10/30/2025 5:19:57 PM	MATH 25 Course Outline as of Fall 2013	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  MATH 25	Title:  PRECALCULUS ALGEBRA
Full Title:  Precalculus Algebra
Last Reviewed:10/20/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Topics from college algebra, including analytic geometry, functions and their graphs, complex numbers, sequences and series.  

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Completion of MATH 154 or MATH 155 or higher; or Qualifying Placement from Math Assessment. See Student Success & Assessment Services (assessment.santarosa.edu) for more information about the assessment process.

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Topics from college algebra, including analytic geometry, functions and their graphs, complex numbers, sequences and series.  

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Completion of MATH 154 or MATH 155 or higher; or Qualifying Placement from Math Assessment. See Student Success & Assessment Services (assessment.santarosa.edu) for more information about the assessment process.
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:	Fall 2025
Area:	B L2 MC B MC	Communication and Analytical Thinking Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning Math Competency Communication and Analytical Thinking Math Competency
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B4	Math/Quantitative Reasoning		Fall 2006
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	2A	Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning		Fall 2006
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2006	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2006	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.  Perform advanced operations with functions (using symbolic,

     graphical, and numerical representations) and apply knowledge to

     modeling problems.

2.  Define and graph inverse functions.

3.  Define and apply characteristics of functions (including

     intercepts, turning points, intervals of positive/negative,

     increasing/decreasing value, transformations, symmetry) in graphing

     polynomial, rational, absolute value, radical, exponential, and logarithmic

      functions.

4.  Solve selected algebraic equations over the complex numbers.

5.  Solve algebraic equations graphically and symbolically, including

     absolute value, polynomial, radical, rational, logarithmic, and

     exponential.

6.  Graph circles, functions, and parametric equations.

7.  Graph asymptotes and recognize a hole in the graph.

8.  Perform operations with complex numbers.  

Topics and Scope

I.    Equations and Inequalities

       A.  Graphical and algebraic solutions to radical and quadratic-form

             equations, and to absolute value equations and inequalities

       B.  Solutions to systems of nonlinear equations

II.   Complex Numbers

       A.  Definition

       B.  Operations with complex numbers

III.  Analysis of Functions and Their Graphs

       A.  Definition

       B.  Notation

       C.  Domain

       D.  Range

       E.  Operations, including difference quotients and composition of functions

       F.  Catalog of functions

       G.  Symmetry

       H.  Even and odd functions

       I.   Shifts

       J.   Scaling

       K.  Reflections of graphs, along with modeling

IV.  Polynomial and Rational Functions

       A.  Linear, quadratic, polynomial functions of higher degree and

             their graphs

       B.  Long division of polynomials

       C.  Graphs of rational functions

       D.  Asymptotes and holes

       E.  Introduction to limit concepts and notation

       F.  Solutions of polynomial and rational equations and inequalities, using

              real numbers and complex numbers as appropriate

V.   Inverse, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

       A.  Definitions

       B.  Properties

       C.  Graphs

       D.  Equations

       E.  Applications

VI.  Sequences and Series

       A.  Finite and infinite geometric sequences and series

       B.  Summation of powers of integers

VII. Topics from Analytic Geometry

       A.  Midpoint and distance formulas

       B.  Circles

       C.  Parametric equations

Assignments:

1.  Daily reading outside of class (20-50 pages per week).

2.  Problem set assignments from required text(s) or supplementary

      materials chosen by the instructor (1-6 per week).

3.  Quizzes (0-4 per week).

4.  Exams (3-8 per term).

5.  Projects (for example, computer explorations or modeling activities, 0-10 per term).

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 5 - 20%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 70 - 95%
Multiple choice and free response exams; quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Projects

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

College Algebra (6th ed). by Stewart, Redlin and Watson; 2012

 

College Algebra Enhanced with Graphing Utilities (5th ed.).  Sullivan, Michael and

Sullivan III, Michael.  Prentice Hall:  2009.

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