My students take a three hour course in Introductory Algebra and then
are required to enroll in a two hour per week arithmetic tutorial. I test
them in arithmetic and then work up an individual program, covering the
topics they miss on the test. Here are the objectives for both the
Arithmetic Tutorial and the class in Introductory Algebra.
ARITHMETIC OBJECTIVE:
Students will be tested to determine what topics they need to review. They
will be
encouraged to complete each topic as quickly as possible. When they have
successfully
passed a test on each topic, they may take the Arithmetic Exit Test. The
topics covered in
the Arithmetic Tutoring Sessions will be:
1. Whole Numbers: Place Value and Rounding, Addition, Subtraction,
Multiplication,
Division, Exponents, Word Problems, Prime Factorization, Order of Operations.
2. Fractions: Changing from Fractions to Mixed Numbers and Mixed Numbers to
Fractions, Reducing Fractions, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication,
Division, Ratio and
Proportion.
3. Decimals: Place Value and Rounding, Changing Fractions to Decimals,
Addition,
Subtraction, Multiplication, Division.
4. Percents: Converting from one Percent Form to another, Taking a Percent
of a
Number by Multiplication, Solving Percent Problems by Ratio and Proportion,
Business
Applications.
5. Signed Numbers: Addition of Real Numbers, Subtraction of Real Numbers,
Multiplication of Real Numbers, Division of Real Numbers, Order of
Operations.
6. Prealgebra: Combining Like Terms, Distributive Property, Factoring out
the Greatest
Common Factor, Solving Equations by Addition, Solving Equations by
Multiplication,
Solving Equations by Combining Steps.
I wish I had enough time to cover more, but this really keeps us moving
for a semester and then if they pass they go on to a credit course.
Margaret Forte
ALGEBRA OBJECTIVE:
The student will be expected to show competency in the following topics:
Real Numbers Radical Expressions
Equations and Inequalities
Quadratic Equations
Polynomials and Factoring
Systems of Equations
Graphs of Equations and Inequalities