ma115: Precalculus - s24

Daniel Rowe
darowe@nmu.edu

I'm an associate professor of mathematics in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at Northern Michgan University. I've been at NMU for nine years, and I am very passionate about the praxis of doing mathematics and teaching it. I grew up on a fishing camp in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.

• office hours:
• email me to make an appointment
• zoom link - passcode 809390
• read the relevant section(s) of our materials
• study all posted solutions
• re-watch the recorded lectures
• math tutor lab on campus

• asynchronous online
• lecture recordings available for 30 days

• (30%)   Online Homework (14)
• (40%)   Weekly Tests (5)
• (30%)   Final Exam (1)

This is a condensed, online, six-week class that will teach you about precalculus mathematics. It is intended for students who plan to study calculus and those seeking quantitative literacy credit who wish to assess their desire to study calculus.

• exponents, radicals
• factoring
• rational expressions
• lines in the plane
• functions
• operations on functions
• inverse functions
• polynomials and rational functions
• polynomial long division, synthetic division
• exponential, logarithmic functions and equations
• trigonometric functions, inverses
• trigonometric identities, formulae, and equations
• conics (time permitting)

At the completion of the class, students will:

• algebraically manipulate exponential and radical expressions
• factor polynomial expressions
• algebraically manipulate rational expressions
• determine the equation of a line and identify its slope
• demonstrate understanding of functions, their graphs, and graph transformations
• compose functions and evaluate inverse functions
• convert quadratics between standard, factored, and vertex forms
• perform polynomial long division and synthetic division
• sketch graphs of exponential and logarithmic functions
• demonstrate an understanding of the number e
• calculate the doubling time of an exponential function
• algebraically manipulate logarithmic expressions
• solve exponential and logarithmic equations
• locate angles (in both radians and degrees) on the unit circle
• compute the six trigonometic functions at a given angle
• evaluate expressions such as cot(arcsin(x))
• solve trigonometric equations
• apply trigonometric and exponential functions to solve problems

• Carl Stitz, Jeff Zeager, Precalculus, version π, 2013

• go to myopenmath.com
• register as a new student and/or log in
• click "Enroll in a New Class"
• course ID: 226399
• enrollment Key: s24_precalc
• this online homework system is completely free

• how do I submit the tests and final?
• please never submit via email attachment
• instead put a single .pdf file inside our shared google folder titled s24_ma115_LastName


• how do I format my written work?
• only submit a single .pdf file
• name your files in an organized manner:
  • test1_FirstName_LastName.pdf
  • test2_FirstName_LastName.pdf
  • finalexam_FirstName_LastName.pdf
• write your own solutions (with pen/pencil/TeX/pdf annotator, etc.)
• always show your work and keep it organized
• indicate/circle/highlight your answers
• keep the questions in the correct order
• deviations from these rules = point deductions


• how will my work be graded?
• I will annotate your .pdf files
• every question will be graded out of 10 points
• sometimes only a subset of the assigned questions will be graded

If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinators of Disability Services in the Dean of Students Office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock Building (906-227-1737 or disability@nmu.edu). Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and university guidelines.