BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

MATH-059 - Intermediate Algebra II -

MATH-059 - Intermediate Algebra II -

Course Details
The British Columbia ABE Advanced Level - Algebraic Mathematics course is a continuation of MATH 057 in intermediate Algebra. It completes the requirement for the BC secondary school Pre-Calculus Math 11 equivalent algebra course and prepares students for post-secondary math courses and programs requiring Pre-Calculus Math 11. Math 059 is the pre-requisite for Math 060 Provincial Level Algebra and Trigonometry. Some of the topics include linear systems of equations and inequalities, functions and their graphs, quadratic, rational, radical, polynomial and trigonometric functions.
Part of the:
  • ACADEMIC/CAREER PREPARATION Department
  • Available/Required in the following Programs:
  • College Readiness - Qualifying Courses
  • College Readiness - BC Adult Graduation Diploma Completion Plan
  • Prerequisites : MATH 057, Foundations Math 11, instructor permission or advisor assessed equivalent.
    Course Outline
    Instructors Qualifications: Relevant Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent
    Office Hours: 1.5 Per week.
    Contact Hours: 90
    Student Evaluation
    Procedure:
    Assignments/Chapter tests/Midterm Exam 50-70%, Final Exam 30-50%. Total 100%. Grading procedures follow NVIT policy.
    Learning Outcomes: It is expected that learners will use a scientific calculator to evaluate complex expressions with emphasis on using special keys to perform a variety of functions. The use of a graphing calculator or other technology is optional.

    Basic Algebraic Skills Review
    Note: A review of the following basic algebraic skills is suggested but not required. It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • perform operations with real numbers including absolute value and exponential notation;
  • simplify expressions using rules for order of operations and properties of exponents;
  • translate common language into algebraic expressions;
  • evaluate algebraic expressions by substitution; and
  • simplify algebraic expressions with nested parentheses.


  • Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • solve first degree/linear equations in one variable;
  • solve simple formulas for a given variable;
  • solve and graph linear inequalities in one variable;
  • write set-builder and/or interval notation for the solution set or graph of an inequality;
  • use linear equations, formulas and linear inequalities to solve applied problems;
  • find the union or intersection of two sets;
  • solve and graph compound inequalities (conjunctions and disjunctions); and
  • solve absolute value equations.


  • Graphing, Relations, and Functions
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • write linear equations in slope-intercept form;
  • graph linear equations and non-linear equations using a table of values;
  • graph linear equations using the y-intercept and slope and using x- and y-intercepts;
  • graph horizontal and vertical lines;
  • find the slope of a line given two points on the line;
  • find the equation of a line given graphic data: the slope and y-intercept, the slope and one point, or two points on the line;
  • determine whether a pair of lines is parallel, perpendicular or neither;
  • find the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to a given line and through a given point;
  • use the definition of function and the vertical line test to distinguish between functions and non-functions;
  • use and interpret function notation to evaluate functions for given x-values and find x-values for given function values;
  • determine the domain and range of a function;
  • graph linear functions and non-linear functions such as quadratic, cubic, square root, reciprocal, and absolute value functions; and
  • graph linear inequalities in two variables.


  • Optional Outcomes:
  • graph exponential functions;
  • analyze functions to determine line of symmetry, vertices, asymptotes, and intercepts;
  • understand and demonstrate transformations in graphs resulting from the following changes in the defining equation: translation, reflection, dilation;
  • use a graphing calculator or other appropriate technology to graph equations;
  • identify an appropriate graph for a given relation;
  • develop a model function from a given graph or set of data; and
  • perform linear regression using a graphing calculator to fit a linear function to data.


  • Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • solve systems of linear equations in two variables by graphing, substitution and elimination methods;
  • determine if a system of equations will have no, one or an infinite number of solutions; and
  • use systems of equations to solve applied problems.


  • Optional Outcomes:
  • solve systems of equations in three variables and applied problems using such systems;
  • graph the solution for a system of linear inequalities in two variables; and
  • use a graphing calculator or other appropriate technology to solve systems of equations and inequalities.


  • Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • determine the degree of a polynomial;
  • distinguish between monomials, binomials, trinomials, and other polynomials;
  • add, subtract, multiply polynomials;
  • divide polynomials by monomials;
  • factor polynomials using an appropriate strategy or a combination of techniques: common factors, difference of squares, difference and sum of cubes, perfect square trinomials, trial/error, or grouping;
  • solve polynomial equations using the principle of zero products; and
  • solve applied problems using polynomial equations/functions.


  • Optional Outcomes:
  • divide polynomials and binomials using long division; and
  • divide polynomials and binomials using synthetic division.


