Overview
In this unit, you will build core algebraic skills by manipulating real numbers, exponents, and algebraic expressions. You will solve and graph linear equations and inequalities, and apply linear models to problem-solving. You will solve systems of linear equations and inequalities, and work with exponent rules, scientific notation, and polynomial expressions. You will factor quadratic and cubic expressions to solve related equations and apply these techniques in context. Throughout, you will communicate mathematically using correct terminology, notation, and logical reasoning.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection
Encourage consistent study and engagement.
Remind students, through regular ongoing communications, of the importance of consistent study and participation.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator reflection
Clarify professional relevance of unit content.
Show how the knowledge and skills developed in the unit directly support professional teaching requirements by outlining the mapping of unit topics to the secondary mathematics syllabus.
- Manipulate real numbers, exponents, and algebraic expressions using appropriate properties and simplification techniques
- Solve linear equations and equalities using appropriate algebraic and graphical methods
- Apply appropriate algebraic techniques to systems of linear equations and inequalities, and to expressions involving exponents, scientific notation, and polynomials
- Factor quadratic and cubic expressions to obtain solutions to related equations using appropriate algebraic reasoning
- Analyse and synthesise foundation mathematics techniques, principles and concepts into a cohesive, valid and logically communicated solution using correct terminology and notation, and mathematical language.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 10% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 4 - Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Elementary & Intermediate Algebra
6th Edition (2024)
Authors: Alan S. Tussy; R. David Gustafson
Cengage Learning
Mason Mason , Ohio , USA
ISBN: ISBN-10: 8214000467, ISBN-13: 9798214000466
This textbook will also be used by students studying the MATH12226 Algebra 2 unit in a subsequent term of studies. As such, students can use this prescribed textbook in two units of mathematics study.
Alternatively, students may wish to purchase the eTextbook version: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra with ISBN-10: 8214000610 or ISBN-13: 9798214000619 from the publisher Cengage Learning. Visit https://cengage.com.au/ for more details.
Please note: Students electing to purchase the eTextbook version will need to print a physical copy of any parts of the textbook that they wish to take into the final open book examination.
This textbook will also be used by students studying the MATH12226 Algebra 2 unit in a subsequent term of studies. As such, students can use this prescribed textbook in two units of mathematics study.
Alternatively, students may wish to purchase the eTextbook version: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra with ISBN-10: 8214000610 or ISBN-13: 9798214000619 from the publisher Cengage Learning. Visit https://cengage.com.au/ for more details.
Please note: Students electing to purchase the eTextbook version will need to print a physical copy of any parts of the textbook that they wish to take into the final open book examination.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to a document scanner and/or pdf converter (all assessment submitted electronically as pdf file)
- Access to a printer (for printing assessment and tutorial materials)
- Access to a webcam, speakers and microphone or a headset (for participating in Zoom lectures and tutorials)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.wang@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 1.1 to 1.6
Chapter
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Algebra
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 1.1 to 1.6 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 1 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 1.7 to 1.9
Chapter
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Algebra
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 1.7 to 1.9 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 2 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 2.1 to 2.4
Chapter
Chapter 2: Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 2.1 to 2.4 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 3 Tutorial Exercises
Assessment 1 Due: Week 3 Friday (27 Mar 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 2.5 to 2.7
Chapter
Chapter 2: Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 2.5 to 2.7 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 4 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 3.1 to 3.5
Chapter
Chapter 3: Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables; Functions
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 3.1 to 3.5 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 5 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 3.6 to 3.8
Chapter
Chapter 3: Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables; Functions
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 3.6 to 3.8 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 6 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 4.1 to 4.3
Chapter
Chapter 4: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 4.1 to 4.3 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 7 Tutorial Exercises
Assessment 2 Due: Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 4.4 to 4.5
Chapter
Chapter 4: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 4.4 to 4.5 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 8 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 5.1 to 5.5
Chapter
Chapter 5: Exponents and Polynomials
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 5.1 to 5.5 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 9 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 5.6 to 5.8
Chapter
Chapter 5: Exponents and Polynomials
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 5.6 to 5.8 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 10 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 6.1 to 6.4
Chapter
Chapter 6: Factoring and Quadratic Equations
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 6.1 to 6.4 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 11 Tutorial Exercises
Assessment 3 Due: Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Textbook Sections: 6.5 to 6.8
Chapter
Chapter 6: Factoring and Quadratic Equations
Events and Submissions/Topic
Odd problems from Section 6.5 to 6.8 Study Set focusing on Vocabulary, Concepts, Notation and Guided Practice Exercises, and Week 12 Tutorial Exercises
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This is an individual assignment. This assignment is to test students' understanding of topics studied in weeks 1 to 2 of the term. The assignment details are provided on the Moodle website.
