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CCSSAPhigh school

AP Precalculus — Periodic Functions

Trigonometric foundations, sinusoidal graphing, periodic modeling, and polar/parametric representations. Covers AP Precalculus Unit 3 content: unit circle, sine/cosine parameters, transformations of periodic functions, real-world sinusoidal models, polar coordinates, and parametric equations.

4units
6topics
99questions
~2hours

Course Units

Learning objectives

  • Define sine and cosine using the unit circle (x-coordinate, y-coordinate)
  • Convert between degree and radian measure
  • Evaluate exact trig values at standard angles (0, pi/6, pi/4, pi/3, pi/2)
  • Identify the domain, range, and period of parent sine and cosine functions

Learning objectives

  • Extract amplitude, period, phase shift, and midline from y = A sin(Bx + C) + D
  • Distinguish inside parameters (B, C) from outside parameters (A, D)
  • Graph sinusoidal functions by applying transformations in correct order
  • Determine max, min, and range from amplitude and midline
  • Construct a sinusoidal equation from a set of given constraints

Learning objectives

  • Build a sinusoidal model from a real-world scenario (identify A, B, C, D from context)
  • Interpret period, amplitude, and midline in applied contexts
  • Solve sinusoidal equations for specific output values within a domain
  • Analyze rates of change of periodic functions over intervals

Learning objectives

  • Convert between rectangular and polar coordinates
  • Graph polar curves including circles, cardioids, and rose curves
  • Represent curves using parametric equations x = f(t), y = g(t)
  • Connect parametric and polar representations to periodic function behavior