Math 30: Unit 1

  • Unit 1 Target Date: Tuesday, September 1
  • Unit 1 DEADLINE Date: Tuesday, September 8

    • Note: The information on this page is for the 8th edition of the textbook.    (Revised Aug. 25, 2009)

    Topics [Study] [Exam]

    Unit 1 should be mostly review. The focus will be on solutions of equations and inequalities. We will review how to solve linear equations, quadratic equations, radical equations, "quadratic type" equations, and equations with absolute values.
    Study Guidelines [Topics] [Exam]

    These reading and problem assignments are designed to help you learn the course material. You should complete all of these problems, check your answers in the back of the textbook, and get help with the problems that you missed. Most of the problems are odd-numbered, so you can check the solutions in the Solutions Manual.

    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. After completing these problems, go on to the Unit Exam Description below and follow directions.
    • 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:   Linear 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 87 and the "Steps for solving equations" on page 88.
      • Practice Problems: 1.1 #1-8, 9-15 odd, 17, 23, 27, 33, 37, 41, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 59, 63, 65, 67, 75, 77, 79, 81, 100, 101.

    • 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 103).
      • Practice Problems: 1.2: #1-8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 25, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45, 51, 55, 59, 61, 67, 71, 75, 79, 83, 87, 93, 95, 97, 101, 105, 107, 113, 125.

    • (Skip Section 1.3 for now)

    • 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 of 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 #1-6, 7, 11, 19, 23, 27, 29, 35, 39, 41, 45, 51, 55, 59, 65, 69, 73, 79, 89, 91, 97.

    • Supplementary material (optional) for sections 1.1-6:
      • Student Solutions Manual for Chapter 1
      • Video lectures are available on reserve in the CR library.
      • 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 first obtain an access code from me.
      • Graphing Calculator Help
    List of Miscellaneous Things to Know and Be Able To Do: [Topics] [Study]

    To be successful in Unit #1, you should have the following knowledge and skills:

    • Know what "solve" means
    • solving linear equations
    • inverse operations
    • fractions -- how to add, subtract, multiply
    • how to clear fractions
    • how to find LCD of rational expressions
    • factoring polynomials
    • zero product property
    • solving equations with squares
    • solving equations with quadratics
    • recognizing quadratic situations
    • solving equations with radicals (sq rt, cube rt, etc)
    • fractional exponents (rational exponents)
    • rules of exponents
    • graphical solutions
    • solving proportions (helpful)
    • ratios
    • how to solve application problems
    • mean average
    • perimeter of triangles, rectangles
    • area of rectangles
    Unit Exam #1 [Topics] [Study]

    After completing the above work, do the following:
    1. Before taking Unit Exam #1, you should have completed the Online Testing Practice in Optimath If not, then do so now.
    2. Read the exam description:
      • The Unit 1 Exam has 20 questions, and will count 20 points toward your grade.
      • This exam has a one hour time limit.
      • Calculators may be used on this exam.
      • Unless questions are multiple choice or multiple selection, be sure to 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 semicolons, such as -3;4. In this case, the order of the values is not important.
        • All answers on this exam must be exact.
        • For any application questions on this exam, you should not type in any units such as "miles" or "meters" or "seconds" to your answers.
    3. Complete the online Unit 1 Pretest/HW assignment in Optimath. You may use your book if you wish, and redo the pretest as many times as you like. Your pretest score will be scaled to 10 points maximum.
      • Directions: At the Optimath online testing web site, choose U1 Pretest/HW.
      • Aim to complete the pretest by the Unit 1 TARGET date listed above.
        You may redo the pretest as many times as you like before its deadline. Your best score counts, and it will be rescaled to 10 points maximum.
    4. 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.
    5. Go to the Academic Support Center to take the online proctored Unit 1 Exam assignment (see the instructions for proctored exams. Remember to bring photo identification, and remember that you will not be able to take the unit exam after the deadline date listed above. You may NOT use books or notes on this exam.
      • Directions: At the Optimath online testing web site, choose Unit 1 Exam.
      • The proctored unit exam must be completed by the deadline date listed above, and may be repeated under certain conditions.
      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.
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