High School Precalculus
High school precalculus is an advanced form of algebraic math and a student’s gateway to calculus and college-level mathematics. This High School Precalculus Web Guide can help teachers, students and parents navigate the abundance of precalculus resources, including study guides, available online.
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Expand All Guide SectionsResources for Precalculus Students
Students hoping to advance their studies to include calculus first need to face precalculus in high ... read more »
Precalculus Resources for Teachers
Often referred to as college algebra when taken past the high school level, precalculus requires ... read more »
Precalculus Resources for Parents
Precalculus can be just as challenging for parents as it is for students, but the Web provides plenty of resources to refresh your mathematical skills or even help you start from scratch. And if that isn’t enough, there are a number of opportunities to find help outside of the home.
Dulcinea's Insight
- University math departments often offer extra practice tests and old tests online for additional review, as well as explanations of how each problem is solved. The University of Texas at El Paso’s Web site is a good example.
- If precalculus proves to be more challenging than you or your child first expected, don’t be afraid to seek out a study group or private tutor. Look for professional math tutors online or locally through online directories like YellowPages.com.
- The TI-84 is the graphing calculator of choice for precalculus students and can be purchased online from most electronics retailers. Details about the calculator’s capabilities and pricing can be found on the Texas Instruments Web site. Meanwhile, Pearson Education provides online tutorials for the TI-84 for those unfamiliar with graphing calculators.
Dulcinea's Picks
Getting started with precalculus …
The Oregon State University Math Department
provides a guide to precalculus, complete with rules, explanations and examples students should be aware of.
Exploring Precalculus
is an often-cited source of basic subject material, introducing the topic in six quick steps. The site concludes with a short description of ideas you should understand before moving on to calculus.
For extra precalculus practice …
ExploreLearning
has “Gizmos,” or online simulations of math concepts and situations, that visually show students how to work through problems. Each Gizmo has a guide that explains how to use it. Use the variety of free material available or consider a subscription.
Hotmath.com
allows students to choose their particular textbook and view problems from each and how they are figured. There is a free lesson, but all others require membership ($29 for two months or $49 a year).
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