Basic Scheme of First-Semester Precalculus Functions

In this course we will study functions.  The functions we will spend most of our time on are

• linear functions
• quadratic functions
• power functions
• exponential functions
• polynomial functions

Generalized Functions:

• y = m x + b is the generalized form of a linear function.
• y = a x^2 + b x + c is the generalized form of a quadratic function.
• y = a x^p is a generalized form of a power function for power p.  The most generalized form is y = a ( x - h ) ^ p + k, but you don't need to know that right now.
• y = A * 2^(k x) is a generalized form of an exponential function.  There are more generalized forms but you don't need to know them right now.