Course Number: MA 105

Course Title: College Algebra

Credits: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: MA 100 or equivalent high school preparation

Textbook: College Algebra, 2nd ed.

by Stewart, Redlin, and Watson

Brooks/Cole

Revised: 4/97

To prepare students for the study of calculus for business, natural and social sciences. Topics include a detailed study of polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions. This course is designed primarily for students planning to take MA 121: Calculus for Business, Natural, and Social Sciences.

Additional business related problems and applications can be found in a course supplement; ask Gary for details if you are interested.

1. Review of Basic Algebra (3 hours)

1.2 Real Numbers

1.3 Exponents and Radicals

1.4 Algebraic Expressions

1.5 Fractional Expressions

Treat this as a review; do not spend a great deal of time on this!

2. Equations and Inequalities (7 hours)

2.1 Linear Equations

2.2 Problem Solving with Linear Equations

2.3 Quadratic Equations

2.5 Other Equations

2.6 Linear Inequalities

2.7 Nonlinear Inequalities

2.8 Absolute Value

3. Functions and Graphs (13 hours)

3.1 Coordinate Plane (omit distance formula, midpoint formula,

3.2 Graphs of Equations (omit equation of a circle)

3.4 Lines (hit supply and demand very hard)

3.5 Functions (go into more detail about what difference quotient represents: average rate of change)

3.6 Graphs of Functions

3.8 Transformations of Functions

3.9 Extreme Values of Functions (hit maximizing revenue and profit hard, also minimizing cost)

3.10 Combining Functions

3.11 One-to-One Functions and Inverses

3.7 Applied Functions, has no relationship to business.

4. Polynomials and Rational Functions (3 hours)

4.1 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs

4.8 Rational Functions (omit slant asymptotes; Average cost is a nice application here)

5. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (10 hours)

5.1 Exponential Functions

5.2 The Natural Exponential Function

5.3 Logarithmic Functions

5.4 Laws of Logarithms

5.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

5.6 Applications of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions