Math 121: Precalculus
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Course Information Heading link
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Course Prerequisites
One of:
- MATH 110
- 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; complex numbers; and an introduction to vectors. Extensive computer use required.
Credit Awarded
4 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 by Michael Sullivan, 11th edition, published by Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Note that a MyLab Math code is required for this course while the printed textbook is optional.
MyLab Math
A MyLab Math code linked to your Blackboard account is required for this course. To ensure your MyLab Math code is properly linked to your blackboard account you should purchase your MyLab Math code through the link in Blackboard. Your MyLab Math 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 MyLab Math access code is available from the UIC Bookstore. You may instead wish to purchase a MyLab Math 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 MyLab Math account.
Sample Exams Heading link
Course Schedule Heading link
| Sections | Topics |
|---|---|
|
Week 1
Sec 4.1-4.2 |
Transformations of Graphs Review Polynomial Functions Properties of Rational Functions |
|
Week 2 Sec 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 |
Graphing Rational Functions Composite Functions 1-1 and Inverse Functions |
|
Week 3
Sec 5.3 - 5.5 |
Exponential Functions Logarithmic Functions Properties of Logs |
|
Week 4
Sec 5.6 |
Log & Exp Functions Review |
|
Week 5
Sec 5.7-5.8, 6.2-6.2 |
Financial Models, Growth & Decay Models Angles & Their Measure Unit Circle & Trig Functions |
|
Week 6
Sec 6.3 |
Properties of Trig Functions |
|
Week 7
Sec 6.4, 6.6 |
Graphing Sind & Cos Sin & Cos Graphing Applications |
|
Week 8
Sec 6.5, 7.1- 7.2 |
Graphing Tan, Cot, Sec, Csc Inverse Sin, Cos, &Tan More Inverse Trig Functions |
|
Week 9
Sec 7.3 |
Exam Review Trig Equations |
|
Week 10
7.3 |
Trig Equations |
|
Week 11
Sec 7.4- 7.5 |
Trig Identities Sum & Difference Formulas |
|
Week 12
Sec 7.6-7.7 |
Double & Half Angle Formulas Product-to-Sum & Sum-to-Product Formulas Properties of Logs |
|
Week 13
Sec 8.1-8.2 |
Review for Quiz Right Triangle Trig Law of Sines |
|
Week 14
Sec 8.3 |
Law of Cosines Review for Quiz |
|
Week 15
Sec 9.1, 9.3 |
Polar Coordinates Complex Number Review Complex Plane; De Moivre's Theorem |
List of Topics Heading link
| Section | Topic(s) |
|---|---|
| 4.1 | Polynomial Functions |
| 4.2 | Properties of Rational Functions |
| 4.3 | Graphing Rational Functions |
| 5.1 | ?? |
| 5.2 | ?? |
| ?? | |
| 5.3 | Exponential Functions |
| 5.4 | Logarithmic Functions |
| 5.5 | Properties of Logs |
| 5.6 | ?? |
| 5.7 | Financial Models |
| 5.8 | Growth & Decay Model |
| 6.1 | Unit Circle |
| 6.2 | Trigonometric Functions |
| 6.3 | Properties of Trigonometric Functions |
| 6.4 | Graphing Sine and Cosine |
| 6.6 | Applications of Graphing Sine and Cosine |
| 6.5 | Graphing Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, Cosecant |
| 7.1 | Inverse Sine, Cosine, Tangent |
| 7.2 | more Inverse Trigonometric Functions |
| 7.3 | Trigonometric Equations |
| 7.4 | Trigonometric Identities |
| 7.5 | Sum & Difference Formulas |
| 7.6 | Double & Half Angle Formulas |
| 7.7 | Product-to-Sum & Sum-to-Product Formulas |
| 8.1 | Right Triangle Trigonometry |
| 8.2 | Law of Sines |
| 8.3 | Law of Cosines |
| 9.1 | Polar Coordinates |
| 9.2 | Polar Graphs |
| 9.3 | Complex Plane, De Moivre's Theorem |