Skip to content
  • Bucks for Students
    Enroll + Register
    • Academics
    • Admissions Information
    • Register for Courses
    • Placement Testing
    • Academic Advising
    • Majors + Certificates
    • College Catalog
    • Bucks Online
    • Honors at Bucks
    • Academic Schools
    • Student Forms

    Apply Now

    Planning + Payment
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Work Study Employment
    • Payment Options
    • Your Account
    • Tuition + Fees
    Transfer + Graduate
        • Transfer Information
        • Planning Your Transfer
        • Transfer by Institution
        • Transfer by Major
        • Graduation
        • Order a Transcript
        • Career Services
        • Digital Badges

    Life at Bucks
    • Student Affairs Office
    • First Year Experience
    • Student Life
    • Athletics
    • College Events
    • Fitness + Wellness
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Alumni
    • Parents + Families
    • Bucks+

    Basic Needs

    • Accessibility Resources
    • Campus Services
    • Canvas
    • Bucks Email
    • Change Password
    • Pay Tuition
    • Student Planning
    • Workday Student
    • MyBucks
     
  • Bucks for Community

    Classes + Activities

    Icon of a pencil and brush
    Personal Enrichment
    • Community+ Membership
    • Makerspace
    • Art + Photography
    • Culinary Classes
    • Empowering Minds: For 45+
    • English as a Second Language (ESL)
    • Health + Wellness
    • History
    • Special Interest & Personal Development
    • Home School
    • Languages
    • Music
    • Browse All Courses
    Icon of a sun
    Kids on Campus Programs
    • Kids Korner
    • Camps for Ages 5-6
    • Camps for Ages 7-9
    • Camps for Ages 10-12
    • Teen Experiences for Ages 13-17
    • Camp Information
    • Camp Scholarships
    • Preschool Summer Program
    • Register for Camp

    Events

    Arts + Culture
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Concerts
    • Foundation Events
    • Book Discussions
    • Wordsmiths

    Find Tickets

    Event Venues

    • Sculpture Walk
    • Zlock Performing Arts Center
      Zlock Performing Arts Center

    • The Gallery at Lower Bucks

    • Hicks Art Center Gallery
    • Bucks County Community College Fickes Gallery at Upper Bucks Campus
      Fickes Gallery at Upper Bucks
    Facilities
    • Facilities Rental

     
  • Bucks for Career
    Briefcase
    Career Development
    • Child Development Associate
    • Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    • Educators (Act 48)
    • Esthetics
    • Floral Design
    • Human Resources
    • Locomotive Engineer
    • Nonprofit Management Series
    • Notary
    • Online Learning
    • More
    Fire extinguisher
    Fire + Public Safety
    • Public Safety Training + Certificate Course Schedule
    • Fire Training Weekends
    • Industrial Safety Training (OSHA)
    • Virtual Public Safety Training
    • Other Training + Resources
    • Training Facilities
    • More
    Heart with line
    Healthcare
    • CPR + First Aid Training
    • Dental Assistant
    • Nurse Aide
    • Nursing Review & Reentry
    • Practical Nursing
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • More
    Tools crossed
    Industrial + Manufacturing
    • Building & Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Metalwork Pre-Apprenticeship Training
    • Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Electrical Training
    • Locomotive Engineer + Conductor
    • Welding Training
    • Workforce Development
    • More
    Man fixing server
    Information Technology
    • Beginner Computer Classes
    • Computer Aided Design
    • Cyber Security and Networking
    • Desktop Support
    • Microsoft Office Applications
    • Software Training
    • Certification Testing
     
  • Library
  • Calendar + News
  • Apply
  • MyBucks
Bucks County Community College

Courses + Programs

Row of books on a shelf, multicolored book spines, stack in the foreground.
  Academics  —  Courses + Programs  —  Master Course Outlines

MATH125 Precalculus

Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics: Mathematics

I. Course Number and Title
MATH125 Precalculus
II. Number of Credits
4 credits
III. Number of Instructional Minutes
3000
IV. Prerequisites
MATH Placement Test score of 9 or MATH122 (C or better)
Corequisites
None
V. Other Pertinent Information

A comprehensive departmental final examination is included in this course.

This course meets the General Education requirement for Quantitative Literacy.

VI. Catalog Course Description
This course introduces the foundations of analysis designed to precede the calculus sequence with emphasis on functions and graphs. Topics include properties of absolute value, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, techniques for solving equations and inequalities, and an introduction to the concept of limits and the difference quotient.
VII. Required Course Content and Direction
  1. Course Learning Goals

    Students will:

    1. analyze calculus-related concepts, such as limits, tangent to a curve, and the difference quotient;
    2. L
    3. apply the properties of functions, such as finding the domain and range, determine zeros of functions, symmetries of a function, vertical, horizontal, and oblique asymptotes, use limits to determine end behavior of a function, develop the skills to graph functions, and accurately use a graphing calculator to find transformations of graphs;
    4. perform operations of functions - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, composition, find and graph inverse functions, solve problems involving maximizing and minimizing a quadratic function, and construct mathematical models with functions using real-world applications or formulas;
    5. graph exponential and logarithmic functions, accurately use the properties of logarithms and the definition of e, solve exponential and logarithmic equations, and application problems using exponents and logarithms;
    6. define trigonometric functions, using the unit circle and right triangle definition, graph trigonometric functions, find the inverse trigonometric functions, verify trigonometric identities and formulas, solve trigonometric equations and solve problems, using real-world applications;
    7. develop the ability to analyze, interpret, and apply quantitative information [Quantitative Literacy].
  2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities

    The following is a list of the minimum amount of course material to be covered by the instructor. Accompanying each topic is an approximate number of lessons required to study the topic.

