Required Textbook: (Available only in NJCU bookstore.) Tobey, J. and Slater, J., Intermediate Algebra, Second Custom Edition for NJCU compiled by Riggs, R. and Teclezghi, B., Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010.

Alternative Textbook: (Available online; this contains the same sections and exercises as the textbook, but has some additional sections and different page numbering.) Tobey, J. and Slater, J., Intermediate Algebra, 6th ed., Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010.
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-57829-7; ISBN-10: 0-321-57829-5

Course Requirements and Determination of Grade--Please see Syllabus Revision 11-06-12

There will be collected homework assignments almost every week, 3 quizzes, 3 tests, a cumulative final exam, and optional extra credit workshops (see below). The lowest test grade and the lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Your final average will be determined by the following point system:

If higher, your final exam score will replace the lowest of your 2 best test scores or your cumulative attendance/homework/quiz points.

Grade Scale: 93-100 (A); 90-92 (A-); 87-89 (B+); 83-86 (B); 80-82 (B-); 75-79 (C+); 70-74 (C); 65-69 (C-); 55-64 (D); below 55 (F).

Optional Extra Credit Workshops

The Math Dept. will be offering a series of Intermediate Algebra workshops throughout the semester. These workshops are designed to strengthen your understanding of algebra and help you succeed in the course. Workshops are offered at different times during the week, and the material they cover change from one week to the next. For each week that you attend at least one workshop, you will receive 2 extra credit points to be added onto your point total for the course; this amounts to one-half a point in your final average. Please note that if you attend more than one workshop in the same week, you will not receive another 2 points, as both workshops cover the same material. Workshops will be offered during 12 weeks of the semester, making a total of 24 possible extra credit points (6 points in your final average).

Requests for "excused" absences must be made IN WRITING (by note or email) and must include the date of the absence and the reason. An excused absence will not be counted as an absence for the purpose of the computation of your attendance grade, and any homework due on the date of the excused absence will be due the next time the class meets. However, any absence on the date of a test or quiz is subject to the Quiz and Test Make Up Policy below, whether it's excused or not.

There will be no penalty for unexcused absences during the drop-add period, or for up to 4 unexcused absences afterwards. Your 20-pt homework grade will be calculated by subtracting (from 20 points) one point for each unexcused absence in excess of 4. The instructor will occasionally forget to take attendance. In this case, all students will be assumed to be present.

Homework Grade and Policy

Homework will be due on the Thu of the week after it is assigned. For full credit, homework must be submitted on or before its due date. Your grade for homework that is submitted late will be reduced by one-quarter of a point for each calendar day that it is late. The only exception to this policy will be for "excused" absences (see Attendance Grade and Policy above).

If you miss class and don't know the assignment, please check my website; if the assignment is not posted there, then email me, phone me, or see me, and I will give it to you. Homework may be submitted to me in or out of class, left in my mail slot, slid under my office door (see the Math Dept. Secretary in K506 for assistance), or emailed to me.

Quiz and Test Make Up Policy

If you are absent on the date of a test or quiz, you must contact me (by email, phone/voice mail, note, or in person) as soon as possible to explain why you were absent and to request permission to make up the test or quiz. This permission is not automatic, and you should be aware that the make up quiz or test may be more difficult than the original. In all cases, a quiz or test must be made up within one week of your return to class.   

Important Dates (as revised 11-06-12)

Test 1: Mon, Oct 8

Test 2: Mon, Nov 19

Final Exam: Thu, Dec 20, 2:00-4:00

Course Content

The course covers the following topics: linear absolute value equations and inequalities; linear equations and inequalities in two variables and their graphs; systems of linear equations in two and three variables; systems of linear inequalities in two variables; factoring polynomials; rational expressions and equations; rational exponents and radicals; quadratic equations and inequalities.