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Math 121: Precalculus

Course Prerequisites

One of:

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, and polar coordinates.

Credit Awarded

5 hours of credit (some exceptions noted below)

Credit is not given for Math 121 if the student has credit in MATH 165MATH 170, or  MATH 180.

Course Materials

Textbook

Precalculus, 12th edition by Michael Sullivan.

Course Workbook

Required and available for purchase in the campus bookstore.

MyLab Access Code

A Pearson MyLab Access code linked to your Blackboard account is required for this course.  To ensure your MyLab Access code is properly linked to your blackboard account you should purchase your MyLab Access Code through the link in Blackboard.  Your MyLab 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 MyLab Access code is available from the UIC Bookstore.  You may instead wish to purchase a MyLab 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 MyLab Access account.

The following is a typical 15-week Fall or Spring semester schedule for MATH 121. During the Summer sessions, the schedule is condensed into 8 weeks.
Sections Topics
Week 1

Sec 2.1
Course Policies
Functions
Domain and Range
Week 2

Sec 2.2, 2.3, 2.1, 5.1
Graphical properties of functions
Algebra of Functions: ASMD/Comp
Week 3

Sec 2.3
Average Rate of Change
Week 4

Sec 4.1,4.2, 8.1,6.1
Polynomial Functions
Angle Measure
Right Triangle Trig
Trig/Trig Functions of Angles
Week 5

Sec 5.3
Exam 1
Exponential Functions
Week 6

Sec 6.2
The Unit Circle
Week 7

Sec 2.5,5.2
Transformations of Functions
Inverses of Functions
Week 8

Sec 5.4, 5.5
Logarithmic Functions
Properties of Logarithms
Week 9

Sec 3.6, 7.4
Rational Functions and Their Graphs
Verifying Trig Identities
Week 10

6.4
Exam 2
Graphs of Sine and Cosine
Week 11

Sec 7.1, 7.5, 7.6
Inverse Trig Functions
Trig Identities: Double/Half Angle
Week 12

Sec 5.6, 7.3
Solving Equations: Exponential/Logarithmic/Trig
Week 13

Sec 8.2
Law of Sines
Exam 3
Week 14

Sec 8.3
Law of Cosines
Week 15

Sec 9.1,9.2
Polar Coordinates
Polar Graphs
Review for Final Exam