Precalculus
SYLLABUS FOR MATH 2412
(Revised August 2008)
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
Houston Community College-Southeast
Chuen Huang, Ph.D.
Phone 713.718.7150
E-mail: chuen.huang@hccs.edu
CRN 64660
Catalog Description: Precalculus. Topics include elementary theory of functions and
equations, analytic geometry, vectors, introductory logic, mathematical induction,
sequences and finite series.
4 credits. (4 lecture)
Prerequisites:
Math 1314: Pass with a “C” or better.
Math 1316: Pass with a “C” or better.
Course Intent: This course is intended primarily to prepare students for calculus. It can
also be used for general mathematics credit.
Audience: This course is for students who need a background for taking a beginning
calculus course.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, a student should be able to:
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Develop and use various problem-solving techniques.
Recognize functions as ordered pairs.
Determine the graph of an algebraic equation or function.
Understand synthetic division.
Develop partial fraction decomposition.
Find the zeros of real functions
Solve polynomial equations.
Utilize the six basic trigonometric functions.
Verify various trigonometric identities.
Apply the Law of sines and the Law of cosines for various types of situations.
Find the powers and roots of complex numbers using DeMoivre’s Theorem.
Understand basic vectors (2 dimensional).
Convert points in a rectangular coordinate system to polar coordinates.
Recognize algebraic formulas relating to circles, parabolas, ellipses, and
hyperbolas.
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Use translation of axes, rotation of axes, and polar equations of conics.
Recognize the use of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Use summation notation to represent a series.
Understand and use the Binomial theorem.
Understand mathematical induction.
(Optional) Understand the basic concepts of limits.
Textbook: Precalculus, Robert Blitzer, Third Edition, 2007, Pearson Prentice Hall
Advising Times: MW 8:30-9 am, 1:00-1:30 pm, TR 8-9 am, ESID 1026
Course Outline: Instructors may find it preferable to cover the course topics in the order
listed below. However, the instructor may choose to organize topics in any order, but all
material must be covered.
APPROXIMATE TIME
Unit I – Algebra (Review)
Unit I – Partial Fractions
(8 hours)
TEXT REFERENCE
Sections: {1.2 – 1.5, 1.7,
1.9, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6}
Section: 7.3
Topics include the following: Graphs and graphing utilities, lines in the plane, slope,
functions, polynomial functions of higher degree, synthetic division, real zeros of
polynomial functions, and the intermediate value theorem. The unit concludes with
partial fraction decomposition.
Unit II – Trigonometry (review) and Analytic Trigonometry
Sections: {4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7}
5.1 – 5.5
(10 hours)
This unit contains Trigonometric Functions, the unit circle, graphs of the trigonometric
functions, inverse trigonometric functions, verifying identities, sum and difference
formulas, double angle and half-angle formulas, sum-to-product and product-to-sum
formulas, and solving trigonometric equations.
Unit III – Applications of Trigonometry
(10 hours)
Sections: Chapter 6
This unit includes Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, Polar coordinates, graphs of Polar
equations, DeMoivre’s Theorem, vectors, and the dot product.
Unit IV – Conic Sections and Analytic Geometry
(12 hours)
Sections: Chapter 9
Topics include the ellipse, the hyperbola, the parabola, rotation of axes, parametric
equations, and conic sections in polar coordinates.
Unit V – Sequences, Induction, and Probability
(14 hours)
Sections: 10.1 – 10.5
This unit contains Sequences and summation notation, arithmetic sequences, Geometric
Sequences and Series, Mathematical Induction, and The Binomial Theorem.
Final Exam 9:00 A.M, May 10, 20011
Unit VI – Introduction to Calculus (Optional)
(6 hours)
Sections: 11.1 – 11.4
This optional unit contains an introduction to limits using tables and properties,
continuity, and an introduction to derivatives.
Departmental Policies:
1. Each instructor must cover all course topics by the end of the semester. The final
exam is comprehensive and questions on it can deal with any of the course
objectives.
2. Each student should receive a copy of the instructor’s student syllabus for the
course during the first week of class. The syllabus should also be available online.
3. A minimum of three in class tests and a comprehensive final examination must be
given. The final examination must be taken by all students.
4. All major tests should be announced at least one week or the equivalent in
advance.
5. The final exam must count between 25 percent and 40 percent of the final grade.
6. The final course average will be used in the usual manner (A = 90–100; B = 8089; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = below 60).
7. An open book or a take home major test may be given at the discretion of the
instructor.
8. Any review sheet should be comprehensive and the student should not feel that
classroom notes, homework, and test may be ignored in favor of the review sheet
for any examination.
Resource Materials: Any student enrolled in Math 2412 at HCCS has access to the
Academic Support Center where they may get additional help in understanding the
theory or improving their skill. The Center is staffed with mathematics faculty and
student assistants, and offers tutorial help. A Chapter Tests preparation video CD
comes with the text. A Student’s Solution Manual and MyMathLab are also available.
Suggested Methods: It is helpful to begin each class with questions concerning the
material discussed and the assigned homework problems. In presenting new material,
it is suggested that an explanation be followed by students working examples in class.
Students should be encouraged to work the review exercises at the end of each
chapter. Also, they should be encouraged to visit the Academic Support Center at
their respective colleges.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Any student with a documented disability
(e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange
accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at their respective
college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.