AP Precalculus Ultimate Guide

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64 Terms

1

Function

A mathematical relationship that maps a set of input values to output values, with each input resulting in exactly one output.

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2

Input Values

Also known as domain; these are the independent variable values (x) that a function takes.

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3

Output Values

Also known as range; these are the dependent variable values (y) derived from the input values of a function.

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4

Increasing Function

A function is increasing on an interval if output values increase as input values increase; for all a and b in the interval, if a < b, then f(a) < f(b).

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5

Decreasing Function

A function is decreasing on an interval if output values decrease as input values increase; for all a and b in the interval, if a < b, then f(a) > f(b).

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6

Graph of a Function

A visual representation of input-output pairs that illustrates how the output values vary with the input values.

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7

Concave Up

A portion of a graph where the rate of change is increasing.

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8

Concave Down

A portion of a graph where the rate of change is decreasing.

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9

X-Intercepts

Also known as zeros of the function; points where the function intersects the x-axis.

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10

Average Rate of Change

The average change of a function over the interval [a, b], calculated as the slope of the secant line from (a, f(a)) to (b, f(b)).

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11

Positive Rate of Change

When one quantity increases, and the other quantity also increases.

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12

Negative Rate of Change

When one quantity increases, while the other quantity decreases.

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13

Local Maxima/Minima

Points where a polynomial function changes between increasing and decreasing on a restricted domain.

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14

Global Maxima/Minima

The highest point (global maximum) or lowest point (global minimum) across the entire domain of a function.

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15

Endpoints for Inequality Intervals

Real zeros of a polynomial function that serve as boundaries when solving inequalities.

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16

Multiplicity of a Zero

The number of times a zero (x-a) appears as a factor in a polynomial function; affects the graph's behavior at the x-intercept.

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17

Even Polynomial

A polynomial with an even degree, which can have a global maximum or minimum.

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18

Non-Real Zeros

Zerothat occur in complex conjugate pairs, meaning if p(a + bi) = 0, then p(a - bi) = 0.

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19

End Behavior of a Polynomial

Determined by the degree and sign of the leading term, indicating in which direction the function approaches as input values increase or decrease.

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20

Rational Function

A function expressed as the ratio of two polynomials where the polynomial in the denominator is not zero.

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21

Vertical Asymptote

Zeros of the polynomial in the denominator indicating where a function approaches infinity.

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22

Standard Form

A way of writing polynomial and rational functions to analyze their end behavior.

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23

Factor Form

Representation of polynomial functions useful for finding x-intercepts, asymptotes, and domain/range.

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24

Polynomial Long Division

A method used to find equations of slant asymptotes in rational functions.

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25

Binomial Theorem

Used to expand expressions of the form (a + b)^n, with applications in polynomial functions.

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26

Transformations of Functions

Changes made to a function that alter the graph vertically or horizontally with respect to the parent function.

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27

Linear Functions

Functions used for scenarios with roughly constant rates of change.

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28

Quadratic Functions

Used for data sets with roughly linear rates of change, often exhibiting a unique minimum or maximum value.

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29

Piecewise Functions

Functions defined by different expressions on non-overlapping intervals of their domain.

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30

Exponential Function

A mathematical function f(x) = b^x where the rate of growth is proportional to its current value.

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31

Logarithmic Functions

The inverse of exponential functions; they're used to model situations involving proportional growth or repeated multiplication.

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32

Identity Function

A function defined as f(x) = x, serving as the multiplicative and additive identity.

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33

Inverse Functions

Functions that reverse the mapping of original functions, satisfying f(f^-1(x)) = x.

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34

Unit Circle

A circle with radius 1, used in defining trigonometric functions and their values.

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35

Coterminal Angles

Angles that share the same initial and terminal side but differ in degree or radian measure.

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36

Period of a Function

The length of one complete cycle of a periodic function.

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37

Amplitude of a Function

The distance from the midline to the maximum or minimum value of the function.

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38

Pythagorean Identity

The fundamental relation among the sine and cosine functions, expressed as sin²θ + cos²θ = 1.

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39

Transition Matrix

A matrix that represents the rates of transition between different states in a system.

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40

Position Vectors

Describes a particle's position using a vector originating from the origin to the particle's location.

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41

Matrix Determinant

A scalar value obtained from a square matrix that can indicate its invertibility and the area defined by its vectors.

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42

Linear Transformation

A function that maps input vectors to output vectors while preserving the operations of vector addition and scalar multiplication.

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43

Scalar

A single number used to multiply a vector, determining its magnitude and potentially its direction.

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44

Matrix Multiplication

An operation where the elements of two matrices are combined according to specific rules to produce a third matrix.

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45

Matrix Inverse

A matrix that, when multiplied with the original matrix, results in the identity matrix.

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46

Implicitly Defined Functions

Functions defined by equations in which the dependent variable is not isolated on one side of the equation.

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47

Conic Sections

The curves obtained by intersecting a plane with a cone, including parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.

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48

Unit Vector

A vector with a magnitude of 1, indicating direction only.

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49

Magnitude of a Vector

The length or size of a vector, calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

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50

Velocity Vector

The derivative of the position vector, indicating the direction and speed of a moving object.

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51

Radian

A unit of angle measure defined as the angle subtended by an arc that is equal in length to the radius of the circle.

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52

Sine Function

A primary trigonometric function, representing the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle.

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53

Cosine Function

A primary trigonometric function, representing the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle.

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54

Tangent Function

A primary trigonometric function, representing the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle.

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55

Secant Function

The reciprocal of the cosine function, defined as 1/cos(θ).

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56

Cosecant Function

The reciprocal of the sine function, defined as 1/sin(θ).

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57

Cotangent Function

The reciprocal of the tangent function, defined as cos(θ)/sin(θ).

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58

Graphing the Sine Function

Plotting the sine values, typically resulting in a smooth wave-like shape.

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59

Graphing the Cosine Function

Plotting the cosine values, similar in shape to the sine function but phase-shifted.

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60

Complete Cycle of a Periodic Function

A segment of graph that shows complete repetitions of its values.

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61

Phase Shift

The horizontal translation of a periodic function, altering when a function starts its cycle.

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62

State Change in Matrices

A representation of how a system evolves from one state to another using matrices.

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63

Circular Motion

The motion of an object that moves along a circular path.

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64

Roots of a Polynomial

The values of x for which the polynomial equals zero; also called solutions or zeros.

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