Editing Precalculus (section)

==Variable content==
Precalculus prepares students for calculus somewhat differently from how [[pre-algebra]] prepares students for algebra. While pre-algebra often has extensive coverage of basic algebraic concepts, precalculus courses might see only small amounts of calculus concepts, if at all, and usually involve covering algebraic topics that might not have been given attention in earlier algebra courses. Some precalculus courses might differ from others in terms of content. For example, an honors-level course might spend more time on [[conic section]]s, [[Euclidean vector]]s, and other topics needed for calculus, used in fields such as medicine or engineering. A college preparatory/regular class might focus on topics used in business-related careers, such as [[Matrix (mathematics)|matrices]], or [[power function]]s.

A standard course considers [[function (mathematics)|function]]s, [[function composition]], and [[inverse function]]s, often in connection with [[set (mathematics)|set]]s and [[real number]]s. In particular, [[polynomial]]s and [[rational function]]s are developed. Algebraic skills are exercised with [[trigonometric functions]] and [[trigonometric identities]]. The [[binomial theorem]], [[polar coordinate]]s, [[parametric equation]]s, and the [[limit (mathematics)|limit]]s of [[sequence]]s and [[series (mathematics)|series]] are other common topics of precalculus. Sometimes the [[mathematical induction]] method of proof for propositions dependent upon a [[natural number]] may be demonstrated, but generally, coursework involves [[exercise (mathematics)|exercise]]s rather than theory.