MAT 170 ASU Answers & Help
Expert Help With MAT 170 Precalculus at Arizona State University
ASU MAT 117 College Algebra Help
ALEKS Homework, Quizzes, and Exam Help for ASU Students
Most students who struggle with MAT 117 at Arizona State University are not struggling with algebra — they are struggling with ALEKS. The adaptive platform resets your mastered topics without warning, rejects correct answers for minor formatting errors, and keeps running on its own timeline whether or not you are keeping up. In a 7.5-week session, one bad week is enough to fall permanently behind. This page explains how MAT 117 actually works, where students lose ground, and what your options are when the standard approach is not enough.
MAT 117 is required for nearly every non-STEM major at ASU — Business (W.P. Carey), Psychology, Nursing, Education, and Social Sciences — and for STEM students who placed below Precalculus on ASU’s math placement test.
Quick Answer
MAT 117 is a 3-credit College Algebra course delivered entirely through the ALEKS platform. It covers five content units — functions, linear and quadratic equations, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations. Grades come from weekly ALEKS progress targets (30–40%), timed quizzes (20–30%), and proctored exams (30–40%). ASU Online sections use Respondus Monitor or Honorlock for exams. The course runs in 16-week semesters and accelerated 7.5-week sessions. The primary failure point is ALEKS knowledge checks, which periodically un-master topics students already completed and force them to start over.
Table of Contents
What MAT 117 Covers
MAT 117 moves through five units in sequence, each building on the one before it. Students who underestimate the back half of the course — particularly polynomial and rational functions and logarithms — are the ones most likely to be caught off guard when knowledge checks test those topics weeks after initial mastery.
| Unit | Topics Covered | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | Function notation, domain and range, composition, inverses | Moderate |
| Linear & Quadratic | Slope, graphing, quadratic formula, vertex form, applications | Manageable |
| Polynomial & Rational | Asymptotes, factoring, domain restrictions, rational equations | Hard |
| Exponential & Logarithmic | Growth and decay, log properties, solving exponential equations | Hard |
| Systems of Equations | Linear and nonlinear systems, substitution, elimination, applications | Moderate |
Why Students Struggle in MAT 117
The most common problems in MAT 117 are not about mathematical ability — they are structural. Three factors account for the majority of withdrawals and low grades in this course.
ALEKS Knowledge Check Resets
Knowledge checks can un-master topics you completed weeks earlier. Students who push forward on new material without revisiting older units are frequently caught off guard, losing significant pie progress right before a homework deadline.
Accelerated Session Pacing
The 7.5-week format compresses 16 weeks of algebra into half the time. Students who fall even one week behind in ALEKS have almost no path to recovery without substantial outside help before the next quiz or exam.
ALEKS Formatting Requirements
ALEKS does not award partial credit and rejects answers that are mathematically correct but improperly formatted. Unsimplified fractions, decimal approximations instead of exact values, and incorrect interval notation all count as wrong answers with no warning.
How the ALEKS Knowledge Check Cycle Works
How MAT 117 Is Assessed
All graded work in MAT 117 runs through ALEKS — including exams. The grading structure below is confirmed from the Summer C 2025 and Fall C 2025 ULC online syllabi. ULC online sections follow this structure consistently.
Syllabus Quiz gate: You must score 100% on the Syllabus Quiz in Canvas before any unit or exam modules unlock. You have unlimited attempts, but the course will not open until this is done. Complete it within your first day or two.
