MATH153

This course, preceded by MATH 152, prepares students for the study of calculus. Problems are approached from a variety of perspectives, including graphical, numerical, verbal, and algebraic. The topics require students to exhibit critical thinking skills as they analyze a variety of problems, create functions from a problem situation, and solve optimization problems using those functions. Trigonometric identities are used as tools for rewriting trigonometric expressions. Types of functions studied include rational, exponential, and logarithmic. Students use their calculators and their understanding of the behavior of functions to perform regression analysis on data sets, including exponential and power functions. Parametric equations are introduced and used to define circles. Conic sections are also introduced. A graphing calculator is required; the specific model is determined by the Mathematics Department. (Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or higher in MATH-152 or equivalent)