The College Algebra course covers what would be taught in a semester-long college course. The course is divided between solving problems requiring basic algebraic skills and problems where the student shows their understanding of algebra concepts.
Part 5 of 5: Exploring Intermediate Topics
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Pre-calculus typically has the following topics:
Scaffolding student thinking and lowering student math anxiety with breakthrough user interfaces that help with algebra concepts and word problems. Granting visibility into every step of the student problem solving process by allowing students to show their work.
Course Description This undergraduate course focuses on traditional algebra topics that have found greatest application in science and engineering as well as in mathematics.
Topics within this course include: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, inverse functions and their graphs, linear inequalities, and linear systems of equations. Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate increased ability in problem-solving and logical thinking.
The course covers the following topics: Radicals, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Absolute Value and Polynomial Functions, Equations, Synthetic Division, the Remainder, Factor, and Rational and Conjugate Root Theorems, Linear-Quadratic and Quadratic-Quadratic Systems, Determinants and Cramer's Rule, and Systems ...
The content in a college algebra course centers on algebraic relationships, functions and graphs that go beyond basic high school algebra. Students learn to solve for one or two unknown variables in a variety of complex equations.
In fact, the standard CA course in American colleges and universities is identical to high school Algebra II.
College algebra is a transfer level algebra course offered at many California community colleges and CSU campuses and generally has a prerequisite of intermediate algebra.
College Algebra is not equivalent to Precalculus. Precalculus is a more advanced course than College Algebra. The prerequisite for Precalculus is a grade of C or better in College Algebra or the equivalent. By the equivalent, we mean a grade of B or better in one of the high school courses listed in (1) above.
College algebra is usually a pre-requisite for higher level math courses and science degrees. Although it can be a little bit tricky, mastering these concepts is necessary to moving forward in math. There is no fast and simple way to pass college algebra.
Better yet, the analytical skill set learned in college algebra has very practical applications in business, science, health care, and other non-technical fields like teaching, design, or any job that requires some degree of analytical thinking.
Is Pre-Calculus Easier than College Algebra? Pre-calculus is not easier than college algebra. College algebra is quite similar to high school-level algebra courses. Generally, pre-calculus is more advanced and difficult since it contains additional topics such as trigonometry which are not taught in college algebra.
Algebra III is basically advanced, college level algebra, so that would be using matrices, but larger ones, more complex trigonometry, precalc, etc.
Students who start at the lowest level of remedial math may otherwise face a long slog through three or even four remedial courses in arithmetic, beginning algebra and intermediate algebra. And that's before they can even get to the first college-level math course, generally “college algebra” or pre-calculus.
MATH 1010 is a three-credit college algebra course that is designed to provide students with the quantitative skills necessary to model and analyze real-world problems. With just a handful of different algebraic tools and modeling techniques, students will be able to interpret, visualize, and describe a vast array of mathematical relationships that arise in ecology, economics, medicine, and many other fields. This course will emphasize using algebraic principles to strengthen problem-solving skills and enhance communication of quantitative concepts. Topics include polynomial functions, rational functions, absolute value functions, piecewise functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, solving systems of equations and inequalities, and elementary mathematical modeling and applications.
MATH 1010 is a lecture-only course. We do not offer a lab component and therefore no lab materials are needing to be purchased.
This course is organized into four modules that contain short video lessons, exercises, readings and other instructional resources.
You need to demonstrate the understanding and ability to solve routine and straightforward problems as well as non-routine ones.
This online course includes a carefully structured series of video lectures, readings and exercises.
This course reviews the fundamentals taught in Algebra during one semester in college. Our goal as creators of this course is to prepare you to pass the College Board’s CLEP examination and obtain college credit for free.
This course is designed to prepare you for the CLEP College Algebra exam and cover other related topics as well.
Group theory is the study of symmetry, and is one of the most beautiful areas in all of mathematics. It arises in puzzles, visual arts, music, nature, the physical and life sciences, computer science, cryptography, and of course, all throughout mathematics.
Homework should be written up carefully and concisely. Please write in complete sentences. Part of your grade will be based on the presentation and clarity of your answers. Enough of the problem statements should be copied down so that your homework solutions are self-contained and the textbook is not needed to read, understand, and grade them.
Some schools, particularly community colleges, offer an alternative course titled Contemporary Math that teaches similar critical thinking skills, but puts math in a more workable context for non-math majors.
Contemporary math classes teach basic arithmetic concepts, such as the meaning and usage of numerical sets, and students often use math skills in context, such as how they apply to modern social situations.
Geometry basics such as circumference, volume and area are often included in contemporary math class topics. Probability and statistics are commonly included, focusing on the likelihood of certain events occurring, determining proper experimental sample groups and sizes, understanding percentiles and standard deviation, and finding mean, ...
In contemporary math classes, students improve their critical thinking skills . They learn to use premises to determine conclusions, analyze language to establish credibility and likelihood, use methods such as Venn Diagrams to examine relationships and visualize patterns, estimate and apply various problem-solving methods to situations. Although some of these concepts use more language than numbers, the logical concepts are often part of contemporary math coursework.
Some educators believe that students often do not use the algebra skills learned in school in workplace applications, especially those not majoring in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Because of this concern, along with the fact that so many students struggle with college algebra, math courses for liberal arts majors abound. Many educators and employers agree graduates need basic mathematics understanding and critical thinking skills that allow them to apply reasoning in real-life situations, the concepts focused on in contemporary math courses.