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AP® Precalculus Self-Paced

The Advanced Placement Precalculus course is designed to be the equivalent of a first semester college precalculus course. It provides students with an understanding of the concepts of college algebra, trigonometry, and additional topics to prepare for college-level calculus as well as provide a foundation to other mathematics courses. In this course, students will explore a variety of function types used to model real-life applications in mathematics and science fields. Additional details on this course and exam can be found here: AP® Precalculus.

In this course, students will explore function analysis and trigonometry. Students will investigate functions such as polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and polar and explore vectors and matrices.

This course incorporates a variety of textbook and multimedia resources including an adaptive problem set platform that provides various feedback on student assessments. Students will connect precalculus concepts to real-world applications to develop a deeper understanding of mathematics in today’s world.

Students will be expected to enroll in AP Classroom through their VHS Learning AP course and will be guided to complete review work in AP Classroom throughout the year. AP Classroom resources include AP Daily Videos and unit-based personal Progress Checks, which include AP-style multiple choice and free response questions.

Students enrolled in VHS Learning Advanced Placement courses with a passing grade are expected to take the AP Exam. Students register for AP exams through their local school or testing site as “Exam Only” students. AP exam scores will be reported to VHS Learning through AP Classroom; exam results will not affect the student’s VHS Learning grade or future enrollment in VHS Learning courses.

About the Self-Paced Course Model

Self-Paced courses are comprehensive, self-paced courses designed for students who need or desire more flexibility in their academic schedule. VHS Learning teachers will regularly interact with students in asynchronous discussions, will host weekly office hours, and will invite students to monthly 1-on-1 progress meetings. Teachers will support students, answer questions, and provide feedback on work. Students will work independently on course activities; the course does not include class discussion assignments or other collaborative work.

Students may start this course on any Monday from September through the first Monday in December. Students must maintain enrollment for a minimum of 20 weeks and have until mid-June to complete all assignments in the course. It is expected that students will work for approximately 330 hours to complete this course, though the amount of time may vary depending on a student’s work habits and comfort with the material.

Acknowledgements

Prerequisites:

  • Successful completion of Algebra 2 and Geometry
  • In addition to the enrollment fee, this course has an Additional Course Fee of $80
  • I acknowledge that this is a self-paced course.

Course Objectives

Course Essential Questions:

  • How can we categorize functions by investigating their properties?
  • How can we describe functions using multiple representations?
  • How can we explore trigonometric functions using right triangles and the unit circle?

Course Learning Objectives:

  • Compare different types of functions to make general conclusions.
  • Solve algebraic and transcendental equations using analytical, numerical, and graphical methods.
  • Analyze graphs of elementary functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
  • Interpret models of elementary functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.

Additional Requirements

  • Students are required to have access to a TI-83/TI-84 Plus graphing calculator.
  • Students in this Self-Paced AP class will be required to complete the AP Summer Work assignment as a prerequisite knowledge activity before beginning Unit 1 of the Self-Paced course. Students who enroll prior to their chosen start date are welcome to visit the AP Summer Work Directory and complete the assignment for this course, so they are ready to submit it when they receive access to the course.