Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Intermediate Algebra (Face-to-Face)

MATH 1010-04

Course: MATH 1010-04
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MATH
CRN: 31590

Course Description

The traditional topics of intermediate algebra are covered: graphing linear equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities, factoring, rational expressions, exponents, radicals, quadratic equations, exponential and logarithmic functions, and an introduction to sets, functions and complex numbers. (This course does not fill the requirement for General Education.) (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MATH 0990 or MATH 0970 or adequate test score within the last two (2) years - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- Prerequisite Test: Act Math Subscore or Accuplacer Elementary Algebra or ALEKS PPL - Prerequisite Test Score: 18 or 060 or 30 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

Intermediate Algebra by Turner and McKeague, published by XYZ Textbooks, ISBN 978-1630980504. 

A hard copy of the textbook is not required for this class.  Students are required to purchase access to XYZ Homework, which includes a digital copy of the textbook. This can easily be done online once the course has started, or an access card can be purchased through the SUU Bookstore.

You will need a scientific calculator for this class.  Graphing calculators will not be allowed on tests.  A recommended inexpensive scientific calculator is the TI-30X IIS.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:
1. Solve algebraic equations, including linear equations, quadratic equations, polynomial equations, rational equations, radical equations, simple exponential equations, and systems of linear equations
2. Simplify and perform operations on a variety of algebraic expressions, including polynomials, rational expressions, radical expressions, imaginary numbers, and simple logarithms
3. Factor polynomials.
4. Draw the graphs of linear and quadratic functions.
5. Use equations to solve application questions, including rate-time-distance questions; revenue, cost, and profit; and exponential growth.

Course Requirements

Homework:  The principal purpose of homework is for you to learn and practice mathematical concepts.  Please do homework with the purpose of learning, not just to get points. If you do homework too quickly or take too many shortcuts while completing homework, you will probably not learn the concepts well and will not perform well on tests.

Homework assignments will be completed in Canvas using XYZ Homework.  Students are required to purchase access to this online system.  The first time you attempt to open an assignment, it will prompt you to create an account.  Homework assignments can be accessed by clicking on "Assignments" in the Canvas course menu.

Assignments and due dates are listed in Canvas.  In general, assignments are due two class days after the corresponding section is covered in class.  Please spend time on homework each day and complete assignments well before due dates.  Assignments should be accessed through Canvas, not directly through xyzhomework.com.

Even though homework assignments are submitted online, students are encouraged to practice showing their work by hand on paper as they complete the online assignments.  Writing out solutions and steps helps to order and organize your thinking.  This will also prepare students for working problems by hand and showing work on tests.

Tests: There will be six regular tests throughout the semester. Tests will be paper-based and will be taken in person in the SUU Testing Center.  Students are required to complete every test.  No test scores will be dropped.  A printable schedule including test dates can be found on Canvas.  Plan ahead to make sure you take the tests on these days. No make-up tests will be given without prior arrangement.  A score of zero will be given on missed tests.

The SUU Testing Center is located in ELC 209.  Visit the Testing Center's website for hours and policies.

Course Outline

Unit 1
Unit 1 will cover Chapters 1 and 2.
1.1 Reduce fractions to lowest terms
1.2
Add and subtract fractions
Use the distributive property
Combine like terms to simplify
Multiplication with fractions
1.3
Addition and subtraction with positive and negative numbers
Multiplication and division with positive and negative numbers
Order of Operations
Division with fractions
1.4 Properties of exponents; simplify expressions involving exponents
2.1 Solve linear equations, including equations involving fractions or decimals
2.2
Given a formula, find the value of a variable given the value of another variable
Solve a given formula for a specified variable (in terms of the other variables)
2.3 Application problems; especially questions involving geometry (rectangles and triangles) and rate/time/distance (RTD problems)
2.4 Solve linear inequalities; be able to graph your solution set and write it in interval notation (pay attention to "square brackets" versus "round brackets")
2.5 Solve compound inequalities ("ands" and "ors"); be able to graph your solution set and write it in interval notation (pay attention to "square brackets" versus "round brackets")
2.6 Solve equations involving absolute value; the equation typically splits into two "cases" leading to two answers
2.7
Solve inequalities involving absolute value; be able to graph the solution set and write it in interval notation (pay attention to "square brackets" versus "round brackets")

