# Thread: What to review before entering Precalc 1

1. ## What to review before entering Precalc 1

I will be entering precalculus 1 in college.
I'm not afraid because lately I have developed, somewhat, of a passion for mathematics because of computer science.

Then my question is, kindly asking, what are the concepts I need to know before entering?
If you have recommendations for precaculus worksheets that I should try, bring it on.

2. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by vaironxxrd
I will be entering precalculus 1 in college.
I'm not afraid because lately I have developed, somewhat, of a passion for mathematics because of computer science.
Then my question is, kindly asking, what are the concepts I need to know before entering?
If you have recommendations for precaculus worksheets that I should try, bring it on.
Syllabi for so-called pre-calculus courses are all over the board. I don’t think there is a standard pre-calculus course. That makes it difficult to answer your question. But one thing is for sure: you must be well grounded is all topics taught in basic algebra courses.

3. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by Plato
Syllabi for so-called pre-calculus courses are all over the board. I don’t think there is a standard pre-calculus course. That makes it difficult to answer your question. But one thing is for sure: you must be well grounded is all topics taught in basic algebra courses.
That wont be a problem. I know there are plenty of websites like Purplemath, Khan Academy, and youtube itself to understand the concepts.
To master the concepts just worksheets.

4. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

You should be familiar with topics covered in a standard algebra/geometry course. Review any topics you are struggling on.

5. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by richard1234
You should be familiar with topics covered in a standard algebra/geometry course. Review any topics you are struggling on.
Lots of polynomial factoring without calculator included?
I had quite a bit of trouble with that

6. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Yes, that always helps. Try the following:

$\displaystyle x^2 - 3x - 28 = 12$

$\displaystyle z^4 - 4z^3 + 6z^2 - 4z + 1 = 1$ (This one has two real roots and two non-real roots. If you haven't learned complex numbers yet, don't worry about the non-real roots).

7. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by richard1234
Yes, that always helps. Try the following:

$\displaystyle x^2 - 3x - 28 = 12$

$\displaystyle z^4 - 4z^3 + 6z^2 - 4z + 1 = 1$ (This one has two real roots and two non-real roots. If you haven't learned complex numbers yet, don't worry about the non-real roots).
Second one, I dint even try.

But here is the first one.

$\displaystyle x^2-3x-28=12$
subtract 12 from both sides
$\displaystyle x^2-3x-40=0$
Number1 * Number2 = -40
Number1 + Number2 = -3
5*-8 = -40
5 + -8 = -3

(X + 5)(X-8) = 0
X = -5 and X = 8

8. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by vaironxxrd
Second one, I dint even try.
For the second one, after you get everything on one side and factor out the common factor, then use the rational root theorem to find possible roots which you can then test with synthetic division.

9. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

First one's correct. For the second one, you have to realize it factors to

$\displaystyle (x-1)^4 = 1$.

So $\displaystyle x-1 = \pm 1$. If you've learned complex numbers, you can also say that $\displaystyle x-1 = \pm i$.

10. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by richard1234
First one's correct. For the second one, you have to realize it factors to

$\displaystyle (x-1)^4 = 1$.
Oh, right, that is much more straightforward than the method I offered.

vaironxxrd, for reference, see the binomial theorem. The 1, 4, 6, 4, 1 pattern in the coefficients should hint that the expression is a binomial expansion.

11. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by Reckoner
Oh, right, that is much more straightforward than the method I offered.

vaironxxrd, for reference, see the binomial theorem. The 1, 4, 6, 4, 1 pattern in the coefficients should hint that the expression is a binomial expansion.
Pardon me for the very late reply. I have researched and seen a couple of problems and explanation. But lost interested because it looks a bit complicated.
I need to know this before entering my course correct? Can I trust the Wikipedia article?

12. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Wikipedia's usually not a bad source for math info. However it can get really in-depth.

13. ## Re: What to review before entering Precalc 1

Originally Posted by vaironxxrd
Pardon me for the very late reply. I have researched and seen a couple of problems and explanation. But lost interested because it looks a bit complicated.
I need to know this before entering my course correct? Can I trust the Wikipedia article?
Sorry, I gave you the Wikipedia link as a starting point, but you certainly aren't meant to be able to understand the entire article. Purple Math has a more gentle introduction.

It isn't certain that you are expected to be familiar with this before entering your course (though it wouldn't hurt either way). In some institutions, the binomial theorem would be covered in a precalc course, but in others it might be introduced earlier.

,

,

### concepts to know before precalculus

Click on a term to search for related topics.