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AP® Precalculus

The Advanced Placement Precalculus course is meant 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. Students will investigate functions such as polynomial, rational. exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and polar as well as explore vectors and matrices. 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 also engage in collaborative activities, including discussions, and 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.

The AP course has a required summer assignment. The summer assignment is a review of prerequisite content and critical concepts students must be comfortable with before beginning the course. Students are expected to complete their summer assignment before the course begins and submit their work by the end of Week 1. Students who register on or after September 1 will receive an extension to complete the summer assignment by the end of Week 3.

In this AP-level course, students are expected to invest approximately 10 hours per week on their coursework.

Acknowledgements

  • Successful completion of Algebra 2 and Geometry
  • Additional Course Fee of $80
  • The required summer assignment for AP Precalculus can be found in our AP Summer Work Directory.

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.
  • This AP course has a required summer assignment. The summer assignment is a review of prerequisite content and critical concepts students must be comfortable with before beginning the course. Students are expected to complete their summer assignment before the course begins and submit their work by the end of Week 1. Students who register on or after September 1 will receive an extension to complete the summer assignment by the end of Week 3.