Precalculus 2: Polynomials and rational functions
The Algebra 2 topics of polynomials and rational functions, preparing for studies of Calculus
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42 hours
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Mar 2025
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What you will learn
How to solve problems concerning polynomials or rational functions (illustrated with 160 solved problems) and why these methods work.
Definition and basic terminology for polynomials: variable, coefficient, degree; a brief repetition about powers with rational exponents, and main power rules.
Arithmetical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication) on polynomials; the polynomial ring R[x].
Completing the square for solving second degree equations and plotting parabolas; derivation of the quadratic formula.
Polynomial division: quotient and remainder; three methods for performing the division: factoring out the dividend, long division, undetermined coefficients.
Vieta's formulas for quadratic and cubic polynomials; Binomial Theorem (proof will be given in Precalculus 4) as a special case of Vieta's formulas.
The Remainder Theorem and The Factor Theorem with many applications; the proofs, based on the Division Theorem (proven in an article), are presented.
Ruffini-Horner Scheme for division by monic binomials of degree one, with many examples of applications; the derivation of the method is presented.
Factoring polynomials, its applications for solving polynomial equations and inequalities, and its importance for Calculus.
Polynomials as functions: their domain, range, zeros, intervals of monotonicity, and graphs (just rough sketches).
Behaviour of polynomials near to zero and in both infinities, and why it is important to understand these topics (Taylor polynomials); limits in the infinities.
Rational functions: their definition, domain, zeros, (y-intercept), intervals of monotonicity, asymptotes (infinite limits), and graphs (just rough sketches).
Application of factoring polynomials for solving *rational* equations and inequalities, and its importance for Calculus.
Partial fraction decomposition and its importance for Integral Calculus; some simple examples of integration.
Derivatives and antiderivatives of polynomials are polynomials; a brief introduction to derivatives.
Derivatives of rational functions are rational functions; antiderivatives can also involve inverse tangent (arctan) and logarithm.
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udemy ID
2/21/2022
course created date
6/22/2022
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