Home > Curriculum >
High School > Math
> Pre-Calculus
TITLE
Pre-Calculus
TEXTBOOK
Advanced Mathematical Concepts, Berchie Gordon & others, Glenco, 1994
DESCRIPTION
Pre-Calculus is a course of advanced mathematics topics. These topics include
vectors, functions, translations, polar coordinate systems, parametric
equations, matrices, complex numbers, sequences, series, limits, probability,
and statistics. Four weeks each is used for probability and statistics.
Scientific calculator is required, graphing calculator recommended.
Prerequisites are Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II & Trig or Algebra II and
Algebra III & Trig.
NOTES
Chapter 8 vectors and parametric equations, Chapter 7 trigonometric identities
and equations, Chapter 3 limits asymptotes, Chapter 4 maximum and minimums,
Chapter 11 logs and exponents, Chapter 14 probability, chapter 12 sequence and
series, Chapter 9 polar, Chapter 15 statistics.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students will be able to add and subtract vectors finding the direction and
force of the resultant.
2. Students will be able to represent and solve application (planes, forces,
etc) problems utilizing vectors. (12.4.2)
3. Students will be able to use transformations, asymptotes, limits and
intercepts to sketch graphs of polynomials. (12.6.4) (12.4.4)
4. Students will be able to define sequences by using recursive and general
definitions.
5. Students will be able to develop and apply the formulas for the terms and sum
of terms of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
6. Students will be able to find the limits of sequences and series.
7. Students will be able to write equations in exponent form and logarithmic
form. (12.6.4)
8. Students will be able to apply exponents and logarithms to growth, decay,
interest, and other applications problems. (12.6.4)12.2.1)
9. Students will be able to develop counting methods (combinations and
permutations) to determine probability of events. (12.5.6)
10. Students will be able to solve problems using independent, dependent, and
conditional probabilities. (12.5.3)
11. Students will be able to apply the binomial theorem to probability problems.
(12.5.3)
12. Students will be able to graph equations in polar form (radians and degrees)
and change points from polar to rectangular or rectangular to polar. (12.4.5)
13. Students will be able to construct and utilize various graphic forms of data
including stem and leaf and box and whisker plots. (12.5.1)
14. Students will be able to use measures of central tendency including standard
deviation to describe data shown on a normal curve. (12.5.5) (12.5.2)(12.5.4)
15. Students will be able to solve trig equations and identities using sine,
cosine, tangent, cotangent, cosecent, and secant
16. ***Students will be able to graph equations of lines, planes, conic sections
in 3D.
WRITING ACTIVITIES
1. Students will write paragraphs explaining their method and thought process
used in solving a problem or applying a concept.
2. Students will have a question on each test which will require an written
explanation. (12.2.2)
3. Students will take a problem missed on a test and explain what they did
incorrect as well as the correct solution to the problem.
MULTICULTURE ACIVITIES
1. Each chapter of the Merrill book contains an introduction which high lights a
person in mathematics or a career.
