Math 117 - Elementary Algebra

Math 101 Basic Math, or placement test score in the 75 - 85 range, or two years of college prep math (usually a year of algebra and a year of geometry). Those with a lower placement score but the proper high school background should discuss their options with a member of the math faculty.

This course is not designed for anyone who has never passed either Math 101 or a high school algebra course. These people need to pass Math 101 first.

See also success factors for relevant placement information.

Elementary Algebra satisfies the math requirement for a few technical programs or certificates; see the catalog for specifics. The only degrees or certificate programs which do not require this course or a higher math course are those with a requirement for Math 115 Business Math.

Most people taking this course are doing so in order to take Math 118 Intermediate Algebra next.

This course is not considered college level so it rarely, if ever, transfers to four-year institutions.

Math 117 is the prerequisite to both Math 118 Intermediate Algebra and Math 135 Allied Health Mathematics.

Medical Assisting and Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic students are required to take Math 135 Allied Health Mathematics.

Nursing students are recommended but not required to take Math 135 Allied Health Mathematics. R.N. students planning to earn a B.S.N. degree are likely to need Math 118 Intermediate Algebra.

Everybody else takes Math 118 Intermediate Algebra. These people need to do so as soon as possible while their algebra skills are still fresh.

The content of Elementary Algebra is comparable to a first year of high school algebra. The pace is roughly four and a half times as fast as a year-long high school algebra course, so it will feel like a college class. Missing one day is almost like missing a week in high school. In addition, expect the grading standard to be more rigorous than high school. In short, go to class, take notes and do your homework often and regularly if you expect to do well.

This course has the largest variety of incoming skills. For some students this course is a brush-up of previously learned skills and so a few may do well without breaking a sweat. For other students this is going to be a serious challenge. Some may find the first two or three weeks very easy and mistakenly come to believe that they don't need to study or practice. This is an illusion because the first two or three weeks are a review of pre-algebra topics.

Like most math courses in college this course will seem to go too fast--regardless of who you take it from. Those teaching it, in fact, go the same average speed because they cover the same number of sections in the same ten weeks. The reason so much material is covered in this course is because your math professors are dedicated to preparing you to be successful in your next math course, whether you will be taking one or not. It is your responsibility to keep up. If you are starting to fall behind get help by talking to your professor right away.

Math 117 Elementary Algebra is an introduction to algebra. ("Elementary" in the title of any math course in college means "introductory.") Here are most of the topics covered:

--Simplifying expressions with negative and positive numbers.

--Solving linear equations and applying these to applications (word problems).

--Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing polynomials.

--Factoring polynomials and using this to solve equations and simplify algebraic fractions.

--Graphing linear equations (lines); slope and y-intercepts.

--Simplifying square roots.

--Finding distance in the plane.

Students who have recently passed Math 101 are likely to succeed. Those who earned an A or B in a high school algebra in the past two years are also likely to succeed.

Many students who took at least one algebra class in high school as long as twenty years ago have been successful in this course. Determination, commitment and good study skills are major factors of success. Lazy students who practice little or skip classes usually fail or drop out. Very few are able to coast on what they learned in high school; those who can should have taken Math 118 instead.

As with all math classes, attendance and willingness to practice are serious factors determining success.

Workload varies a lot in this course based on many individual factors, but a student who wants to earn an A or a B can expect an average workload of six to ten hours per week outside of class.

A scientific calculator is desirable but not required. These are generally inexpensive, in the $10 - $20 range. Any cheap checkbook calculator will suffice. Graphing calculators are great but unnecessary. Symbolic manipulator calculators--these perform algebra steps--such as the TI-89 and TI-92 are generally prohibited. Your job is to learn how to think, not to push buttons, and these sophisticated machines give an unfair edge over other calculators.

This page is a good faith effort to provide advising information related to this course. Some information is subject to change without notice. No commitments are implied by this page. For further information or clarification please contact a member of the Mathematics Department.