MATH 120.5: College Algebra & Trigonometry at Guttman Community College

About this course

This course comprises the same topics as MATH 120: College Algebra and Trigonometry plus an additional lab session to assist students with foundational algebraic skills. It serves to prepare students for the mathematics required in the majors and launch them on a trajectory to Calculus. Algebraic concepts and skills are explored in context, and developed through the manipulation of symbolic expressions, equations, and functions. Verbal, numerical, and graphical representations of functions are employed throughout, with a strong emphasis placed on developing conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Topics include linear and quadratic equations; systems of linear equations; linear inequalities; radical equations; rational expressions; factoring polynomials; rules of exponents; an introduction to exponential, and logarithmic functions; right-triangle trigonometry; an introduction to radians and trigonometric functions in the unit circle; and modeling realistic situations with functions. Students will use graphing calculators and software to solve complex, real-world mathematical problems. Students will design and carry out a robust project involving algebraic analysis of a real-world issue of interest. For grade replacement purposes, this course is equivalent to MATH 120: College Algebra and Trigonometry.