Course Syllabus for Basic Algebra
Approved Course Competencies (KCTCS General Education
Competency Statements and General Education
Requirements).
I. Communicate Effectively
1. Read and listen with comprehension.
2. Speak and write clearly using Standard English.
3. Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal
means.
4. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
II. Think Critically
1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical
conclusions.
2. Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing,
summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of materials.
3. Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a
problem.
III. Learn Independently
1. Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and
use
information.
2. Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing
perspectives/ideas.
3. Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations.
4. Think creatively to develop new ideas, processes, or products
IV. Examine Relationships
in Diverse and Complex
Environments
1. Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and
culture.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of the individual to the
biological and physical environment.
3. Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural
global community.
Course Outcomes
(competencies)
Student achieving a passing grade will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the
following areas, to a degree commensurate with the grade received.
1. Apply properties of real numbers.
2. Perform conversions within and between U.S. Customary and the
International System (SI-metric) of units.
3. Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions using the order of operations.
4. Use the properties of integer exponents.
5. Perform operations with powers of 10, scientific and engineering
notations, and units of measurement.
6. Simplify and evaluate square and cube roots.
7. Add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.
8. Divide a polynomial by a monomial.
9. Solve linear equations and inequalities.
10. Solve literal equations for variables of power 1.
11. Solve problems using direct and inverse variations.
12. Plot points in the rectangular coordinate system and graph linear
equations using slope and y-intercept.
13. Calculate the third side of a right triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem.
14. Translate verbal statements into mathematical equations and solve.
15. Calculate and solve applied problems of the perimeter, circumference,
area, volume, and surface area.
16. Factor the greatest common factor from a polynomial; factor simple
trinomial of the form x^2 + bx + c; factor difference of two squares.
17. Solve applied problems using these competencies with real world
applications.
Course Outline:
Chapter 1/Handouts: Review of Rational Numbers,
Measurements and Geometry
1.6, 1.7 Arithmetic with Rational Numbers
4.4B Scientific Notation
Handout Measurements in Metric and US Units
1.8B, C Geometry
Chapter 10: Roots
10.1 Simplify Roots
10.4B Pythagorean Theorem
Chapter 2: Variable Expressions
2.1 Evaluate variable expressions
2.2 Simplify variable expressions
2.3 Translate verbal expressions into variable expressions
Exam 1
Chapter 3/ Chapter 9: Solving Equations and Inequalities
3.1 Introduction to Equations
3.2, 3.3 General Equations
3.4 Translate Sentences to Equations
3.6A Mixture Problems
9.2 Introduction to Inequalities
9.3A General Inequalities
Chapter 7: Graphing
7.1 Rectangular Coordinates
7.2 Graphing Linear Equations
7.3 Intercepts and Slopes
9.4 Graphing Inequalities
Exam 2
Chapter 4: Polynomials and Exponents
4.1 Add and Subtract Polynomials
4.2 Multiply Monomials
4.3 Multiply Polynomials
4.4A Integer Exponents
4.5A Divide by a Monomial
Exam 3
Chapter 5: Factoring
5.1 Common Factors
5.2 Factoring Trinomials
5.4A Special Factors
5.5 Solve Equations Using Factoring
