PreCalculus A: Algebra Review and Trigonometry

About This Course

This course is the first in a two-course sequence that broadens student understanding of functions and mathematical models of real-world phenomena. This course will build on student understanding of geometry and algebra, extending their knowledge in the field of trigonometry. The course contains units on functions and their properties, geometric foundations and right triangle trigonometry, applications of trigonometric and circular functions and their graphs, as well as trigonometric function properties, identities, and equations. The majority of the course is asynchronous with a few synchronous elements. Prerequisites:  Algebra 2 and Geometry

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

• Define function and use a function to decide if a given relation is a function
• Perform algebraic operations (including compositions) on functions and apply transformations
• Know basic properties of the inverse trigonometric functions and recognize their graphs
• Determine whether a function has an inverse and express the inverse if it exists. Express and interpret the function notation for inverses
• Solve trigonometric equations using basic identities and inverse trigonometric functions
• Prove trigonometric identities and derive some of the basic ones
• Find a sinusoidal function to model a given data set or situation and explain how the parameters of the model relate to the data set or situation.

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Fundamentals and Functions

Unit 2: Define Trigonometric Functions and Angles

Unit 3: Applying Trigonometric Functions

Unit 4: Radian Measures

Unit 5: Graphing Trigonometric Functions

Unit 6: Trigonometric Identities

Unit 7: Inverse Trigonometric Functions & Solving Equations

Unit 8: Solving Right Triangles

Resources Included: Online lesson instruction and activities, opportunities to engage with a certified, online instructor and classmates, when appropriate, and online assessments to measure student performance of course objectives and readiness for subsequent academic pursuits.

Additional Costs: Students require a graphing calculator (equivalent to a TI-83 or TI-84) that can perform trigonometry functions, such as SIN, COS, and TAN. Free graphing calculators can be found online.

Scoring System: Michigan Virtual does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue diplomas. A final score out of total points earned will be submitted to your school mentor for conversion to their own letter grading system.

Time Commitment: Semester sessions are 18-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1 or more hours per day in the course to be successful. Summer sessions are 10 weeks long: Students must be able to spend a minimum of 2 or more hours per day, or about 90 hours during the summer, for the student to be successful in any course. Trimester sessions are 12-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1.5 or more hours per day in the course to be successful.

Technology Requirements: Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Students will also require a graphing calculator, such as TI-84 Plus, TI-83, or TI-83 Plus.

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/ 

Instructor Support System: For technical issues within your course, contact the Customer Care Center by email at CustomerCare@michiganvirtual.org or by phone at (888) 889-2840.

Instructor Contact Expectations: Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Academic Support Available: In addition to access to a highly qualified, Michigan certified teacher, students have access to academic videos and outside resources verified by Michigan Virtual. For technical issues within the course, students can contact the Michigan Virtual Customer Care by email at customercare@michiganvirtual.org or by phone at (888) 889-2840.

Required Assessment: Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, instructor-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments.

Technical Skills Needed: Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to:

• Download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• Download and install software
• Use a messaging service similar to email
• Communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• Open attachments shared in messages
• Create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• Edit file share settings in cloud-based applications, such as Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
• Save a file as a .pdf
• Copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• Insert images or links into a file or html editor
• Search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• Work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• Activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• Use presentation and graphics programs
• Follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• Use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• Create and maintain usernames and passwords

Additional Information: A graphing calculator, such as the TI-84 Plus, TI-83, or TI-83 Plus, is needed for both Pre-Calculus A (Trigonometry) and Pre-Calculus B (Functions and Graphical Analysis). Students will be required to participate in one or more synchronous, live session(s) with the instructor.