Precalculus
Discovery Precalculus: Preparation for Calculus
In Discovery Precalculus, students will deepen and extend their knowledge of functions, graphs, and equations from their high school algebra and geometry courses so they can successfully work with the concepts in a rigorous university-level calculus course. This course is designed to push students well beyond “drill and kill” type exercises, with an emphasis on unpacking mathematical definitions and making logical arguments to their peers.
Each unit consists of a series of explorations designed to engage students and empower them to develop their problem-solving skills alongside the teacher. In each exploration, students will create connections with prior concepts in developing the current topic. Students will experience high-quality curriculum designed by the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin. The pedagogy of the course, Inquiry-Based Learning, encourages students to take an active role in the construction of their learning.
BIG IDEAS
FUNCTIONS & PATTERNS
Exploring the definition and properties of functions in a tabular, analytical, and graphical manner
ALGEBRA & GEOMETRY
Exploring conics from their definitions, modeling with matrices, and understanding exponential functions
TRIGONOMETRY
Exploring the conceptual transformation from right triangles to identities to circles to graphs to rotational motion
RATES OF CHANGE & LIMITS
An introduction to Differential Calculus by exploring limits and rates
OTHER COORDINATE SYSTEMS
Exploring motion with parametric and polar functions, and making connections to vectors and complex numbers
SEQUENCES & SERIES
Understanding and applying sequences and series to the concept of convergence, binomial theorem, and induction
- TCCN: MATH 2312
- UT Course Code: M 305G
- 3 College Credits