Full course description
Course Description
Precalculus A is the first semester in a two-semester series that will be your bridge to advanced mathematics courses such as AP® or college Calculus. As you explore polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, you’ll find out how equations become art and describe the world around us. In Precalculus A, you will learn what is needed to enter exciting fields such as medicine, pharmaceutical engineering, forensic sciences, economics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and computer software engineering. This is an online course that will assume mastery of concepts in Algebra II and Geometry. As part of this course, students are expected to watch explanation videos, take notes on key concepts, solve practice problems, and analyze and correct errors.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
UTHS courses are designed in alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which define the skills and content to be taught in each course and grade level in the state of Texas.
Course Topics
- Unit 1: Intro to Functions
- Unit 2: Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Unit 3: Solving Polynomial and Rational Inequalities and Equations
- Unit 4: Composition of Functions and Inverses of Functions
- Unit 5: Exponential Functions
- Unit 6: Logarithmic Functions
- Unit 7: Angles and Trigonometric Functions
- Unit 8: Applications of Trig Functions and Inverse Trig Functions
- Unit 9: Sinusoids and Periodic Functions
Course Objectives
Upon completing this course, you will be able to—
- use the composition of two functions to model and to solve real world problems;
- recognize and describe symmetry of even and odd functions;
- use exponential, logarithmic, rational, polynomial, and power functions to model and solve real world problems;
- determine the measure of angles using standard position and directional bearing and use them to solve problems; and
- determine the value of trig ratios of angles and use them to solve real world problems.
Required Course Materials
Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.
Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:
- Textbook: A textbook is not required for this course.
- Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:
- Pens or Pencils
- Tape or Glue
- Graphing Calculator: A TI-84 is recommended for all UTHS math courses. Please review the UTHS Graphing Calculator Policy before purchasing a device.
Course Organization
Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.
- Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
- Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
- Format: Online, Multiple-choice
- Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
- Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
- Format: Online, Multiple-choice
- Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min
Course Grade Weighting
Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:
| Assignment Group | Total Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Graded Assignments | 12-18 | 50% |
| Summative Assessments | 2 | 25% |
| Final Exam | 1 | 25% |
Online Proctored Exams
All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.