Math 30: Unit 1

Target Date: Friday September 5
Deadline: Tuesday September 9

Note: The information on this page is for the 7th edition of the textbook.
Click here for the 6th edition information.
Click here for the 8th edition information.

Table of Contents:

Topics
Study Guidelines
Unit Written Assignment

Unit Pretest
Unit Exam Description

Unit Exam
Checklist

Topics

Unit 1 should be mostly review. The focus will be on solutions of equations. We will review how to solve linear equations, quadratic equations, radical equations, and "quadratic type" equations.

• Solving equations
  • Linear equations (1.1)
  • Quadratic equations (1.2)
  • Radical equations (1.4)
  • "Quadratic type" equations (1.4)

Study guidelines for the 7th edition of Sullivan's Algebra and Trigonometry

These reading and problem assignments are designed to help you learn the course material. After completing these Study Guidelines, complete the Unit 1 Written Assignment, and then complete the Unit 1 Pretest and the Unit 1 Exam.

In each textbook section, you should:

1. Read the indicated material.
2. Complete the Practice Problems. Check the odd-numbered answers in the textbook. If you miss any of these problems, try them again before consulting the solutions. Go back to the section text and reread relevant material and examples if necessary. If the problem is again incorrect, then you can check the Solutions Manual. Be sure to get help if you need it.
   • The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics, so while these problems will not be collected or graded, you will probably not do well in the course if you do not complete these and check your work as described above.
3. Be sure to read and respond to the discussions on Blackboard. If you have a question, post it Blackboard and check regularly for a response.
   • Note: If you subscribe to the discussion forum that corresponds to this unit, then forum posts will also show up in your email.
4. Complete the portion of the Unit 1 Written Assignment that covers this section.
   • Note that the written assignment is due on the Target date, not the Deadline date.

Note: The course calendar shows the approximate dates when each section will be discussed in class.

• Sections R.1-5, R.8: Review
  • Read and review sections R.1-5 and R.8 as necessary. Work through a representative sampling of the problems from these sections until you feel comfortable with the material.
    
    
• Section 1.1: Equations
  • Reading: section 1.1
    Read and work through examples 1-9 and their matched problems.
    Pay special attention to the "Procedures that result in equivalent equations" on page 85 and the "Steps for solving equations" on page 86.
  • Practice Problems: 1.1 #1-3, 9-15 odd, 17, 23, 27, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 51, 55, 59, 63, 65, 67, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 99, 100
    
    
• Section 1.2: Quadratic Equations
  • Reading: section 1.2
    Read and work through examples 1-11 and their matched problems.
    Make sure that you know the quadratic formula and the significance of the discriminant (page 102).
    
  • Note that we are only concerned with real solutions in this section. Complex solutions will be considered later in Unit 5.
  • This section also includes problems involving rational equations which simplify to quadratic equations. Here is the procedure for solving rational equations:
  1. Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD (least common denominator) of all the denominators.
  2. Solve the resulting polynomial equation (in particular, this is always possible if the resulting equation is linear or quadratic).
  3. Be sure to check your answers in the original equation. Sometimes a provisional answer causes division by 0 and must be discarded.
     
  • Practice Problems: 1.2 #1-4, 11, 15, 17, 21, 25, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45, 51, 55, 59, 61, 63, 67, 71, 75, 79, 83, 87, 89, 91
    
    
• Section 1.4: Radical Equations; Equations Quadratic in Form; Factorable Equations
  • Reading: section 1.4
    Read and work through examples 1-8 and their matched problems.
    There is a lot of variation in the problems here, so it is very important that you do lots of problems. These types of problems get easier with more experience.
  • Practice Problems: 1.4 #1-3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 29, 35, 39, 41, 45, 51, 55, 59, 65, 69, 73, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87, 89, 95
    
    

Resources:

• Student Solutions Manual
• Algebra Review booklet
• CD lecture series (step-by-step video examples on CD)
  • Section numbering on the CD's corresponds to the 7th edition of the textbook.
• Video lectures are available on reserve in the CR library.
  • Section numbering on the video lectures corresponds to the 7th edition of the textbook. Use the section correlation guide to find the corresponding sections for the 7th edition.
• For tutoring help, visit the Prentice Hall Math Tutor Center. Tutors can be contacted by phone, fax, or e-mail. To register, you will need to use your access code.
• Applets
• Online Practice Exercises
• Graphing Calculator Help

Unit 1 Written Assignment

Complete the following problems by Friday September 5:

• View or print this handout with the detailed assignment
  (pdf format - you will need a copy of Acrobat Reader to view and print the file)

Be sure to read and follow the Homework Guidelines.
Post a question on Blackboard if you are unsure of how to begin one of the problems.

Unit 1 Pretest

After completing the above work, do the following:

1. Before taking the Unit 1 Exam, you should have completed the Online Testing Practice. If not, then do so now.
2. Read the exam description:
   • For the questions with an entry box, be sure to read the instructions given in the question and look under the entry box for the expected format of the answer.
     • Some problems (for example, solutions of quadratic equations) expect a list of several values or formulas separated by commas, such as -3;4. In this case, the order of the values is not important.
     • All answers on this exam must be exact.
     • 
       
3. This exam has 16 questions, and a one hour time limit. It will count 10 points toward your grade. 
4. Complete the online Unit 1 Pretest assignment (see the instructions for pretests).
   • Directions: At the testing web site, choose Unit 1 Pretest.
   • You may use your book and notes if you wish.
   • The pretest must be completed by the deadline date listed at the top of this page.
     However, you may redo the pretest as many times as you like before the deadline date.
   • Your highest pretest score will count, and will then be rescaled to 10 points maximum.
5. If you are having trouble with any of the problems listed above or on the practice exams, make use of the help resources listed on the Help page.

1. Read the exam description above.
2. This exam has 16 questions, and a one hour time limit. It will count 20 points toward your grade.
3. Make arrangements with your proctor to take the online proctored Unit 1 Exam assignment (see the instructions for proctored exams).
   • Directions: At the testing web site, choose Unit 1 Exam.
   • Remember to bring identification to the testing location.
   • You may NOT use your book or notes on this exam.
   • The proctored unit exam must be completed by the deadline date listed at the top of this page, and may be repeated under certain conditions. See the instructions for proctored exams for specific rules.
   • Your highest exam score will count, and will then be rescaled to 20 points maximum.

Note: Remember that you can always go back and take practice exams on this unit after the deadline has passed. In particular, this will help you prepare for the midterm and final exams.

• Directions: At the testing web site, choose Unit 1 Practice. After the Unit deadline has passed, this practice exam will become available.

Unit 1 Checklist

Make sure that you have finished the following items to complete Unit 1:

• Read the material listed in the Study Guidelines.
• Practice the problems listed in the Study Guidelines, and use any of the listed resources to help you understand the concepts.
• Complete the Unit Written Assignment.
• Complete the online Unit Pretest (read the exam description first).
• Complete the online proctored Unit Exam.

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