College Algebra Updates:  Fall 2002

Exam Rooms       My Grade         Help           Old Exams     Solutions to Exams this semester

12/8/02: The final will have 6 pages and 26 problems.  There will be roughly 35-45 points  worth of questions taken directly (or with minor modifications)  from each of the first three tests and another 75-85 points on the new material (sections 3.4-7.1). The best review for the final exam will be to rework the first three exams and to do the review problems that I have attached to this message. Also, you  should take the Fall 1999 Final Exam for a practice test. The matrix problems on the final  will be easy enough  to do by hand so it will not be necessary for you to use your calculator to solve
any matrix problem.  REVIEW PROBLEMS FOR NEW MATERIAL.   Solutions to Fall 1999 Final


12/5/02:  Click here for Final Exam Rooms.              

11/23/02:  I have posted a scale on the "My Grade" link above to help you estimate what score you need on the final exam to reach a grade of A, B, C or D.

10/29/02: Review for Test 3:
     1) Make absolutely certain that you can do all of the following problems. Section 1.7 # 39,49,53; Section 1.8 # 29,45 You need to do these type of problems by marking the critical points on a number line and testing the intervals; Section 2.1 #45,59,74; Section 2.2 # 30, 65; Section 2.3 # 31,75; Section 2.4 # 7,11,33; Section 2.5 # 39,57; Section 3.1 #23,45,85; Section 3.2 # 19,73,76; Section 3.3 #17,61.
    2)  There are 14 problems, all of which can and should  be done by hand, but you can use your calculators to assist you in drawing the graphs and for checking your answers.     Even solutions to inequalities such as  x^3-4x<0 or |2x-3|>4, can be checked on your calculators.  (For the latter one input y=abs(2x-3)-4 and find where it is positive.)
    3) For functions defined by multi-part rules it is not necessary for the graph to be connected. eg. Sketch the graph of f(x)= -2x+3 if x<=1, f(x)= x-2 if x>1. Put a solid dot at the end of the first piece and an open dot at the end of the second piece.
   4) If you want to take a practice test I recommend the following: Fall 1999 test 2 #7,10,11,12 combined with Fall 1999 test 3 #1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,12,13.  Give yourself one hour to do these problems, then check your answers (available on the old exam link.)


10/1/02:  Review for Test 2:
      1) Make absolutely certain that you can do all of the following problems from your homework. (After mastering these problems,  look over the rest.) Section P7 #45,  Section 1.1 # 51, 59,  pg 368 #7,  C2 (calculator problem),  Section 1.2 #70,  Section 1.3 #42,49,72a, 96, Section 1.4 # 16, 72, Section 1.5 #32, 54,75, Section 1.6 # 12 , 21 (just find the real solutions for these two).  

     2) You will need to use your graphing calculator  on this test.  Read sections III and IV of  the calculator help sheet attached to the syllabus.  ex.  Sketch the graph of  y= |4x-20| , with  -5<x<15, -10<y<60.  Find the x and y intercepts. (Recall, on the TI-83 you can get the absolute value function by typing 2nd CATALOG, abs(  ENTER.  You will also need to set the WINDOW settings xmin=-5, xmax=15, ymin=-10, ymax=60.)

     3) Look at test 2 from Fall 1999, but omit problems 7, 10, 11 and 12 (we haven't covered those topics).  The two test 2s from last year, Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 are not appropriate for this semester.



9/13/02:  Solutions to Test 1 have been posted. Click "Solutions" above.  Also, the curves for the exam and the cumulative total is posted on  "My Grade" above.    Make sure that you have understood all of the errors that you made on the first test.  The same types of questions will be repeated on the Final Exam.  We will be looking for improvement in determining your final grade.  Keep working hard.  

9/06/02:  EXAM 1 Review.  The test will consist of 20 five point problems very similar to problems that have been assigned, including the problems on Quiz 1.  Test 1 from Fall 1999 would be a good review (click old exams above).  You can look at other old test 1's as well, but keep in mind that topics vary a little from semester to semester.

8/30/02:  Academic Excellence Workshop in College Algebra: Math 395A  This is a special enrichment course complementing College Algebra. The course meets twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. (till as late as 9:00 p.m.) in Cardwell 129. During these class periods students will work together on worksheets that both reinforce and further elucidate the topics currently being covered in College Algebra. Students receive one credit for participation in the workshop.
    Interested students should see Professor Charles Moore, cnmoore@math.ksu.edu, 2-0576 (CW 238) or Brian Pasko, pasko@math.ksu.edu, 2-0599 (CW 128), or just show up for class.
 
 
8/20/02:  Lecture times  and Lecturers for College Algebra.  All lectures are Tuesday and Thursday.
               7:30    Bob Burckel                                           3:30    Zongzhu Lin
               9:30    Todd Cochrane                              4:30    Brent Smith
                       12:30   Tom Muenzenberger
               
8/20/02:  Because of the holiday Monday, I have posted  hints (and some solutions) to the first homework assignment.  Click here:   Homework 1.

8/20/02:   Quiz 1, attached to the syllabus, is due in recitation Friday Sept. 6 or Monday Sept. 9 but you should start working on it today.

8/20/02:  The first test this semester is  Tuesday, September 10, 7:30-8:30 p.m, on sections P1-P6.  Make sure you know what room to go to. Click exam rooms above if you don't. Bring your calculator, but keep in mind that you must show all of your work by hand to receive credit.

8/20/02:  Here's problem 9 for quiz 1.  Indicate which two of the following numbers are not rational.    
7, -5,  12/7,  2.454545..., 3.12345678910111213.....,  (36)^(½),  (37)^(½ ), 16.559