Course Outline for Mathematics 204C
Prealgebra with Rational and Decimal Numbers

Effective: Fall 2019
SLO Rev: 10/26/2018
Catalog Description:

MTH 204C - Prealgebra with Rational and Decimal Numbers

18.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
This noncredit course is part of a noncredit certificate of competency in Prealgebra. This course is free and students may repeat this course until mastery of the skills is met. This is a great class for students who are transitioning to college, who are unsure of their abilities, or who have been out of school for while and want some more mathematics preparation before transitioning to college-level math. This course covers fractions, decimals, and percentages and extends algebraic concepts to include rational and decimal numbers.
1701.00 - Mathematics, General
Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Lecture 18.00
Total 18.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. perform computations on fractions and decimals without a calculator;
  2. write a fraction in simplest form;
  3. write a fraction as a decimal;
  4. write a decimal as a fraction;
  5. round a decimal to the indicated place value;
  6. model arithmetic operations on fractions and decimals;
  7. apply the commutative, associative, and distributive laws to evaluate expressions;
  8. apply the order of operations in evaluating algebraic expressions;
  9. interpret operations and variables in algebraic expressions;
  10. solve linear equations.
Course Content:
  1. Fractions
    1. Definition
    2. Modeling fractions
    3. Simplifying fractions
    4. Write a fraction as a decimal
    5. Write a fraction as a mixed number
  2. Decimals
    1. Definition
    2. Place values
    3. Modeling decimals
    4. Writing a decimal as a fraction
    5. Rounding to an indicated place value
  3. Computations with Fractions and Decimals
    1. Addition
    2. Subtraction
    3. Multiplication
    4. Division
    5. Natural number exponents
    6. Order of operations
    7. Modeling arithmetic operations on integers
  4. Percents
    1. Converting between percents, decimals, and fractions
    2. Solving percent applications
  5. Equations
    1. Solving linear equations
    2. Translating from words to a linear equation

Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Group Activities
  3. Hands-on Activities
  4. Problem Solving
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. A business person ordered a salad and a glass of iced tea for lunch. If the salad cost $5.98 and the iced tea cost $1.49, how much did the business person pay if the tax rate is 7.25% and a 15% tip was left?
  2. You bought a 20 ounce package of strawberries for $2.71. What was the price per pound for the strawberries?
  1. Class Work
  2. Pre and post testing
  3. Assigned activities
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Critically analyze mathematical problems using a logical methodology.
  2. Communicate mathematical ideas, understand definitions, and interpret concepts.
  3. Increase confidence in understanding mathematical concepts, communicating ideas and thinking analytically.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Maracek, L., Anthony-Smith, M. (2015). Prealgebra OpenStax.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
This noncredit course is part of a noncredit certificate of competency in Prealgebra. This course is free and students may repeat this course until mastery of the skills is met. This is a great class for students who are transitioning to college, who are unsure of their abilities, or who have been out of school for while and want some more mathematics preparation before transitioning to college-level math. This course covers fractions, decimals, and percentages and extends algebraic concepts to include rational and decimal numbers.
Discipline:
Mathematics-Basic Skills: Noncredit, Mathematics*, or