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Course Description

Summary

This course builds on and extends high school algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. It develops these topics from a classical and historical perspective. It is one good entry point for students who are confident with high school algebra and precalculus, and it may be used as a prerequisite for Calculus A, Linear Algebra, and some other more advanced mathematics classes. Topics include complex numbers and rotations; roots of unity; polynomial algebra; solutions of quadratic, cubic, and quartic equations; cyclotomic equations; constructibility of regular polygons in Euclidean geometry; conic sections in rectangular, polar, and projective coordinates; diagonalization of quadratic forms; special curves such as the catenary; quadric surfaces; parametric curves and surfaces; trigonometric identities; hyperbolic trigonometry; quaternions and rotations; and other classical topics as time permits.