PreCalculus I - MTH 161
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/MTH161-PreCalculusI
Effective: 2023-05-01
Course Description
Presents topics in power, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations and inequalities. Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 161: Precalculus I and MTH 167: Precalculus with Trigonometry or equivalent. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
The general purpose of this one-semester course is to prepare students for a course in statistics or applied calculus sequence by providing them with the necessary competencies in algebra and functions. Precalculus I can also be applied in conjunction with Precalculus II in preparation for a course in calculus with analytic geometry.
Course Objectives
- Relations and Functions
- Distinguish between relations and functions.
- Evaluate functions both numerically and algebraically.
- Determine the domain and range of functions in general, including root and rational functions.
- Perform arithmetic operations on functions, including the composition of functions and the difference quotient.
- Identify and graph linear, absolute value, quadratic, cubic, and square root functions and their transformations.
- Determine and verify inverses of one-to-one functions.
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Determine the general and standard forms of quadratic functions.
- Use formula and completing the square methods to determine the standard form of a quadratic function.
- Identify intercepts, vertex, and orientation of the parabola and use these to graph quadratic functions.
- Identify zeros (real-valued roots) and complex roots, and determine end behavior of higher order polynomials and graph the polynomial, and graph.
- Determine if a function demonstrates even or odd symmetry.
- Use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, Rational Root test, and Linear Factorization Theorem to factor polynomials and determine the zeros over the complex numbers.
- Identify intercepts, end behavior, and asymptotes of rational functions, and graph.
- Solve polynomial and rational inequalities.
- Interpret the algebraic and graphical meaning of equality of functions (f(x) = g(x)) and inequality of functions (f(x) > g(x))
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Identify and graph exponential and logarithmic functions and their transformations.
- Use properties of logarithms to simplify and expand logarithmic expressions.
- Convert between exponential and logarithmic forms and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the two forms.
- Solve exponential and logarithmic equations using one-to-one and inverse properties.
- Solve application problems involving exponential and logarithmic functions.
- Systems of Equations
- Solve three variable linear systems of equations using the Gaussian elimination method.
Major Topics to be Included
- Relations and Functions
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Systems of Equations