Below is the guideline for AI (Artificial Intelligence) usage.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION
You are encouraged to use computer algebra software, or similar, or online AI tools to verify and validate any aspects of your solutions to the posed assignment problems. If computer algebra software, or similar, or online AI tools is used to refine your final submission, you must acknowledge the use of these tools, and the original work must be provided for comparison. While you can use these tools to improve the clarity or quality of the work, no new content can be created using these tools unless specifically allowed in the assessment.
Week 3 Friday (27 Mar 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
It is envisaged that feedback and solutions will be available in two weeks, or as soon as the marking process is completed.
Questions are awarded the full marks allocated if they are error-free, partial marks if there are some problems, and no marks if not attempted or contain so many errors as to render the attempt to be without value. To ensure maximum benefit, answers to all questions should be neatly and clearly presented and all appropriate working should be shown. Assignments will receive NO marks if submitted after the solutions are released.
Due to the increasing number of cases where mathematical solutions can be obtained from software packages, if there are submitted solutions that do not follow the approaches taught in this unit these will not attract any credit even if the solution is correct.
- Manipulate real numbers, exponents, and algebraic expressions using appropriate properties and simplification techniques
- Analyse and synthesise foundation mathematics techniques, principles and concepts into a cohesive, valid and logically communicated solution using correct terminology and notation, and mathematical language.
2 Written Assessment
This is an individual assignment. This assignment is to test students' understanding of topics studied in weeks 3 to 6 of the term. The assignment details are provided on the Moodle website.
Below is the guideline for AI (Artificial Intelligence) usage.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION
You are encouraged to use computer algebra software, or similar, or online AI tools to verify and validate any aspects of your solutions to the posed assignment problems. If computer algebra software, or similar, or online AI tools is used to refine your final submission, you must acknowledge the use of these tools, and the original work must be provided for comparison. While you can use these tools to improve the clarity or quality of the work, no new content can be created using these tools unless specifically allowed in the assessment.
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
It is envisaged that feedback and solutions will be available in two weeks, or as soon as the marking process is completed.
Questions are awarded the full marks allocated if they are error-free, partial marks if there are some problems, and no marks if not attempted or contain so many errors as to render the attempt to be without value. To ensure maximum benefit, answers to all questions should be neatly and clearly presented and all appropriate working should be shown. Assignments will receive NO marks if submitted after the solutions are released.
Due to the increasing number of cases where mathematical solutions can be obtained from software packages, if there are submitted solutions that do not follow the approaches taught in this unit these will not attract any credit even if the solution is correct.
- Solve linear equations and equalities using appropriate algebraic and graphical methods
- Analyse and synthesise foundation mathematics techniques, principles and concepts into a cohesive, valid and logically communicated solution using correct terminology and notation, and mathematical language.
3 Written Assessment
This is an individual assignment. This assignment is to test students' understanding of topics studied in weeks 7 to 10 of the term. The assignment details are provided on the Moodle website.
Below is the guideline for AI (Artificial Intelligence) usage.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION
You are encouraged to use computer algebra software, or similar, or online AI tools to verify and validate any aspects of your solutions to the posed assignment problems. If computer algebra software, or similar, or online AI tools is used to refine your final submission, you must acknowledge the use of these tools, and the original work must be provided for comparison. While you can use these tools to improve the clarity or quality of the work, no new content can be created using these tools unless specifically allowed in the assessment.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
It is envisaged that feedback and solutions will be available in two weeks, or as soon as the marking process is completed.
Questions are awarded the full marks allocated if they are error-free, partial marks if there are some problems, and no marks if not attempted or contain so many errors as to render the attempt to be without value. To ensure maximum benefit, answers to all questions should be neatly and clearly presented and all appropriate working should be shown. Assignments will receive NO marks if submitted after the solutions are released.
Due to the increasing number of cases where mathematical solutions can be obtained from software packages, if there are submitted solutions that do not follow the approaches taught in this unit these will not attract any credit even if the solution is correct.
- Apply appropriate algebraic techniques to systems of linear equations and inequalities, and to expressions involving exponents, scientific notation, and polynomials
- Analyse and synthesise foundation mathematics techniques, principles and concepts into a cohesive, valid and logically communicated solution using correct terminology and notation, and mathematical language.
Examination
Calculator - all non-communicable calculators, including scientific, programmable and graphics calculators are authorised
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
