There are files on this site in PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader to read them. Click the following icon to obtain a free copy of the Acrobat Reader.
It is important that you have the most current version of the Acrobat Reader that your system will allow. The above links will take you to the Adobe site. Your system will be automatically analyzed and you will be informed of the optimal version of the reader for your system.
Note: These are "official" office hours. However, I will make myself available whenever I can. Please do not be afraid to ask for help at any time as I am always eager to help.
Once you login to Blackboard, locate your math class and take some time to find out what is provided. Then read the "Welcome Message" in the Discussion Board and reply to to the "Welcome Message" thread. In the future, use the Discussion Board to discuss issues and problems you are having with your class.
Help is available in many forms.
After you complete the registration process at Registration, proceed to the Mathlab which is located in the Academic Support Center (ASC) of the Learning Resource Center (LRC). There will be an instructor there who will give you an information page, and a contract to sign.
You can find a list of instructors who work in the Mathlab (Math 152) and a schedule for the hours that Mathlab is open at the following link.
The mathlab is not a great place to get personal, extensive, one-on-one tutoring (you should make an appointment with an ASC tutor for that), but it is a great place to work on your homework and get quick help when you are stuck. People work on their homework, then raise their hand when stuck, and tutors come by as soon as they are available. Tutors are trained to jump around from student to student, hopefully not taking too much time with each question, so its likely that you can get quick attention as you need it.
It is important to stay on task when class is in session. Hence, conversation not pertaining to the subject at hand should be taken outside the classroom.
I understand that students will have to get up and leave the room for various reasons and I also understand that students will arrive late from time to time. However, courtesy requires that you enter and leave as quietly as possible, without disturbing discussion or lecture.
It is essential for student success to maintain a good environment in the classroom. If you have any personal difficulties with the learning envrionment in the classroom, please visit me in my office to discuss them.
We will be using the following textbook:
This same text is used in College Algebra (Math 30).
The text is available in the bookstore, on Amazon, and on campusbooks.com.
It is important that you read and work the examples in the textbook before attemping the exercises. Many students will work the process in reverse. That is, they begin working the exercises, then if stuck, they page back through the narrative in the text seeking a similar example to the exercise on which they are working. This is not a recommended approach to the study of mathematics.
The TI graphing calculator is required in all mathematics courses (at or above Math 106) at College of the Redwoods. If you have a TI82, it will suffice, as will a TI83, TI83+, TI84, or TI84+. However, if you plan on purchasing a new calculator, we recommend the TI84 Plus.
I probably cannot provide help on other versions of the graphing calculator during class other than on those mentioned above. However, I am always willing to help the student outside of classtime on calculators such as Casio, HP, or high end TI's (e.g., TI89). Just stop by my office and be sure to bring the manual for your calculator.
Kevin Yokoyama has developed a calculator help tutorial. The web address is
The Mathematics Department has a limited number of calculators that it rents to students each semester. There is a one-time, non-refundable fee of $20. To rent a calculator, please follow these steps:
Students who need special arrangements for examinations are expected to meet with the instructor before each examination to insure that all examination materials are on file in the Academic Support Center (the ASC is in the Learning Resource Center (library)).
If you know ahead of time that you have a conflict that will prevent you from sitting for an examination, please meet with me to discuss alternatives.
Every student will be required to sit for a final, cumulative examination. The time and day of this examination is posted in the Schedule of Classes and students are expected to sit for the exam at the time and on the day posted. No exceptions. Any student failing to sit for the final examination will receive an F in the class. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans for the end of the semester. Plan ahead!
The OPTIMATH testing system uses PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader to take the online quizzes. Click the following icon to obtain a free copy of the Acrobat Reader.
It is important that you have the most current version of the Acrobat Reader that your system will allow. The above links will take you to the Adobe site. Your system will be automatically analyzed and you will be informed of the optimal version of the reader for your system.
Assistance for using the online testing system can be found at
It is essential that students keep up with the homework on a daily basis. Each time you come to class without your homework, you are not prepared to take part in the class at a level geared to your success. Therefore, students are encouraged to hand in homework on time. However, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities that many students have to deal with outside the classroom. Consequently, I do allow a "grace period" of one class period for late work. That is, if you hand your homework in by the next class period, I will still accept the assignment. However, there is an automatic 2-point deduction for late work. Homework later than one class period will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing difficulty getting your homework in on time, or if you know an upcoming event will interfere with getting your homework in on time, please discuss this with your instructor. We can possibly make some arrangment to help facilitate the completion of your work.
In order to facilitate the recording of homework scores, students are required to place their name in the upper right-hand corner of their homework assignment and staple the pages together with a single staple in the upper left-hand corner. On the first line of the of the first page of your homework, please write down the assignment number, the pages that encompass the assignement, and list each exercise number assigned. For example, the first line of your homework might read:
As your instructor, I reserve the right to make adjustments to the syllabus should things not proceed as smoothly as expected. However, in general, I do not anticipate making changes.