MATH 25 - Elementary Algebra II
- Prerequisite: "C" or higher in MATH 24 OR placement in MATH 25
This course is the second half of a standard one-year course in elementary algebra. Topics to be covered include exponents, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, Pythagorean Theorem, and quadratic equations.
Contact: 3 hours lecture per week
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of MATH 25, the student will be able to:
- Identify and use the laws of exponents to simplify expressions with integral exponents
- Use scientific notation in calculations
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials in one or two variables
- Factor the greatest common factor from a polynomial expression
- Factor a polynomial of four terms by grouping
- Factor general trinomials ax2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are integers
- Recognize and factor the difference of two squares
- Recognize and factor a perfect square binomial
- Write rational expressions in lowest terms (including complex rational expressions)
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide algebraic fractions
- Solve equations containing rational expressions
- Solve word problems that lead to equations containing rational expressions. (Inclusion of indirect variation is optional.)
- Identify a given radical as rational, irrational, or not real
- Evaluate a radical expression
- Simplify a radical expression
- Add, subtract, multiply, or divide radical expressions
- Solve radical equations
- Solve word problems that lead to equations containing radical expressions
- Solve quadratic equations by factoring, extraction of roots, completing the square, and the quadratic formula
- Complete the perfect square trinomial square given a partial trinomial
- Learn and apply the Pythagorean Theorem
- Graph quadratic functions, using the vertex and axis of symmetry
In general, the course will enable the student to understand the terminology and concepts of basic algebra; e.g. Math 103 (College Algebra), Math 100 (Survey of Mathematics), Math 107 (Technical Mathematics for the Information Age), and Math 115 (Statistics).