Introduction
This module is intended to provide a quick review of the basic properties of the Real Number System and the use of Cartesian Coordinates. (See Module Learning Objectives Module Learning Objectives-old– for more details.)
It includes a set of Study Notes Study Notes-old, an on-line Lab Lab-old to help reinforce the concepts, and a collection of links to other web-based Resources Resources-old on the topics being reviewed.
It is provided as an aid to independent non-credit study by students who feel a need to improve their understanding of these topics prior to either taking the Math Diagnostic Test, or entering a Calculus course.
There is no assessment or credit available in this context. In order to obtain credit it is necessary to enrol in a course such as Langara’s Math 1170. For distance learners, the Open Learning Agency’s Math 100 covers similar material.
In a one semester precalculus course the material in this module is usually reviewed quickly in the first week of classes.
In order to succeed in thiscourse, it will be important to have a good grasp of the fundamentals. That does not mean that you need to have been a “math whiz” all of your life, or that you are now expected to recall everything that whizzed by you in the past, but you will need to fill in any gaps before going on.
In this module we will identify all that you need in order to continue, and if you master it well you should be well prepared for the rest of the course.
For some students this module may seem elementary, but don’t ignore it. Those who have done well in math may still have some misconceptions to be dealt with, and/or some of the language may be used in a slightly different way from what you are used to. But even if that is not the case, there is always a deeper level of understanding to be obtained even of the most “elementary” material.
Transition Modules in Mathematics>Background Review>Study Notes
- Section 1 – The Real Number System Section 1 – The Real Number System
- Section 2 – Fundamentals of Algebra Section 2 – Fundamentals of Algebra
- Section 3 – Equations and Inequalities Section 3 – Equations and Inequalities
- Section 4 – Cartesian Coordinates Section 4 – Cartesian Coordinates