70% topic gate: You must complete at least 70% of each unit’s topics in ALEKS before that unit’s quiz unlocks. You cannot skip ahead to the quiz — the platform enforces this automatically.
| Component | Details | Grade Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Quiz A | 21 questions, 2 hours, ALEKS — unlimited attempts before deadline, no Explain button during quiz | 10% |
| Unit Quiz B | 21 questions, 2 hours, ALEKS — unlimited attempts before deadline | 10% |
| Unit Quiz C | 21 questions, 2 hours, ALEKS — unlimited attempts before deadline | 10% |
| Unit Quiz D | 21 questions, 2 hours, ALEKS — unlimited attempts before deadline | 10% |
| Midterm Exam | Units A and B, 20 questions, 2 hours, Honorlock proctored — 2 attempts allowed, keep higher score | 20% |
| Final Exam | All units A–D, Honorlock proctored — must complete Honorlock Practice Quiz to unlock | 40% |
| Syllabus Quiz | Canvas, 13 questions, 120 minutes — must score 100% to unlock course modules. Unlimited attempts. | Ungraded (required) |
| Honorlock Practice Quiz | Must be completed to unlock Midterm and Final exams. Tests your webcam and proctoring setup. | Ungraded (required) |
Proctoring note: The Midterm and Final Exam use Honorlock, which records webcam and screen activity for the full exam window. You must complete the Honorlock Practice Quiz before either exam will unlock — do this well before your exam deadline, not the same day.
How Finish My Math Class Can Help
FMMC specializes in ALEKS-based courses and has helped students through College Algebra, Precalculus, and Statistics on the platform. Whether you need help with a single stuck unit or full-course management from week one, the service is built around your specific situation and timeline.
ALEKS Platform Expertise
Our team understands how ALEKS’s adaptive system works — how to build pie progress efficiently, how knowledge check timing affects strategy, and how to avoid the formatting errors that cost students points on correct answers.
Full Course Management
We can handle the entire course — homework, quizzes, and exams — or just the portions where you are stuck. Service is available for both 16-week semesters and accelerated 7.5-week ASU Online sessions.
A or B Grade Guarantee
Every engagement includes our A or B grade guarantee. If we take on your course, we are accountable for the result — not just the effort.
Behind mid-session? We regularly take on students in weeks 3–5 of accelerated sessions. If your ALEKS pie is behind target or you failed a quiz, a free quote gives you a clear picture of what recovery looks like before you commit to anything.
Get Help With MAT 117 Today
A or B grade guaranteed. ALEKS specialists available now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MAT 117 hard at ASU?
Yes, for most non-math students. The difficulty is less about algebra itself and more about the ALEKS platform — specifically knowledge checks that reset progress and strict answer formatting requirements. Students in 7.5-week sessions face additional pressure from the compressed timeline. College algebra courses nationally carry DFW rates (D, F, or Withdrawal) of 30–40%.
What platform does MAT 117 use?
MAT 117 runs entirely on ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces), an adaptive platform that personalizes your learning path based on an initial knowledge check. All homework, quizzes, and exams are delivered through ALEKS. Online proctored exams use Respondus LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor or Honorlock.
Is MAT 117 proctored?
Exams are proctored for ASU Online sections using Respondus Monitor or Honorlock, both of which record webcam and screen activity. Quizzes are timed through ALEKS but are not typically webcam-proctored. In-person campus sections may use supervised testing centers.
How many credits is MAT 117?
MAT 117 is a 3-credit course. It satisfies ASU’s Mathematical Studies (MA) general studies requirement and serves as a prerequisite for MAT 170 (Precalculus), MAT 210 (Brief Calculus), and several statistics courses across departments including PSY 230, STP 226, and ECN 221.
What math do I need before MAT 117?
ASU requires a qualifying score on the math placement test, a C or better in MAT 102 (College Mathematics I), or equivalent transfer credit. Students should be comfortable with fractions, basic equation solving, exponent rules, and factoring before enrolling. Weak prerequisite preparation is one of the leading causes of poor performance in MAT 117.
Can FMMC help with ALEKS-based courses?
Yes. ALEKS is one of the platforms FMMC works with most frequently. Our team understands how the adaptive system functions, how to build pie progress without triggering unnecessary resets, and how to handle the exact formatting ALEKS requires for each topic type.
What grade does FMMC guarantee?
We guarantee an A or B in every course we take on. If you do not receive an A or B, you are entitled to a full refund. Full terms are outlined on our A/B Guarantee page.
There are many reasons why students need help with their coursework. In any case, it is never too late to ask for help. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s connect!