Jul 26, 2024  
2023-2024 WWCC College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 WWCC College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MATH& 141 - Precalculus I


Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
MATH& 141 is the first in a series of two courses designed to give students an in-depth understanding of functions and to prepare students for calculus. Graphical analysis of concepts is emphasized through the use of technology.
Prerequisite(s): Course requires concurrent enrollment in MATH 041  OR having met one of the following prerequisites: grade of P in MATH 041 ; grade of C or higher in MATH 079 , MATH 080 , or MATH 080 F; appropriate placement; or permission of the Mathematics Department.
Course Outcomes:
  • Analyze polynomial, root, rational, piecewise, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
    • Identify domain and range.
    • Generate and interpret graphs.
    • Describe defining characteristics.
    • Classify the type of function given an algebraic, tabular, graphical, or contextual representation.
  • Find real and complex roots of polynomial functions and, conversely, construct the algebraic form of a polynomial function given its roots and/or graph.
  • Combine functions using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition, and identify the domain.
  • Analyze transformations resulting from the application of shifts and scales.
  • Decide whether a function in invertible, and, if so, determine its inverse.
  • Solve inequalities involving polynomial and rational expressions through analytic and graphical techniques.
  • Solve equations involving polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic expressions through analytic and graphical techniques.
  • Construct appropriate functions to model and solve contextual problems.
Course Topics:
  1. Polynomial, root, rational, piecewise, exponential, and logarithmic functions
  2. Graphs, domain, range, intercepts, extrema, end behavior
  3. Patterns of change and average rate of change
  4. Factoring and roots of polynomials
  5. Complex numbers
  6. Function combinations
  7. Function transformations
  8. Inverse functions
  9. Solving equations and inequalities
  10. Critical use of technology
  11. Creating and using functions to model behaviors
Course Attribute(s): Natural Science, PT Computation/Mathematics, Quantitative