Mathematics

Earning this degree at RCC is the first step to many rewarding and sought-after careers, including: auditor, data analyst, data scientist, operations research analyst, actuaries, math educator, researcher, scientist, statistician, economist, computer programmer, software developer, consultant, financial analyst, research analyst, nurse mathematician and many more! After graduating RCC, your next step could be completing a bachelor’s degree at another institution of higher learning.  

MassTransfer - Through the MassTransfer program, your mathematics degree from RCC transfers as two years of completed work towards at Bachelor's degree at most state colleges and universities.  Review the A2B pathways on the MassTransfer website. 

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	ASSESSMENT
Apply the understanding of place value and the operations on whole numbers	Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers. Demonstrate an understanding of place value by writing a given numeral in standard notation, expanded notation, and in words. Round whole numbers to a given place value. Find the prime factorization of a number and express it in exponential notation. Simplify an expression using the order of operations agreement. Solve related application problems.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Apply the operations on rational numbers and mixed numerals	Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers and mixed numerals. Form equivalent fractions in higher and lower terms. Simplify rational expressions according to the order of operations agreement. Locate rational numbers on the number line. Solve related application problems.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Understand the structure of a decimal number system and apply the basic operations on decimals	Demonstrate the understanding of decimal place value by a. expressing a numeral in expanded notation, standard notation, and in words. b. rounding a decimal numeral to a given place value. c. comparing decimal numerals. Convert between rational numbers and decimals. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimal numerals. Simplify decimal expressions according to the order of operations agreement.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Understand the concept of percent and its relationship to fractions and decimals	Convert among decimal fraction and percent notation. Solve the basic 3 types of percent equations.  Solve real life application problems, such as simple interest and sales tax, percent increase and decrease, sales discount and commission.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Apply the concepts of ratio and proportion to solve problems that can be modeled by these types of relationships	Find rate and unit rate. Solve proportions. Solving application problems using proportion.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Find the perimeter, area, and volume of geometric figures in standard units	Use the appropriate formula to find perimeter, area and volume. Use the appropriate unit of measure and equivalent conversions where applicable.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Use both the English and metric systems of measurements appropriately.	Recognize the appropriate unit of measure for a given situation; e.g. volume, distance, area, etc. Make conversions within each system and between systems.	Hand-in assignments In-class problems In-class tests
Perform arithmetic operations with real numbers	Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, signed numbers, decimal numbers and fractions. Demonstrate an understanding of place value by writing a given numeral in standard notation, expanded notation, and in words. Convert fractions into their decimal equivalents. Convert between regular decimal notation and scientific notation. Solve related application problems	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.
Use the Order of Operations to do calculations	Simplify an expression using the order of operations agreement. Simplify expressions using exponents	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.
Translate English sentences about numbers into algebraic equations	Differentiate between an expression and an equation. Correctly identify English phrases corresponding to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Construct an algebraic equation from a sentence about quantities.	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.
Solve and graph linear equations/inequalities and functions	Determine whether a given number is a solution of an equation/inequality. Solve equations/inequalities containing fractions and parentheses. Solve literal equations. Translate and solve number problems, percent problems, ratio and proportion problems. Plot points and find the coordinates of a given point. Graph an equation/inequality by plotting points, by finding the x-, and y-intercepts, and by using the slope-intercept method. Find the slope of a line given two points or given an equation of the line.  Write an equation of a line given a point and the slope, two points, or information about parallel and perpendicular lines. Determine when two lines are parallel, perpendicular or neither.	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.
Solve two simultaneous linear equations by several methods	Solve a system of linear equations in two variables by graphing, the substitution method, and the addition method. Determine if a system of linear equations is inconsistent or dependent.	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.
Solve application problems involving linear equations	Solve mixture, percentage, distance, and number word problems.	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.
Use a graphing calculator	Use the calculator to evaluate expressions. Use the calculator to build a table of values for a function. Use the calculator to graph an equation/inequality. Use the calculator to find the intersection of two lines.	Web-based homework problems. Hand-in assignments. In-class problems. Web-based quizzes. In-class tests.