MA104 COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH APPLICATIONS IN THE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES (4 Cr.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Satisfies the foundations of natural science- mathematics requirement [Division III]

Prerequisite: MA 100 (Passed with C- or better.) or satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam.  A graphing calculator or equivalent software is required.

Offered:  Fall, Winter

General Introduction and Goals

This course is designed for students who need college algebra but do not intend to take calculus. The applications of algebra are stressed; mathematical topics are chosen primarily on the basis of their immediate applicability. Such applications are drawn mainly from the natural sciences and technologies. This course will prepare students to study Trigonometry, MA 106, and Calculus with Applications, MA 271. And although MA 103 is the recommended preparatory course for the study of statistics, MA 104 is as an alternative prerequisite for Statistics. To move to the precalculus track (MA115) from MA 104, a student must achieve at least a B- in this course.

Course Content

1. Review of Algebra
   • Polynomials and operations on polynomials
   • Solving linear and quadratic equations
   • Integral and rational exponents and radicals
   • Fractional expressions
   • The coordinate plane and graphing
2. Learning to Use the Calculator
   • To draw graphs and to solve equations and systems of equations
3. The Function Concept
   • Functional notation and graphs of functions
   • Expressing functional dependence algebraically
4. The Study of Special Functions
   • Linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational functions
   • Functions involving radicals
5. Solving Equations
   • Algebraic and graphical methods
   • Solving literal equations
6. Exponents and Logarithms
   • Properties of the exponential and logarithmic functions
   • Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
   • Applications of the exponential and logarithmic functions
7. Systems of Equations
   • Linear systems: solving algebraically, graphically
   • Solving special non-linear systems
8. Other Topics
   • Introduction to probability
   • Introduction to right triangle trigonometry