Precalculus
Spring 2012
Purpose: The purpose of this course is to prepare students for Calculus. Calculus is the mathematics of change. We will be using a functions based approach. From a practical point of view, in Calculus, we reduce everything down to algebra as quickly as possible. Therefore the successful student in Calculus will find proficiency with algebra to be of paramount importance. Since trig functions provide very useful examples of the types of functions which we can study using Calculus, we will cover Trigonometry. At this point we will try to explore some of the incredible vistas which will present themselves before the end of the semester.
Texts: Conally, Hughes-Hallet, Gleason, et al. Functions Modeling Change. 3rd ed. Wiley 2007.
You
will need a graphing calculator in order to evaluate exponential, logarithmic
and trig functions as well as to check the graphs of your functions. We
recommend the TI 84+. Students are responsible for announcements made in class.
Grading
MidtermsÉÉÉÉÉ.45%
Homework......ÉÉÉ.15%
Term PaperÉÉÉÉÉ.5%
Final ExamÉÉ.ÉÉ..35%
Test dates
Algebraic, exponential, and
logarithmic functionsÉ.....Feb. 16
Trigonometric
functionsÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ...Mar. 22
Additional topics as time
permitsÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ.Apr. 26
Office: Dar
114N 664-2116
Hours: MW
9:25 – 9:50,
TTh 9 - 9:50, 2 – 2:50
e-mail: steve.wilson@sonoma.edu
url: http://www.sonoma.edu/users/w/wilsonst/Courses/Math_107/