9 Online Pre Calc Classes – Best Courses To Study Precalculus Online

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Precalculus can be termed as a prologue to Calculus. It is a course which many students pursue as a refresher before they begin understanding the concepts of calculus. Precalculus typically includes concepts of algebra and trigonometry that will make it easier for students to grasp calculus either in college or high school.

 

If you need a rundown through the concepts of precalculus or are facing difficulty with any particular concept, there are several precalculus online courses that could help you out. And if you have made up your mind to enroll in an online precalculus class but are unsure where to begin, we have made it easier for you. TangoLearn, in consultation with 20 precalculus experts, has curated a list of the top nine precalculus online courses that you can enroll for in 2021.

 

So let us explore what each of these online pre calc classes will cover and why you must consider these online pre calc courses as your top choices.

 

Table of Contents

 

9 Best Online Precalculus Classes & Courses

1. Become a Trigonometry & Precalculus Master [Udemy]

Become a Trigonometry and Precalculus Master

What is this course all about?

The first one in our top precalculus online courses is a Udemy bestseller that will teach you everything included in the scope of precalculus and trigonometry. Created by Krista King, a dedicated and passionate math tutor, this class will not only teach what you need to learn but also test your newly acquired knowledge with more than 470 practice questions.

 

The whopping 235 online pre calc classes under this course contain a healthy mix of video lectures wherein the instructor will solve every problem with you step-by-step and also explain how to simplify the answers. Besides the video lectures, there are 214 downloadable resources and 125 articles that contain notes to help you remember all the essential things. This course is also one of the top precalculus online courses for practice that is choc-o-block with quizzes and workbooks to help you review everything that you will learn through this online precalculus class. Plus, you will also get friendly mentor support through the Q&A section.

 

Course Features

This course is one of the most comprehensive precalculus online courses that you can complete in 5 hours and 23 minutes. However, all the online precalculus classes are self-paced, so you can take your own time to focus on any one of the 17 sections in which you feel you are lacking. You can enroll for this pre-calculus online course with a one-time fee which is also covered under Udemy’s 30-days money-back guarantee. So, even if you are not satisfied after enrolling in this course, you can seek a full refund, no-questions-asked. Purchasing this online pre calc class will also give lifetime access to all content so that you can solidify your learning and become a trigonometry and precalculus master.

 

You can also access your online precalculus classes via mobile or TV. Completing this course will bag you Udemy’s certificate of completion that you can download and also share online. This course has earned a rating of 4.8 on Udemy, and 24,117 students have already enrolled for its online pre calc classes.

 

What You Will Learn

The different concepts of trigonometry and precalculus covered under this online precalculus class include:

  • Types of angles including their degrees, DMS, and radians
  • The six trigonometric functions – sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, cotangent, and secant
  • The unit circle – negative angles, angles more than one rotation, coterminal angles, reference angles, solving right triangles, angles of alleviation and depression, etc.
  • Angles in circles – radians and arc lengths, area of circular sectors, linear and angular velocity, and trig functions of real numbers
  • Graphing trig functions – sine and cosine sketching, period and amplitude, horizontal and vertical shifts, transformations and combinations
  • Inverse trig functions and relations
  • Trig identities – sum-difference, double angle, half-angle, product-to-sum, and sum-to-product identities
  • Polar coordinates
  • Graphing polar curves
  • Parametric curves
  • Analytic curves
  • Complex numbers
  • Matrices

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

If you wish to enroll in this online precalculus class, you must:

 

  • Be comfortable with the fundamentals of math
  • Be comfortable with basic algebra and equation solving
  • Aware of geometry; however, it is not mandatory

 

Reviews by Stacy Cochran:

Although the concepts of this course were harder to grasp than any other math I have ever had, the instructor provided clear and concise explanations for them. I have been saying all along that if you can teach me advanced math, you truly have a gift. Well, you truly have a gift. Thank you so much for developing these courses.

2. Precalculus by Arizona State University [edX]

Precalculus by Arizona State University

What is this course all about?

Students searching for credit-eligible precalculus online courses must definitely check out this course by Arizona State University on edX. This online precalculus class is a part of Global Freshman Academy (GFA). Therefore, you can earn Arizona State University transferable credits towards your college degree while pursuing this course. However, to make this course a credit course, you will have to pay a fee of $600. This course can also satisfy educational requirements at other institutions, but we would suggest that you check the same with your institution about how these credits will be transferred.

 

Course Features

The first reason that makes this course the best online precalculus course is that it will help you acquire the skills to ensure success in your future calculus studies. This online pre calc class will serve as prep work for calculus by focusing on quantitative reasoning and functions. You will learn to describe the behavior and properties of linear, exponential, trigonometric functions, etc.

 

Another feature of this online pre calc class that drew our attention is that it utilizes the ALEKS learning system, wherein students will be taught topics as per their needs and will be given individualized coaching for topics they are most ready to learn first. Once the easy topics are covered, the tutor will move to the more complex and advanced topics.

 

The duration of online precalculus classes under this intermediate course is 15 weeks. You must be ready to dedicate 9 to 10 hours per week to this precalculus online course. While you can access the online pre calc classes for free, you will only receive a verified certificate by paying an additional fee online. The starting dates for the classes have been mentioned on the website. More than 60,000 students have already enrolled for this course as it is one of the bestselling precalculus online courses on edX.

