AP® Precalculus A

AP® Precalculus A is the first semester in a two-semester series that will be your bridge to advanced mathematics courses such as college Calculus or AP® Calculus. As you explore polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, you’ll find out how equations become art and describe the world around us. In AP® Precalculus A, you will learn what is needed to enter exciting fields such as medicine, pharmaceutical engineering, forensic sciences, economics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and computer software engineering. This is an online course that will assume mastery of concepts in Algebra II and Geometry. As part of this course, students are expected to watch explanation videos, take notes on key concepts, solve practice problems, and analyze and correct errors.  

About AP® Courses

Advanced Placement® (AP) courses are equivalent to college-level courses. We highly recommend that you review the College Board’s AP Precalculus Course Information page before beginning this course. Students are required to take the UTHS final exam for each semester course to earn high school credit. Students wanting to earn college credit may take the AP® exam offered by the College Board after completing the semester B course; however, it is not required to receive credit for the course from UT High School. 

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• compare the rates of change at two points using average rates of change near the points;
• determine the average rates of change for sequences and functions, including linear, quadratic, and other function types; and
• determine the change in the average rates of change for linear, quadratic, and other function types.  
• express sequences found in mathematical and contextual scenarios as functions of the whole numbers;
• construct linear, quadratic, and exponential models based on a data set;
• evaluate the composition of two or more functions for given values;
• rewrite a given function as a composition of two or more functions.
• identify key characteristics of a polynomial function related to its zeros when suitable factorizations are available or with technology; and
• determine if a polynomial function is even or odd. 

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.  

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook (Free Resource): Precalculus 2e by Jay Abramson, Valeree Falduto, et al.
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue
• Graphing Calculator: A TI-84 is recommended for all UTHS math courses. Please review the UTHS Graphing Calculator Policy before purchasing a device. 

This semester includes:

• 2 Units
• 14 Graded Assignments
• 1 final exam

You must take and pass each semester’s final exam to receive credit for the course. After taking the semester B exam, you may take the AP^® Calculus exam offered by the CollegeBoard, but it is not required to receive credit for the course from UT High School.

The final examination is comprehensive; it covers the material from all units. To pass the course, you must receive a grade of 70 percent or better. You can apply to take the Final Exam after 100 percent of your graded assignments have been submitted, and at least 70 percent have been graded and returned to you.

• Format: Multiple-choice, online
• Time Allowed: 3 hours
• Materials Allowed: #2 pencils, graphing calculator

• Unit 1: Polynomial and Rational Functions
• Unit 2: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions