Math 105 is not a pre-calculus class! Math 105 is a review of math that you did in high school. Almost all of the math in this class will be things you have seen before: basic algebra, geometry, and even arithmetic. The purpose of the course is to practice your skills, fill gaps, and build comfort with the material.
| Week | Dates | Topic | Notes | Homework |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 22 - Aug 26 | The rules, factors vs. terms | Week 1 | HW1 |
| 2 | Aug 29 - Sep 02 | Solving simple equations | Week 2 | HW2 |
| 3 | Sep 05 - Sep 09 | Factoring and polynomials | Week 3 | HW3 |
| 4 | Sep 12 - Sep 16 | Solving polynomial equations | Week 4 | HW4 |
| 5 | Sep 19 - Sep 23 | Functions and graphs | Week 5 | HW5 |
| 6 | Oct 26 - Sep 30 | Solving word problems | Week 6 | HW6 |
| 7 | Oct 05 - Oct 10 | Review | Week 7 | |
| 8 | Oct 12 - Oct 17 | Midterm exam | ||
| 9 | Oct 19 - Oct 24 | Inequalities and absolute values | Week 9 | HW7 |
| 10 | Oct 26 - Oct 31 | Exponent rules | Week 10 | HW8 |
| 11 | Nov 02 - Nov 07 | Logarithms and orders of magnitude | Week 11 | HW9 |
| 12 | Nov 09 - Nov 14 | Solving exponential equations | Week 12 | HW10 |
| 13 | Nov 16 - Nov 21 | Systems of equations | Week 13 | HW11 |
| 14 | Nov 26 - Dec 02 | Recap & review |
Attendance in this class is required. Repeated absences may result in a forced withdrawal from the course. If you arrive late to class more than once, that will also count as an absence. Keep in mind, we only have 14 classes the whole semester, so missing more than one class is a big deal. You are responsible for any material you miss due to absence. Please let me know ahead of time if you know that you will not be able to attend a class.
The term grade will be based on the results of the examinations and homework.
| Component | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Homework | 65% |
| Midterm Exam | 15% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
You learn math by doing math. This class will have weekly homework assignments. You must complete the homework before class each week, and be ready to discuss your solutions. If you cannot avoid missing class, let me know ahead of time and we will work out a way to get the homework submitted on time. I will accept late homework, but only for half credit, and I will also drop your lowest homework grade.
There will be a midterm and a final exam.
My office hours are shown on my weekly schedule. I am also available by appointment. If you can’t stop by during my regular office hours, just ask me after class or by e-mail, and I’ll be happy to make an appointment that works for both of us.
Students who think they may need accommodations in this course because of the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet with me privately at the beginning of the semester. Students also should contact Melissa Wood, Title IX/504 Coordinator (mwood@hsc.edu, 434-223-6061) to verify their eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Early contact will help to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and delays.