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- Foundations for Calculus
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
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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.
Reading Quantities and Graphs
2 of 7 pairs on YouTubeOpen the Reading Quantities and Graphs unit pageFormulas and Number Lines
- Reading Formulas and Substituting ValuesOn YouTube
Theory part 1Practice part 2
formula, function notation, variable, constant, substitution, parentheses, square, order of operations and units
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
- Functions as Input-Output RelationshipsComing soon
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.
- Reading Graphs and Plotting PointsComing soon
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
- Drawing Lines from Slope and InterceptsComing soon
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.
- Changing Quantities and Average RateComing soon
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.
- Absolute Value as Distance and a GraphComing soon
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.
Choosing Useful Algebra
10 pairs coming soonOpen the Choosing Useful Algebra unit pageRewriting Expressions
- Expanding and Factoring for a PurposeComing soon
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.
- Cancellation and Excluded ValuesComing soon
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.
- Common Denominators and Complex FractionsComing soon
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.
- Powers, Roots, and SignsComing soon
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
- Solving Equations and Checking SolutionsComing soon
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.
- Solving Inequalities on a Number LineComing soon
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
- Conjugates and Rationalizing ExpressionsComing soon
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.
- Completing the SquareComing soon
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.
- The Quadratic Formula and Real SolutionsComing soon
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
- Making a Variable the SubjectComing soon
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.
Understanding Individual Graphs
14 pairs coming soonOpen the Understanding Individual Graphs unit pageDomain and Range
- Finding the DomainComing soon
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.
- Finding the RangeComing soon
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
- The Quadratic Function and Its GraphComing soon
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.
- Cubic and Other Integer-Power FunctionsComing soon
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.
- The Square-Root FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Cube-Root FunctionComing soon
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
- The Reciprocal FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Reciprocal-Square FunctionComing soon
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
- Reading and Drawing Piecewise FunctionsComing soon
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.
- Polynomial Zeros, Signs, and Graph ShapeComing soon
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.
- Sign Charts for Products and QuotientsComing soon
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.
- Rational Functions, Holes, and AsymptotesComing soon
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
- Shifting and Reflecting GraphsComing soon
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.
- Stretching and Compressing GraphsComing soon
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.
Connecting Functions and Curves
5 pairs coming soonOpen the Connecting Functions and Curves unit pageCombining and Inverting Functions
- Adding, Multiplying, and Dividing FunctionsComing soon
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.
- Composing FunctionsComing soon
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.
- Inverse Functions and Domain RestrictionsComing soon
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
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.
- Circles, Semicircles, and Choosing a BranchComing soon
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.
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
7 pairs coming soonOpen the Exponential and Logarithmic Functions unit pageExponential Functions
- Exponential Functions with Different BasesComing soon
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.
- The Natural Exponential FunctionComing soon
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
- Logarithms as Inverse FunctionsComing soon
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.
- The Natural Logarithm FunctionComing soon
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.
- Using Exponent and Logarithm LawsComing soon
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.
- Natural Logarithm of Absolute ValueComing soon
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
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.
Trigonometric Functions One at a Time
15 pairs coming soonOpen the Trigonometric Functions One at a Time unit pageAngles and the Unit Circle
- Radians and Angle MeasurementComing soon
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.
- Unit-Circle Coordinates and Exact ValuesComing soon
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
- The Sine FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Cosine FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Tangent FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Cotangent FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Secant FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Cosecant FunctionComing soon
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
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.
- Solving Basic Trigonometric EquationsComing soon
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
- The Arcsine FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Arccosine FunctionComing soon
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.
- The Arctangent FunctionComing soon
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.
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
- Rewriting Trigonometric Powers and ProductsComing soon
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.
Geometry, Models, and Finite Changes
4 pairs coming soonOpen the Geometry, Models, and Finite Changes unit pageGeometry and Models
- Geometry Formulas and UnitsComing soon
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.
- Similar Triangles and Changing DimensionsComing soon
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.
- Variables, Parameters, and Building a ModelComing soon
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
- Difference Quotients Before LimitsComing soon
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.
Algebra Used in Integration and Series
5 pairs coming soonOpen the Algebra Used in Integration and Series unit pageRewriting Rational Functions
- Polynomial Division and Useful RewritesComing soon
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.
- Partial Fractions as an Algebraic IdentityComing soon
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
- Reading Indexed Terms and Shifting the IndexComing soon
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.
- Factorials and Binomial CoefficientsComing soon
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.
- Reading and Rewriting Finite SumsComing soon
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.