Materials List for MTH 158
College Algebra by Sullivan, latest edition, packaged by the VHCC bookstore with Math XL. The text and Math XL can be ordered separately from independent vendors.
The text is required, and Math XL is strongly recommended, as it contains videos and other material students typically find useful. However some students have succeeded in the course using just the text, without requiring videos or other support.
Earlier editions of the Mth 158 text might be supported, so if you are using or wish to use an earlier edition of the text contact the instructor to see if that version is supported.
The current edition is the 9th edition, ISBN ISBN-10: 0321716817 • ISBN-13: 9780321716811
To contact the VHCC bookstore call 276-739-2400 and ask for the bookstore.
Required calculator
You can use any calculator you wish when you do your homework, but your instructor's best advice is to put your graphing calculator away until you get into your Junior-level courses. Once you know the mathematics it's easy to learn to do it on the calculator or computer. If you rely on the calculator when learning mathematics, you are almost certain to miss some of the essential aspects of the subject.
The only calculator permitted on tests will be the Casio fx-260. This is the same calculator that is legal for the SAT. This calculator is inexpensive, and is available through the VHCC bookstore as well as online.
Optional Math XL (optional but recommended package, included with text in VHCC bookstore)
The Math-XL access packaged with the text (as sold through the bookstore) is an optional supplement to your text, to be used in the way you find most beneficial.
Math XL provides homework support, tutorials, videos and more.
You are not required to have Math XL, and if you do have it you are not required to use it. However most students find additional support necessary for their success.
When (and if) you log in to Math XL you will see what appear to be quizzes, homework and other assignments.
None of these assignments are required. These would have listed as optional exercises but the publisher's system doesn't give the instructor the flexibility to do so.
It is suggested that you investigate the possibilities available to you.
To access the MathXL page, if you have your access
code:
The course name is: College Algebra, Mth 158
It is based on this textbook: Sullivan: College Algebra, 9e
To join this course, you need to register for MathXL and then enroll in the course.
Before you begin, make sure you have the access code that comes with your MathXL Access Kit. If you don't have an access kit, you can buy the code online by clicking Buy Now at www.mathxl.com.
To register, go to the www.mathxl.com for MathXL, click the Register button, and then follow the instructions on the screen.
After registering, log in to MathXL with your username and password. To enroll in this "course" (this is not your actual course but rather a supplement to your text), enter the following Course ID:
The Course ID for your course is:
If you have already registered for the Spring 2013 version
it's OK. There are no changes except to the listed dates.
Since all MathXL assignments are optional, the listed dates may
be ignored. The registration code for the Spring 2013
version was XL15-R1GY-301Z-2BJ2, and this version
is active until mid-October.
Note that this ID has changed as of Feb 1, 2013. The previous ID no longer works. (Apologies for any confusion; the publisher notified me of the change three days after rendering the previous course inactive, with no prior warning).
To view a complete set of instructions on registering and enrolling, go to www.mathxl.com and visit the Tours page.
A quick summary:
1. The 'homework' tab takes you to a list of media files, homework and quizzes.
2. The first item is 'trial media assignment (MA)'. You should view a sampling of these assignments to see what is available.
3. The second item is 'orientation'. Click on this to see how to use the MathXL system.
4. The third item is Section R.1, for which your instructor has chosen to display all the available problems. You can try a few problems, once more to get an idea how the system works and judge whether you think it will be beneficial to you. These problems are similar to those in your text, but unlike your real homework assignments they do not ask you to actually construct and document your solutions.
5. You will then see a series of pre- and post-tests, which you can use to assess your preliminary knowledge (using the pre-test) and your knowledge at the end of the chapter. These 'tests' are limited in that they do not ask you to construct solutions, unlike the tests you will actually take for the course.
6. Following the pre- and post-tests is a series of apparent assignments on each covered section of the text. Again these are here for your use, should you find them helpful, but they are not actually assigned.
There are aspects of this site the instructor is not particularly enthusiastic about (e.g., do you really have to see the word 'Fantastic' when you get a problem right? Isn't this more appropriate to elementary school?), but if it helps you achieve course goals then it's fine. The instructor is enthusiastic about the textbook, which is excellent, as is the actual set of problems.
It is suggested that you investigate what is available at this site and use it as you deem appropriate.
Actual course assignments are on the homepage for your course, to which you have been introduced during the Initial Activities.