High School Block:

Pre-Calculus 120A

Pre-Calculus 120A provides foundations for calculus and includes algebra, trigonometry, and functions. Learners will become familiar with the evaluation, transformation, graphing, and inverses of functions; extend algebra skills to logarithmic and exponential expressions; use the unit circle to develop an understanding of trigonometric relationships and identities. Prior knowledge of algebra and geometry serve as a foundation for the concepts introduced in Precalculus 120A, and directly builds on material from Precalculus 110. This course develops preparatory skills for calculus; complements and is co-requisite with Pre-Calculus 120B.

Topics include graphs of functions and related equations; inverse, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions; angles in standard position in degrees and radians; unit circle; trigonometric ratios and sine, cosine and tangent equations to solve problems; trigonometric identities.

Pre-Calculus 110 is recommended prior to enrolling in Pre-Calculus 120A.

CONTEXTS AND CONCEPTS

Strategies

  • Using algorithms, thinking strategies, and reason to explore mathematical ideas
  • Using technology to explore, estimate, verify, and visualize mathematical concepts
  • Choosing the most efficient approach strategically and with flexibility
  • Determining the reasonableness of solutions and verifying correctness of solutions
  • Modeling with mathematics to make sense of phenomena

Processes

  • Deriving mathematical rules and algorithms
  • Using calculators
  • Using simulations
  • Graphical flexibility through transformations (stretch and translation)
  • Working with domain and range and non-permissible values
  • Working with test points and critical values
  • Converting between formats, representations, and equivalents
  • Similarity
  • Formulating and using inverses to obtain solutions

Fluency

  • CAST rule
  • Horizontal line test
  • Absolute value
  • Invariant points
  • Exponential functions
  • Logarithmic functions
  • Periodic functions
  • Sinusoidal curves
  • Degrees and radians
  • Polar coordinates
  • Arc lengths
  • Coterminal angles
  • Trigonometric identities
  • Algebra with exponents and logarithms, and associated laws

Communication

  • Expressing mathematical relationships using constants, variables, and functions
  • Formulating and justifying mathematical arguments
  • Representing mathematical ideas using symbolic, graphical, and numerical forms.
  • Communicating ideas orally using mathematical language
GRADE 12

Strand: Relations and Functions

Big Idea: Algebraic and Graphical Reasoning

Skill Descriptor: Analyze transformations of functions.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Classify transformations applied to graphs or equations of functions
  • Describe the effects of transformations by comparing the graph 𝑦 = a𝑓(b(π‘₯ βˆ’ β„Ž)) + π‘˜ to the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯)
  • Describe transformations of functions using functional notation
  • Describe transformations of functions using mathematical language
  • Sketch the graph of y = a𝑓(b(π‘₯ βˆ’ β„Ž)) + π‘˜ from a given sketch of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯) where the equation of 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯) is not given
  • Write the equation of a function whose graph is transformed from the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯)
  • Write the equation of a transformed function given descriptions of the transformations applied to 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯)

Skill Descriptor: Analyze inverse functions.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Describe the effects on coordinate points and/or functions when reflected through the line 𝑦 = π‘₯
  • Sketch the reflection of 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯) through the line 𝑦 = π‘₯ given a graph or equation of 𝑓(π‘₯)
  • Write the equation of a function given the graph of its reflection through the line 𝑦 = π‘₯
  • Explain how the graph of the line 𝑦 = π‘₯ can be used to sketch the inverse of a relation
  • Explain how the transformation (π‘₯, 𝑦) β†’ (𝑦, π‘₯) can be used to sketch the inverse of a relation
  • Justify if the reflection of a function through y = x is a function
  • Sketch the graph of the inverse function given the graph of a function
  • Identify the domain restrictions of a function so its inverse is a function
  • Determine the inverse function given a graph y = 𝑓(π‘₯)
  • Determine the inverse function algebraically given the equation y = 𝑓(π‘₯)
  • Explain relationships between 𝑓(π‘₯) and the inverse function of 𝑓(π‘₯)
  • Identify if two functions are inverses of each other algebraically and/or graphically including functions previously covered and functions within Pre-Calculus 120A
  • Apply properties of inverses to the graphs of trigonometric functions

Skill Descriptor: Analyze radical functions.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify the characteristics of radical functions including domain, range, and intercepts
  • Sketch the graph of the function y = a b ( x h ) + k by applying transformations to the graph of the function y = x
  • Explain why the domain and range of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(π‘₯), and its square root function y = x , may differ
  • Determine radical expressions from given graphs
  • Generalize characteristics between radical functions and their indices

Skill Descriptor: Analyze exponential functions.

Global Competencies: CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify characteristics of exponential functions including domain, range, intercepts, and equations of horizontal asymptotes
  • Sketch the graph of an exponential function by applying transformations to the graph
  • Determine exponential equations that represent given graphs

Skill Descriptor: Analyze logarithmic functions.

