INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA PREREQUISITE

MIKE MALLEN (mallen@SBCEO.K12.CA.US)
Sun, 15 Dec 1996 20:04:12 -0800

I agree that intermediate algebra (as well as geometr, which seems to be
slipping away at the CC's) should be a prerequisite to college-level
courses. But not the traditional course.
Some problems with justifying spending much of the intermediate algebra
course on factorable functions(which I am translating as "factorable
trinomials") (1) Most CC intermediate algebra students do not go on to
courses requiring such factorable functions (2) "factorable functions" ,
though essential for understanding the Fundamental Theorem of algebra and
its corollaries, seem to be primarily the creation of pre-technology text
writers, who needed easily-solved, artificial problems in order to teach
mathematics to a pencil and paper audience (3) time might be better spent in
using computing technology to explore more general functions (higher degree
polynomials, functions involving rational, exponential, trigonometric and
radical expressions) which are more likely to occur in applications (4)
although it is nice for non-math oriented students to see the connection
between factors and roots, time may be better spent on learning vastly more
important connection between solutions of equations and x-intercepts
(students, to my unending surprise, seem to find this difficult at this
level, even with the use of graphing technology)

The probability of finding such factorable functions in applications
diminishes rapidly as (1) the coeffients increase or become fractions (2)
one seeks problems outside of the "school mathematics" (in developmental
courses) which is only remotely connected to real applications.

Intermediate algebra has to be a prerequisite (thankfully, we have no
choice here in California) to college level courses, but hopefully with the
definition of "intermediate algebra" changed to reflect the problem-solving
orientation as outlined in the AMATYC STANDARDS so that all (including
terminal) students will benefit from them - and not just those who will be
transferring into the traditional, algorithm-oriented "other" math courses.

Mike Mallen

At 01:32 PM 2/13/96 -0800, you wrote:
>Martha Haehl <haehl@KCMETRO.CC.MO.US> wrote:
>
>>I'm not sold on Intermediate Algebra as the end-all mathematical
>>prerequisite for a college level course. I am of the camp that questions
>>why we spend 90% to 95% of our curriculum on the factorable function which
>>seems to have no use (other than as a prerequisite for other math courses.)
> >
>(Emphasis added.) That seems like reason enough for me.
>
>John Sheehan
>jsheehan@netcom.com
>
>

***********************************
Mike Mallen
Mathematics Department
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
805-965-0581- ext 2267
mallen@dospueblos.sbceo.k12.CA.us (home)
or mallen@gate1.sbcc.cc.ca.us

***********************************
Mike Mallen
Mathematics Department
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
805-965-0581- ext 2267
mallen@dospueblos.sbceo.k12.CA.us (home)
or mallen@gate1.sbcc.cc.ca.us