Precalculus In A Nutshell

[nycmathguy]

As you know, I have been reviewing precalculus now for a few months. To me, precalculus is nothing more and nothing less than intermediate algebra.

I think precalculus is the following three courses in one:

1. College Algebra
2. Math Analysis
3. Trigonometry

You say?

Also, why is precalculus needed before first semester single variable calculus?

 

[MathLover1]

Math Analysis is a pre-calculus course that includes an in-depth conceptual analysis of algebraic, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions. Pre-calculus covers the things which you are expected to know when you enter calculus,

 

[nycmathguy]

Math Analysis is a pre-calculus course that includes an in-depth conceptual analysis of algebraic, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions. Pre-calculus covers the things which you are expected to know when you enter calculus,

You said:

"Pre-calculus covers the things which you are expected to know when you enter calculus."

1. I know people that never took precalculus and totally dominated at least the first-two semesters of calculus.

2. As a former teacher you know that students who take and pass any math course forget most of the material a month after the course ended. I took precalculus in the Spring 1993 semester at Lehman College. I got an A minus. The course name MA172.
About 3 weeks later, I couldn't define the difference between a Doman and range.

3. I don't think precalculus is needed before taking the first semester of calculus. Knowing the basics of Algebra 1 & 2 is sufficient but you disagree.

4. We are currently in Chapter 5, Section 5.5, right? For me to solve questions that we covered in the earlier chapters and sections, I would need to review your notes and/or watch video clips on YouTube to proceed. See my point? It's not poor memory. It's simply a lot digest.

 

[Country Boy]

In college mathematics "Mathematical Analysis" (perhaps different from your "math analysis", is a course that looks at the theory behind Calculus. In Europe, Calculus itself is often called "Mathematical Analysis".

 

[nycmathguy]

In college mathematics "Mathematical Analysis" (perhaps different from your "math analysis", is a course that looks at the theory behind Calculus. In Europe, Calculus itself is often called "Mathematical Analysis".

Ok. Cool. Different countries, different names.