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Master Course Outline
MATH& 142
Precalculus II
Course Description: MATH& 142 is the second course in the standard precalculus sequence, and it continues the
preparation for calculus and/or physical science courses begun in MATH& 141. Content includes: right triangle
trigonometry; trigonometric functions; inverse trigonometric functions; trigonometric identities; polar
coordinates; vectors; parametric equations; and conic sections. Applications are drawn from the natural and social
sciences, and engineering. 5 lecture hours. Satisfies the quantitative skills requirement, science distribution area F
requirement, or specified elective for the AA degree.
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MATH& 141 or appropriate placement score.
Recommended Preparation: None
Co-requisites: None
Course Learning Outcomes: Students completing the course will have been instructed in how to do the following,
and earn a course grade based on the evaluation of their ability to do the following:
1. Measure angles with Degrees and the use of Degree measure on the Unit circle.
2. Find the values of Sine and Cosine on the unit and other sized circles, and use the definition of Sine and
Cosine to find unknown sides in right triangles.
3. Solve basic applications involving right triangles using Sine, Cosine, and the Pythagorean Theorem.
4. Find values of the Tangent function on the unit circle and triangles, solve right triangles.
5. Use Sine, Cosine, Tangent and their inverses, as well as the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles.
6. Use the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to solve non-right triangles.
7. Use Radian measure to locate points on the unit circle and compute Arc Length.
8. Graph Sinusoidal functions with radian input values.
9. Find formulas for sinusoidal functions, given their graphs or a verbal description.
10. Graph Tangent functions.
11. Solve basic Trigonometric equations over a given domain using various algebra techniques and inverse
Trigonometric functions.
12. Solve basic Trigonometric equations by setting up an appropriate triangle.
13. Convert points in the plane and basic equations from Rectangular Coordinates to Polar Coordinates and
vice versa.
14. Use basic trig identities to determine if an equation represents an identity, and to simplify expressions
and solve equations.
15. Use the Sum and Difference identities to solve certain problems.
16. Solve various applications using trig functions and their inverses.
17. Rewrite the sum of a Sine and Cosine function with identical angular input as a shifted Cosine function.
18. Do basic computations with geometrically defined vectors.
19. Find the component form of a vector and do computations with vectors in component form.
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Solve basic motion problem applications with vectors, and several other types of applications.
Compute the Dot product of two vectors and use it to find the angle between the vectors.
Graph Parametrically defined functions, and convert parametrically defined functions to explicit functions.
Graph circles and convert between the standard and parametric form for the equation of a circle, and find
the equation of a circle from its graph or data.
24. Convert circular equations to standard form by completing the square.
25. Graph ellipses and convert between the standard and parametric form for the equation of an ellipse, and
find the equation of an ellipse from its graph or data.
26. Convert ellipse equations to standard form by completing the square.
Course Resources/Textbooks/Website: Information on the textbook can be found in the GHC class schedule
online, or through the GHC Bookstore. The same textbook is also used for MATH& 141. You will also need a nongraphing, scientific calculator for the course. Calculators with Computer Algebra Systems are NOT allowed.
Students have successfully used a wide variety of calculators in this course over the years. These include various
models from TI, Casio, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard, and probably other companies as well. You CANNOT use a cellphone, i-pod, computer or any other internet connected device as a calculator or for any other purpose during
testing due to the obvious potential for cheating!
Academic Integrity: All forms of cheating, falsification, and plagiarism are against the rules of this course and of
Grays Harbor College. Students who are unsure what constitutes academic dishonesty are responsible for asking
the instructor for clarification. Instances of intentional academic dishonesty will be dealt with severely.
Disabilities: Students who have documented disabilities that require accommodations in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Disability Support Services coordinator as well as the instructor
of the course in order to ensure that together we create an optimal environment for educational achievement.
W Day: W Day, the final day to officially withdraw from a course, is the Thursday of the seventh week (Thursday of
the fourth week for summer quarter). Students who do not withdraw by that date will receive the grades they
have earned, regardless of whether they are attending the course or completing the work. Students who are
considering withdrawal are strongly advised to consult with the instructor, advisor and financial aid prior to
withdrawing. The only withdrawals allowed after W Day are complete withdrawals from all courses.
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