Week 1: Discussion One

This week students will:

1. Find excluded values for rational expressions or functions.

2. Perform basic math operations on rational expressions.

3. Solve proportion problems using extremes and means.

4. Utilize rational formulas in real-world applications.

In this course, we will be using a program called ALEKS. This will diagnose your prior math knowledge and develop a specialized learning plan for you based upon weekly concepts. The first thing you should do this week is to watch the tutorial videos on the ALEKS program. These videos can be found under the “Week 1” tab of your online course. Click on “Week 1” and scroll down to the “Introduction to ALEKS” portion of the page. The video will automatically load. Sometimes, the presentation takes between one to four minutes to load, so please be patient. You can start the videos by clicking on the tabs at the bottom of the start page for the video ( “Start Here”, “ALEKS Pretest”, “Your Pie”, etc.).

After you have watched the ALEKS tutorial videos, log in to the ALEKS site and take your diagnostic exam for this course. Based on the results of this test, ALEKS will create a specialized learning plan that will help you master each specific math concept. Please note that this is an automated program, so be sure to double check your answers and make sure that they are formatted correctly (see below for tutorials on the ALEKS system.). One you are logged into ALEKS, you will be directed to complete an interactive demonstration on using ALEKS, which coupled with the tutorials, should give you a good understanding of how to work within this program.

Each week, you will work on an “ALEKS LAB” that targets concepts that you need to learn based upon your entry diagnostic. You will be asked to complete a sample math question on the concept, and then demonstrate mastery of the concept by solving similar questions. If you answer incorrectly, you will be given additional opportunities to practice the skills so they can be mastered. Once a concept is mastered, your lab score will be updated within ALEKS and you will be prompted to continue.

Please note that since you will be working on concepts that you need to master, the amount of time required to work on your ALEKS lab will vary from week to week. Be sure to use your textbook while using ALEKS for useful explanations of the problems. The grades for ALEKS Labs will be transferred each week at the time and date that they are due. Grades will only be transferred once. It is imperative that you complete the lab during the week that it is due.

You will also be assigned homework each week through ALEKS. The homework consists of 10 questions that correspond to the week’s work. For a tutorial on the ALEKS homework, watch the Introduction to ALEKS video embedded in Week One of your online course.

Depending on your connection, this video may take several minutes to load.