MATH 078 - Topics In Intermediate Algebra

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
MATH 078 exposes students to the concepts of negative integer exponents, functions, domain, and range, and focuses on exponential and logarithmic functions. The course emphasizes problem solving by introducing Polya’s process. MATH 078 is designed to prepare students for select college-level mathematics courses.
Course Outcomes:

Classify numbers as rational or irrational.
Simplify expressions involving integer exponents.
Convert between decimal and scientific notation.
Use standard function notation.
Classify functions as linear, quadratic, logarithmic, or exponential.
Simplify expressions and solve equations involving logarithms and exponentials using properties of exponents and logarithms.
Find the natural domain of logarithmic functions.
Use a scientific calculator when necessary.
Apply Polya’s four-step problem-solving process.

Course Topics:

Integer exponents.
Scientific notation.
Rational/irrational numbers.
Classifying functions from their properties.
Logarithmic properties.
Exponential and logarithmic equations.
Domain and range.
Evaluating functions.
Problem solving.