Math 980: Algebraic Problem Solving II – Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

This course, Math 980: Algebraic Problem Solving II, is designed to build on students' knowledge of algebraic and numeric expressions, with a focus on exponential expressions, polynomial expressions, radical expressions, and solving quadratic equations. The course prepares students for further study in college-level mathematics.

Course & Instructor Information

Course Prefix & Section	Math 980 Section M01
Instructor	Artemio Zavala
CRN	74899
Email	[e-mail]
Course Type & Credit Hours	Hybrid, 3 Credit Hours
Office Phone	[phone] ext. 50243
Math My Way Lab Locations	Main Campus, Max Salazar, MS 411
Office Hours	Monday & Wednesday: 4pm - 5pm, Thursday: 1pm - 2pm
Dates of course	2 September 2025 – 14 December 2025

Attendance & Lab Policy

Attendance Requirements

• Attendance in the Math My Way Lab is highly encouraged and subject to the Attendance Policy.

• 1 absence = missing 1 hour per week of required in-person lab time.

• Students must attend an orientation meeting within a week of registration.

• Minimum of 3 hours of physical attendance in the Computer Lab (MS-411) is required each week.

• Failure to comply with attendance requirements may result in being dropped from the course.

Math My Way Lab Hours & Staff

Day	Hours	Staff
Monday & Wednesday	3pm – 8pm	Main Faculty/ACE Tutors in MS 411
Tuesday & Thursday	9am – 4pm, 10am – 2pm	Main Faculty/ACE Tutors in MS 411

Grading Policy

• All exams must be closed book; student-generated note-cards are not allowed.

• Graphing calculators are not allowed on the exam.

Component	Weight
ALEKS Pie	30%
Homework	18%
Assignments	8%
Discussions	2%
Quizzes	20%
Midterm Exam	10%
Final Exam	12%

• To receive course credit (CR): Minimum grade of 60% on the final exam and an overall average of at least 71%.

Course Materials

Textbook

• E-book: Introduction Algebra with P.O.W.E.R. Learning, 2nd Edition, Messersmith, Vega-Rhodes, Feldman, McGraw Hill, 2018.

Calculator

• Calculator use is determined by the instructor. Discuss with your instructor if you need help with calculator use.

ALEKS (Assessment & Learning in Knowledge Spaces)

• Your student account is automatically charged for the eBook and ALEKS access upon registration.

• Access is available within CNM BRIGHTSPACE on the first day of class.

• Do not purchase separately.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate appropriate use of mathematical language, notation, and operations.

2. Simplify and evaluate expressions of the types listed below.

3. Perform mathematical operations on the types of expressions listed above.

4. Solve quadratic equations.

5. Apply appropriate algebraic, geometric, graphical, and numerical problem-solving methods in the context of solving real-world problems.

Course Description

This course builds on prior knowledge of algebraic and numeric expressions. Students will develop skills in:

• Exponential expressions (including scientific notation)

• Polynomial expressions

• Radical expressions

• Solving quadratic equations (at least by factoring and other methods)

This course satisfies the prerequisite for MATH 1215, 1130, 1350, and 1410.

Suggested Weekly Schedule

Week	Topics
1	1.6 Exponents and Integers: Problem types 1, 2 5.1A Basic Rules of Exponents: The Product Rule and Power Rules 5.1B Basic Rules of Exponents: Combining the Rules
2	5.2A Integer Exponents: All Number Bases 5.2B Integer Exponents: Variable Bases 5.3 The Quotient Rule Putting It All Together 5.4 Scientific Notation
3	6.1 Multiplication of Polynomials 8.1 Simplifying rational expressions 8.2 Multiplication of rational expressions
4	Quiz 1 for Module 1 1.7 Properties of the Real Numbers 4.8 Combining Like Terms in a quadratic expression 6.2 Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials 6.3 Adding and Subtracting a Polynomial
5	7.1 Application of Polynomials 7.2 Factoring the Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
6	7.3 Factoring ax2 + bx + c and Factoring by Grouping 7.4 The Greatest Common Factor 7.5 Factoring Completely a Polynomial
7	7.6 Factoring ax2 + bx + c = 1 7.7 Factoring the sum or difference of two cubes Handwritten Work
8	Midterm Review Midterm Exam
9	8.5 Two Kinds of Radicals and Absolute Value 9.1 Simplifying Radicals, the Product and Quotient Rules 9.7 Dividing Radicals
10	9.5 Supplementary Topics Quiz 2 for Module 3
11	9.6 Supplementary Topics Quiz 2 for Module 3
12	7.7 Applications of Quadratic Equations 9.1 Finding Roots
13	10.1 Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Square Root Property 10.3 Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula Handwritten Work
14	10.4 Graphs of Quadratic Equations Final Review
15	Final Exam

Key Algebraic Concepts and Formulas

Exponents and Scientific Notation

• Product Rule: $a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}$

• Quotient Rule: $\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}$

• Power Rule: $(a^m)^n = a^{mn}$

• Scientific Notation: $a \times 10^n$ where $1 \leq |a| < 10$ and $n$ is an integer.

Polynomials

• Combining Like Terms: Add or subtract coefficients of terms with the same variable and exponent.

• Multiplying Polynomials: Use distributive property or FOIL for binomials.

• Factoring: Expressing a polynomial as a product of its factors. Common methods include factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF), grouping, and special products (difference of squares, sum/difference of cubes).

• Quadratic Factoring: $ax^2 + bx + c = (mx + n)(px + q)$

Radicals

• Product Rule for Radicals: $\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab}$

• Quotient Rule for Radicals: $\frac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}} = \sqrt{\frac{a}{b}}$

• Absolute Value: $|a| = a$ if $a \geq 0$, $|a| = -a$ if $a < 0$

Quadratic Equations

• Standard Form: $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$

• Quadratic Formula: $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$

• Square Root Property: If $x^2 = k$, then $x = \pm \sqrt{k}$

Additional Policies & Resources

• Accommodation Statement: Students with disabilities should contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) for academic accommodations.

• Achievement Coach: SAGE has Achievement Coaches for academic and personal support.

• Classroom Civility: Respectful and constructive participation is expected.

• Electronic Devices: Use of cell phones, pagers, and headphones is not allowed in class.

• Smoke-Free Campus: Smoking is prohibited except in designated areas.

Important Dates

• Final Exam: Must be completed by midnight on Friday, 14th of December, 2025.