Global Competencies: CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify characteristics of logarithmic functions including domain, range, intercepts, and equations of asymptotes
  • Sketch the graph of the functionΒ  y = a log c ( b ( x h ) ) + k
    by applying transformations to the graph of the function y = log c x
  • Determine logarithmic equations that represent given graphs

Strand: Number

Big Idea: Number Sense

Skill Descriptor: Evaluate logarithmic and exponential expressions.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Change expressions from logarithmic form to exponential form and vice versa
  • Determine the exact value of a logarithm without technology
  • Justify the estimated value of a logarithm using benchmarks
  • Approximate the values of natural logarithms or powers base 𝑒 using technology

Big Idea: Algebra

Skill Descriptor: Apply logarithmic laws to solve problems.

Global Competencies: CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Generalize the laws for logarithms using numeric examples and exponent laws
  • Expand logarithmic expressions with variable and numerical inputs using logarithmic laws
  • Condense logarithmic expressions with variable and numerical inputs using logarithmic laws
  • Write equivalent logarithmic expressions with different bases

Skill Descriptor: Solve problems that involve exponential and logarithmic equations.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Determine solutions of exponential equations in which the expressions can be rewritten with the same integer base
  • Determine solutions of exponential equations in which the bases are not powers of one another
  • Explain why a value obtained in solving logarithmic equations may be extraneous
  • Model phenomena with exponential functions
  • Interpret characteristics of functions within given post-secondary, work ready, or life contextual problems
  • Solve exponential growth and decay problems
  • Solve financial application problems involving exponential equations
  • Solve problems involving 𝑒x and ln x

Strand: Shape and Space

Big Idea: Trigonometry

Skill Descriptor: Represent angles in standard position.

Global Competencies: CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Sketch angles in standard position (positive or negative)
  • Sketch angles in standard position with measures expressed in the form π‘˜ Ο€ radians where π‘˜ is a rational number
  • Convert angle measurements between radians (exact value or decimal approximation) and degrees
  • Determine the reference angle of given angle measurements
  • Determine coterminal angles within given domains
  • Determine general form of all coterminal angles given angles
  • Solve problems using the relationship between the radian measure of an angle in standard position and the length of the arc cut on a circle of radius r

Skill Descriptor: Develop the equation of the unit circle.

Global Competencies: CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Derive the equation of the unit circle from the Pythagorean Theorem
  • Describe the six trigonometric ratios using a point 𝑃(π‘₯, 𝑦) that is the intersection of the terminal arm of an angle and the unit circle
  • Generalize the equation of a circle with centre (0, 0) and radius π‘Ÿ, and circles with centres not at the origin and radius π‘Ÿ

Skill Descriptor: Solve problems using trigonometric ratios for angles.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Determine the approximate value of a trigonometric ratio for any angle with technology
  • Determine the exact value of a trigonometric ratio for special angles
  • Justify strategies used to determine the exact value of trigonometric ratios
  • Determine angles in a specified domain given the value of a trigonometric ratio
  • Determine the exact values of trigonometric ratios given the coordinates of a point on the terminal arm of an angle in standard position
  • Determine the angles in a specified domain given a point on the terminal arm of an angle in standard position
  • Determine the exact values of trigonometric ratios given the value of one trigonometric ratio in a specified domain

Skill Descriptor: Solve problems using sine, cosine, tangent functions.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = sin π‘₯, 𝑦 = cos π‘₯, and 𝑦 = tan π‘₯
  • Determine the characteristics of 𝑦 = π‘Ž sin 𝑏(π‘₯ βˆ’ 𝑐) + 𝑑, 𝑦 =π‘Ž cos 𝑏(π‘₯ βˆ’ 𝑐) + 𝑑, or 𝑦 = tan π‘₯ given a graph
  • Determine the characteristics of 𝑦 = π‘Ž sin 𝑏(π‘₯ βˆ’ 𝑐) + 𝑑, 𝑦 =π‘Ž cos 𝑏(π‘₯ βˆ’ 𝑐) + 𝑑, or 𝑦 = tan π‘₯ given an equation
  • Describe how transformations affect the graphs of sinusoidal functions
  • Sketch graphs of the form 𝑦 = π‘Ž sin 𝑏(π‘₯ βˆ’ 𝑐) + 𝑑 or 𝑦 =π‘Ž cos 𝑏(π‘₯ βˆ’ 𝑐) + 𝑑 without technology
  • Determine the sine and cosine functions that represent given graphs
  • Model cyclical phenomena using sinusoidal functions
  • Analyze graphs of trigonometric functions to solve problems

Skill Descriptor: Solve trigonometric equations.

Global Competencies: CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Verify if a given value is a solution to a trigonometric equation
  • Solve first-degree trigonometric equations (i.e., one or more steps to solve)
  • Solve second-degree trigonometric equations
  • Determine the approximate solution(s) of first- and second-degree trigonometric equations with a restricted domain using technology
  • Determine the approximate general solution of given first- and second-degree trigonometric equations using technology

Skill Descriptor: Prove trigonometric identities algebraically.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Verify trigonometric identities numerically
  • Explain why verifying the two sides of a trigonometric identity are equal for given values is insufficient to conclude the identity is valid
  • Determine the non-permissible values of a trigonometric identity using known trigonometric identities
  • Prove algebraically that a given trigonometric identity is valid
  • Determine the exact value of a trigonometric ratio using sum, difference, or double-angle identities for given angles