M 090.06: Introductory Algebra

WELCOME TO INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA! M090 is a one-semester mathematics course for students whohave not yet mastered the first year of high school algebra, or for those who need a refresher courseparticularly those students intending to take M095, Intermediate Algebra; M115, Probability and Linear Mathematics; M105, Contemporary Mathematics; or M104, Numbers as News.M090 does not substitute for any other mathematics requirement, nor does it fulfill the general education mathematics requirement PLACEMENT in M090 is based on your individual mathematics assessment (Maplesoft) or completion of M065 (Prealgebra) with a grade of RC-or better.The "R" designation indicates that this is a "developmental course," designed to help you prepare for college level coursework.Developmental course credits do not count toward graduation or affect your GPA, but these credits do count for financial aid, Four Bear progress, the tuition flat-spot, and toward full-or part-time status.All developmental course grades carry the "R" designation.*Be certain that you are enrolled in the proper math class at the beginning of the semester.You may not be able to switch into a more appropriate class after the first week.If you have any concerns about your placement see your instructor immediately. WHY DO WE STUDY ALGEBRA?Algebra allows us to solve problems for unknown quantities, draw graphs of relationships between numbers, and make use of the inherent structure of our number system, but the larger and more important goal in this course is to learn abstract reasoning.This deeper thinking allows us to draw from our mental toolboxes to solve certain types of problems.