Unit 2
Unit 2 will cover Chapters 3 and 4.
3.1
Graph a line by plotting points (using an “input-output” table)
Find the x- and y-intercepts of a line
Graph vertical and horizontal lines
3.2
Find the slope of a line given a graph
Find the slope of a line given two points
3.3
Use slope and y-intercept to graph a line from its equation
Given the equation of a line, identify the slope and y-intercept
Find the equation of a line given…
…the slope and a point
…two points
…a point and parallel/perpendicular to another line
3.4 Graph the solution set of an inequality in two variables
4.4 Graph the solution set of a system of inequalities
3.5
Given a graph, determine whether the graph represents a function
Given a graph, determine the domain and range of the function/relation
3.6
Be able to read and write using function notation
Given a graph, evaluate the function at a specified input value
Given an equation, evaluate the function for a specified input value
3.7
Given a graph, evaluate a composition of functions
Given equations, evaluate a composition of functions
9.2
Given a function, find the equation of its inverse
Know the relationship between the graph of a function and the graph of its inverse
4.1
Solve 2x2 systems of equations using either the substitution or addition (elimination) methods
Be able to identify inconsistent and dependent systems
4.2
Solve 3x3 systems of equations
Be able to identify inconsistent and dependent systems
4.3
Application problems involving systems of equations, especially problems about tickets, interest rates, RTD, and mixtures
Be able to clearly show the appropriate steps in the solving process

Unit 3
Unit 3 will cover Chapter 5.
5.1  Know how to add and subtract polynomials
5.2  Know how to multiply polynomials, including the rules for "special products" (Diff of Squares, and Squaring a Binomial)
5.3  Division of polynomials, including dividing by a monomial (easy kind) and long division (harder kind)
5.4-5.7  Factoring, including factoring by grouping, factoring trinomials, perfect square trinomials, differences of squares, and sums and differences of cubes
5.8  Solving equations by factoring.  Also, application questions.

Unit 4
Unit 4 will cover Chapter 6.
6.1  Reduce a rational expression to lowest terms (simplify)
6.2  Multiply and divide rational expressions
6.3  Add and subtract rational expressions
6.4  Simplify complex fractions
6.5  Solve equations with rational expressions in them
6.6  Application questions, specifically "RTD" problems and "combined work" problems

Unit 5
Unit 5 will cover Chapters 7 and 8
7.2  Rewrite rational exponents as radical expressions and vice versa.  Evaluate/simplify expressions with rational exponents
7.3  Simplify radicals.
7.4  Simplify radical expressions involving addition and subtraction.
7.5  Simplify radical expressions involving multiplication and division.  Rationalize the denominator.
7.6  Solve equations that have radicals in them.
7.7  Do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of imaginary numbers.
8.1/8.2 Solve quadratic equations using (1) The Square Root Property, (2) By factoring, or (3) The Quadratic Formula.  Know when to use which method.
8.6 Graph quadratic functions that are given in Standard Form.  Know how to find the vertex of the parabola.
8.7 Applications, specifically problems involving projectile motion, revenue/cost/profit, and optimization

Unit 6
Unit 6 will cover Sections 9.1, 9.3, 9.5, and 9.6.
9.1
Evaluate exponential expressions, including approximating with a calculator
Draw the graph of exponential functions, or at least match graphs to equations
Application problems involving exponential growth/decay--especially compound interest and population growth
9.3
Rewrite expressions from exponential form to logarithmic form, and vice versa
Evaluate (simplify) logarithms
Draw the graph of a logarithmic function, or at least match graphs to equations
9.5
Approximate common log (log) and natural log (ln) expressions using a calculator
Use the Change-of-Base formula and a calculator to approximate other kinds of logs
9.6
Solving exponential equations
Application problems involving compound interest and population growth

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Each student has a number of homework "late passes."  Each late pass will allow a student to extend the due date for an XYZ HW assignment by two days.  Other than this, no credit will be given for homework assignments completed after the due date has passed.

Plan ahead to make sure you take the tests on scheduled days.  No make-up tests will be given without prior arrangement.  A score of zero will be given on missed tests.

Attendance Policy

This is a face-to-face class; it is not an online or remote course.  In person attendance is expected.  Plan on being in class every day. If you do not intend to attend regularly, you should not take this class. If it is occasionally necessary for you to miss class, you are responsible for reviewing the material covered in class that day.  You are encouraged to contact other students in the class to find out what you missed and if any announcements were made in class.  It is your responsibility to be aware of test dates and due dates for assignments.

Course Fees

$11.00

Use of Generative AI

For this course, students are expected to submit their own original work for assignments.  In the same way that students should not turn in work copied from another student or a tutor, students should not turn in assignments created using generative Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.  Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes, this class will focus on learning mathematics without the aid of generative AI.  Any perceived improper use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as scholastic dishonesty.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.