Course Outline for Mathematics 55BChabot College Fall 2008Course Outline for Mathematics 55BINTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA BCatalog Description:55B - Intermediate Algebra B 3 unitsConcepts covered in the second half of Mathematics 55 including parabolas and circles, function composition, inverse functions and their graphs, systems of equations, and exponential and logarithmic functions and equations. Prerequisites: Mathematics 55A (completed with a grade of C or higher). May not receive credit if Mathematics 55 or Mathematics 55L has been completed. 3 hours lecture, 0-1 hour laboratory.[Typical contact hours: lecture 52.5, laboratory 0-17.5]Prerequisite Skills:Before entering the course the student should be able to:1. perform basic operations on complex numbers;2. solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and quadratic formula;3. find complex roots of a quadratic equation;4. sketch the graphs of algebraic functions, including polynomial and rational;5. apply the properties of and perform operations with radicals;6. apply the properties of and perform operations with rational exponents;7. solve equations and inequalities involving absolute values;8. solve equations involving radicals;9. find the distance between two points;10. find the midpoint of a line segment.Expected Outcomes for Students:Upon the completion of the course the student should be able to:1. sketch the graphs of functions and relations:a. logarithmicb. exponentialc. circles;2. find and sketch inverse functions;3. perform function composition;4. solve exponential and logarithmic equations;5. apply the concepts of logarithmic and exponential functions;6. solve systems of linear equations in three unknowns using elimination and substitution;7. graph linear inequalities in two variables.Course Content:1. Graphing inequalities in two variables2. Introduction to functionsa. Compositeb. Inverse3. Exponential and logarithmic functionsa. Definitionb. Properties of logarithmsc. Graphingd. Applications4. Graphing general circles5. Systems of linear equations using elimination and substitutiona. Review two by two systemsb. Three by three systems6. Optional topics (instructor’s choice)Chabot CollegeCourse Outline for Mathematics 55B, Page 2Fall 2008c. Sequences and seriesd. Conic sectionse. Simple counting principlesMethods of Presentation:1. Informal lectures2. Class discussion of problems, solutions and student’s questions3. Audio-visual materialsAssignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:1. Typical Assignmentsa. Exercises from the text book The half-life of tritium is 12.4 years. How long will it take for 25% of a sample of tritium to decompose?b. Collaboratives Perform an experiment with water and coffee filters and model with an exponential function.2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progressa. Homeworkb. Quizzesc. Midtermsd. Final ExaminationTextbook(s) (Typical):Algebra for College Students, Blitzer, Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2006Special Student Materials:A graphing or scientific calculator may be requiredCCB revised: