Kingsborough Community College
The City University of New York

MAT 03: Intermediate Algebra - 0 credits, 4 hours

Course Coordinator: Professor Ron Forman

Catalog Description: MAT 03 prepares students for the study of pre-calculus and calculus. It is an intensive introduction to the concepts of college algebra, covering such topics as real numbers, polynomial operations, linear and quadratic equations. It will help students develop the skills to pass the Mathematics B High School Regents Exam and parts III, IV and V of the CUNY Freshman Skills Assessment Test in Mathematics.

College Now Description: MAT 03 prepares students for the study of pre-calculus and calculus. It is an intensive introduction to the concepts of college algebra, covering topics such as real numbers, polynominal operations, linear and quadradic equations and Gaussian elimination. Upon completion of the course, students will have developed mathematics skills that can enhance their performance on the New York State Mathematics B Regents and on college placement tests in intermediate algebra. Students who pass the course and attend a CUNY college may be able to satisfy parts 3, 4 and 5 of the university's Mathematics Skills Assessment Test by forwarding an official transcript of their math courses to the college.

Explanation and Objectives: MAT 03 is designed to help students make a smooth transition from high school to college mathematics. This course focuses on the mathematical reasoning and numeracy skills required to meet college freshman-level mathematics coursework and testing requirements. Upon completion of the course, students will have developed mathematical skills that can enhance their performance on the N.Y. State Mathematics B Regents and college placement tests in intermediate algebra, such as the CUNY Freshman Skills Assessment Test in Mathematics, parts III, IV and V.

Topical Course Outline: (Based on 56, 50-minute sessions) All lessons will include elements of mathematics skill development (i.e., application of appropriate formulae and use of mathematical vocabulary) and use of mathematical reasoning (exploring, developing and understanding mathematical ideas or inventing new ways to solve problems).

  1. Inequalities: (5 sessions)
    Linear Inequalities, Compound Linear Inequalities, Inequalities involving Absolute Values and Quadratic Inequalities.
  2. Rational Expressions: (6 sessions)
    Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions, Simplifying Complex Fractions, Fractional Equations.
  3. Exponents: (3 sessions)
    Laws of Positive Integral Exponents, Zero and Negative Exponents, Rational Exponents.
  4. Quadratic Equations: (7 sessions)
    Solving by Factoring, Solving by Completing the Square, Solving by Quadratic Formula, Verbal Problems Leading to a Quadratic Equation, Properties of the Roots of a Quadratic Equation.
  5. Radicals: (3 sessions)
    Simplification of Radicals, Addition and Subtraction of Expressions Containing Radicals, Multiplication and Division of Radicals, Equations with radicals.
  6. Complex Numbers: (2 sessions)
    Pure Imaginary Numbers, Addition, Subtraction, Division and Multiplication of Complex Numbers.
  7. Functions: (6 sessions)
    Relations, Functional Notation, Inverses, Composition of two Functions.
  8. Logarithms: (8 sessions)
    Scientific Notation, Exponential Functions, Using the Common Logarithm Table, Calculations Using Common Logarithms.
  9. Statistics: (7 sessions)
    Summation Symbol, Frequency Distributions, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Variance, Normal Distribution.
  10. Supplementary Topics, Testing and Review: (9 sessions)
    As time permits other topics might include Probability and Topics in Trigonometry. At least three days at the end of the semester should be reserved for an intensive review for the Math B Regents Exam. There should also be a review of sample CUNY Placement Exams.
  11. Writing in Mathematics: (All Sessions)
    Discussion and practice of critical thinking and writing skills in mathematics needed to pass the Math B Regents examination and CUNY Freshman Skills Test.

Textbook: Bittinger, Ellenbogen & Johnson, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra Concepts and Applications, 3rd Edition 2001, (ISBN 0201719665).

Methods of Teaching: Lectures with student participation supplemented by computer software. Mathematical concepts and procedures will be developed through examples, demonstrations and discussions, with an emphasis on explaining why and how a procedure works. Teachers will also encourage students to engage in creative mathematical work by asking them to develop procedures themselves based on what they have learned in previous lessons. Each week a cumulative review will be presented as a take-home or in-class assignment and at least one fifteen minute quiz will be administered to assess progress and problems. Test taking tips and strategies will be a part of each lesson. Actual Math B Regents questions will be used each day in class. Practice CUNY Placement Exams will also be used.

Assignments: Students will be given homework assignments each day. A large portion of each assignment will include questions similar to those on the Math B Regents Exam and the CUNY Placement Exams.

Methods of Evaluation: Students will be evaluated in terms of their development toward being prepared for the Math B Regents Exam and CUNY Math Assessment Test. Progress will be evaluated throughout the semester using homework assignments, weekly exams and the final examination. Students will take the regularly scheduled Math B Regents Exam administered by the high school at the end of the semester. However, the grade on the Regents exam will not be considered in the student's final grade.

Pre-requisites: Students in the third or fourth year of high school and fall into one of the following categories:

  1. Students enrolled in a Math B high school class who have been identified by the high school as being in need of extra assistance to pass the Mathematics B Regents Exam at the conclusion of the course.
  2. Students who have taken and failed the Mathematics B Regents Exam for the first time with a grade of 64% or lower.
  3. Students who will be sitting for the CUNY Freshman Skills Assessment Test during the semester.

Supplementary Resources:

  1. Stigler, James W and Hiebert, James. "Understanding and Improving Classroom Mathematics Instruction," Phi Delta Kappan, 1997
  2. Sullivan, Algebra and Trigonometry (Fifth Edition), Prentice Hall Publisher, ISBN:0-13-080006-6
  3. Weiss. Introductory Statistics (Fifth Edition), 1999, Addison-Wesley Publisher, ISBN: 0-201-88330-9
  4. Student Resource Materials from the Kingsborough Community College Mathematics Skills Laboratory