Mth 163: You will have your choice between the web version of the course, for which no text is required, and a text-based course using MathXL to support content.
You may if you wish start the web-based version and, if it is not working for you, switch to the text-based version.
The text for the text-based version is Precalculus by Sullivan, 9th edition ISBN-10: 0321716833 • ISBN-13: 9780321716835.
Students not going into mathematics-intensive fields like engineering, physics, chemistry, etc. will typically fulfill their mathematics requirements with one semester of precalculus and one semester of applied calculus (Mth 163 then Mth 271) as an easier alternative to the precalculus sequence Mth 163-164. If you are in a curriculum for which Mth 163-Mth 271 is your best option, I recommend that you use the author's College Algebra text instead. This text contains the same chapters you would be using this semester with the Precalculus text, and in addition it contains a review chapter which you might find very useful. The text is in the VHCC bookstore. The ISBN of this text: ISBN ISBN-10: 0321716817 • ISBN-13: 9780321716811.
The optional supplemental text was created by its author.
Unless otherwise attributed all other materials used in the course, including the forms, qa's, queries, DVDs and other components of the course, were created by David A. Smith, Virginia Highlands Community College, hereafter referred to as "the instructor".
The DVD containing video lectures is available in the VHCC bookstore.
Playing the videos
Nearly any Windows computer will be equipped to play the videos. Computers running other operating systems might not be so equipped.
If your computer is not equipped to play these videos, there are a number of free players that will do so. It is up to you to decide which one best meets your needs.
When I ask for recommendations, the one player that is almost universally recommended is the VLC Player. If you search for VLC player you will easily be able to find and evaluate it. The current website is http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ ; however the site could well change without my being aware of it, so if the link doesn't work do the search.
The Mth 164 text (Precalculus by Sullivan) may be used as a reference, or as an alternative, if you so desire. The ISBN of the current edition of that text is
978-0321716835. Previous editions of the text can be supported.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.