The Math Basics workshop is designed for students who want to establish a fundamental understanding of college algebra concepts and principles. This workshop is recommended for individuals currently enrolled in any college algebra course, as well as for those seeking a math refresher before taking future math courses.
The course starts by teaching the basics of math. You will learn about different types of numbers and how they are categorized. We will cover exponents and the rules that go with them for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, especially focusing on the important zero rule. These concepts are essential tools that you will use throughout the course. We will also look at radicals, discuss the rules related to them, and practice simplifying expressions. You will have plenty of exercises to help strengthen your understanding and skills. I will share information on office hours and 24/7 drop-in tutoring, so you will have support whenever you need it. Finally, we will talk about effective study habits that can help you succeed in math.
This week, we will cover polynomials, factoring, and the FOIL method. In the workshop, we will discuss each topic, explain the rules, and solve problems step by step. We will provide a problem and solution slides that are easy to follow, helping students learn to work on similar problems independently. We will also have time for questions and a brief discussion about 24/7 tutoring, math refresher office hours, and where to find additional workshops.
This week, we will focus on functions. We will cover basic skills like formatting functions, using step-by-step examples. We will also discuss the rules related to functions. Additionally, we will briefly talk about domain and range, and how to identify them on a graph. There will be time for practice between concepts. At the end of the workshop, we will share information on where to find additional support and how to access 24/7 drop-in tutoring.
| Name of Function Operation | Operation |
|---|---|
Multiplication | (fg)(x) |
Division | ()(x) |
Addition | (f + g)(x) |
Subtraction | (f - g)(x) |
Week 4 begins with a review of function rules from the previous week. In addition to this review, we will discuss operations between functions and composite functions. This week’s module fully explores the concepts of functions with step-by-step examples. We provide details about 24-hour tutoring during and at the end of this presentation. Students are encouraged to attend the math refresher office hour to ask more questions about functions related to weeks 3 and 4.
| Name of Form | Form |
|---|---|
| Slope-Intercept Form | y = mx + b |
| Standard Form | Ax + Bx = C |
| Point-Slope Form | y – y1 = m(x – x1) |
This week, we will focus on linear equations and linear inequalities. We will also have a brief discussion about parallel and perpendicular lines. The workshop will cover the rules for each concept and provide several practice and solution slides. At the end, students will receive information on where to find extra support and how to use the 24/7 drop-in tutoring option.
This week, we will cover exponential functions, coefficient function transformations, and the range of quadratic functions. During the workshop, we will discuss each topic, explaining the rules and showing the concepts through graphs. Students will have time to practice by entering data from the slides into their calculators if they wish. We will also provide a link to Desmos for additional practice. Finally, we will share information on how to get extra help, including 24/7 drop-in tutoring. Students are encouraged to join the math refresher office hour to discuss these concepts further or review previous topics.
This week, we are combining Week 7 and Week 8 to help students focus on the concepts they are currently learning as well as the topics for Week 8. We will cover the unit circle, trigonometric functions, continuity, and limits. Throughout this workshop, you will receive practice problems and examples related to these topics. We will also discuss where to find additional support, including 24/7 drop-in tutoring and information about other workshops and the Academic Resource Center (ARC).
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these other links:
Why the unit circle is so helpful for us to evaluate trig functions [Video]
Introduction to the unit circle | Trigonometry | Khan Academy [Video]
This week’s workshop will be dedicated to reviewing all concepts covered in weeks 1-8, as well as any concepts chosen by students. We will address questions from those who plan to continue their studies in another math course. Additionally, we will provide games and practice activities that focus on many of the concepts you have learned throughout your math course and this workshop.
Additional Tips:
If you are looking for additional external resources to assit with your math assignments, check out this link for Math Resources for Various College Algebra Course and Pre-Calculus and Calculus Courses here.
Need More Help?
Join an office hours or workshop session to learn more and ask questions about your math course. Try the College Math Basics Workshop or the Math Skills Refresher Office Hours, or try another group session. For a list of our offerings, hit the Workshops Schedule link here.