Mathematics

Foundations for Calculus

The algebra, graphs, exponentials, logarithms and trigonometry that calculus uses on every page, one skill at a time and with the care calculus needs.

  • Introductory
  • 67 lesson pairs
  • Free

About this course

This course sits between Precalculus and Calculus. It takes the skills that calculus uses without stopping to explain them and teaches them one at a time, from reading a formula and an interval to sketching the basic graphs, rewriting expressions, and working with logarithms and trigonometric functions.

The videos are coming out one at a time, in course order. Every lesson already has its own page with precise definitions, a worked example for each key term and a few exercises with answers, so you can start reading now.

The reference sheet collects the main definitions and formulas unit by unit. The function transformation explorer, the unit circle explorer and the tangent line explorer let you move a parameter or a point and watch the graph and the numbers respond.

Many lesson pages point to the calculus lessons where the same skill is needed, so you can see why it matters before you get there.

Good to know first

  • Arithmetic with fractions and negative numbers
  • Solving linear equations
  • Basic geometry of triangles and circles

Course outline

2 of 67 lesson pairs are on YouTube so far. Each pair is a theory video followed by a practice video, numbered as parts in the video titles. Open a unit to see its lessons, or follow a lesson for its definitions and examples.

  1. Reading Quantities and Graphs

    2 of 7 pairs on YouTube
    Open the Reading Quantities and Graphs unit page

    Formulas and Number Lines

    1. Theory part 1Practice part 2

      formula, function notation, variable, constant, substitution, parentheses, square, order of operations and units

    2. Theory part 3Practice part 4

      real number line, inequality, interval, open endpoint, closed endpoint, allowed values, union and infinity

      Builds on Reading Formulas and Substituting Values.

    Functions and Graphs

    1. Theory part 5Practice part 6

      function, input, output, domain, function notation, rule, table and unique output

      Builds on Reading Formulas and Substituting Values and Number Lines, Intervals, and Allowed Values.

    2. Theory part 7Practice part 8

      coordinate axes, ordered pair, horizontal coordinate, vertical coordinate, graph, scale, input and output

      Builds on Functions as Input-Output Relationships and Number Lines, Intervals, and Allowed Values.

    Lines, Rates, and Distance

    1. Theory part 9Practice part 10

      straight line, slope, rise, run, intercept, slope-intercept form, horizontal line and vertical line

      Builds on Reading Graphs and Plotting Points and Reading Formulas and Substituting Values.

    2. Theory part 11Practice part 12

      changing quantity, initial value, change in input, change in output, average rate of change, units of rate and secant slope

      Builds on Drawing Lines from Slope and Intercepts and Functions as Input-Output Relationships.

    3. Theory part 13Practice part 14

      absolute value, distance, nonnegative, number line, graph of absolute value, vertex and symmetry

      Builds on Number Lines, Intervals, and Allowed Values, Reading Graphs and Plotting Points and Drawing Lines from Slope and Intercepts.

  2. Choosing Useful Algebra

    10 pairs coming soon
    Open the Choosing Useful Algebra unit page

    Rewriting Expressions

    1. Theory part 15Practice part 16

      term, factor, distributive property, expansion, factorization, square of a sum, difference of squares and equivalent expressions

      Builds on Reading Formulas and Substituting Values.

    2. Theory part 17Practice part 18

      factor, cancellation, denominator, excluded value, equivalent expression, original domain and zero numerator

      Builds on Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose and Number Lines, Intervals, and Allowed Values.

    3. Theory part 19Practice part 20

      common denominator, equivalent fraction, numerator, complex fraction, division by a fraction and restriction

      Builds on Cancellation and Excluded Values and Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose.

    4. Theory part 21Practice part 22

      base, exponent, negative exponent, principal square root, real root, rational exponent, parentheses and absolute value

      Builds on Reading Formulas and Substituting Values and Absolute Value as Distance and a Graph.

    Solving Equations and Inequalities

    1. Theory part 23Practice part 24

      equation, solution, equivalent step, candidate solution, restriction, squaring and checking in the original equation

      Builds on Cancellation and Excluded Values and Powers, Roots, and Signs.

    2. Theory part 25Practice part 26

      inequality, solution set, order reversal, strict inequality, weak inequality, compound inequality and interval notation

      Builds on Number Lines, Intervals, and Allowed Values and Solving Equations and Checking Solutions.

    Radicals and Quadratics

    1. Theory part 27Practice part 28

      conjugate, difference of squares, radical, rationalizing, equivalent expression and domain restriction

      Builds on Powers, Roots, and Signs, Cancellation and Excluded Values and Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose.

    2. Theory part 29Practice part 30

      completing the square, square term, constant adjustment, leading coefficient, equivalent form and minimum value

      Builds on Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose and Powers, Roots, and Signs.

    3. Theory part 31Practice part 32

      quadratic equation, coefficient, quadratic formula, discriminant, real solution, repeated root and plus or minus

      Builds on Completing the Square and Solving Equations and Checking Solutions.

    Rearranging Formulas

    1. Theory part 33Practice part 34

      subject of a formula, parameter, inverse operation, nonzero condition, units and admissible value

      Builds on Solving Equations and Checking Solutions and Solving Inequalities on a Number Line.

  3. Understanding Individual Graphs

    14 pairs coming soon
    Open the Understanding Individual Graphs unit page

    Domain and Range

    1. Theory part 35Practice part 36

      domain, real-valued function, natural domain, stated domain, radicand, denominator restriction and intersection of conditions

      Builds on Functions as Input-Output Relationships, Solving Inequalities on a Number Line, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Cancellation and Excluded Values.

    2. Theory part 37Practice part 38

      range, attained output, domain restriction, minimum, maximum, endpoint inclusion and output interval

      Builds on Finding the Domain, Reading Graphs and Plotting Points and Absolute Value as Distance and a Graph.

    Powers and Roots

    1. Theory part 39Practice part 40

      quadratic function, parabola, vertex, axis of symmetry, intercept, opening direction, range and equivalent forms

      Builds on Completing the Square, The Quadratic Formula and Real Solutions, Finding the Range and Reading Graphs and Plotting Points.

    2. Theory part 41Practice part 42

      integer-power function, cubic function, even power, odd power, symmetry, increasing function, domain and range

      Builds on Powers, Roots, and Signs, Finding the Range and Reading Graphs and Plotting Points.

    3. Theory part 43Practice part 44

      principal square-root function, radicand, domain, range, endpoint, increasing, decreasing and coordinate pair

      Builds on Powers, Roots, and Signs, Finding the Domain, Finding the Range and Reading Graphs and Plotting Points.

    4. Theory part 45Practice part 46

      real cube root, cube-root function, negative input, domain, range, origin symmetry, coordinate pair and increasing

      Builds on Cubic and Other Integer-Power Functions, Powers, Roots, and Signs, Finding the Domain and Finding the Range.

    Reciprocal Functions

    1. Theory part 47Practice part 48

      reciprocal function, inverse proportion, nonzero input, positive and negative branches, origin symmetry, vertical asymptote, horizontal asymptote, domain and range

      Builds on Reading Graphs and Plotting Points, Cancellation and Excluded Values, Finding the Domain and Finding the Range.

    2. Theory part 49Practice part 50

      reciprocal-square function, negative integer power, positive output, even symmetry, two branches, domain, range, vertical asymptote, horizontal asymptote and inverse-square change

      Builds on The Reciprocal Function, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Reading Graphs and Plotting Points.

    Piecewise, Polynomial, and Rational Graphs

    1. Theory part 51Practice part 52

      piecewise function, input condition, branch, rule selection, open endpoint, closed endpoint, switching input, matching branch values and jump

      Builds on Functions as Input-Output Relationships, Reading Graphs and Plotting Points, Drawing Lines from Slope and Intercepts, Finding the Domain and Absolute Value as Distance and a Graph.

    2. Theory part 53Practice part 54

      polynomial, zero, factor, multiplicity, sign chart, crossing the axis, touching the axis, leading term and end behavior

      Builds on Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose, Reading Graphs and Plotting Points, The Quadratic Function and Its Graph, Cubic and Other Integer-Power Functions and Solving Equations and Checking Solutions.

    3. Theory part 55Practice part 56

      sign chart, critical input, zero of a factor, denominator exclusion, positive and negative interval, product inequality, rational inequality and endpoint test

      Builds on Solving Inequalities on a Number Line, Polynomial Zeros, Signs, and Graph Shape and Cancellation and Excluded Values.

    4. Theory part 57Practice part 58

      rational function, denominator restriction, reciprocal graph, hole, vertical asymptote, horizontal asymptote, separate branches and intercept

      Builds on The Reciprocal Function, The Reciprocal-Square Function, Cancellation and Excluded Values, Sign Charts for Products and Quotients and Polynomial Zeros, Signs, and Graph Shape.

    Moving and Scaling Graphs

    1. Theory part 59Practice part 60

      parent graph, horizontal shift, vertical shift, reflection in the x-axis, reflection in the y-axis, image of a point and new domain

      Builds on The Quadratic Function and Its Graph, The Square-Root Function, The Cube-Root Function, The Reciprocal Function and Finding the Domain.

    2. Theory part 61Practice part 62

      vertical scaling, horizontal scaling, stretch, compression, scale factor, input scaling, output scaling and point mapping

      Builds on Shifting and Reflecting Graphs, Powers, Roots, and Signs, The Square-Root Function and The Quadratic Function and Its Graph.

  4. Connecting Functions and Curves

    5 pairs coming soon
    Open the Connecting Functions and Curves unit page

    Combining and Inverting Functions

    1. Theory part 63Practice part 64

      sum of functions, difference of functions, product of functions, quotient of functions, pointwise operation, common domain, denominator function and domain restriction

      Builds on Functions as Input-Output Relationships, Finding the Domain, Finding the Range, Cancellation and Excluded Values and The Square-Root Function.

    2. Theory part 65Practice part 66

      function composition, inner function, outer function, composite function, composite domain, order of operations and output used as input

      Builds on Functions as Input-Output Relationships, Finding the Domain, Adding, Multiplying, and Dividing Functions, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Making a Variable the Subject.

    3. Theory part 67Practice part 68

      inverse function, undoing a function, one-to-one, horizontal line test, restricted domain, swapped coordinates, reflection across y=x and inverse versus reciprocal

      Builds on Composing Functions, Finding the Domain, Finding the Range, The Quadratic Function and Its Graph, The Square-Root Function and Making a Variable the Subject.

    Comparing Curves

    1. Theory part 69Practice part 70

      curve intersection, simultaneous equations, common point, same input, same output, vertical difference, which curve is higher, extraneous intersection and interval splitting

      Builds on Reading Graphs and Plotting Points, The Quadratic Function and Its Graph, Solving Equations and Checking Solutions, The Quadratic Formula and Real Solutions, The Square-Root Function and Sign Charts for Products and Quotients.

    2. Theory part 71Practice part 72

      circle, center, radius, circle equation, Pythagorean relationship, upper semicircle, lower semicircle, branch, principal square root, domain and range

      Builds on Powers, Roots, and Signs, Solving Equations and Checking Solutions, Finding the Domain, Finding the Range, The Square-Root Function and Making a Variable the Subject.

  5. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

    7 pairs coming soon
    Open the Exponential and Logarithmic Functions unit page

    Exponential Functions

    1. Theory part 73Practice part 74

      exponential function, base, growth factor, decay factor, fixed-factor change, positive output, y-intercept, horizontal asymptote and contextual domain

      Builds on Powers, Roots, and Signs, Reading Graphs and Plotting Points, Finding the Domain and Finding the Range.

    2. Theory part 75Practice part 76

      natural exponential, number e, positive base, fixed-factor growth, exponential decay, exact value, approximate value, horizontal asymptote and scaled exponential

      Builds on Exponential Functions with Different Bases, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Stretching and Compressing Graphs.

    Logarithms

    1. Theory part 77Practice part 78

      logarithm, base, argument, exponent as output, inverse relationship, logarithmic graph, positive argument, vertical asymptote and increasing and decreasing logarithms

      Builds on Exponential Functions with Different Bases, Inverse Functions and Domain Restrictions, Finding the Domain and Finding the Range.

    2. Theory part 79Practice part 80

      natural logarithm, base e, inverse exponential, positive input, zero at one, negative logarithm values, shifted logarithm and vertical asymptote

      Builds on Logarithms as Inverse Functions, The Natural Exponential Function, Shifting and Reflecting Graphs, Finding the Domain and Finding the Range.

