Mathematics

Math 1090 Pre-Algebra

COURSE PURPOSE

The purpose of all of the developmental mathematics courses is to support student success academically and beyond by advancing critical thinking and reasoning skills. Specifically, in pre-algebra as a team we will examine final answers in terms of reasonableness to the given problem and to determine if the answer addresses the original problem (Polya step 4). In addition, we will explore the power of estimation as a tool to determine accuracy of solutions to numeric and or real world problems.

Math 1090 in the Developmental Math Program in the Department of Mathematics at Western Michigan University is a mastery-based course designed to sharpen computational skills involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, geometric figures and word problems.

Since Math 1090 is a remedial course, these two credits do not towards graduation. Your final letter grade will be calculated into your gpa, so use this as an opportunity to boost your gpa.

Course Pack

There are two options when purchasing the pack:

Purchase directly from R J's Printing at 1001 Second Street Monday Through Friday 8am-5pm to purchase the pack.
Note that the Metro Bus 10 has a stop on Mills and Second which is minutes from R J's Printing.
Use the following QR code to purchase online with a credit card and chose "in classroom" to have the pack delivered to you in class. Note that a credit card surcharge will be added, so your total will be $36.14.

QR code to purchase the math 1090 course pack

COURSE INFORMATION

EXAM DATES FOR FALL 2025 BY EXAM NUMBER

Monday, Sept. 15; 25 minutes
Wednesday, Oct. 8; 50 minutes
Friday, Nov. 7; 25 minutes
Monday, Nov. 24 (Do not leave early for Thanksgiving break); 50 minutes

If you are unable to attend class on any exam day you must notify Dr. Eisenhart (269) 387-4117 or (269) 873-8194 before the exam, so that she can assist you in a timely manner.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE BY WEEK NUMBER

Class will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 27, so plan to start Thanksgiving recess after class.

Aug. 27 through Aug. 29: Problem solving worksheet (Polya method), whole numbers and E-Learning Demo
Sept. 3 through Sept. 5: Meanings of operators, and use the distributive property to simplify calculations
Sept. 8 through Sept. 12: Order of operations, and writing both addition and subtraction statements given an illustration
Sept. 15 through Sept. 19: Exam 1, decimals, and variable sense,
Sept. 22 through Sept. 26: Combining like terms and using variables for problem solving (Polya method), area verses perimeter and expressions and equations
Sept. 29 through Oct. 3: Finish expressions and equations, evaluate, and solve
Oct. 6 through Oct. 10: Factor vs multiple, Exam 2, definition/meaning of fraction, equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions
Oct. 13 through Oct. 17: Ratios and proportions and fall break
Oct. 20 through Oct. 24: Finish proportional reasoning, adding fractions, and subtracting fractions
Oct. 27 through Oct. 31: Multiplying fractions, comparing fraction additions and multiplications, and dividing fractions
Nov. 3 through Nov. 7: Revisit number properties and variable sense with fractions, signed number meaning, and Exam 3
Nov. 10 through Nov. 14: Comparing signed numbers, adding signed numbers and subtracting signed numbers, Revisit number properties and variable sense with signed numbers, and signed numbers to a power
Nov. 17 through Nov. 21: Multiplying signed numbers
Nov. 24 through Nov. 26: Exam 4, dividing signed numbers, and Thanksgiving recess
Dec. 1 through Dec. 5: Meaning of mixed numbers, adding and subtracting mixed numbers, multiplying mixed numbers, partial products, comparing decimals by using mixed numbers, and unit conversions
Monday, Dec. 8: Final exam in our regular classroom

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Monday, Oct. 27 is the last day a student can process an official withdrawal from a class to avoid a failing grade.