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CCSSAPhigh school

AP Precalculus — Gold Module

Functions, transformations, composition, and contextual interpretation — the core building blocks of AP Precalculus. Master how functions behave, how to transform them, and how to apply them to real-world situations.

4units
4topics
72questions
~2hours

Course Units

Learning objectives

  • Determine domain and range from a graph or equation
  • Apply the vertical line test to identify functions
  • Evaluate functions using proper notation f(a)
  • Evaluate piecewise-defined functions at boundary values
  • Evaluate and simplify difference quotients as preparation for the concept of rate of change

Topics in this unit

Learning objectives

  • Apply vertical shifts f(x)+k and horizontal shifts f(x-h)
  • Distinguish inside transformations from outside transformations
  • Apply vertical stretch af(x) and horizontal compression f(bx)
  • Combine multiple transformations in correct order
  • Distinguish -f(x) (reflection over x-axis) from f(-x) (reflection over y-axis)

Topics in this unit

Learning objectives

  • Evaluate f(g(x)) by substitution
  • Determine the domain of a composed function
  • Distinguish f(g(x)) from g(f(x))
  • Apply composition in real-world modeling contexts

Topics in this unit

Learning objectives

  • Interpret function values in applied contexts (population, cost, decay)
  • Translate between symbolic, graphical, verbal, and contextual representations
  • Apply key concepts from Transfer and Contextual Interpretation in practice and assessment
  • Explain how the same function can model different real-world phenomena depending on the context and units of the variables

Topics in this unit