Precalculus

Course Description

Precalculus is designed to sharpen all the tools you will need before entering the wonderful world of Calculus – the Math of Change. Here, you will learn how matrices are used by computers (and spies) to code and decode messages; how to graph trigonometric functions; and how to locate the limits of functions (literally). If time allows, we will being working on basic calculus problems as well, the very core of higher mathematics and sciences.

Oh, and graphs are no longer going to stay two-dimensional. Brace yourselves.

What you can expect to see: logarithms and their graphs; radical functions and their graphs; trigonometric proofs and identities; systems of equations involving three variables; matrices; limits of functions; and problems involving probability.

Posts

Weekly Update April 05

Welcome back to another week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:30 – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We will learn strategies for managing stress and continue prepping for the SAT.

New Assignments (Due 04/12 by 8:00 AM)

  1. If In-Person: Participate in activities for test anxiety and test prep. If Online: Send me your answers and score for the practice test we take during the week.

Late Assignments (10% off after 04/07 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Abstract Geometry Reflection Prompt (Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Tips

  1. This is a cohort B class. If you are in-person, you will attend on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are online, you will tune in using zoom those days. You should attend advocacy each day either in-person or virtually depending on your cohort.

Remote Week March 15th

Welcome back to Precalculus and Algebra 2! This week, there are no live lessons. You have one recorded lesson to watch and one assignment to complete. All HS teachers are unavailable from March 15th through March 17th, and we will begin replying to emails on March 18th.

Objective: Students can write equations modeling real-world situations.

Video: The video can be found on Microsoft Teams. Go to the “Algebra 2” or “Precalculus” team and click the “Videos” tab at the top (you may need to click the down arrow for more options). Once there, scroll until you find the lesson for March 15th. This video can also be accessed on the Precalculus and Algebra 2 class pages on Westgateschool.org.

Assignment: You have one assignment for this week: Systems of Equations Word Problems. It is due in one week.

March 15th through March 17th will be Remote/Asynchronous Learning

Please read the following update from Sharon Collins. It was also sent out from Westgate through email.

Dear HS Families,

In keeping with timely communications and consideration for minimizing academic disruption, we need to let our HS families know that Westgate will be conducting asynchronous learning through Microsoft Teams on March 15, 16 and 17.  Conferences are still scheduled for March 18 and 19.  

This decision was not made lightly but is necessary for teachers and staff to get their second COVID vaccination and allow for anticipated teacher and staff absences.

Due to a shortage of substitute teachers and inability to guarantee classroom coverage, we could not be certain of our ability to offer live instruction for that week.  Preplanning for asynchronous learning gives us all the opportunity to minimize academic disruption to families and students. 

Teachers have begun planning for the asynchronous learning that will occur and will have lessons prepared ahead of time. 

If your student receives special education services, the learning specialist will email you information about services during asynchronous learning.

Teachers will not be available Monday, March 15tthru Wednesday, March 17.  They will be available for conferences on March 18 and 19.  

Please reach out to your student’s advocate or the HS assistant principal, Ms. Amanda Novak, if you have any questions or comments prior to March 15.

We recognize that a week of asynchronous learning will be inconvenient for some families, but we know that providing timely information and planning time is most helpful.

Sincerely,
Sharon Collins

Weekly Update March 8th

Welcome back to another week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:30 – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can solve real-world problems involving simple interest, compound interest, and continuous compound interest.

New Assignments (Due 03/15 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Calculations with Interest (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 03/08 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Component Vectors 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Reminders:

  1. This is a cohort B If you are in-person, you will attend on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are online, you will tune in using zoom those days. You should attend advocacy each day either in-person or virtually depending on your cohort.

Weekly Update February 22nd

Welcome back to another week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:30 – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can find the magnitudes and directions of vectors by using the distance formula and the tangent identity.
  2. Students can use vectors in component form to determine whether vectors are equal, opposite, or parallel.

New Assignments (Due 02/19 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Component Vectors  (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 02/11 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Polar Coordinates Review (Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Reminders:

  1. This is a cohort B If you are in-person, you will attend on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are online, you will tune in using zoom those days. You should attend advocacy each day either in-person or virtually depending on your cohort.

Weekly Update February 8th

Welcome back to another week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:30 – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can graph polar coordinates.
  2. Students can find the magnitudes and directions of vectors by using the distance formula and the tangent identity.

New Assignments (Due 02/015 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Vectors 1 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 02/08 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Graphing Polar Coordinates (Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Reminders:

  1. This is a cohort B If you are in-person, you will attend on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are online, you will tune in using zoom those days. You should attend advocacy each day either in-person or virtually depending on your cohort.

Weekly Update January 25th

Welcome back to another week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30

Zoom ID: 715 0239 2695 (This is different from last semester)

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can convert polar coordinates to coterminal solutions in order to graph them.
  2. Students can find distances using polar coordinates.

New Assignments (Due 02/01 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Polar Coordinate Distances (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 01/25 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Polar Coordinates 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Record all assignments from Teams

Optional: Sat Prep at 4:00

Attend class at 10:45

Office hours at 1:30 – 2:30 if needed

Begin PC Distances assignment

Office hours from 2:30 – 3:30 if needed.

Attend class at 10:45 for SAT prep

Complete PC Distances assignment

Check all assignments for completion

 

 

Weekly Update January 19th

Welcome back to the second full week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30

Zoom ID: 715 0239 2695 (This is different from last semester)

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can convert polar coordinates to coterminal solutions in order to graph them.
  2. Students can identify and create real-world problems using polar coordinates.

New Assignments (Due 01/25 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Polar Coordinates 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 01/18 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Polar Coordinates 1 (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

NO SCHOOL

Attend class at 10:45

Office hours at 1:30 – 2:30 if needed

Begin Polar Coordinates 2 assignment

Office hours from 2:30 – 3:30 if needed.

Attend class at 10:45 for SAT prep

Complete Polar Coordinates 2 assignment

Check all assignments for completion

 

 

Weekly Update January 11th

Welcome back to the first full week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30

Zoom ID: 715 0239 2695 (This is different from last semester)

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can explain the difference between and uses of cartesian coordinates and polar coordinates.
  2. Students can identify and create real-world problems using polar coordinates.

New Assignments (Due 01/18 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Polar Coordinates 1 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 01/11 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Pretest (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Record all assignments for the week.

Attend class at 10:45

Office hours at 1:30 – 2:30 if needed

Begin Polar Coordinates assignment

Office hours from 2:30 – 3:30 if needed.

Attend class at 10:45 for SAT prep

Complete Polar Coordinates assignment

Check all assignments for completion

 

Finals Week (Math)

Here is how your math final will work:
 
The Final: Similar to the Final Review, both the final and the sheet for your answers will appear in Teams Monday (14th) at 8 AM. It is due by 4 PM on Tuesday (15th). I will not accept late finals. Please submit it early in case you encounter tech issues. That way, you will have time to turn it in.
 
A few notes:
  • If Teams gives you trouble, you can download the answer sheet, record your answers, and either upload it to Teams or email it to me.
  • Please do not use Sharepoint. I have had trouble accessing student work when it is done using Sharepoint and Teams. Please either complete the document on Teams, or download it and upload it as described in the previous note.
  • If you had graphing problems on the review, you will also have them on the final. You can complete the graphs by hand and upload pictures of them or use a program like Microsoft Paint to draw on the graphs digitally.
Schedule: You do not have normal classes this week. However, I will be available during the following times if you have clarification questions, want to check your grade, or feel like chatting. Use the normal class Zoom info if you want to check in. I am available:
  • Monday, 8:45 - 9:30 and 11:00 - 11:45
  • Tuesday: 8:45 - 9:30 and 10:45 - 11:30
  • Wednesday: Not available.
I believe that is everything. Best of luck, and may the force be with you!
 
Best,
-Cuevas

Weekly Update December 7th

Welcome back for another week of Precalculus! This week, we will be going through the Final Review posted on Teams, and then your final will be uploaded on Monday, December 14th. Here’s what to expect for the week:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. This week, we are reviewing all material from the past semester in preparation for the final.

New Aignments (Due 12/11 at 4:00 PM)

  1. Final Review
  2. All old work is due by 4pm on Wednesday, December 9th.

Late Assignments (10% off after 12/07 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Dividing Polynomials (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Record all assignments for the week. Begin Final Review

Attend class at 10:45

Continue working on Final Review

Submit all late work by 4 PM

Attend class at 10:45

Complete Final Review and submit by 4 PM

 

Weekly Update November 30th

Welcome back for another week of Precalculus! Just two more weeks before finals. We will be learning new material this week, reviewing next week, and then your final will be uploaded on Monday, December 14th. Here’s what to expect for the week:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We can use our knowledge of long division to divide polynomials that cannot be reduced using factoring.

New Assignments (Due 12/07 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Dividing Polynomials (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 11/30 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solutions of Rational Expressions 3 (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Record all assignments for the week. Begin Dividing Polynomials assignment

Attend class at 10:45

Continue working on Dividing Polynomials assignment

Attend class at 10:45

Complete assignment

Check all assignments for completion

 

Weekly Update November 16th

Welcome back for another week of Precalculus! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We can use our knowledge of factoring and functions using fractions in order to combine, solve, and graph rational expressions.
  2. We can idenfity and describe vertical and horizontal asymptotes on graphs and in equations.

New Assignments (Due 11/23 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solutions of Rational Expressions 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 11/16 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solutions of Rational Expressions (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Record all assignments for the week. Begin Rational Expressions 2 assignment

Attend class at 10:45

Continue working on assignment

Attend class at 10:45

Complete assignment

Check all assignments for completion