Pre-Calculus Syllabus 2017-2018 Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. Instructor: Lexi Commander Room: 302 Text : Texas Precalculus, (McGraw Hill) plus additional resource books and materials used at the discretion of the instructor. Required Materials: 3-Ring Binder (2 ) Spiral Notebook (for online assignments) Graph Paper Notebook Paper Pencils Dividers (in this order) o Homework o Test Reviews o Quizzes o Notes o Miscellaneous Course Description: Pre-Calculus is an extension of Algebra II with the emphasis in Trigonometry and introductory Calculus topics. All major areas covered in Algebra II are reinforced at a greater depth with additional applications aided by the use of calculators and possibly computers. Pre-Calculus blends the concepts and skills that must be mastered before enrollment in a Calculus course. This course includes the study of relations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry in triangles, trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities and equations, sequences and series, and data analysis. Graphing technology is integrated throughout the course as an essential tool for both mathematical discovery and effective problem solving.
Objectives of Course : At the completion of this course, the student will: Understand what constitutes a function. Identify the Range and Domain and be able to identify intervals for which a function is undefined, increasing, decreasing, or constant. Be able to describe functions as odd or even describe symmetry and identify relative maximum or minimum. Demonstrate knowledge of which changes in the written equation of the function causes shifts, stretches, reflections, and translations in the graphs. Be able to find composite functions, inverse functions and describe their range & domain. Use technology to generate graphs, estimate solutions, approximate equations from data and use this to solve real life problems. Express angle measure in degrees or radians, and be able to calculate arc lengths and angular speeds. Know the six trigonometric functions and how to evaluate them using a calculator, or using positions on the unit circle with respect to the right triangle. Know the domain, range, and period of the six trigonometric functions and be able to generate the graph by hand or with a calculator. Use trigonometric functions to solve a right triangle and apply the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to solve triangles that are acute or obtuse. Use technology and the laws of trigonometry to solve real life problems involving angles & distances. Be able to graph trigonometric functions that have been phase or amplitude shifted and understand what changes in the equations produce these changes in the graph. Be able to graph inverse trigonometric functions, state the range & domain of such and evaluate them at given points. Simplify trigonometric expressions using identities and prove expressions are equivalent. Use knowledge of the graphs of trigonometric functions to solve trigonometric equations. Use sum & difference formulas and double angle formulas to evaluate additional values and simplify expressions. Find real and imaginary zeroes of a polynomial function, and use the remainder theorem to find the value of a function at a given point Be able to describe the nature of the graph of polynomial functions using rational zeroes tests and knowledge of end behavior. Perform all arithmetic operations with complex numbers and understand the significance of conjugate pairs with respect to zeroes of a graph. Be able to rewrite a polynomial as a product of linear factors. Be able to find horizontal, vertical & slant asymptotes of rational functions. Be able to graph exponential & logarithmic functions and understand the same shifts, stretches & translations take place with them as with other functions. Be able to use exponential & logarithmic functions to solve problems involving interest, growth & decay problems. Use technology to estimate solutions to such problems. Use properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions and be able to solve exponential and logarithmic equations. Use systems of two or more equations and inequalities, whether linear, quadratic, polynomial, or radical, to solve real life problems and hypothetical problems. Express sequences using summation notation. Find the nth term and the sum of arithmetic and geometric sequences. Find the sum of infinite Geometric sequence. Use knowledge of sequence & series to find solutions to real life problems. Find probabilities of simple events, mutually exclusive events, independent events, and complements of events.
