Class Expectations 2012/13
Mrs. Yoder
Pre-Calculus
Welcome to Pre-Calculus! We are in for a fun and challenging year as we explore topics in Pre-Calculus within
the following 12 basic functions: identity, squaring, cubing, reciprocal, square root, exponential, natural log,
sine, cosine, absolute value, greatest integer, and logistic. The class will have a strong focus on applications
and the use of technology to solve problems using algebraic, numerical, graphical, and verbal approaches. This
course will further develop problem solving skills as well as your ability to communicate mathematically.
Overview of Topics
First Semester
Unit 1: Functions and Graphs Objectives include but are not limited to:
 Modeling and Equation Solving
o Use numerical, algebraic, and graphical models to solve problems
o Translate from one model to another
 Functions and Their Properties
o Represent functions numerically, algebraically, and graphically
o Determine the domain and range for functions
o Analyze function characteristics
 Twelve Basic Functions
o Recognize graphs of twelve basic functions
o Determine domains of twelve basic functions in various ways to create new functions
o Analyze function characteristics for the twelve basic functions
 Building Functions from Functions
o Build new functions from basic functions by adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and composing
functions
 Inverses
o Find inverses of functions and relations
o Identify whether the inverse relation is a function
 Graphical Transformations
o Algebraically and graphically represent function transformations:
 Modeling with Functions
o Identify appropriate basic functions that will model real-world problems
Unit 2: Polynomial, Power, and Rational Functions Objectives include but are not limited to:
 Linear and Quadratic Functions and Modeling
o Recognize and graph linear and quadratic functions
o Use these functions to model situations and solve problems
 Power Functions with Modeling
o Sketch and identify power functions
o Solve problems involving power functions and variation
o Sketch and identify monomial functions
o Model with power functions
 Polynomial Functions of Higher Degree with Modeling
o Graph polynomial functions
o Predict polynomial end behavior
o Find real zeros of polynomial functions using graphical and algebraic methods
 Real Zeros of Polynomial Functions
o Divide polynomials using long division or synthetic division
o Apply the Remainder theorem, Factor theorem, and Rational Zeros theorem to identify potential real and
rational roots
 Complex Zeros and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
o Factor polynomials with real coefficients using factors with complex coefficients
o Use complex conjugates to factor polynomials
 Graphs of Rational Functions
o Describe the graphs of rational functions
o Identify horizontal and vertical asymptotes
o Predict the end behavior of rational functions
o Sketch rational functions based on given characteristics or an equation
o Write the equation of a rational functions given a graph or characteristics

Solving Equations in One Variable
o Solve equations involving fractions using both algebraic and graphical methods
o Identify extraneous solutions
 Solving Inequalities in One Variable
o Solve inequalities involving polynomials and rational functions using graphing and algebraic methods
o Apply these skills to solve real-world problems
Intro to Unit 4 and Trigonometry Objectives include but are not limited to:
- Right Triangle Trig
o Using all six trig ratios solve right triangles
o Solve special right triangles
o Use trig to solve application situations
- Describing angles in terms of radians
o Evaluate trig ratios in terms of radians
o Convert back and forth between degrees and radians
Second Semester
Unit 3: Exponential, Logistic, and Logarithmic Functions Objectives include but are not limited to:
 Exponential and Logistic Functions
o Evaluate exponential expressions
o Identify and graph exponential and logistic functions
o Distinguish between exponential growth and decay
 Exponential and Logistic Modeling
o Use exponential growth, decay, and regression to model real-life problems
o Use logistic regression to model real-life problems
 Logarithmic Functions and Their Graphs
o Convert equations between logarithmic form and exponential form
o Evaluate common and natural logarithms
o Graph common and natural logarithmic functions
 Properties of Logarithmic Functions
o Evaluate expressions by applying the properties of logarithms
o Solve equations by applying the properties of logarithms
o Rewrite expressions using properties of logarithms
 Equation Solving and Modeling
o Solve exponential and logarithmic equations
o Solve application problems representing the situation with an exponential or logarithmic equation
Unit 4: Trigonometric Functions Objectives include but are not limited to:
 Angles and Their Measures
o Convert between degrees and radians
o Find arc lengths
o Convert between angular and linear speed
 Trigonometric Functions of Acute Angles
o Define the six trigonometric functions using the lengths of the sides of a right triangle
o Use one trigonometric function to find all of the trig. functions in Quadrant I
o Solve a right triangle
 Trigonometry Extended: The Circular Functions
o Find coterminal angles
o Evaluate the six trigonometric functions determined by a point in the coordinate plane
o Evaluate the six trigonometric functions of any angle
o Use one trigonometric function to find all of the trig. functions in any Quadrant
o Use the periodicity of the trigonometric functions to evaluate ratios
 Solving Problems with Trigonometry
o Apply the concepts of trigonometry to solve real-world problems including navigation problems and
problems involving object heights and distances
 Graphs of Sine and Cosine: Sinusoids
o Generate graphs of sine and cosine functions
o Explore various transformations of sine and cosine functions
 Graphs of Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, and Cosecant
o Graph the tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant functions
o Identify key characteristics and properties of these graphs
 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
o Relate the concept of inverse functions to trigonometric functions
o Graph the inverse sine, cosine, and tangent functions
Unit 5/6: Analytic Trigonometry/Applications of Trigonometry Objectives include but are not limited to:
 Fundamental Identities
o Identify the basic trigonometric identities including the Pythagorean, cofunction, and odd/even identities
o Use the identities to simplify trigonometric expressions and solve trigonometric equations
 Proving Trigonometric Identities
o Confirm identities analytically
o Disprove non-identities

Law of Sines and Cosines
o Use these laws to identify angles and side lengths of non-right triangles
o Confirm whether an equation is an identity
*Time permitting Unit 9: Discrete Mathematics Objectives include but are not limited to:
 Sequences
o Express arithmetic and geometric sequences explicitly and recursively
o Find limits of convergent sequences
o Graph sequences defined explicitly
 Series
o Use sigma notation
o Find finite sums of terms in arithmetic and geometric sequences
Materials
The textbook for this class is Precalculus: Graphical, Numberical, Algebraic (seventh edition) by Demana,
Waits, Foley, and Kennedy.
