Math 1113 Course Policies and Prerequisite Review

Course Materials and Textbook Information

• OpenStax Textbook: The required textbook is the OpenStax (referred to as "open stocks"). Access is completely free through the course link; students should avoid purchasing it and can download the content as a PDF.
• Math 1113 Workbook: This physical workbook is mandatory as it contains all pre-class and in-class activities. It can be purchased at the Tate Center Printing Service.
  • The estimated cost is approximately $\le \$30$.
  • While other instructors may use the Alex homework system (which costs around $\$150$), this specific course uses the workbook to minimize costs.

Course Logistics and Online Platforms

• To-Do List: The primary method for communicating deadlines and assignments.
  • No formal class announcements will be made for every assignment.
  • The list is updated every Sunday with all requirements for the entire week.
  • Students are expected to check this list at least once a day.
• Math 1113 Website: Provides central resources such as final and midterm exam information.
  • It contains past exams and sample tests, such as "sample test one" for the upcoming month's examination.
• Grayscope Submissions: Almost all assignments are submitted through Grayscope.
  • Course Code: The code is located at the end of the first page of the syllabus. Students must ensure they are in the correct section (e.g., 57131).
  • Submission Process: Assignments (like homework 1.1a or 1.3) should be uploaded as scans. When submitting, students must select every page that corresponds to a specific problem. For example, if a solution takes two pages, both pages must be linked to that problem in the system.
  • Feedback: Quizzes and exams will be scanned and returned with feedback via Grayscope.
• Email and Official Communication: Use the university email (UGA email) for course-related platforms.

Office Hours and Feedback

• Scheduled Meetings: Office hours are conducted through scheduled 15-minute appointments rather than open walk-in hours. This ensures students receive individual attention.
  • Booking Limit: A single student can book up to two consecutive slots ($30\,\text{minutes}$).
  • Group Study: Group meetings are highly encouraged. If attending with a group, students can book four consecutive slots ($1\,\text{hour}$).
  • Process: Appointments are booked via a link where students provide their name, email, and a brief description of the topic (e.g., "homework question").
• Anonymous Feedback Form: A permanent link is provided for students to submit anonymous suggestions or complaints regarding class pace, explanation style, or group dynamics.

Instructional Format and Grading Policies

• Flipped Classroom Model: In this structure, students are introduced to material before class to maximize in-class time for problem-solving and feedback.
  • Pre-class Videos: Students must watch specific video segments (available in the pre-class videos tab) before attending class.
  • Video Monitoring: Engagement is tracked within the module; students should avoid watching directly on YouTube so their viewing time is recorded. Watching at $2\times$ speed is acceptable; for an $8.5\,\text{minute}$ video, at least $4\,\text{minutes}$ of viewing is required for credit.
  • Attendance: Each class features a sign-in sheet with two columns (A and B). Students should check the box in column A next to their name.
• Assignment Policies:
  • Pre-class Activities: These must be submitted on Grayscope before class starts (e.g., by $11:35\,\text{AM}$). Late pre-class activities are not accepted because preparation is essential for group participation.
  • Homework: Due Sundays at $11:59\,\text{PM}$. A 12-hour grace period is provided, though late work incurs a slight penalty.
  • Grading Weight: Homework is worth only $5\%$ of the final grade and is graded primarily for completion and serious effort, even if the answers are incorrect.
• AI (Artificial Intelligence) Policy: Tools like ChatGPT can be used to support learning. Students are encouraged to use them for "guiding hints" rather than just copying answers.
• Weekly Quizzes: Quizzes occur every Tuesday on the previous week's material.
  • Retake Policy: One retake is permitted per quiz if the student completed the original quiz.
  • Retake Procedure: Students must complete "quiz corrections" (writing out the correct solution plus a brief explanation of the error) and then schedule a meeting with the instructor.
• Calculators: The only permitted calculator is the TI-30XS Multiview. This is the only model allowed on the final exam; others will be confiscated.

Mathematical Prerequisite Review: Solving Equations

• Definition of Solving: Finding all values of the variable that make the equation true.
• Linear Equations:
  • Example: $3(x - 2) + 5 = 2x + 7$
  • Distribute the 3: $3x - 6 + 5 = 2x + 7$
  • Combine like terms: $3x - 1 = 2x + 7$
  • Isolate $x$: $3x - 2x = 7 + 1 \rightarrow x = 8$
• Equations with Fractions:
  • Example: $\frac{x}{3} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{6}$
  • Subtract $\frac{1}{2}$ from both sides. To do this, find a common denominator ($6$).
  • $\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{3} = \frac{3}{6}$
  • $\frac{x}{3} = \frac{5}{6} - \frac{3}{6} \rightarrow \frac{x}{3} = \frac{2}{6}$
  • Multiply by the inverse to solve: $x = 3 \times \frac{2}{6} = \frac{6}{6} = 1$
• Quadratic Equations:
  • General form: $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$
  • Quadratic Formula: $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$
  • Example: $x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0$
  • Using formula: $a=1, b=-5, c=6$. $x = \frac{-(-5) \pm \sqrt{(-5)^2 - 4(1)(6)}}{2(1)}$
  • $x = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{25 - 24}}{2} = \frac{5 \pm 1}{2}$
  • Solutions: $\frac{6}{2}=3$ and $\frac{4}{2}=2$
  • Factoring Method: Find two numbers that multiply to $6$ and add to $-5$ ($-2$ and $-3$).
  • $(x - 2)(x - 3) = 0 \rightarrow x = 2, x = 3$
• Absolute Value Equations:
  • Example: $|2x - 3| = 5$
  • Case 1: $2x - 3 = 5 \rightarrow 2x = 8 \rightarrow x = 4$
  • Case 2: $2x - 3 = -5 \rightarrow 2x = -2 \rightarrow x = -1$

Rectangular Coordinate System and Graphing

• Origin: The center point $(0, 0)$ from which distances are measured.
• Quadrants: The system is divided into four quadrants, numbered I through IV counter-clockwise.
• Coordinate Points: $(x, y)$, where $x$ is horizontal distance and $y$ is vertical distance.
• Distance Formula: Derived from the Pythagorean Theorem ($a^2 + b^2 = c^2$).
  • Horizontal distance ($a$) is the difference in $x$-coordinates.
  • Vertical distance ($b$) is the difference in $y$-coordinates.
• Graphing Equations:
  • $x$ is usually the input variable; $y$ is determined by the equation based on the input.
  • Example: $y = 2x + 1$. If $x=0, y=1$; if $x=2, y=5$. Graphing connects these points into a line.
• Intercepts:
  • y-intercept: The point where the graph crosses the $y$-axis (where $x = 0$).
  • x-intercept: The point where the graph crosses the $x$-axis (where $y = 0$). To find it algebraically, set $y = 0$ in the equation and solve for $x$.