MATH 141 College Algebra

Topics include functions, mathematics of finance, matrices, and linear programming. Emphasis will be placed on solving problems algebraically and modeling applications involving business, financial literacy, and global awareness.  Appropriate technological tools used in business and the social sciences will also be introduced. All sections require the use of the interactive computer program that comes with the software code and a graphing calculator (TI-84 recommended; TI-89 not permitted).

Credits

3

Prerequisite

MATH 070 or appropriate score on mathematics placement test

Hours Weekly

4 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Communicate college-level mathematical concepts related to functions, matrices, and linear programming using appropriate symbols, notation, and language.
2. Construct graphs and equations of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithm functions and describe the characteristics of the functions.
3. Identify and graph shifts, reflections, and transformations of functions.
4. Model and solve applied problems involving exponential functions including models of exponential growth that appear in finance and population problems.
5. Use compound and continuous interest formulas to solve problems involving loans and investments, such as total interest paid, present value, future value, growth rate or time period, and the annual percentage yield.
6. Analyze annuities to calculate payments, total interest, present value and future value, and to construct an amortization schedule.
7. Perform matrix operations and solve linear systems of equations and applications using matrices.
8. Solve linear programming problems using the graphing method.
9. Model applications related to real-world issues including global awareness, sustainability, and financial literacy.
10. Calculate, analyze, and evaluate solutions to equations algebraically and graphically.

Course Objectives

1. Communicate college-level mathematical concepts related to functions, matrices, and linear programming using appropriate symbols, notation, and language.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR1
2. Construct graphs and equations of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithm functions and describe the characteristics of the functions.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR2
3. Identify and graph shifts, reflections, and transformations of functions.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR4
4. Model and solve applied problems involving exponential functions including models of exponential growth that appear in finance and population problems.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes/Exams

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR4
5. Use compound and continuous interest formulas to solve problems involving loans and investments, such as total interest paid, present value, future value, growth rate or time period, and the annual percentage yield.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR3
6. Analyze annuities to calculate payments, total interest, present value and future value, and to construct an amortization schedule.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR2
7. Perform matrix operations and solve linear systems of equations and applications using matrices.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR3
8. Solve linear programming problems using the graphing method.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Exams/Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
9. Model applications related to real-world issues including global awareness, sustainability, and financial literacy.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

   Quantitative Reasoning

   • QR2
10. Calculate, analyze, and evaluate solutions to equations algebraically and graphically.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Quizzes

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric

    Quantitative Reasoning

    • QR4