Home Study Companion Foerster's Precalculus Digital Download
Description
If you are wondering whether to skip from Algebra 2 directly to Calculus or whether to take Precalculus first, the answer (almost always) is to take Precalculus first. Gaining depth is more important than racing ahead, and the depth offered through this course is tremendous. Recording this course has been a remarkable experience for me, personally. I have grown in my appreciation for Foerster's work in the process. In my career I have taught out of several other Precalculus textbooks, but none of them is in the same league with Foerster when it comes to teaching problem solving and real-world applications.
I am using the 3rd edition of Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry.There are major chapter-level rearrangements, but except for a few modified sections and the addition of Chapter 16 in the 3rd edition, most of the content is the same as the 2nd edition.
The course is now being distributed as a direct digital download. It makes heavy use of computational tools, primarily a scientific calculator, spreadsheet programming, GeoGebra, and Sage. In this course I use GeoGebra in lieu of "graphing calculators."
One further step I am taking in this course is to introduce RPN calculators, the system developed for scientific calculators by Hewlett-Packard. Students are free to use any calculator they have in any mode they like, but in this course I will be doing the on-screen calculations in RPN. A pocket calculator should be optimized to be able to evaluate expressions fluently and reliably. RPN notation takes a little getting used to at first, but it is wonderful for its fluency and reliability. I describe my HP calculator as an "extension of my brain." RPN is a parenthesis-free notation system. Even quite complicated expressions can be computed without having to keep track of nested parentheses.
Math Without Borders Home Study Companions are video-based companions to well-regarded high school math textbooks, primarily Paul Foerster’s series. They provide clear, step-by-step video instruction and worked solutions, making challenging courses manageable for homeschool students.
The program pairs video lessons with a separate textbook (not included) to deliver rigorous, college-prep math with strong conceptual teaching and problem-solving focus.
Key Curriculum Features:
- Short video lessons with whiteboard explanations and worked solutions for selected problems
- Guided discovery approach that encourages students to solve problems before seeing solutions
- Strong preparation for college-level math and standardized tests
- Resources file with spreadsheets, printable PDFs, and additional materials
- Flexible pacing with half the problems as daily assignment and the rest for extra practice
Program Components & Access:
- Digital Downloads: Video files emailed after purchase. Non-transferable; usable on one computer only
- Companion Materials: Lesson setup instructions, links to free software, and printable PDFs
Recommended Texts:
- Algebra 1: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul Foerster
- Geometry: A Guided Inquiry by Chakerian, Crabill, and Stein
- Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications by Paul Foerster
- Precalculus with Trigonometry: Concepts and Applications by Paul Foerster
- Calculus: Concepts and Applications by Paul Foerster
- Schaum's Outlines: College Physics by Eugene Hecht
Math Without Borders stands out for its calm, clarifying video instruction that makes advanced math accessible. It is an excellent choice for homeschool families seeking a rigorous, independent high school math program with strong teacher support through videos.
Browse all Math Without Borders Home Study Companions below!
| Product Format: | Other |
|---|---|
| Grades: | 10-12 |
| Brand: | Math Without Borders |
| Author: | David Chandler |
| Length in Inches: | 0.75 |
| Width in Inches: | 2.25 |
| Height in Inches: | 0.375 |
| Weight in Pounds: | 0.05 |