Download MATH 131 Rev Nov 2012 - Glendale Community College

Degree Applicable
Glendale Community College
November, 2012
COURSE OUTLINE
MATHEMATICS 131
Intermediate Algebra for Statistics
I.
Catalog Statement
Mathematics 131 is a one-semester course leading to transfer-level Statistics (Math 136),
Finite Mathematics (Math 111), Liberal Arts Mathematics (Math 135), and Math for
Elementary Teachers I (Math 138). Topics include curve plotting, linear equations and
inequalities, radicals, functions and inverse functions, systems of linear equations, matrix
row operations, exponential and logarithmic functions, descriptive statistics, graphical and
numerical statistics for quantitative and categorical data, modeling bivariate data with linear
functions, introductory set theory, and introductory probability. This course is designed for
non-STEM students who are not majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics,
or business.
Note: A maximum of 7 units will be granted for Math 131, 101, 120 or 220. A maximum of
5 units will be granted for Math 131 and 119 or 219.
Units - 5.0
Lecture Hours - 5.0
Prerequisite: Placement is based on a composite of test scores and academic background or
satisfactory completion of Math 141, Math 146, or two units of Math 246.
II. Course Entry Expectations
Skill Level Ranges: Reading 5; Writing 4; Listening/Speaking 5; Math 4
AND
Prior to enrolling in the course, the student should be able to:
1. add, subtract, multiply and divide real numbers;
2. solve linear equations and inequalities;
3. solve absolute value equations and inequalities;
4. simplify exponential expressions;
5. add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials;
6. graph linear equations and inequalities;
7. find the equation of the line passing through 2 points;
8. solve linear systems using 3 different methods;
9. use algebra to solve applied problems;
10. use function notation;
11. factor polynomials;
12. add, subtract, multiply and divide algebraic fractions;
13. solve rational equations;
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14. use algebra to solve applied problems;
15. use the properties of radicals to simplify radicals;
16. add, subtract, multiply and divide radicals;
17. solve radical equations;
18. solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic
formula;
19. graph quadratic functions and circles;
20. use the distance formula to find the distance between two points.
III. Course Exit Standards
Upon successful completion of the coursework, the student will be able to:
1. solve absolute value equations and inequalities;
1. solve linear equations and inequalities;
2. solve equations with radicals;
3. find the equation of a line and interpret the slope and intercept;
4. solve a system of linear equations using elimination, graphing, and matrices;
5. solve applied problems;
6. find the inverse of a function;
7. solve logarithmic and exponential equations;
8. find the nth term of arithmetic and geometric sequences;
9. graph functions (linear, exponential, logarithmic);
10. apply the Binomial Theorem;
11. compute basic statistics for a variable, including mean, median, mode, quartiles, range,
variance and standard deviation;
12. describe the distribution of a quantitative variable in terms of its shape, center and
spread, using graphical techniques;
13. apply addition and multiplication rules of probability in problem solving including
computing expected value;
14. identify probability models and compute their areas.
IV. Course Content
Total Faculty Contact Hours = 80
A. Descriptive Statistics
25 hours
1. Basic Statistics
a. Simple random samples and sampling bias
b. Measures of center: mean, median, and mode
c. Measures of spread: standard deviation, variance, interquartile range, and range
2. Graphs of one variable
a. Histograms
b. Stem plots
c. Box plots
d. Bar Chart
e. Pie Chart
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3. Graphs of two variables
a. Linear equations and inequalities with one and two variables, including absolute
values
b. The rectangular coordinate system
c. Scatterplots
d. The slope of a line
e. Equations of lines
f. Summation notation
g. Geometric and arithmetic series
h. Regression Lines
i. Correlation
B. Systems of Equations
10 hours
1. Solutions by graphing
2. Solutions by elimination
3. Finding the solution of three equations in three variables using matrix row operations
4. Applications
a. Supply and demand equilibrium
b. Breakeven price and quantity
C. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
20 hours
1. Functions including exponents and radicals and scientific notation
2. One-to-one functions
3. Inverse functions
4. Exponential functions
5. Logarithmic functions
6. Common and natural logarithms
7. Transforming data
8. Applications
a. Simple vs. compound interest
b. Loan payments
c. Annuities
d. Growth/decline patterns
D. Basic Set Theory and Probability
25 hours
1. Set Theory
a. The real number system
b. Subsets
c. Complements
d. Unions and intersections
e. De Morgan’s Laws
f. Counting techniques, permutations, and combinations
g. Binomial Theorem
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2. Probability Rules
a. Addition and multiplication rules
b. Conditional probability, dependent and independent events
c. 2-Way Tables
d. Expected Value and the Pythagorean Theorem of Statistics
3. Probability Models
a. General probability density functions
b. Binomial, Normal, and Chi-squared distributions
c. Cumulative distribution functions
V. Methods of Instruction
The following instructional methodologies may be used in the course:
1. lecture/discussion;
2. small group work/discussion;
3. online presentation;
4. Computer software and/or graphing calculator demonstrations.
VI. Out of Class Assignments
The following out of class assignments may be used in the course:
1. homework;
2. project(s) using datasets and technology culminating in a written report.
VII. Methods of Evaluation
The following methods of evaluation may be used in the course:
1. five to eight regularly scheduled examinations;
2. one two-and-one half hour comprehensive final examination;
3. quizzes;
4. group work.
VIII. Textbook
1. McKeague, C. P., Intermediate Algebra. Custom Edition for GCC, 9th Edition.
Mason: Cengage Learning, 2011.
11th Grade Textbook Reading Level. ISBN: 1-111-75205-2.
2. Barbara Illowsky, Susan Dean, Collaborative Statistics, most recent version.
Cnx.org (College Open Text Books) Present.
11th Grade Textbook Reading Level.
IX. Student Learning Outcomes
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1. Student will solve equations and inequalities (linear, absolute value, radical, exponential,
logarithmic, systems).
2. Student will simplify various algebraic expressions (radical, exponential, logarithmic).
3. Student will graph various sets of data and functions (quantitative, categorical, bivariate,
linear, exponential, logarithmic).
4. Student will use mathematical models to solve application problems (linear, exponential,
logarithmic, systems of equations, sequences, series, probability).
5. Student will apply formulas and rules (arithmetic, geometric, binomial, probability,
statistics).