All students must have a graphing calculator. If you are purchasing a calculator, I will be instructing with a TINspire CX CAS but will offer support to those using other TI calculators. The TI-Nspire CX CAS can be hard
to find so the math department will be making a large purchase order for students who would like to purchase
one this way. Please talk with me if you have questions about the graphing calculators.
Evaluation System
Grades will be based on the total number of points a student earns divided by the total number of points possible
and that percentage will determine the grade received.
Approximately: 10% homework, 10% final and 80% assessments.
93-100 A
92-90 A-
87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C-
65-69 D+
60-64 D
59- F
Late Work and make-up work policy
Students who have an excused absence on the day of a homework check-in or quiz must make up the work in
the allotted time and before the corresponding test.
A student who misses the day prior to an announced test or quiz will be expected to take the test or quiz on the
scheduled day as they are announced well in advance. A student who misses the day of a test or quiz with an
excused absence is responsible for arranging with me to make it up. Students with unexcused absences may not
be allowed to make up the test, quiz, or homework check-in and will receive a score of 0 points. A student gone
on the day of a homework check-in will either make it up or receive a no score which will not count against
their grade – this decision will be made by me after consulting with the student.
Behavioral expectations and consequences
Each student is expected to have a respectful attitude towards teachers, fellow students, and classroom
materials. If a student is preventing other people from learning and/or the teacher from instructing, steps will be
taken as outlines in the school’s policy in the student handbook, or if warranted, immediate action will be taken.
Students are expected to make only appropriate comments and using appropriate language in doing so.
Cheating
Consistent with the school’s policy on cheating, no credit will be given for any work that is not legitimately
your own.
Attendance policy
Per school policy, students with 12 or more absences will have to appeal in order to receive credit for the
course (and may not).
Students with an unexcused absence may not make up the work.
Students will be counted tardy if not seated and ready to begin class when the school clock shows it is time.
Students will be counted absent if later than 10 minutes to class by the school’s clock.
Extra Help
If you are having difficulty understanding the material presented, it is your responsibility to get extra help. I’m
always happy to assist you as needed, but you must make arrangements ahead of time to ensure my availability.
Please do not wait until you are completely frustrated and confused to seek help. Staying current makes it much
easier to do well in the course!
By appointment:
7:00-7:50
M-F
After school T & W
4th, 7th, and second lunch
Please contact me before hand in case I have other commitments and the fact that I am not in the same location
all day. If needed times may be changed, added, and/or extended.
Web-site
Answer keys will be posted on my website in order to help if you are stuck, check your own work (this is an
expectation), and see areas that you are having difficulty in so you might ask questions and/or seek additional
help. We are partners in learning and I expect you to be an active participant and take the initiative to get help
when you do not fully comprehend the material.
I will also be posting a calendar outlining my expectations for the month in terms of the material covered,
assignments, and days there will be assessments. This calendar will need to be adapted as the month goes on so
you should refer back to it, but it will at least give you an idea about what is going to be going on.
Contact Information
Feel free to contact me anytime during the school year if you have questions or concerns about the class, your
progress (or your student’s progress), or if you would like to arrange a meeting. Below is my E-mail address
and school phone number.
E-mail: (kate_yoder@misd.wednet.edu)
School phone: 230-6376
Please return after reading the Course Expectations
I have read and understand the course expectations for Pre-Calculus. I agree that the guidelines set before are
clear and fair. I will do my best to be a productive and active member of this class.
Student Name: ___________________________________
Signature:
Date:_____________
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E-mail address___________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian Name: ________________________________Date:______________
Signature(s):
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Daytime phone:
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E-mail:
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How would you prefer to be contacted? (who/where/when) ________________________________________