Course Descriptions

MTH 165 - College Algebra

3 Credits

This course is intended to enhance algebraic skills and graphing techniques, and to prepare students for Precalculus Mathematics and Applied Calculus. Topics include functions that are quadratic, polynomial, piecewise, exponential and logarithmic; equations that are quadratic in form, involve radicals, absolute value, variation and rational exponents; inequalities that are polynomial, rational, and absolute value.

Prerequisite: MTH 104 with a grade of C or better, or MTH 140 with a grade of C or better, or MCC Level 8 Mathematics placement.

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-M - Mathematics (SMAT)

MCC General Education: MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT), MCC-QL - Quantitative Literacy (MQL)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Solve a variety of equations which may include any of the following types: quadratic in form, radical, rational exponent, linear absolute value, exponential, or logarithmic.
2. Solve a variety of inequalities which may include any of the following types: linear absolute value, factorable polynomial, or rational.
3. Graph a variety of relations which may include any of the following types: polynomial of degree at most 4, absolute value, square root, cube root, reciprocal, exponential, logarithmic, piecewise, or circle.
4. Describe or graph transformations of functions which may involve any combination of a horizontal shift, a vertical shift, or a reflection.
5. Convert between any of the three forms: a graph, an equation, or a verbal description of attributes such as zeros, intercepts, or domain.
6. Determine a composition or combination of functions.
7. Determine the inverse of a one-to-one function.
8. Determine the zeros of a polynomial function using synthetic division with related theorems.
9. Use long division to divide polynomials.
10. Rewrite a logarithmic expression using properties of logarithms.
11. Solve a variety of applications using variation, exponential, or logarithmic models.

Course Offered Fall, Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Intersession 2025
Spring Semester 2025