MATH 24 - Elementary Algebra I

Course Description

  • Prerequisite: MATH 20B & C & D OR "C" or higher in MATH 50/53 OR placement in MATH 24

This course is the first half of a standard one-year course in elementary algebra. Topics to be covered include the concept of a variable, signed numbers, evaluation of expressions, solution of equations and inequalities, graphing, and systems of equations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of Math 24, the student will be able to:

  • Perform arithmetic operations with signed rational numbers
  • Translate word phrases into algebraic expressions
  • Use the order of operations to evaluate algebraic expressions
  • Identify whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers
  • Find the absolute value, additive inverse, and multiplicative inverse of a real number
  • Identify the following properties: commutative, associative, identity, inverse, distributive
  • Identify terms, like terms, and numerical coefficients in a polynomial
  • Simplify algebraic expressions
  • Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable
  • Evaluate and manipulate formulas using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • Solve a formula for a specified variable
  • Write and solve ratios and proportions including those from word problems
  • Plot an ordered pair and state the quadrant in which it lies
  • Graph linear equations and inequalities by point plotting, the intercept method, and the slope-intercept method
  • Write the equation of a line given two points or the slope and y-intercept or the slope and a point on the line
  • Solve linear systems of equations and inequalities in two variables by algebraic and graphic methods
  • Use linear systems to solve word problems

In general, the course will enable the student to understand the terminology and concepts of basic algebra and solve problems for which such understanding is necessary. The student will be prepared for further study of mathematics and science.