In American mathematics education, precalculus, (or Algebra 3 in some areas) an advanced form of secondary school algebra, is a foundational mathematical discipline. It is also called Introduction to Analysis. In many schools, precalculus is actually two separate courses: Algebra and Trigonometry. Precalculus does not prepare students for calculus as pre-algebra prepares students for Algebra I. While pre-algebra teaches students many different fundamental algebra topics, precalculus does not involve calculus, but explores topics that will be applied in calculus. Some precalculus courses might differ with others in terms of content. For example, an honors level course might spend more time on topics such as conic sections, vectors, and other topics needed for calculus. A lower level class might focus on topics used in a wider selection of higher mathematical areas, such as matrices which are used in business.
In detail, precalculus deals with:
* Sets * Real numbers * Complex numbers * Solving inequalities and equations * Properties of functions * Composite functions * Polynomial functions * Rational functions * Trigonometry * Trigonometric functions and their inverses * Trigonometric identities * Conic sections * Exponential functions * Logarithmic functions * Sequences and series * Binomial theorem * Vectors * Parametric equations * Polar coordinates * Matrices * Mathematical induction * Limits
