ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE
Mathematics and Physics Division
MTH 119 – Pre-Calculus I
Course Outline
Course Number & Name: MTH 119 PRECALCULUS I M, T, W and TH 5:15- 7:15 Room 2112
Instructor Eshrat Sahafian
Email [email protected]
Credit Hours: 4 .0 Contact Hours: 4.0 Lecture: 4.0 Lab: N/A Other: N/A
Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in MTH 100 or placement
Co-requisites: None Concurrent Courses: None Course Outline Revision Date: Fall 2015
Course Description: Topics covered include absolute value inequalities and polynomial inequalities; relations and
functions; polynomials and rational functions and their graphs; logarithmic and exponential functions;
determinants and matrices. This course is designed for students who plan to take MTH 121. (NOTE: Both MTH 119
& MTH 120 are required prerequisites of MTH 121)
Grading: Final course grades are recommended to be computed as follows:
% of
Grading Components Final Course Grade
• Test 1 25 %
• Test 2 25 %
• Final Exam 30 %
• Homework 20 %
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Total 100
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GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS
MTH 119 is affirmed in the following General Education Foundation Category: Quantitative Knowledge and Skills.
The corresponding General Education Goal is as follows: Students will use appropriate mathematical and statistical
concepts and operations to interpret data and to solve problems.
Course Goals: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories from pre-calculus;
2. Utilize various pre-calculus problem-solving and critical-thinking techniques to set up and solve
applied problems in engineering, sciences, and other fields;
3. Communicate accurate mathematical terminology and notation in written and/or oral form in order
to explain strategies to solve problems as well as to interpret found solutions; and
4. Use calculators effectively as a tool to solve such problems as those described above.
Measurable Course Performance Objectives (MPOs): Upon successful completion of this course, students should
specifically be able to do the following:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories from pre-calculus:
1.1 evaluate and graph polynomial, rational, piecewise, composite, combination, exponential, logarithmic,
and multi-variable functions;
1.2 solve linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic equations;
1.3 identify the key characteristics of a given function and use them to graph the function in an appropriate
coordinate system;
1.4 write the equations of linear functions, logarithmic functions, exponential functions, and polynomial and
rational functions based on their properties;
1.5 identify and describe function transformations;
1.6 calculate difference quotients;
1.7 find the zeroes of polynomial and rational functions;
1.8 use the concepts of matrices and determinants to solve systems of equations;
1.9 find the determinant and the inverse of a matrix; and
1.10 find the domain and range of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions
2. Utilize various pre-calculus problem-solving and critical-thinking techniques to set up and solve applied
problems in engineering, sciences, and other fields:
2.1 solve compound interest problems;
2.2 solve current and voltage in a circuit applications using simultaneous equations;
2.3 solve optimization problems (in geometry, finance, inventory control, etc.) including those involving
functions of several variables; and
2.4 solve growth and decay problems (in finance, biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) using exponential functions
3. Communicate accurate mathematical terminology and notation in written and/or oral form in order to explain
strategies to solve problems as well as to interpret found solutions:
3.1 write and explain solutions to application problems including growth and decay problems
4. Use graphing calculators effectively as a tool to solve such problems as those described above:
4.1 use the GRAPH feature to display polynomial, piecewise, composite, exponential and logarithmic functions;
4.2 use the TABLE feature to determine account balances for given compound interest problem;
4.3 use the TABLE feature with an exponential function to approximate the value of the e-constant;
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4.4 use the ZERO feature to find zeroes of polynomial and rational functions;
4.5 use the MINIMUM and MAXIMUM features to find relative minimum and maximum values of polynomial
functions;
4.6 use the GRAPH feature to observe the domain and range of polynomial, rational, exponential and
logarithmic functions; and
4.7 use the MATRIX feature to find the inverse and determinant of a matrix
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Instruction will consist of a combination of lectures, presentation of sample problems, clarification of homework
exercises and textbook material, general class discussion, and individual study.
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENTS
Test and exam questions are blueprinted to course objectives. Data is collected and analyzed to determine the
level of student performance on these assessment instruments in regards to meeting course objectives. The results
of this data analysis are used to guide necessary pedagogical and/or curricular revisions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
All students are required to:
1. Maintain regular attendance; excessive absences will negatively affects student understanding and
performance.
2. Complete assigned reading and homework in a timely manner and contribute to class discussions.
Mathematics cannot be understood without doing a significant amount of outside study.
3. Take tests and exams and submit all homework assignments when scheduled. The Comprehensive Final Exam
is required and cannot be rescheduled unless some extraordinary event occurs and prior arrangement is made
with the instructor. CALCULATORS AND FOMULAS SHEETS ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING EXAMS.
Please note the following items that pertain to grading in this course:
• Attendance: Attendance will be monitored daily. Research studies have continuously shown that good
attendance is one of the most important factors in performing well in a course.
