Sophia Learning

MATH1035: Precalculus (ACE recommends 3

credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Sophia’s Precalculus course prepares you for the skills needed for Calculus I. In this course, you will build off the
topics in Sophia’s College Algebra by evaluating and graphing functions, and solving systems of equations
using matrices. You will then investigate different types of functions by graphing power, polynomial, and rational
functions. By solving exponential and logarithmic equations, you will also model real-world situations. Then, you
will move into the trigonometry portion of Precalculus by analyzing trigonometric functions through graphs,
equations, and identities and solving oblique triangles using the law of sines and the law of cosines. You will
also apply trigonometric concepts to the polar coordinates system and the trigonometric form of complex
numbers. Finally, you will wrap up the course with supplementary topics which include vectors, writing equations
of conic sections, working with arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, and expanding powers of
binomials.

COURSE EFFECTIVE DATES: November 2022 - Present

PREREQUISITES: No prerequisites; prior completion of College Algebra is recommended.

LENGTH OF COURSE: This is a self-paced course. Students may use as much or as little time as needed to
complete the course.

ACE LEARNING EVALUATIONS RECOMMENDATION: In the lower-division baccalaureate category, 3 semester

hours in Precalculus (ACE ID: SOPH-0069).

GRADING: This is a pass/fail course. Students must complete 17 Challenges (formative assessments) and 6
Milestones (summative assessments) with an overall score of 70% or better.

Challenges Points Possible

Challenge 1.1: Functions 8

Challenge 1.2: Linear Functions 4

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 Challenge 1.3: Systems of Linear Functions 6

Challenge 2.1: Power and Polynomial Functions 6

Challenge 2.2: Properties of Polynomial Functions 7

Challenge 2.3: Rational Functions 6

Challenge 2.4: Modeling Using Variation 4

Challenge 3.1: Exponential Functions 6

Challenge 3.2: Logarithmic Functions 5

Challenge 3.3: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Models 5

Challenge 4.1: Evaluating Trigonometric Functions 4

Challenge 4.2: Graphing Trigonometric Functions 3

Challenge 4.3: Trigonometric Identities 4

Challenge 4.4: Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Solving Trigonometric

4
Equations

Challenge 4.5: Further Applications of Trigonometry 6

Challenge 5.1: Analytic Geometry 5

Challenge 5.2: Sequences, Series, and the Binomial Theorem 5

Total 88

Milestones Points Possible

Milestone 1 54

Milestone 2 69

Milestone 3 48

Milestone 4 63

Milestone 5 30

Final Milestone 75

Total 339

Grand Total 427

For more general information on assessments, please visit the Student Guide located on your course
dashboard.

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 CALCULATOR REQUIREMENTS: Graphing calculator is required: TI-83, TI-84, or TI-Nspire are strongly
recommended. An online graphing calculator (Desmos, Wabbit, GeoGebra, etc.) can also be used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Evaluate and graph functions and solve systems of equations.

2. Graph power, polynomial, and rational functions and model real-world situations.
3. Find derivatives of functions and apply the differentiation process when appropriate.
4. Analyze trigonometric functions through graphs, equations, and identities.
5. Write equations of conic sections, write the nth term and find the sum of arithmetic and geometric
sequences, and expand powers of binomials.

COURSE COMPETENCIES AND TOPICS

Unit Competencies Major Topics

1. Functions, Graphs, Graph and perform operations with Domain and Range of Functions
and Linear Systems functions and inverse functions. Characteristics of Graphs and
Write the equation of a line using Transformations of Functions
given information. Absolute Value Functions, Equations,
Solve systems of linear equations and Inequalities
using algebraic and matrix methods. Linear Functions and Graphs
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Matrices and Matrix Operations
Determinants and Solving Systems of
Linear Equations by Cramer's Rule

2. Polynomial and Graph power and polynomial Properties and Graphs of Parabolas
Rational Functions functions. Solving Quadratic Equations
Find zeros of polynomial functions. Power and Polynomial Functions
Graph rational functions and find Zeros and Graphs of Polynomial
average rate of change. Functions
Model real-world situations using The Intermediate Value Theorem
variation. The Remainder, Factor, and Rational
Zero Theorems

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 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Domain, Asymptotes, and Holes in the
Graph of Rational Functions
Restricting the Domain to Find Inverse
Functions
Finding the Average Rate of Change of
a Function
Direct, Inverse, Joint, and Combined
Variation

3. Exponential and Solve compound interest and Evaluating Exponential Functions

Logarithmic continuous growth problems and Compound Interest
Functions graph exponential functions. Continuous Growth and Decay
Graph logarithmic functions and apply Transformations of Graphs of
logarithmic properties. Exponential Functions
Solve exponential and logarithmic The Relationship Between Exponential
equations. and Logarithmic Functions
Evaluating Logarithms
Transformations of Graphs of
Logarithmic Functions
Solving Exponential Equations That
Contain Like Bases, Using Other
Methods, and Using Properties of
Logarithms
Applications of Exponential Models

4. Trigonometric Evaluate trigonometric functions. Radian Measure, Arc Length, and

Functions Graph trigonometric functions. Angular and Linear Speed

Verify trigonometric identities and Evaluating Trigonometric Functions

evaluate trigonometric expressions Graphing Transformations of Sine,
using identities. Cosine, Tangent, Cotangent, Secant,
Evaluate expressions involving inverse and *Cosecant Functions
trigonometric functions and solve Applications of Sinusoidal Functions
trigonometric equations. Fundamental Trigonometric Identities
Apply the law of sines and the law of Sum and Difference, Double-Angle,
cosines to solve oblique triangles. Reduction, and Half-Angle Identities
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Solving Basic Trigonometric Equations
The Law of Sines and Cosines

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 Graphing Polar Equations
Introduction to Vectors

5. Additional Identify, graph, and write equations of The Parabola, Circle, Ellipse, and
Precalculus Topics the conic sections. Hyperbola
Write the nth term and find the sum of Systems of Nonlinear Equations and
arithmetic and geometric sequences, Inequalities
and expand powers of binomial Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
expressions. Series, Sums, and Sigma Notation
The Binomial Theorem

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