Pre-Calculus 12 is a course designed to equip students with the mathematical skills required for the further study of Calculus. Mathematics is one way of trying to understand, interpret, and describe our world. Components integral to the nature of mathematics include change, constancy, number sense, patterns, relationships, spatial sense, and uncertainty. These components are woven throughout this course.
Materials Needed for each class:
- Pen/pencil (several colours)
- Textbook
- Notebook
- Ruler
- Graph paper
- Calculator – it is strongly recommended that you purchase a graphics calculator for this course, but not necessary. Where possible, we will try to do work without a graphing calculator, or make use of webtools that are functionally equivalent to a graphing calculator. Should you choose to purchase a graphing calculator, recommended calculators are the TI 84 or the TI Nspire (non CAS version)
**A supplemental workbook is available for purchase for $12. Please see your teacher if you are interested.
Course Outline
- Function Transformations
- Radical Functions
- Polynomial Functions
- Trigonometry and the Unit Circle
- Trigonometric Functions
- Trigonometric Identities and Equations
- Exponential Functions
- Logarithmic Functions
- Rational Functions
- Function Operations
- Permutations, Combinations and the Binomial Theorem
Tests and quizzes will count for the majority (85%) of the mark this year.
All homework for each chapter will be collected as a package on the day before the Chapter Test. It will be checked for completion, organization and to see if all work/reasoning has been shown clearly. Homework checks will be a determining factor in assessing Work Habits for your report card.
Evaluation:
During the year, there are 12 chapter tests and 2 cumulative exams. There will also be some assignments, warmup quizzes and projects. These will count for 70% of your overall mark. Your cumulative exams will count for 10% of your overall mark and the final exam will count for the remaining 20%. Your overall mark will be calculated a bit differently than many of you are used to.
A mark will be assigned from each chapter, and each chapter will be weighted differently. You will receive an overall mark for each chapter that incorporates all assignments, quizzes, tests and project work for that chapter. A mark given for the whole chapter will help you assess whether there are topics you should review at a later date.
Tests
It is the policy of the Math Department to not allow students to rewrite tests for marks. A student may rewrite a test at any time, but it will only be to check to see if they have corrected any gaps in their understanding and will not be used in determining their report card grade. However, there may be opportunites to demonstrate your understanding/learning other than tests if you are not satisifed with your mark. Please discuss this with your teacher. You will be expected to demonstrate that you have done significant work/review in order to earn these opportunities.
Marked tests will be reviewed in class, but students will not be permitted to take them home. If a student wishes to go over the test outside of class time, they may do so in the classroom only.