Precalculus Course Description
This course is designed to cover topics in Algebra ranging from polynomial, rational, and exponential functions to conic sections. Trigonometry concepts such as Law of Sines and Cosines will be introduced. Students will then begin analytic geometry and calculus concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals. This class is important for any student planning to take a college algebra or college pre-calculus class.
Goals of Precalculus
The student will be able to:
This course is designed to cover topics in Algebra ranging from polynomial, rational, and exponential functions to conic sections. Trigonometry concepts such as Law of Sines and Cosines will be introduced. Students will then begin analytic geometry and calculus concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals. This class is important for any student planning to take a college algebra or college pre-calculus class.
Goals of Precalculus
The student will be able to:
- apply and extend algebraic skills.
- analyze calculus-related concepts, such as limits, tangent to a curve, and the difference quotient.
- apply the properties of functions, such as finding the domain and range and developing the skill to graph them.
- accurately use a graphing calculator to find transformations of graphs.
- perform operations of functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition.
- find the inverse function and its graph.
- construct mathematical models with functions, using real-world applications or formulas.
- determine zeros of a function, symmetries of a function; use limits to determine end behavior of a function.
- solve problems involving maximizing and minimizing a quadratic function, both algebraically and graphically.
- find vertical, horizontal, and slant asymptotes for rational functions and graph.
- graph exponential and logarithmic functions, and accurately use the properties of logarithms and the definition of e.
- solve exponential and logarithmic equations and application problems, using exponents and logarithms.
- define trigonometric functions, using the unit circle and right triangle definition.
- graph trigonometric functions, find the inverse trigonometric functions, and verify trigonometric identities and formulas.
- solve trigonometric equations and solve problems, using real-world applications.