Brief review of arithmetic operations and their properties. Positive integer exponents, variables, algebraic expressions, solution of linear equations, definition of absolute value. Expansion of the product of two binomials, factorization of quadratics, solution of quadratic equations by factoring. This course is controlled by a departmental committee, whose members may or may not be teaching the course.
All sections use the same text, which is chosen by the committee.
The committee also writes a syllabus detailing which sections should be covered and how much time should be allotted to each. Exams, homework, and grading system are left to the instructor. Use the various field axioms in solution of simple equations. Be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and factor simple polynomials. Be able to solve elementary equations that are linear or quadratic in nature.