmic equations using one-to-one and inverse properties.
- Solve application problems involving exponential and logarithmic functions.
- Systems of Equations
- Solve three variable linear systems of equations using the Gaussian elimination method.
- To achieve the above objectives, the support course will cover appropriate topics such as those suggested below in both planned review and just-in-time remediation:
- Student Skills Topics
- Class activities may include:
- Reviewing notes from class lectures
- Activities on taking good notes
- Analyzing personal time management
- Correcting textbook homework
- Predicting test questions
- Correcting tests
- Preparing for tests
- Asking good questions
- Exploring skills for using technology effectively
- Discussions may include the following topics:
- Using a planner/electronic device to keep up with assignments
- What work needs to happen outside of classes
- How does one use class notes?
- Why and when is it important to read the text?
- What does the instructor mean when he/she asks me to show my work?
- Math Skills Topics
- Operations with fractions
- Order of Operations
- Exponents involving positive and negative bases
- Laws of Exponents (including fractional and negative)
- Domain and Range
- Squaring binomials
- Factoring
- Simplifying radical expressions
- Graphing linear equations and inequalities
- Writing equations of lines given specific information
- Solving first and second degree equations and inequalities
- Quadratic Formula
- Interval Notation
- Evaluating expressions/functions for given values of variables
- Solving radical and rational equations
- Simplifying complex fractions
Major Topics to be Included
- Relations and Functions
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Systems of Equations and Inequalities