Course Goals: Math 131: Math Modeling Using College Algebra

Students should be able to demonstrate the following:

Having an understanding of the relationship between numerical, algebraic and graphical approaches to solving real world problems,
Having the ability to use and interpret functional notation, and to determine which variable is the dependent and which is the independent variable,
Given a function in either tabular, graphical, or algebraic form and a value for one variable, to be able to determine all possible values for the other variable (i.e., if the dependent variable is known, then solve for the independent variable; if the independent variable is known, then evaluate the function to find the dependent variable),
To be able to solve systems of equations in order to determine the coefficients of a particular model given a set of points and the general form of the model,
To be able to model real world phenomena using linear, almost linear, quadratic, exponential, almost exponential, logarithmic, almost power and rational function data,
Given data in either tabular or graphical form, to be able to decide whether or not the data is linear, almost linear, exponential, almost exponential, logarithmic, almost power and rational function data,
Given data in either tabular or graphical form and knowing the data is of a certain form (i.e., that the data is linear or exponential), to be able to determine the equation (or best fitting equation of that form) for the data,
Given data in either tabular or algebraic form, should be able to plot the data on a graph determining appropriate scaling of axes,
Given the data in any of the three forms, should be able to determine average rates of change,
Should be able to interpret and give real world meaning to such characteristics of the data as the slope, intercepts, base, factor, and asymptotes when appropriate to the algebraic model of a real world situation,
Given a real world situation, to be able to determine which type of algebraic form to use to model the situation, then determine the algebraic equation, and interpret what the coefficients for the equation mean.

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For more information please contact: jewell@edgewood.edu