Course Content

A course in elementary algebra designed for the student with a background in numerical skills. Students have the opportunity to prepare for intermediate algebra and other mathematics coursework recommended in education, fine arts, the humanities or social sciences.  Topics include basic operations on real numbers, elementary geometry, introduction to algebra, linear equations and graphs, linear equations with applications, exponent properties, systems of linear equations in two unknowns, polynomials and factoring methods. 

This course may not be used to satisfy any general university graduation requirements.  This course does not count toward a student's hours for graduation or in the determination of hours attempted or earned.  This course may not be used to satisfy any general university graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

After completing this course students will

1. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the real numbers, the basic operations and their properties, basic operations with algebraic expressions, order of operations, and be able to translate algebraic expressions into English phrases, and from English phrases into algebraic expressions.
2. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of combining like terms, use the addition-subtraction property, the multiplication-division property of equalities and inequalities and several combinations of these properties to solve linear equations and inequalities. Use of ratios, proportion and percent in problem solving.
3. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the formulas (geometric and others) which can be used to transform word problems into equations, and solving application problems involving geometry, motion, and mixture.
4. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Cartesian coordinate system, graphing linear equations, the slope of the line and solve the system of two linear equations in two variables.
5. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the properties of exponents, use of scientific notation, and addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of polynomials.
6. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of factoring by the distributive property, by grouping, factoring the difference of two squares, factoring of trinomials, solving quadratic equations using factoring method and application problem solving.