  • Rational Expressions and Equations and Variation
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • identify situations and find values for which a rational expression will be undefined;
  • simplify rational expressions;
  • add, subtract, multiply and divide rational expressions;
  • solve rational equations and check;
  • solve formulas involving rational expressions for a given variable;
  • solve applied problems that can be modeled with rational equations;
  • simplify complex fractions;
  • express variations in the form of equations (direct, inverse, joint, combined); and
  • solve problems involving direct, inverse, joint and combined variation.


  • Radical Expressions and Equations
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • write radicals as powers with rational exponents and vice versa;
  • use rational exponents to simplify radical expressions;
  • simplify, add, subtract, multiply and divide radical expressions (numeric or algebraic);
  • rationalize denominators in fractional expressions containing radicals (including the use of conjugates);
  • solve equations involving radical expressions or powers with rational exponents and check for extraneous roots;
  • solve formulas involving powers and square roots for a given variable; and
  • solve applied problems which can be modeled by radical equations, and determine if solutions are reasonable given the context of the problem.


  • Optional Outcomes:
  • identify imaginary and complex numbers and express them in standard form; and
  • add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers.


  • Quadratic Equations and Quadratic Functions
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • solve quadratic equations by factoring, using the principle of square roots, completing the square and the quadratic formula;
  • use the discriminate to identify the number and type of solutions of a quadratic equation;
  • write a quadratic equation given its solutions;
  • solve rational and radical equations reducible to a quadratic pattern and check that answers are reasonable;
  • solve selected polynomial equations that can be factored simplifying to linear and/or quadratic factors;
  • graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = a(x -h)² + k and demonstrate translations, reflections and stretching/shrinking resulting from changes in the function equation;
  • find the vertex, line of symmetry, minimum or maximum values, x- and y-intercepts, domain and range, given the function f(x) = a(x -h)² + k;
  • rewrite f(x) = ax² + bx + c as f(x) = a(x -h)² + k by completing the square; and
  • solve problems that can be modeled using quadratic equations including maximum and minimum problems.


  • Optional Outcomes:
  • solve quadratic equations having complex number solutions;
  • use a graphing calculator or other appropriate technology to graph and solve quadratic equations;
  • solve quadratic inequalities by graphing; and
  • solve polynomial and rational inequalities algebraically.


  • Trigonometry
    It is expected that learners should be able to:
  • label the sides of a right triangle with respect to a given angle;
  • determine sine, cosine, and tangent ratios of an angle in a right triangle using the side lengths;
  • use a scientific calculator to find the trigonometric value for a given angle and to find an angle given its trigonometric value;
  • solve right triangles and applied problems using the basic trigonometric ratios, the Pythagorean Theorem, and sum of the angles (180°); and
  • use the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to solve non-right (oblique) triangles and applied problems.


  • Optional Outcomes:
  • use A = 1/2bcsinA to find the area of a triangle;
  • determine the quadrant for positive and negative angles in standard position;
  • identify co-terminal angles;
  • determine primary trigonometric function values for angles in standard position;
  • identify reference angles;
  • evaluate primary trigonometric functions for any angle in a variety of conditions;
  • solve trigonometric equations involving the primary functions over a specific domain; and
  • use the trigonometric definitions to deduce unknown trigonometric values from given values.


  • Optional Topics
    Learners may wish to complete either A or B but these outcomes are not required.

    Geometry
  • recall the properties of parallel lines, similar and congruent figures, polygons, angle relationships, angle measurements, and basic compass and straightedge construction; and
  • demonstrate an understanding of the following properties of a circle:

  • - the perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the centre of the circle;
    - the line joining the midpoint of a chord to the centre is perpendicular to the chord;
    - the line through the centre, perpendicular to a chord, bisects the chord;
    - central angles containing equal chords or arcs are equal (the converse is also true);
    - inscribed angles containing the same or equal chords (on the same side of chord) or arcs are equal;
    - an inscribed angle equals half the central angle containing the same or equal chords (on the same side of chord) or arcs are equal;
    - an inscribed angle in a semicircle measures 90°;
    - opposite angles of a cyclic (inscribed) quadrilateral are supplementary;
    - a tangent is perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact (the converse is also true);
    - tangents from an external point are equal;
    - the angle between a chord and tangent equals the inscribed angle of the opposite side of the chord (and the converse), and
  • demonstrate and clearly communicate deductive reasoning in the solution of applied problems.


  • Data Analysis
    - explain the uses and misuses of statistics;
    - demonstrate an understanding of mean, median, mode, range, quartiles, percentiles, standard deviation, the normal curve, z-scores, sampling error and confidence intervals;
    - graphically present data in the form of frequency tables, line graphs, bar graphs, and stem and leaf plots; and
    - design and conduct a statistics project, analyze the data, and communicate the outcomes.
    Text and Materials: Blitzer, R. Algebra and Trigonometry. Current Edition. New Jersey. Pearson.
    Other Resources:
    Transfer Credits: For more information visit: www.bctransferguide.ca
    Other Information: