{"id":194,"date":"2024-07-01T14:17:44","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T14:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/teachingsecondarymathematics\/?post_type=content&p=194"},"modified":"2024-08-07T10:40:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T10:40:23","slug":"chapter-14-pre-calculus-and-calculus","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/teachingsecondarymathematics\/content\/resources\/chapter-14-pre-calculus-and-calculus\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 14 – Pre-Calculus and Calculus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chapter 14 – Pre-Calculus and Calculus<\/h1>\n\n\n
Beginning with a conference at Tulane University in January 1986, there developed in the mathematics community a sense that calculus was not being taught in a way befitting a subject that was at once the culmination of the secondary mathematics curriculum and the gateway to collegiate science and mathematics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pre-calculus can be considered an extension of Algebra II and trigonometry. It fills in the gaps and reviews students in preparation for calculus. It can be approached from a function and\/or graphic perspective. Due to the advances in technology, a combined approach is a more feasible option when you consider the dynamics of the tools available to teachers and students. When it comes to calculus, the sad truth is that calculus is not a realization of secondary school preparation and an exciting beginning to future mathematical study. Instead, calculus continues to serve as an exit from the study of mathematics and related subject areas for many students<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
It is said that you learn something best when you teach it. That is true{em}but does that give you license to use a class as guinea pigs? How much should you know about a topic before embarking on the study of it with a class?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
You undoubtedly have had some logic as a part of your undergraduate program. Out of that information, what could be inserted into a precalculus course and why? If you have not had logic beyond basic truth tables, research the subject to determine what should be included in the precalculus class. As a part of your research, you should include a description of how much time it will take you to learn the material well enough to teach it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Part 2 of this exercise mentions learning material prior to teaching it. Does this imply you will be lecturing? Is lecturing more acceptable in an advanced course, because these are more capable students and there is so much information to cover? Why or why not?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exercise 14.2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using a graphing calculator or software, do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Graph one of each type of the functions:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Constant<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Linear<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Quadratic<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Polynomial<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Rational<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Exponential<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Logarithmic<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Select any three of these functions and describe their similarities and differences. List the main points you would bring out to students if you were comparing and contrasting the selected three in a precalculus class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Graph at least four trigonometric functions:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = sin(x<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = cos(x<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = tan(x<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = csc(x<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = sec(x<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = cot(x<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is rather common to have an elaborate explanation of the development of sine using a unit circle. Use the unit circle to explain why one of the other trigonometric functions behaves as it does. Build your discussion in the form of a lesson plan. You should incorporate technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Graph one of each type of the functions:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Power<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = Reciprocal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = Absolute value<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = Trigonometric inverse<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = Greatest-integer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f(x)<\/em> = Piecewise<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which of these functions were you exposed to prior to a precalculus or calculus course? Is it reasonable to expect similar backgrounds from students taking the course at the time you are reading this question? Why or why not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Which of the graphs in parts 1\u20133 of this exercise accepts a vertical or horizontal shift?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Which of the graphs in parts 1\u20133 of this exercise can be compressed or stretched? Describe an example of one of the compressions or stretches in the format that would be appropriate for students in a precalculus class.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
What change or rotation would make one graph from each of parts 1\u20133 of this exercise no longer fit the definition of a function? Develop a lesson plan for each of the three examples you select.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Do you think a beginning teacher should be assigned to teach a precalculus class? Why or why not?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exercise 14.3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
The text discusses dealing with f<\/em>(g<\/em>(x<\/em>)) when f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = 2x<\/em> and g<\/em>(x<\/em>) = 3x<\/em> – 4. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of approaching this by using a graphing calculator or function plotting software.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
When f<\/em>(x<\/em>) = x<\/em>2<\/sup> + 5x<\/em> – 6 and g<\/em>(x<\/em>) = x<\/em>2<\/sup> + 7, what is f<\/em>(g<\/em>(x<\/em>))? What is g<\/em>(f<\/em>(x<\/em>))? Does f<\/em>(g<\/em>(x<\/em>)) = g<\/em>(f<\/em>(x<\/em>)) in general? When does g<\/em>(f<\/em>(x<\/em>)) = f<\/em>(g<\/em>(x<\/em>)), if ever? Develop a lesson plan for this problem. It should include technology, and you should assume the students have the appropriate skills and background with the calculator or software selected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Describe how you would determine a class background on compound functions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
How extensive should the treatment of compound functions be in a precalculus class? Defend your position.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exercise 14.4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
Find a different derivation of the quadratic formula. Compare and contrast it with the one presented here. Are the differences significant or mostly cosmetic and author preference? How should secondary students react to these different avenues to arrive at the same destination? Why?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Can the quadratic formula be introduced to students prior to the traditional algebra class? Defend your position.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Are there other derivations like that of the quadratic formula given here that students should have seen in prerequisite courses for college algebra? If you say yes, list at least three and discuss their value to the precalculus course. If you say no, defend your position, part of which should include a rationalization for why the particular derivation should or should not be included in the precalculus course.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exercise 14.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
Create a lesson designed to teach a class about a quadratic function (parabola) that is symmetric and opens downward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Using part 1 of this exercise, modify the lesson so the function shows the other two possible cases of roots. Do you think this is too much to cover in one day? Why or why not?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exercise 14.6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
Summarize the situations in the lives of Newton and Leibniz that impacted their association with each other.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Find two historical texts on mathematics by different authors. Who is credited with the discovery of calculus in each text?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Name two other individuals who are credited with making significant contributions to the development of calculus. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exercise 14.7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
Describe how technology has been used as a part of your learning calculus. List the strengths and weaknesses of your learning process in calculus. What would you suggest to make the course better through the use of technology?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Define your position on the use of technology in the calculus class at the secondary level. Advanced Placement (AP) exams are now written assuming technology is available for the student. How much emphasis should technology receive in the learning of calculus?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Should tools like the Casio CFX-9850, TI-84 Plus, and WolframAlpha be permitted in high school calculus classes? Why or why not? (It is likely that ETS will permit their use within a few years of the publication of this text.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Should calculus class time be used to instruct students on the use of technology? Why or why not?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The AP examinations now permit the use of graphing calculators, but exclude the use of computers and software. Is that a reasonable position in light of the power of some graphing calculators? Why or why not?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
How would you respond to a member of a college mathematics department who was criticizing you for using graphing calculators, the Casio CFX-9850, TI-84 Plus, and WolframAlpha, in your high school calculus class because the students are not permitted to use those tools in their college calculus class?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Describe a calculus situation that would be negatively impacted by a student\u2019s assumption that two items are equal when they are actually only approximately equal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n