Precalculus mathematics is a course designed for the student who intends to continue the study of mathematics in the direction of the natural or physical sciences and is a preparation for Calculus. Traditional analytic trigonometry is taught at the beginning of the course which includes an intense study of right triangle trigonometry, its applications to vectors, circular functions, and trigonometric identities, and solving trigonometric equations. The rest of the course is an analysis of families of functions and relations – polynomials, rational functions, radical functions, trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, and exponential functions — and their graphs both algebraically and through the graphing calculator, including an introduction to the fundamental aspects of Calculus. A Texas Instruments TI-83 or TI-84 series graphing calculator is required.
Precalculus Accelerated
Course No: 2304
Subject: Mathematics
Grade Level: 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: C
Prerequisite: Grades of B or better in both semesters of Algebra 1 Accelerated (or B- or below in Algebra 1 Accelerated/successful completion of Algebra 1 and a successful petition to department chair given suitable grade and recommendation from Geometry Accelerated or Honors), Geometry, Geometry Honors, or Geometry Accelerated. At least one accelerated or honors mathematics course must be completed as a freshman or sophomore.
Criteria for Enrollment: Approval of Department Chair, based on: teacher recommendation; satisfactory national test scores; past performance in Math, especially Algebra 1, Algebra 1 Accelerated, or Algebra 2 Honors
Fulfillments: Elective for juniors fulfilling six-semester graduation requirement in lieu of Algebra 2