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Minahil
Student
Fredericksburg, Virginia
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What do I need to know to be ready for DE Precalc?
I am taking DE Pre-calc in my junior year of high school. What do I need to know? I have heard that algebra is necessary, but what specific topics are necessary for doing well in pre-calc?
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3 answers
مؤمن العسكرى
electrical
6
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Sohag Al Gadida City, Sohag Governorate
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مؤمن’s Answer
Hi Minahil! Taking DE Pre-calc as a junior is a great move, but you're right—it moves fast because it's a college-level course. To be fully ready, you should master these specific Algebra 2 topics:
Functions & Their Graphs: This is the heart of Pre-calc. You must understand domain and range, transformations (shifting/reflecting graphs), and how to find inverse functions.
Factoring & Quadratics: You should be able to factor polynomials quickly. If you struggle with the quadratic formula or completing the square, practice those now.
Exponents & Logarithms: Pre-calc goes deep into logs. Make sure you know the properties of logarithms and how to solve exponential equations.
Trigonometry Basics: If you’ve touched on the Unit Circle, SOH-CAH-TOA, or basic identities in Algebra 2, review them. Pre-calc is often 50% Trigonometry.
Rational Expressions: Be comfortable simplifying complex fractions and finding vertical/horizontal asymptotes.
Pro Tip: Since it’s a Dual Enrollment course, stay organized. The workload is higher than a standard high school class. Good luck!
Functions & Their Graphs: This is the heart of Pre-calc. You must understand domain and range, transformations (shifting/reflecting graphs), and how to find inverse functions.
Factoring & Quadratics: You should be able to factor polynomials quickly. If you struggle with the quadratic formula or completing the square, practice those now.
Exponents & Logarithms: Pre-calc goes deep into logs. Make sure you know the properties of logarithms and how to solve exponential equations.
Trigonometry Basics: If you’ve touched on the Unit Circle, SOH-CAH-TOA, or basic identities in Algebra 2, review them. Pre-calc is often 50% Trigonometry.
Rational Expressions: Be comfortable simplifying complex fractions and finding vertical/horizontal asymptotes.
Pro Tip: Since it’s a Dual Enrollment course, stay organized. The workload is higher than a standard high school class. Good luck!
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
257
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Pre-calculus is a combination of College Algebra and Trigonometry & Analytic Geometry. Preferably, you should have already successfully completed Algebra I and Algebra II classes, which are essential preparation for a Pre-Calculus class.
There is a good free online pre-calculus book, Precalculus 2e (https://www.careervillage.org/questions/1107096), provided by OpenStax (https://openstax.org/). You should find a list of topics in a typical pre-calculus class.
There is a good free online pre-calculus book, Precalculus 2e (https://www.careervillage.org/questions/1107096), provided by OpenStax (https://openstax.org/). You should find a list of topics in a typical pre-calculus class.
Jesenia Guzman
Office/Administrative Support
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jesenia’s Answer
Pre cal main topics are complex numbers, polynomials, functions and trigonometry. I recommend checking out this book from your local library https://librarypoint.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=precalculus%20the%20easy%20way&searchType=smart
This website is also a great start - https://www.khanacademy.org/math/get-ready-for-precalculus.
This website is also a great start - https://www.khanacademy.org/math/get-ready-for-precalculus.