Precalculus basics

This is a brief list of topics from Algebra and Trig that are vital to surviving a Calculus course. Included are Functions, Trig Functions, Solving Trig Equations and Equations, Exponential/Logarithm Functions and Solving Exponential/Logarithm Equations.

Functions. In this section we will cover function notation/evaluation, determining the domain and range of a function and function composition.

Trig Functions.In this section we will give a quick review of trig functions. We will cover the basic notation, relationship between the trig functions, the right triangle definition of the trig functions. We will also cover evaluation of trig functions as well as the unit circle (one of the most important ideas from a trig class!) and how it can be used to evaluate trig functions.

Solving Trig Equations. In this section we will discuss how to solve trig equations. The answers to the equations in this section will all be one of the standard angles that most students have memorized after a trig class. However, the process used here can be used for any answer regardless of it being one of the standard angles or not.

Exponential Functions In this section we will discuss exponential functions. We will cover the basic definition of an exponential function, the natural exponential function, i.e. , as well as the properties and graphs of exponential functions.

Logarithm Functions In this section we will discuss logarithm functions, evaluation of logarithms and their properties. We will discuss many of the basic manipulations of logarithms that commonly occur in Calculus (and higher) classes. Included is a discussion of the natural (ln(x)) and common logarithm ()as well as the change of base formula.

Exponential and Logarithm Equations In this section we will discuss various methods for solving equations that involve exponential functions or logarithm functions.

Common Graphs In this section we will do a very quick review of many of the most common functions and their graphs that typically show up in a Calculus class.