This Honors Pre-calculus online course is a comprehensive course that weaves together previous study of algebra, geometry, and functions into a preparatory course for calculus. The course focuses on the mastery of critical skills and exposure to new skills necessary for success in subsequent math courses. The first semester includes linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, radical, polynomial, and rational functions; systems of equations; and conic sections. The second semester covers trigonometric ratios and functions; inverse trigonometric functions; applications of trigonometry, including vectors and laws of cosine and sine; polar functions and notation; and arithmetic of complex numbers.

Within each Pre-calculus lesson, students are supplied with a post-study Checkup activity that provides them the opportunity to hone their computational skills in a low-stakes problem set before moving on to formal assessment. Additionally, connections are made throughout the Precalculus course to calculus, art, history, and a variety of other fields related to mathematics.

In the Honors course, Explore activities help students see further connections to other disciplines and other areas of mathematics, including calculus and geometry. Teacher-scored unit tests and semester exams are more open-ended and challenging than their Core counterparts, and Projects allow students to apply advanced mathematics in real-world contexts. In addition, scoring in the Honors Pre-calculus course places a greater weight on teacher-scored activities, so demonstration of higher-order thinking skills has a stronger impact on students’ grades.