    3. Theory part 81Practice part 82

      product of powers, quotient of powers, power of a power, logarithm product law, logarithm quotient law, logarithm power law, change of base and positive arguments

      Builds on Logarithms as Inverse Functions, The Natural Logarithm Function, Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose, Cancellation and Excluded Values and Powers, Roots, and Signs.

    4. Theory part 83Practice part 84

      ln absolute x, absolute value inside a logarithm, nonzero domain, positive argument, two branches, even symmetry, piecewise description and logarithmic identity

      Builds on The Natural Logarithm Function, Using Exponent and Logarithm Laws, Absolute Value as Distance and a Graph, Reading and Drawing Piecewise Functions and Shifting and Reflecting Graphs.

    Equations

    1. Theory part 85Practice part 86

      exponential equation, logarithmic equation, common base, taking logarithms, one-to-one exponential, candidate solution, argument restriction and checking the original equation

      Builds on Using Exponent and Logarithm Laws, The Natural Logarithm Function, Solving Equations and Checking Solutions and Solving Inequalities on a Number Line.

  6. Trigonometric Functions One at a Time

    15 pairs coming soon
    Open the Trigonometric Functions One at a Time unit page

    Angles and the Unit Circle

    1. Theory part 87Practice part 88

      angle, radian, degree, radius, arc length, full turn, signed rotation, counterclockwise, clockwise, coterminal angles and angle conversion

      Builds on Reading Graphs and Plotting Points, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Circles, Semicircles, and Choosing a Branch.

    2. Theory part 89Practice part 90

      unit circle, coordinates, sine coordinate, cosine coordinate, reference angle, quadrant signs, exact value, special right triangle, coterminal angles and circle equation

      Builds on Radians and Angle Measurement, Circles, Semicircles, and Choosing a Branch, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Reading Graphs and Plotting Points.

    The Six Trigonometric Functions

    1. Theory part 91Practice part 92

      sine, unit-circle height, radian input, sine graph, period, odd symmetry, zeros, amplitude and range

      Builds on Unit-Circle Coordinates and Exact Values and Stretching and Compressing Graphs.

    2. Theory part 93Practice part 94

      cosine, unit-circle horizontal coordinate, cosine graph, even symmetry, period, zeros, amplitude and midline

      Builds on Unit-Circle Coordinates and Exact Values, The Sine Function and Stretching and Compressing Graphs.

    3. Theory part 95Practice part 96

      tangent, sine-to-cosine ratio, undefined input, tangent graph, period, zero, vertical asymptote and principal branch

      Builds on The Sine Function, The Cosine Function and The Reciprocal Function.

    4. Theory part 97Practice part 98

      cotangent, cosine-to-sine ratio, cotangent graph, undefined input, period, zero, vertical asymptote and reciprocal identity

      Builds on The Tangent Function, The Sine Function and The Cosine Function.

    5. Theory part 99Practice part 100

      secant, reciprocal cosine, secant graph, excluded input, range, vertical asymptote, even symmetry and period

      Builds on The Cosine Function, The Reciprocal Function and Stretching and Compressing Graphs.

    6. Theory part 101Practice part 102

      cosecant, reciprocal sine, cosecant graph, excluded input, range, vertical asymptote, odd symmetry and period

      Builds on The Sine Function and The Secant Function.

    Identities and Equations

    1. Theory part 103Practice part 104

      trigonometric identity, Pythagorean identity, quotient identity, reciprocal identity, common domain, replacement and cancellation

      Builds on Unit-Circle Coordinates and Exact Values, The Cotangent Function, The Secant Function, The Cosecant Function and Common Denominators and Complex Fractions.

    2. Theory part 105Practice part 106

      trigonometric equation, reference angle, unit-circle intersections, periodic solutions, specified interval, scaled input, integer parameter and checking solutions

      Builds on The Sine Function, The Cosine Function, The Tangent Function and The Quadratic Formula and Real Solutions.

    Inverse Trigonometric Functions

    1. Theory part 107Practice part 108

      arcsine, principal angle, restricted sine branch, inverse function, arcsine graph, domain, range and included endpoints

      Builds on Inverse Functions and Domain Restrictions, The Sine Function and Solving Basic Trigonometric Equations.

