Pre-Calculus
Instructor
Chuck Iverson
Office: 18-112
Office Phone: 650-306-3253
Web Page: http://www.civerson.com
Email: iverson@smccd.edu
Class Location and Meeting Times
Building 22, Room 118
1:30 to 5:05 pm M-Th
Prerequisites
A math proficiency level equivalent to Trigonometry (Math 130) is assumed.
Materials
- Functions Modeling Change (3rd Edition) by Connally, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et al (978-0-471-79303-8)
- A Graphing Calculator such as the TI-Nspire, TI-89 or TI-84 or equivalent
Grading
Your grade will be based on:
- Homework and Exercises (30%)
- Quizzes (30%)
- Exams (30%)
- Class Participation (10%)
Course Description
The goal of Math 219 is to prepare students for Calculus. Hence it provides an extensive review of functions of all kinds: linear, polynomial, power, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and rational and their transformations, compositions, inverses and combinations. It also covers vectors, matrices, sequences, series, parametric equations and conic sections. Emphasis is on multiple representations of problems: symbolic, numeric, graphical and verbal, and technology (in the form of graphing calculators, computer spreadsheets, and computer graphing and computer algebra software) is used where appropriate.
Homework
Reading the textbook and doing the assigned exercises are the most important work students can do between classes to insure understanding of concepts and to develop skill in applying problem solving techniques. Consequently, exercises and labs are collected and contribute 30% to the final grade. Late assignments get a maximum of half credit. Each set of exercises or problems must have the following information printed at the top, right corner of the page: student name, section number, page numbers, exercise numbers and date. For example:
- Sarah Marshall
- Section 1.3
- pp. 57-59 (1-29, odd)
- 6/22/09
Exams and Quizzes
Frequent quizzes, a midterm exam and a final exam will be given.
Expectations
I can help you succeed in this class, but I can't succeed for you. In this class you're expected to be responsible for your own academic success.
- That means you are expected to attend class and to arrive on time (2 lates equals 1 absence, 5 absences leads to a drop).
- If you're going to miss class, you should notify me ahead of time, either by phone or email.
- You are expected to contribute to class discussions and to ask questions when something is not clear.
- You are expected to do your homework assignments before the class when they are due and to seek help from me or your classmates or a tutor if you are having difficulty completing them.
- You should check (http://www.civerson.com/M219/) for assignments if you miss class. All class assignments, class notes and special announcements will be posted on the web after class.
- You are expected to see me during office hours for additional help or to take make-up exams.
Software and Tutorials
We'll be using spreadsheet programs (such as Microsoft Excel or Numbers) and Graphing Calculator extensively in class. It's not necessary to have these programs at home, but it may be useful. Graphing Calculator, in particular, is an immensely helpful and easy-to-use math program that can be used through all math courses offered at Cañada College (all the way through Vector and Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations). To encourage students in mathematics the creator of the program offers a special student discount: http://www.pacifict.com/Order.html. I personally use this program every day.
Instructor's Spring 2009 Class Schedule
My class schedule, below, shows when and where I'm on campus. The best way to contact me if I'm not on campus is via email. I check my email several times a day. I have my email automatically sorted by the first 4 characters in the subject field. For this class, the subject line of the email should begin with M219.
Tentative Topic Schedule
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
6/22
S1.1 - Functions and Function Notation
S1.2 - Rate of Change
S1.3 - Linear Functions
S1.4 - Formulas for Linear Functions
|
6/23
S1.5 - Geometric properties of Linear Functions
S1.6 - Fitting Linear Functions to Data |
6/24
S2.1 - Input and Output
S2.2 - Domain and Range
S2.3 - Piecewise Defined Functions |
6/25
S2.4 - Composite and Inverse Functions
S2.5 - Concavity
S2.6 - Quadratic Functions |
6/29
S3.1 - Intro to Exponential Functions
S3.2 - Comparing Exponential and Linear Functions
S3.3 - Graphs of Exponential Functions |
6/30
S3.4 - Continuous Growth and the Number e
S3.5 - Compound Interest
S4.1 - Logarithms and Their Properties |
7/1
S4.2 - Logarithms and Exponential Models
S4.3 - The Logarithmic Function
S4.4 - Logarithmic Scales |
7/2
S5.1 - Vertical and Horizontal Shifts
S5.2 - Reflections and Symmetry
S5.3 - Vertical Stretches and Compressions |
7/6
S5.4 - Horizontal Stretches and Compressions
S5.5 - The Family of Quadratic Functions |
7/7
Review and Midterm Exam |
7/8
S6.1 - Intro to Periodic Functions
S6.2 - Sine and Cosine Functions
S6.3 - Radians |
7/9
S6.4 - Graphs of the Sine and Cosine
S6.5 - Sinusoidal Functions
S6.6 - Other Trig Functions
S6.7 - Inverse Trig Functions |
7/13
S7.1 - Laws of Sines and Cosines
S7.2 - Trig Identities
S7.3 - Sum and Difference Formulas for Sine and Cosine |
7/14
S7.4 - Trig Models
S7.5 - Polar Coordinates
S7.6 - Complex Numbers and Polar Coordinates |
7/15
S8.1 - Composition of Functions
S8.2 - Inverse Functions
S8.3 - Combinations of Functions |
7/16
S9.1 - Power Functions
S9.2 - Polynomial Functions
S9.3 - Short-Run Behavior of Polynomials |
7/20
S9.4 - Rational Functions
S9.5 - Short-Run Behavior of Rational Functions
S9.6 - Comparing Power, Exponential and Log Functions
S9.7 - Fitting Exponentials and Polynomials to Data
|
7/21
S10.1 Vectors
S10.2 Components of a Vector
S10.3 Applications of Vectors
|
7/22
S10.4 - Vector Dot Product
S10.5 - Matrices |
7/23
S11.1 - Sequences
S11.2 Arithmetic Series
S11.3 - Finite Geometric Series
S11.4 - Infinite Geometric Series |
7/27
S12.1 - Parametric Equations
S12.2 - Implicitly Defined Curves and Circles
S12.3 - Ellipses |
7/28
S12.4 - Hyperbolas
S12.5 - Geometric Properties of Conic Sections
S12.6 - Hyperbolic Functions |
7/29
Review |
7/30
Final Exam |