BAINBRIDGE COLLEGE
Division of Technical Studies

COURSE TITLE: Vocational Math
COURSE NUMBER: TECH 0099
CONTACT HOURS: 4
CREDIT HOURS: 4
INSTRUCTOR: Grimes
TEXTBOOK: TBA

PURPOSE OF COURSE: To provide the fundamentals of mathematic principles that include operations with whole numbers, common fractions, decimal fractions, percentage, averages, applied problems, and signed numbers.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the semester you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an acceptable level of skill in solving whole number problems including four functions, order of operations, positive exponents, square and cube roots with applications.
  2. Demonstrate an acceptable level of skill in solving common fraction and mixed number drill and application practice problems.
  3. Demonstrate an acceptable level of skill in solving decimal fraction drill and application problems.
  4. Demonstrate an acceptable level of skill in solving percentage, base and rate, drill and application problems.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to find averages.
  6. Demonstrate an acceptable level of skill in solving linear measure problems that involve yards, feet and inches of perimeters and scaling problems that relate to map conversions and architectural applications.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to apply arithmetic fundamentals to business and technical applications.
  8. Demonstrate the ability to perform calculations on signed numbers.
  9. Demonstrate Work Ethics that meet the Technical Division criteria

TOPICAL OUTLINE

  1. Whole Numbers
    1. Definition
    2. Place Value
    3. Addition
      1. Notation
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    4. Subtraction
      1. Notation
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    5. Multiplication
      1. Notation
      2. Multiplicative property of zero
      3. Computation
      4. Word problem applications
    6. Division
      1. Notation
      2. Division by zero
      3. Computation
      4. Word problem applications
    7. Order of Operations
    8. Positive integer exponents on whole number bases
    9. Square roots of perfect squares
    10. Cube roots of perfect cubes

  2. Common Fractions, Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
    1. Definition
      1. Proper fraction
      2. Improper fraction
      3. Mixed number
    2. Equivalent fractions
      1. Reduction to lowest terms
      2. Expansion to higher terms
    3. Multiplication with whole numbers, common fractions, and mixed numbers
      1. Cancellation
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem application
    4. Division with whole numbers, common fractions, and mixed numbers
      1. Reciprocals
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    5. Addition with whole numbers, common fractions, and mixed numbers
      1. Least common denominator
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    6. Subtraction with whole numbers, common fractions, and mixed numbers
      1. Least common denominator
      2. Borrowing
      3. Computation
      4. Word problem applications
    7. Order of Operations
    8. Positive integer exponents on fraction bases
    9. Square roots of perfect square fractions
    10. Cube roots of perfect cube fractions

  3. Decimal Fractions
    1. Definition
    2. Conversion between common fractions or mixed numbers and decimal fractions
    3. Addition and subtraction
      1. Placement of decimal point
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    4. Multiplication
      1. Placement of decimal point
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    5. Division
      1. Placement of decimal point
      2. Computation
      3. Word problem applications
    6. Combined operations with whole numbers, common fractions or mixed numbers, and decimal fractions
    7. Order of Operations
    8. Positive integer exponents on decimal bases
    9. Square roots of decimals
    10. Cube roots of decimals

  4. Percentage, Rate, and Base
    1. Equivalent forms for percents, decimals, and fractions
    2. Percent problems
      1. Definition of rate (R), base (B), and percentage (P)
      2. Finding the percentage by P = R x B
      3. Finding the rate by R = P/B
      4. Finding the base by B = P/R
      5. Word problem applications

  5. Averages
  6. Denominate Numbers and Scaling
    1. Reading a ruler using inches, feet., and yards
    2. Denominate numbers
      1. Conversions among different size units: inches, feet, and yards, including fraction and decimal parts of units
      2. Addition and subtraction with ft. and in., etc.
    3. Scaling
      1. Map conversions: in. to mi., etc.
      2. Architectural conversions: in. to ft., etc.
    4. Perimeter of polygons

  7. Business and Technical Applications
  8. Signed Numbers
    1. Absolute Value
    2. Adding and Subtracting Signed Numbers
    3. Multiplying and Dividing Signed Numbers

CLASS POLICY: Good attendance is necessary to get the most from the course. Complete the achievement reviews that are assigned. These are designed to reinforce the sample problems worked in class. If you are confused or do not understand the example problems worked in class, be certain to ask for help. See the Attendance Standards for the Division of Technical Studies for details related to absences and tardies.

GRADING: The cumulative average will be calculated in the following way:

10% = Homework, Computer Lab, Quizzes, and Work Ethics

70% = 4 - 6 Major Unit Tests

20% = Final Comprehensive Examination

To qualify for the standardized exiting exam a student must meet both of the following criteria:

  1. Achieve 75% mastery on each of the first four major unit tests and on the final comprehensive exam. (These cover whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents.)
  2. Earn a minimum cumulative average of 75%.

When a student earns a satisfactory score on the standardized exiting exam, the final grade is S, and the student advances to the next required mathematics course. Other results are IP (In Progress) or U (Unsatisfactory), depending on the degree of progress. With an IP or U grade, the course must be repeated.

RETESTS:

  1. A student may retest only twice. Retests may be for units 1, 2, 3, or 4. Only one retest per unit will be allowed. A student may not retest on a unit unless previous units have been passed.
  2. Prescribed work must be completed before retesting.
  3. A retest is to be completed within two weeks from the day the original test is given in class.
  4. A minimum retest score of 75% is required for mastery.
  5. Exceptions to the above may be granted at the instructor's discretion with consideration of the student's average, grade on comprehensive exam, TABE score, attendance, previous retests, and extenuating circumstances.

The COMPASS is a standardized test prepared by a team of national educators. Enough topics are covered in class to prepare a student to earn a satisfactory score. Topics are included on the COMPASS test for which class instruction is not provided in TECH 0099.

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