Homework Policy : Homework will be assigned almost daily. Students will be expected to have homework completed and ready to turn in on the due date. If an unusual circumstance arises, the student should discuss it with me before the school day begins. Students must fill out the late work form on my website (also in Google Classroom). Late work will not be accepted after the fourth week of the six weeks. The grading policy for late work is as follows: One day late Highest possible grade is 80 Two days late Automatic 0 Each six weeks, at least one low daily grade is dropped. However, if a student has more than one late assignment, he/she will not receive this privilege. Also, zeros are never dropped. For an assignment to be graded, students must follow the following procedures: Work must be shown on each problem neatly. No work, no credit! All work will be done in pencil and be legible. Answers must be found easily circle or box them. On the second zero of each six weeks, and all zeros following, students will receive a discipline referral. It is very difficult to learn the material in this course if the work is not being done. Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic grade of a zero for all parties involved. If a student is caught cheating on a test, the student will receive a grade of zero and will not be allowed to take a retest. Also, a report will be given to the National Honor Society sponsor as this is a violation of the guidelines of Honor Society membership, and the student will be placed on probation. Make-Up Assignments: It is the student s responsibility to get and complete all work missed due to absence. Time allowed for make-up work is outlined in the Student Handbook. The grading policy for late work also pertains to make-up assignments. If a student does not make up assigned work within the time allotted, a grade of zero will be given for the assignment. The student should read the section missed and TRY the work before coming in for help. However, the student should always feel free to schedule a time to go over the missed section. If a student knows he/she is going to be absent, it is the student s responsibility to obtain any assignments that will be missed before the absence. This includes extracurricular activities. Procedures for make-up work include the following: All assignment procedures apply to make-up work. Upon returning from an absence, get the make-up assignment form and any handouts from the appropriate folder The make-up assignment form must be attached to the homework when it is turned in. Place work you have completed during an absence in the appropriate folder If you are absent on the day that an assignment is due, that assignment is to be turned in at the beginning of class on the first day that you return. If you are absent on the day that an assignment is made, that assignment is to be turned in according to dates given on your make-up assignment form
Grading Categories : Grades will be compiled from homework assignments, quizzes, test reviews, tests, and class projects. Homework grades consist of 50% of your overall average, and tests making up the other 50%. Extra credit will rarely be provided because students will be given plenty of opportunities throughout the grading period to bring their grades up. Quizzes: Quizzes may be given throughout the school year. Some will be pop quizzes and others will be made known beforehand to the students. They will count as a daily grade. If students complete all homework assignments, pay attention in class, and review their notes, they should be able to do well on the quizzes. Class Notebook: Students will be required to keep a class notebook. Students are expected to have a typed cover sheet which includes their name, teacher s name, class, and class period, and will be at the beginning of the notebook. An example will be provided. This syllabus is to be included in front of all dividers. The sections required are Homework, Test Reviews, Quizzes, Notes, and Miscellaneous, in that order. All sections must be in order. If something is not in the correct order, it will be considered missing. Class notebooks will count as TWO daily grades. Test Reviews: Before each test, students will be given a test review. This is expected to be completed! Test reviews will be counted as an all-or-nothing completion grade or a percentage completion grade. They will be counted as a daily grade. This is an easy way to raise your daily average, just by completing the test review as well as preparation for the test. Tests: Tests will be given throughout the grading period. If the student was in attendance for the test review and is aware of the test date but is absent the day of the test, the student will be required to take the test upon the first day of returning to class. o Retests Students may only retest 3 times per semester. In order to retest, students must complete a Retest Request Form online. This request must be submitted and approved by Coach Commander. (Form found on Coach Commander s teacher page on the school website) Class Projects: There may be at least one project assigned each semester. Projects will count as a test grade. More instruction will be given at a later time. Tutorials: If a student is struggling with the material in class, it is very important to ask for help! I am available every day before school for extra help. Also, if you would like to get help during my conference period, please discuss this with me beforehand. Tardy Policy: If a student is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings, they will be considered tardy. Class Preparation: Students are expected to come to class with all materials needed, and be seated and ready to begin class when the tardy bell rings.
ELYSIAN FIELDS HIGH SCHOOL Pre-Calculus Syllabus 2017-2018 Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. Instructor: Lexi Commander Room: 302 I have read the Pre-AP Pre-Calculus Syllabus, and I understand the overall course plan, including course content, course objectives, and classroom rules. I also understand that success in this class will require extra work and time for preparation. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date