    1. Review Topics
      1. exponents and scientific notation
      2. radicals and rational exponents
      3. polynomials
      4. factoring polynomials
      5. rational expressions
      6. linear equations
      7. quadratic equations
      8. linear inequalities
    2. Graphs, Functions, and Models
      1. graphs and graphing utilities
      2. lines and slopes
      3. distance and midpoint formulas, circles
      4. basic functions
      5. graphs of functions
      6. transformations of functions
      7. combinations of functions, composite functions
      8. inverse functions
      9. modeling with functions
    3. Polynomial and Rational Functions
      1. complex numbers
      2. quadratic functions and applications
      3. polynomials functions, application, and graphs
      4. dividing polynomials; remainder and factor theorem
      5. zeros of polynomial functions
      6. rational functions and graphs polynomial and rational inequalities
    4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
      1. exponential functions
      2. logarithmic functions
      3. properties of logarithms
      4. exponential and logarithmic equations
      5. optional: modeling with exponential and logarithmic functions
    5. Trigonometric Functions and Analytical Trigonometry
      1. angles and their measure
      2. trigonometric functions; the unit circle
      3. right triangle trigonometry
      4. trigonometric functions of any angle
      5. graphs of sine and cosine functions
      6. graphs of other trigonometric functions
      7. inverse trigonometric functions
      8. applications of trigonometric functions
      9. verifying trigonometric identities
      10. sum and difference formulas
      11. double angle and half angle identities
    6. Additional Topics in Trigonometry
      1. optional: product to sum and sum to product formulas
      2. trigonometric equations
      3. the law of sines
      4. the law of cosines
  3. Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals

    Students apply mathematical concepts and principles to identify and solve problems presented through informal assessment, such as oral communication among students and between teacher and students, and formal assessment using open-ended questions reflecting theoretical and applied situations.

    A minimum of 70% of a student's grade must be determined from proctored assessments and work. These proctored assessments include tests, quizzes, departmental final exam, or other proctored in-class assignments.

    The final exam must be at least 20% of the course grade. Study guides, formula sheets, and other aids may not be used on the final exam.

  4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:

    Departmentally-selected textbook and TI-30X IIS scientific calculator (not the MutiView series) is required. Details provided by the instructor or each course section. See course syllabus.

Review/Approval Date - 3/06; Core Goals/Objectives added 10/04; New Core 8/2015; Updated 11/2019; Revised 4/29/24; Revised 12/4/2024

  • Academic Advising
  • Academic Schools
  • Academic Majors
  • Catalog
  • Course Descriptions
  • Master Course Outlines
  • Occupational Programs
  • Transfer Programs
  • Certificate Programs
circle logo
Newtown | 215-968-8000
275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
Bristol | 267-685-4800
1304 Veterans Highway Bristol, PA 19007
Perkasie | 215-258-7700
One Hillendale Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944
Bucks Online | 215-968-8052
Learn from anywhere



  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Tiktok
  • Watch Us on YouTube

© Bucks County Community College.
All rights reserved.

Find Campus Services

  • Accessibility - TAO
  • Admissions
  • Advising
  • Basic Needs
  • Bookstore
  • Career + Job Resources
  • Catalog
  • Collegiate Recovery Program
  • Counseling
  • Dining
  • Early Learning Center
  • ESL Programs
  • Financial Aid
  • Fitness and Wellness
  • IT Help Desk
  • KEYS Program
  • Library
  • Media Lab
  • Perkins
  • Prior Learning Assessment
  • Registrar
  • Security + Safety
  • Success Advocates
  • Testing 
  • Transfer + Planning
  • Tutoring
  • Veteran Resources

Faculty + Staff Resources

  • MyBucks
  • Office 365
  • Canvas
  • Faculty Center
  • Faculty Online Resources
  • Professional Development

Get Involved

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Athletics
  • Bucks+
  • Calendar + News
  • Event Tickets
  • Lectures + Conferences
  • Student Life

Read Notices + Policies

  • Academic Policies
  • Student Policies
  • Human Resources Policies
  • Information Technology
  • Administration
  • Advancement
  • Consumer Information
  • Disclaimers
  • Holiday Statement
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Web Accessibility

Advancement + Alumni

  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Board of Directors
  • Scholarships
  • Special Events

Explore Campus

  • Bucks Online
  • Newtown Campus
  • Lower Bucks Campus
  • Upper Bucks Campus
  • Parking
  • Facilities Rental
  • Weddings in Tyler Gardens
  • Purchasing
  • Sustainability
  • Emergency Closing Information

Find Jobs

  • Student + Work-Study Employment
  • Faculty + Staff Employment

Discover Bucks

  • Accreditations
  • Mission + Vision
  • Board of Trustees
  • Office of the President
  • Government & Community Relations
  • Strategic Plan
  • History

Contact Us

  • Ways to Contact Us
  • Department + Office Directory
  • Faculty + Staff Directory
  • Social Media
  • Report an Issue
  • Order a Transcript
  • Emergency Text Alerts
  • System Status