vcc.ca
MATH 1020: Precalculus
Effective date
May 2019
Department
UT Math
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
Math 1020 is intended to prepare students to take calculus for science, engineering, business, commerce and social programs. Emphasis is placed on the extensive study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions and their inverses.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Pre-calculus Mathematics 12 with a 'C-'; or VCC MATH 0983 and MATH 0993 both with a 'C-'; or Precalculus Mathematics 11 with a 'B'; or Foundations Mathematics 11 with a 'B'; or VCC MATH 0861 and MATH 0871 both with a 'B'; or VCC Math Precalculus Assessment test with a 60%.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Perform, analyze and create transformations of functions and relations that are described by equations or graphs.
- Graph polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.
- Solve polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric equations.
- Prove trigonometric identities.
- Analyze trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions.
- Formulate mathematical models using the various functions described in the course.
- Explore and solve application problems using transcendental functions.
- Explore and solve polynomial, rational and transcendentals problems using technology.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Lectures coupled with graphing techniques using software. For the online option, the learning environment will include self-directed learning and collaborative learning through problem solving.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Written, multiple choice and short answer problems. |
|
Midterm Exam |
35% (Class based)/25% (Online) |
Written, multiple choice and short answer problems. |
|
Participation |
0% (Class based)/10% (Online) |
Online: Weekly or biweekly challenging and real-life application problems, assessing student participation, professional communication, relevance of information and critical thinking skills. |
|
Final Exam |
35 |
Online: at least 50% on the Final Exam is required to pass the course. Final Exam is required to be written in-person. |
Course topics
- Fundamental Concepts of Algebra (review) Graph, Functions and Models: graphs and graphing utilities; lines and slopes; distance and midpoint formulas; circles; basics of functions; graphs of functions; transformations of functions; combinations of functions; composite functions; inverse functions. Polynomial and Rational Functions: quadratic functions, polynomial functions and their graphs; dividing polynomials; remainder and factor theorems; rational functions and their graphs; polynomial and rational inequalities. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions: exponential functions, logarithmic functions, properties of logs; exponential and logarithmic equations. Trigonometry: angles and their measures; the unit circle; right triangle trigonometry; trigonometric functions of any angle; graphs of sine and cosine functions; graphs of other trigonometric functions; inverse trigonometric functions; verifying trigonometric identities; sum and difference formulas; double angle and half-angle formulas; trigonometric equations; law of sines and cosines.
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.