• There are NO MAKE-UP TESTS or EXAMS. You will be excused from a missed test or exam only if you contact
your instructor immediately to explain reasonable circumstances. The instructor may eliminate the missed test
or exam from the overall course grade.
• There are NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. The average of quizzes will be calculated using the top scores (lowest quiz
grade is dropped).
• Completing assigned reading and homework in a timely manner and contributing to class discussions will
greatly enhance your chance of success in this course. Mathematics cannot be understood without doing a
significant amount of outside study.
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• Incomplete (I) grades will only be given to students with a ‘C’ average or better who are unable to take the final
exam in the event of an emergency. You must contact the instructor immediately if you miss the final exam
and give a valid explanation of why you were unable to take the final. You then need to make special
arrangements with the instructor to take the missed final within one month of the end of the semester.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Essex County College welcomes students with disabilities into all of the college’s educational programs. It is the
policy and practice of Essex County College to promote inclusive learning environments. If you have a
documented disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations in compliance with college policy, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and/or the New Jersey Law Against
Discrimination. Please note, students are not permitted to negotiate accommodations directly with Professors,
Academic Chairpersons, and Deans. To request accommodations or assistance, please self-identify with the
Office of Differently-abled Support Services. The office is located at the Student Development and Counseling
Department at the Main Campus in Room 4122I, and on Tuesdays at West Essex Campus’ Advisement
Center. Contact us by telephone at 973-877-3071 or by email at [email protected].
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Dishonesty disrupts the search for truth that is inherent in the learning process and so devalues the purpose and
the mission of the College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• plagiarism – the failure to acknowledge another writer’s words or ideas or to give proper credit to sources
of information;
• cheating – knowingly obtaining or giving unauthorized information on any test/exam or any other academic
assignment;
• interference – any interruption of the academic process that prevents others from the proper engagement
in learning or teaching; and
• fraud – any act or instance of willful deceit or trickery.
Violations of academic integrity will be dealt with by imposing appropriate sanctions. Sanctions for acts of
academic dishonesty could include the resubmission of an assignment, failure of the test/exam, failure in the
course, probation, suspension from the College, and even expulsion from the College.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
All students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible and considerate adults who respect the rights of
others. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. All students are also expected to attend and be on time all class
meetings. No cell phones or similar electronic devices are permitted in class. Please refer to the Essex County
College student handbook, Lifeline, for more specific information about the College’s Code of Conduct and
attendance requirements.
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Course Content Outline: based on the text Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus 7th Edition by Stewart,
Redlin and Watson published by Cengage learning. ISBN #: 978-1-305-07175-9.
Students may purchase the loose-leaf version of the text bundled with a 24-month Webassign Access
Code for $141.95 at the Essex County College bookstore.
Class Meeting
(80 minutes) Chapter/Section
CHAPTER 1 FUNDAMENTALS
1 1.8 Linear Inequalities (Revisited) and Absolute Value Inequalities
2 1.8 & 3.7 Polynomial Inequalities and Rational Inequalities
3 1.9 The Coordinate Plane; Graphs of Equations; Circles
CHAPTER 2 FUNCTIONS
4 2.1 Functions
5 2.2 Graphs of Functions
6 2.3 Getting Information from the Graph of a Function
7 2.4 Average Rate of Change of a Function
8 2.5 Linear Functions and Models (Optional)
9-10 2.6 Transformations of Functions Combinations of Functions
11 2.7 Combining Functions
12 2.8 One-to-One Functions and their Inverses
12 Review for Exam #1
13 Exam #1 on Chapters 1 & 2
CHAPTER 3 POLYNOMIALS AND RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
14 3.1 Quadratic Functions and Models
15 3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs
16 3.3 Dividing Polynomials
17 3.4 Real Zeros of Polynomials
18 3.5 Complex Zeros and The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
19-20 3.6 Rational Functions
21 Review for Exam #2
22 Exam #2 on Chapters 1, 2 &
CHAPTER 4 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
23 4.1 Exponential Functions
24 4.2 The Natural Exponential Function
25 4.3 Logarithmic Functions
26 4.4 Laws of Logarithms
27 4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
28 4.6 Modeling with Exponential Functions (Newton’s Law of Cooling is optional)
4.7 Logarithmic Scales (Optional)
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29 Review for Exam #3
30 Exam #3 on Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4 (70% - 80% on Chapter 4; 20% - 30% on Chapters 1, 2 & 3)
CHAPTER 10 SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS AND MATRICES
31 10.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables (Revisited)
31 10.3 Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations
32 10.3 Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations (Continued)
33 10.4 The Algebra of Matrices
34 10.5 Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations
35 10.5 Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations (Continued)
36 10.6 Determinants and Cramer’s Rule
37 10.7 Partial Fractions (Optional)
38 10.8 Systems of Nonlinear Equations
39
40
41 – 42 Review for Final Exam
43 Comprehensive Final Exam on all course material covered
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