What is Precalculus: Definition and 174 Discussions

In mathematics education, precalculus or college algebra is a course, or a set of courses, that includes algebra and trigonometry at a level which is designed to prepare students for the study of calculus. Schools often distinguish between algebra and trigonometry as two separate parts of the coursework.

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  1. D

    Knowledge of Precalculus for Dummies Quality Needed

    Has anyone in this forum heard anything positive about precalculus for dummies? it sound like a pretty good book, but sometimes the dummies books are hit or miss. I cannot find any reviews for this book as of yet. If you have any knowledge of the quality of that book please let me know.
  2. D

    Very easy to understand book on precalculus needed

    I'm wanting to study on my own some more advanced levels of mathematics beginning with precalculus topics and I would like to find the best book for learning these things. When it comes to learning mathematical concepts I seem to be somewhat dense and like things explained in a very easy to...
  3. rocomath

    Analyzing f(x) Using Precalculus

    Precal f(x)=-4x^2+4x \rightarrow f(x)=a(x-h)^2+k f(x)=-4(x^2-x) f(x)=-4\left[x^2-x+\left(\frac 1 2\right)^2-\left(\frac 1 2\right)^2\right] f(x)=-4\left[x^2-x+\left(\frac 1 2\right)^2-\frac 1 4\right] f(x)=-4\left[x^2-x+\left(\frac 1 2\right)^2\right]+1 f(x)=-4\left(x-\frac 1...
  4. G

    Stewart Precalculus or Blitzer's Precalculus

    Hey guys, just a quick question. I've just gone back to university and I'm going to be taking the Intro to Calculus course in the summer. But it has been 8 years since I did Precalculus, so I was thinking of picking up a textbook to review on my own. I went to the "Best Textbook Thread" and...
  5. N

    Precalculus Books: Schaum's, Lang & More

    I was thinking of buying: Precalculus in a Nutshell Schaum's Outlines Basic Mathematics by Serge Lang Any others I should look into?
  6. S

    Precalculus intersectoin, union, universal etc

    [b]1. The problem statement, U= x:xless than 11, [b]2. Homework Equations ----(A n B')' n C The Attempt at a Solution
  7. K

    Precalculus Distance Sun-Earth-Moon Problem

    Hi, I have this homework problem and need help. if anyone can help me please send me a message or email me at gettrinatak007@yahoo.com This is the the Precalculus word problem! At a certain point in the Earth's orbit around the Sun, its distance from the sun is 92.69 x 10^6 miles. At...
  8. L

    Precalculus Free Tests: Get Ready Now!

    Can Anybody Give Me Some Precalculus Free Tests Please...
  9. P

    Help Solving Precalculus Cot x + Tan x + 1 Problem

    Can anyone help me sove this problem? cot x + tan x + 1 = (cot x / 1 - tan x) + (tan x / 1 - cot x)
  10. E

    Help in Precalculus Problem

    how do i find the general solution of a sinusoidal function using the algebric method?? y=2+5cos(3.14/10)(x-3)
  11. L

    Difference between Precalculus or Calculus?

    I have my old Calculus book from college. I'm not sure if it's Precalculus or Calculus. How do I tell the difference. This one does integrals, differention,varition, and derivitaves.
  12. S

    Precalculus: Writing polynomial functions (help)

    Precalculus: Writing polynomial functions (help!) :( Hey guys and gals, i'd appreciate if you could help me (well) with this question. Write a polynomial function at minimum degree in standard form with real coefficients whose zeros include -1 and 1+4i :O its hard for me, I am not a...
  13. X

    How Do You Decompose the Rational Expression \( \frac{4X^2-1}{2X(X+1)^2} \)?

    I need help... Write the partial fraction decomposition of the rational expression. 4X^2-1/ 2X(X+1)^2
  14. U

    Precalculus Help - Find f of g & g of f (x)

    HELP! Precalculus I just started my precalculus class and i can not understand what's going on and its makes me mad too. In our book we are on 1-2 Composition and Inverses of Functions :bugeye: :bugeye: like for this one problem: Find [f of g] (x) and [g of f] (x). 1. f(x)= 1/2x-7 g(x)=...
  15. A

    Preparing for Precalculus: What to Know Beforehand

    I am going to be taking Precalculus next year and I was wondering if there was anything specific that I should now about. What kind of things do you learn in Precalculus?
  16. J

    Precalculus Syllabus - Exam Topics

    Hey... I am self-studying Precalc and will be giving my placement exam so as to skip precalc. I would appreciate it if anyone could tell me if the following topics were taught and if they come on the exam so that I could study these topics accordingly: 1) Polar Coordinates 2) Parametric...
  17. F

    Studying What are the best books for mastering PreCalculus?

    I searched all possible keywords and went through the last 16 pages because I swear there was a thread where people listed good books for algebra/trig/precal but couldn't find it. Only threads for physics books (and calculus) recommendations. So, any ideas on the good books? I'm planning to...
  18. T

    I with 3 precalculus problems.

    Hello everyone I am homeschooling and I am stuck on 3 of my precalculus problems. If anyone could help me out that would be great. 1. The latitude of Houston, Texas is about 30° N. About how far is it from the North Pole given the radius of the Earth is 3967 miles? a. 23,778 miles b...
  19. M

    Calculus Tutor -- New York City

    Can anyone tell me how the text arrived at the following answer? cos 7pi/6 = -sqrt3/2 I just don't understand how to draw the triangle inside the unit circle and to visualize the cosine ratio in order to arrive at the answer(what are the lengths of the adjacent and hypotenuse?)..why is...
  20. M

    How to solve cos7pi/6 in baby steps?

    Can someone break down in "baby steps" how to solve the following?: cos7pi/6=? thank you. :uhh:
  21. J

    Precalculus Help: Find the Equation of a Circle Tangent to a Line

    I was wondering if anyone could help me with this problem A circle is tanget to line 2x-y+1=0, at point (2, 5), and the center point is on line, x+y=9. Determine the equation (in general form) of the circle. Normally I can do this sort of problem but I am having a hard time with this one...
  22. G

    Precalculus logarithm question

    I'm trying to use LOGs other than log base 10 and base e on my TI-86. Can I accomplish this like this?: log base a of b = (log base 10 of b) / (log base 10 of a) ? or is it: log base a of b = (ln b) / (ln a) ? Help needed ASAP. Thanks!
  23. T

    Solving Precalculus Problem: 1 - x-3/x-2 = 2x-3/x-2 - Tony Zalles

    Problem: 1 - x-3/x-2 = 2x-3/x-2 OK I know the answer in the back of our textbook is: No Solution Yet... I work out the problem to get, x=2 Here is how I got that. [x-2) - (x-3)]/x-2 = 2x-3/x-2 x-2-x+3=2x-3 4=2x 2=x...
  24. C

    Simplifying Precalculus Equations and Identifying Function Properties

    Need some clarification as to whether the following can be simplified any further (teacher takes off points for not being completely simplified) or how to simplify it further: 1. -3x + 5 + (x + 3)^1/2 2. -3x + 5 - (x + 3)^1/2 3. Domain of (3x + 5) / (x + 3)^1/2 <-- Is it x > -3? 4...
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