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Precalculus

 
Exploring the relationship between advanced algebra topics and trigonometry, Precalculus prepares students for calculus by challenging students to discover the nature of graphs, nonlinear systems, and polynomial and rational functions. With an emphasis on mathematical reasoning and argument, this advanced course offers rigorous content providing students with a deep understanding of topics such as matrices, functions, graphing, logarithms, vectors, and conics. Lessons and assignments will be designed with a focus on helping students achieve HHS’s Schoolwide Learning Outcomes of making students into critical thinkers and effective communicators.
 
Unit of Study * from Springboard
Unit 1: Sequences, Series, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Students study arithmetic and geometric sequences. Then they explore exponential and logarithmic functions. Those, along with power functions, are used to model real-world scenarios. Finally, students look at function composition and inverses of functions.
Unit 2: Functions and Their Graphs  Students study polynomial and rational functions. They graphs these functions and find zeros. They explore complex factors of polynomial functions. Students also solve polynomial inequalities.
Unit 3: Trigonometric Functions Students study trigonometric functions. They graph these functions and analyze their behaviors. They explore inverse trigonometric functions. Students also solve trigonometric equations
Unit 4: Analytic Trigonometry and Their Applications Students study trigonometric functions. They graph these functions and analyze their behaviors. They explore inverse trigonometric functions. Students also solve trigonometric equations.
Unit 5: Conics, Parametric Equations, and Vectors Students study conic sections, parametric equations, and vectors. They write equations for and graph conic sections. Students also write and graph parametric equations. Finally, they use vectors to model motion and operate with vectors.
Unit 6: Matrices, Systems of Equations and Volume Students represent data with matrices and operate with matrices. They solve problems associated with transformations using matrices and solve systems of equations with matrices. The students investigate volume problems.
 
Math Practice Standards
Like in all Hollywood High School math classes, in this class we will be making sure students work within the Common Core’s Math Practice Standards
  1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
  2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively
  3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
  4. Model with mathematics
  5. Use appropriate tools strategically
  6. Attend to precision
  7. Look for and make use of structure
  8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
 
KhanAcademy The website www.khanacademy.org is a world famous tool for learning math. It has videos for students to watch when they are absent or need extra examples as well as exercises to practice and achieve mastery. Students in Precalculus should seek to master all skills in the KhanAcademy Algebra 2, Precalculus and Trigonometry Missions. Springboard has published a document that correlates the activities in class to KhanAcademy videos that students should take advantage of when they are struggling or want to work ahead. That document and the video link is below.
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IXL IXL is being used in 2020-2021 to diagnose and support student learning in math and English.
 
Cheat Sheets/Reference
Trig Cheat Sheet 5 Pages