MAC 1140 : Precalculus Algebra
Preparation for the calculus sequence: analysis of functions and their graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic modeling, matrices and determinants, and sequences and series.
Instructor: Abel Okojunu
Term: Fall 2023
Role
Instructor of record, Fall 2023, responsible for classroom instruction, student mentoring, and assessment feedback.
Course Overview
A precalculus course building the algebraic foundation students need for the calculus sequence. The emphasis is on functions as objects to be analyzed, transformed, and used as models, not on symbolic manipulation alone. The section ran in a lab-based format built around adaptive courseware.
Topics
- Complex numbers and piecewise functions
- Quadratic, polynomial, and rational functions; polynomial division and zeros
- Polynomial and rational inequalities
- Inverse, exponential, and logarithmic functions; growth and decay modeling
- Matrix algebra and determinants
- Conic sections
- Sequences, series, mathematical induction, and the binomial theorem
Grading
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Lab Tests | 45% |
| ALEKS Homework | 18% |
| Final Exam | 15% |
| Lab Activities | 12% |
| Attendance / Participation | 5% |
| Lab Quizzes | 5% |
Course Materials
This section used ALEKS adaptive courseware (McGraw Hill) in a lab-based format in place of a printed textbook.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 28 – Sep 1 | Course introduction and orientation Start of term | |
| 2 | Sep 7 – Sep 8 | Complex Numbers; Piecewise Functions Sections R.6, 1.7 | |
| 3 | Sep 11 – Sep 14 | Quadratic Functions Sections 2.1 | |
| 4 | Sep 19 – Sep 22 | Polynomial Functions; Division of Polynomials; Quadratic Functions Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 | |
| 5 | Sep 25 – Sep 28 | Zeros of Polynomials; Complex Numbers; Piecewise Functions Sections R.6, 1.7, 2.1, 2.4 | |
| 6 | Oct 4 – Oct 5 | Rational Functions; Polynomial and Rational Inequalities Sections 2.5, 2.6 | |
| 7 | Oct 9 – Oct 12 | Inverse Functions Sections 3.1 | |
| 8 | Oct 16 – Oct 19 | Exponential Functions Sections 3.2 | |
| 9 | Oct 23 – Oct 26 | Logarithmic Functions; Properties of Logarithms; Inverse Functions Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 | |
| 10 | Oct 30 – Nov 2 | Exponential and Logarithmic Equations; Exponential Growth and Decay; Rational Functions Sections 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.5, 3.6 | |
| 11 | Nov 6 – Nov 9 | Matrix Algebra Sections 9.3 | |
| 12 | Nov 13 – Nov 16 | The Parabola; Determinants; Matrix Algebra Sections 9.3, 9.5, 10.3 | |
| 13 | Nov 20 – Nov 21 | Sequences and Series; Arithmetic Sequences Sections 11.1, 11.2 | |
| 14 | Nov 27 – Nov 30 | Geometric Sequences and Series; Matrix Algebra; Determinants Sections 9.3, 9.5, 10.3, 11.1, 11.3 | |
| 15 | Dec 4 – Dec 8 | Mathematical Induction; The Binomial Theorem Sections 11.4, 11.5 | |
| 16 | Dec 15 | Final Exam Assessment |