Course Outline for Mathematics 204D
Prealgebra Problem Solving

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

MTH 204D - Prealgebra Problem Solving

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 extends prealgebra techniques to solve multi-step application problems. Emphasis is placed on applying problem solving techniques to solve geometric and financial problems. This course also introduces to the Cartesian plane, graphing, and linear functions.
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. translate between words and the mathematical symbols for variables and operations;
  2. create, interpret, and solve simple linear equations;
  3. solve applications using percentages;
  4. find area, circumference, diameter, and radius of a circle;
  5. find the area and perimeters of rectangles and boxes;
  6. determine the appropriate unit in the US Customary System and the Metric System for a given situation;
  7. solve multi-step applications;
  8. graph a point in the Cartesian plane;
  9. graph a linear function using a table of values or a point and the slope.
Course Content:
  1. Financial applications
    1. Calculating tip
    2. Calculating discount/mark-up amount
    3. Solving for the original value
    4. Multi-step problems
  2. Geometric applications
    1. Perimeter and area
      1. Rectangles
      2. Triangles
      3. Circles
    2. Volumes of rectangular boxes
    3. Units
      1. US Standard Customary System
      2. Metric System
      3. Converting units within the same system
      4. Converting units between systems
    4. Multi-step problems
  3. Graphing 
    1. The Cartesian plane
      1. Plotting points
      2. Identifying quadrants
    2. Linear relations
      1. Slope
      2. Y-intercept
      3. Graph a linear relation using:
        1. Table of values
        2. Using a point and the slope
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Group Activities
  3. Class and group discussions
  4. Problem Solving
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Using the graph provided, determine the slope of the line connecting point A to point B.
  2. Farmer Ben has only ducks and cows. He can't remember how many of each he has, but he doesn't need to remember because he knows he has 22 animals. He also knows that the animals have a total of 56 legs. Assuming that each animal has all of their intended legs intact and no extra limbs, how many of each animal does Farmer Ben have?
  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 extends prealgebra techniques to solve multi-step application problems. Emphasis is placed on applying problem solving techniques to solve geometric and financial problems. This course also introduces to the Cartesian plane, graphing, and linear functions.
Discipline:
Mathematics-Basic Skills: Noncredit, Mathematics*, or