Developmental

• Math 372
• Math 372L
• Math 376
• Math 376L
• Math 380
• Math 380L
• Math 101
• Math 120
• Math 120L

College Transfer

• Math 4
• Math 5
• Math 15
• Math 25
• Math 30
• Math 45
• Math 50A
• Math 50B
• Math 50C
• Math 52
• Math 55

Course Proposals (Drafts)

Course Outlines

• Course Outline Home Page

Math 376 --- Prealgebra

Click here to download Curriculum Committee document

Catalog Description

A comprehensive review of arithmetic involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and signed numbers. Students will solve problems involving ratios, proportions, percents and geometry. Basic algebra concepts and techniques such as, variables, simplifying expressions, solving equations and graphing linear equations will also be introduced. Problem solving, estimation and the communication of mathematical ideas are an integral part of the course.

Special notes or advisories: Scientific Calculator is required.

Prerequisites

Math 371/372 or appropriate score on the math placement test.

Describe representative skills without which the student would be highly unlikely to succeed: Students will need to be proficient in basic arithmetic facts involving whole numbers.

Course Learning Outcomes

What should the student be able to do as a result of taking this course? State some of the objectives in terms of specific, measurable student accomplishments.

1. Read, write, and speak accurately about mathematical ideas using correct mathematical notation.
2. Apply mathematics they have learned to real world problems and applications.
3. Demonstrate competency in the required prerequiste skills for elementary algebra.
4. Demonstrate the characteristics of an effective learner.
5. Perform symbolic manipulations that will support success in the other outcomes

Course Content

• Themes: What themes, if any, are threaded throughout the learning experiences in this course?
  • Critical Thinking.
  • Problem Solving.
  • Symbol manipulation.
  • Communication
• Concepts: What concepts do students need to understand to demonstrate course outcomes?
  • A systematic, step-wise problem solving process.
  • The presentation of mathematical solutions in a logical coherent structure, including the use of fundamental writing skills, grammar and punctuation.
  • Problem-solving skills learned in class are applicable in many different areas outside of the classroom.
  • The recognition that proper symbolic manipulation is an important tool in multiple problem-solving situations
• Issues: What primary issues or problems, if any, must students understand to achieve course outcomes.
  • The differences between solving an equation, simplifying an expression, and evaluating an expression.
  • The concept that a graph of an equation is a set of all ordered pairs that satisfy the equation.
  • The connection between mathematics and the "real world."
  • The role of the student in becoming a successful learner.
  • The relationship between fractions and mixed numbers, decimals and percents
  • Ratios verses Rates.
  • The difference between a term and a factor.
  • Calculator limitations.
• Skills: What skills must students master to demonstrate course outcomes?
  1. Whole Numbers
  2. • Add, subtract, multiply and divide
     • Use exponents
     • Do prime factorizations
     • Use order of operations
     • Estimate
  3. Integers
  4. • Add, subtract, multiply and divide
     • Use exponents
     • Use order of operations
     • Estimate
  5. Language of Algebra
  6. • Combine like terms
     • Evaluate expressions
     • Use the distributive property
     • Solving equations
  7. Fractions and Mixed Numbers
  8. • Add, subtract, multiply and divide
     • Use exponents
     • Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice-versa
     • Use order of operations
     • Estimate
     • Use ratios
     • Use rates
  9. Decimals
  10. • Add, subtract, multiply and divide
      • Use exponents
      • Use order of operations
      • Estimation
      • Convert decimals to fractions and vice-versa
      • Evaluate square roots
  11. Percentages
  12. • Convert between percents, decimals and fractions
      • Set up and solve proportions
      • Estimate
      • Compute Interest
  13. Geometry
  14. • Compute Perimeter
      • Compute Area
      • Use the Pythagorean Theorem
  15. Graphing
  16. • Graph and read ordered pairs in the Rectangular Coordinate System
      • Make a table and plot points to graph a linear equation

Represenative Learning Activities

What will the students be doing (i.e., Listening to lectures, participating in discussions and/or group activities, attending a field trip, etc.)? Relate the activities directly to the Course Learning Outcomes.

• Listening to lectures.
• Small Group Activities/Discussions

Assessment Tasks

How will the student show evidence of achieving the Course Learning Outcomes? Indicate which assessments (if any) are required for all sections.

• Representative assessment tasks:
  • Written homework, reading assignments, group activities, portfolios, quizzes and exams.
• Required assessments for all sections – to include but not limited to:
  • At least two proctored closed-book exams and a cumulative final.

Examples of Appropriate Texts or Other Readings

• Author: Tussy and Gustafson; Title: Prealgebra; Date 2006