In detail, pre-calculus deals with (can separate into Algebra and Trigonometry)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

Sets Real numbers Complex numbers Solving inequalities and equations Properties of functions Composite functions Polynomial functions Rational functions Trigonometry Trigonometric functions and their inverses Trigonometric identities Conic sections Exponential functions Logarithmic functions Sequences and series Binomial theorem Vectors Parametric equations Polar coordinates Matrices Mathematical induction Limits

Topics in a Pre-Calculus Course To learn more about a topic listed below, click the topic name to go to the corresponding MathWorld classroom page.

General
Asymptote: Curve: A line or curve that approaches a given curve arbitrarily closely. A continuous map from a one-dimensional space to an n-dimensional space. Loosely speaking, the word "curve" is often used to mean the function graph of a two- or three-dimensional curve. (1) A function that assigns a scalar to a square matrix (or, equivalently, its linear transformation). (2) The value of this function for a particular matrix. The matrix has an inverse if and only if its determinant is non-zero. A set of equations that together express a set of quantities as explicit functions of a number of independent variables, which are known as parameters. A two-dimensional surface defined by linear equations. A curve that lies in a single plane. A plane curve may be closed or open. A two-dimensional coordinate system in which points in two dimensions are given by an angle and a distance from the origin. A function that can be written as the quotient of two polynomials. The operation of exchanging all points of a mathematical object with their mirror images. The turning of an object or coordinate system about a fixed point. A matrix that corresponds to the linear transformation of a rotation. A value (such as a measurement) that has only magnitude but not direction. This contrasts with a vector, which has direction as well as magnitude. A coordinate system in which points in three-dimensional space are given by two angles and a distance from the origin. A line that touches but does not cross a curve at a given point. A transformation consisting of a constant shift with no rotation or stretching.

Determinant:

Parametric Equations: Plane: Plane Curve: Polar Coordinates: Rational Function: Reflection: Rotation: Rotation Matrix: Scalar: Spherical Coordinates: Tangent Line: Translation:

Complex Numbers
Complex Conjugate: Complex Number: Complex Plane: i: The result of changing the sign of the imaginary part of a complex number. A number consisting of a real part and an imaginary part. A complex number is an element of the complex plane. The set of all complex numbers. Just as all real numbers can be imagined as sitting on a line, all complex numbers can be thought of as points in a plane. The symbol used to denote the square root of -1.

Imaginary Number:

A multiple of the imaginary unit i (the square root of -1).

Conic Sections
Conic Section: The nondegenerate curves generated by the intersections of a plane with one or two nappes of a cone. A conic section can also be realized as the zero set of a quadratic equation in two variables. A conic section with eccentricity less than one. It resembles a squashed circle. A conic section with eccentricity greater than one. A hyperbola consists of two separate branches. The set of all points (usually forming a curve or surface) satisfying some condition. For example, the locus of points in a plane that are equidistant from a given point is a circle. A conic section with eccentricity equal to one. Parabolas appear as the graphs of quadratic equations and the trajectories of projectiles.

Ellipse: Hyperbola: Locus:

Parabola:

Exponents and Logarithms

e: Exponential Function: Logarithm: Natural Logarithm: The base of the natural logarithm, approximately equal to 2.718. After pi, e is the most important constant in mathematics. The function consisting of the base of the natural logarithm e taken to the power of the variable. The power to which a number (called the base) is raised to produce a given number; e.g. The logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2. The logarithm having base e.

Functions
Domain: Function: (1) The set of values for which a function is defined. (2) In topology, a connected, open set. A relation that uniquely associates members of one set with members of another set. The term "function" is sometimes implicitly understood to mean continuous function, linear function, or function into the complex numbers. For a function f, the function f-1 for which f(f-1(x)) = x for any x. (1) The set of all values that a function can take. (2) The difference between the minimum and the maximum values of a data set.

Inverse Function: Range:

Vectors
Cross Product: Dot Product: Normal Vector: Vector: A product of two vectors that results in a vector perpendicular to both. A product of two vectors, which results in a scalar. A vector perpendicular to a surface. (1) A mathematical entity that has both magnitude (whic