Math 121: Precalculus
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Course Information
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Course Prerequisites
One of:
- MATH 110, “C” or better
- appropriate score on the math placement test.
Course Description
The following topics will be covered: properties and graphs of functions (polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions); solving equations; trigonometric identities and applications of trigonometric functions; polar coodinates; and, partial fractions. Extensive computer use required.
Credit Awarded
5 hours of credit (some exceptions noted below)
Credit is not given for Math 121 if the student has credit in MATH 165, MATH 170, or MATH 180.
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Course Materials
Textbook
Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 8th edition by James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, Saleem Watson.
WebAssign Access Code
WebAssign Access code linked to your Blackboard account is required for this course. To ensure your WebAssign Access code is properly linked to your blackboard account you should purchase your WebAssign Access Code through the link in Blackboard. Your WebAssign Access Code will include an electronic version of the textbook, buying a printed copy is optional.
If you wish to buy a printed copy of the textbook, a bundle including both the the printed textbook and WebAssign Access code is available from the UIC Bookstore. You may instead wish to purchase a WebAssign Access Code via the link in Blackboard and buy a used textbook.
If you purchase your access code in any other manner than following the link in blackboard, be sure not to use this access code for any other purpose before you link your Blackboard account to your WebAssign Access account.
Sample Exams
Course Schedule
| Sections | Topics |
|---|---|
|
Week 1
Sec 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 |
Course Policies Intro to Functions Functions Domain and Range Graphing Functions, Inc/Dec VLT |
|
Week 2 Sec 2.7, 2.4 |
Algebra of Functions: ASMD/Comp Average Rate of Change |
|
Week 3
Sec 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 |
Polynomial Functions Polynomial Functions Exponential Functions |
|
Week 4
Sec 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 |
Angle Measure Right Triangle Trig Trig/Trig Functions of Angles |
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Week 5
Sec 5.1, 5.2 |
Exam 1 The Unit Circle/Trig Functions |
|
Week 6
Sec 2.6, 2.8 |
Transformations of Functions Inverses of Functions |
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Week 7
Sec 4.3, 4.4 |
Logarithmic Functions Log Laws |
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Week 8
Sec 5.3, 3.6 |
Graphs of Sine and Cosine Rationale Functions and Their Graphs |
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Week 9
Sec 3.6, 5.4 |
Rationale Functions and Their Graphs Graphs of the Tan/Cot Functions Review Exam 2 |
|
Week 10
5.5, 7.1 |
Inverse Trig Functions and Their Graphs Verifying Trig Identities |
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Week 11
Sec 7.2, 7.3, 4.5 |
Trig Identities: Add/Sub Trig Identities: Double/Half Angle Solving Equations: Exponential/Log |
|
Week 12
Sec 4.5, 7.4, 7.5, 6.5 |
Solving Equations: Exponential/Log/Trig Solving Equations: Trig Law of Sines |
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Week 13
Sec 6.5, 6.6, 8.1 |
Law of Sines/Law of Cosines Law of Cosines Polar Coodinates |
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Week 14
Sec 8.2, 9.7 |
Graphs of Polar Equations Partial Fractions Part 1 |
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Week 15
Sec 9.7 |
Review for Exam 3 Partial Fractions Part 2 Review for Final Exam |