    2. Theory part 109Practice part 110

      arccosine, principal angle, restricted cosine branch, inverse graph, decreasing function, domain, range and endpoint values

      Builds on Inverse Functions and Domain Restrictions, The Cosine Function and The Arcsine Function.

    3. Theory part 111Practice part 112

      arctangent, principal angle, restricted tangent branch, inverse graph, all-real domain, open output interval, horizontal asymptote and odd symmetry

      Builds on Inverse Functions and Domain Restrictions, The Tangent Function and The Arcsine Function.

    4. Theory part 113Practice part 114

      nested function, inner value, principal angle, reference triangle, coordinate ratio, Pythagorean relation, sign choice and common domain

      Builds on The Arcsine Function, The Arccosine Function, The Arctangent Function, Unit-Circle Coordinates and Exact Values and Composing Functions.

    Trigonometric Powers and Products

    1. Theory part 115Practice part 116

      double-angle identity, power reduction, product-to-sum, squared trigonometric function, angle grouping, purposeful rewrite and equivalent expression

      Builds on Trigonometric Identities from the Unit Circle, The Sine Function, The Cosine Function and Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose.

  7. Geometry, Models, and Finite Changes

    4 pairs coming soon
    Open the Geometry, Models, and Finite Changes unit page

    Geometry and Models

    1. Theory part 117Practice part 118

      length, area, volume, radius, diameter, perpendicular height, annulus, cylinder, units and unit conversion

      Builds on Reading Formulas and Substituting Values, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Circles, Semicircles, and Choosing a Branch.

    2. Theory part 119Practice part 120

      similar triangles, corresponding sides, scale factor, equal angles, proportion, cone, height, radius and shadow

      Builds on Geometry Formulas and Units, Making a Variable the Subject and Drawing Lines from Slope and Intercepts.

    3. Theory part 121Practice part 122

      variable, parameter, constant, constraint, model, independent quantity, dependent quantity, physical domain, units and piecewise rule

      Builds on Geometry Formulas and Units, Making a Variable the Subject, Finding the Domain and Reading and Drawing Piecewise Functions.

    Toward the Derivative

    1. Theory part 123Practice part 124

      input change, output change, difference quotient, f(a+h), substitution, secant slope, nonzero increment and cancellation

      Builds on Changing Quantities and Average Rate, Composing Functions, Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose, Common Denominators and Complex Fractions and Cancellation and Excluded Values.

  8. Algebra Used in Integration and Series

    5 pairs coming soon
    Open the Algebra Used in Integration and Series unit page

    Rewriting Rational Functions

    1. Theory part 125Practice part 126

      polynomial division, dividend, divisor, quotient, remainder, degree, proper rational expression, polynomial identity and excluded value

      Builds on Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose, Cancellation and Excluded Values, Cubic and Other Integer-Power Functions and Rational Functions, Holes, and Asymptotes.

    2. Theory part 127Practice part 128

      partial fraction, proper rational expression, linear factor, irreducible quadratic, unknown coefficient, coefficient matching, common denominator and domain restriction

      Builds on Polynomial Division and Useful Rewrites, Common Denominators and Complex Fractions and Solving Equations and Checking Solutions.

    Indices, Factorials, and Sums

    1. Theory part 129Practice part 130

      index, indexed term, starting index, subscript, term formula, shifted index, alternating sign and consecutive-term ratio

      Builds on Reading Formulas and Substituting Values, Powers, Roots, and Signs and Common Denominators and Complex Fractions.

    2. Theory part 131Practice part 132

      factorial, zero factorial, factor cancellation, binomial coefficient, choosing positions, finite binomial expansion and integer conditions

      Builds on Reading Indexed Terms and Shifting the Index, Cancellation and Excluded Values and Expanding and Factoring for a Purpose.

    3. Theory part 133Practice part 134

      summation notation, index, lower bound, upper bound, summand, finite sum, dummy index, reindexing and telescoping cancellation

      Builds on Reading Indexed Terms and Shifting the Index, Common Denominators and Complex Fractions and Cancellation and Excluded Values.