 

What You Will Learn

The skills imparted through this best online precalculus course include:

  • Describing the behavior and properties of linear, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, and trigonometric functions
  • Applying understanding of the above functions to real-world problems
  • Skills needed to learn calculus in future

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

Such online pre calc courses require you to have a good understanding of algebraic concepts such as factoring, equation solving, rules of exponents and radicals, etc. Therefore, as a pre-requisite, you must complete the College Algebra and Problem Solving course on edX.

3. Precalculus by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona [Coursera]

Precalculus by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

What is this course all about?

Offered by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, this Coursera precalculus course is designed to help you ace the first semester of Calculus course of practically any university degree around the globe, with particular emphasis on Science and Engineering. This Coursera precalculus course is one of the best precalculus online courses that will equip you with the right skills by imparting knowledge of concepts such as integral calculus, logarithmic integral function, problem-solving integral, derivative, and much more.

 

As one of the leading Coursera precalculus courses, this course has a rating of 4.6, and 70,251 students have already enrolled in it so far. Around 33% of the enrolees of this Coursera precalculus course say that they were able to start new careers post completing this course, and about 66% of students got tangible career benefits. The online precalculus classes of this Coursera precalculus course are 100% online and entirely self-paced. The duration of this course is 47 hours; however, this course is one of the best precalculus online courses that offer flexible deadlines, which you can adjust as per your convenience.

 

You can enroll in this Coursera precalculus course for free, and you will also be awarded a certificate of completion at the end. You can share this Coursera precalculus certificate of completion on your social media profiles like LinkedIn or add it to your resume. However, the only drawback of this course is that it is only available in Spanish.

 

What You Will Learn

The first week of this Coursera precalculus course will begin with an assessment of your mathematical knowledge and skills. In the following weeks of this Coursera precalculus course, you will learn concepts such as:

  • Numbers and functions
  • Linear, quadratic and polynomial functions
  • Exponential and logarithmic functions
  • Trigonometric functions
  • Integration
  • Complex numbers
  • Derivation

 

This Coursera precalculus course will end with an assessment exam of approx. 2.5 hours to check how much you are able to grasp from such online pre calc courses.

4. Pre Calculus, Calculus and Trigonometry [Udemy]

Pre Calculus, Calculus and Trigonometry

What is this course all about?

Calculus finds application in a myriad of fields such as Computer Science, gaming, animation, statistics, and probability. Similarly, sound knowledge of trigonometry is vital to measure the sides and angles of triangles and is, therefore, helpful in working in industries like construction, satellite navigation, astronomy, etc.

 

Knowledge of precalculus will help you in understanding both calculus and trigonometry better. If you prefer precalculus online courses from Udemy, then this online precalculus class will help you cover the essential concepts of math that include learning precalculus online, along with calculus and trigonometry.

 

With 9.5 hours of online precalculus classes and 85 lectures, this course will teach you concepts such as functions, triangles, and properties of triangles, trig functions, trigonometric identities, derivatives, etc. Besides the video content on precalculus online, this course also contains five articles for your use and reference.

 

Purchasing such online pre calc courses on Udemy will give you full lifetime access to the course content. You can even access all its online pre calc classes through a mobile or TV. Plus, you will bag a sharable certificate of completion. This pre calc online course is being offered by Engineering Education Hub by Prateek Porwal. This course is one of the top precalculus online courses with a rating of 4.6, and 3,290 students have already enrolled for its classes.

 

What You Will Learn

The topics covered in this online pre calc class are:

 

Introduction to functions

  • Domain, range, the average rate of change of a function
  • Even and odd functions
  • Composite and inverse functions
  • Maxima and Minima of a function

 

Introduction to trigonometry

  • Properties and types of triangles
  • Pythagoras theorem
  • Trigonometric functions – sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot
  • Trigonometric ratios of standard angles
  • Complementary angles
  • Trigonometric identities
  • Laws of sines and cosines

 

Introduction to calculus

  • Finding limits from graphs
  • One-sided limits
  • Continuity
  • Derivative rules
  • Trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic derivatives

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

No pre-requisites have been mentioned for such online pre calc courses. Even if you are unaware of the basics, you can still enroll in the online precalculus classes of this course to learn from scratch.

 

Reviews by TammyUdemy:

The instructor clearly explains the definition of a function while expertly flowing from one subject to another. He also caters to all types of learners by using visuals, demonstrations, and actual examples. So far, I am excited to keep learning from this class!.

5. Pre Calculus Mastered [Udemy]

Pre Calculus Mastered

What is this course all about?

If you are facing trouble with your precalculus and are frantically searching for online pre calc courses, then this Udemy course is an excellent place to start with. Undertaking the online pre calc classes of this course will help you become an expert on topics such as functions, trigonometry, sequence and series, conic sections, and many more. Enrolling in such precalculus online courses will also set a solid foundation to take up advanced courses like Calculus.

 

The duration of this best online precalculus course is 21 hours and 22 minutes. It comprises 115 online precalculus classes divided into 15 sections. A prominent reason why this course has made it to our list of top online pre calc courses is that it has been designed in a way that ensures maximum visual learning. The instructor in his pre calc online classes explains each problem step-by-step, using electronic pen and paper.

 

This course is also one of those practical precalculus online courses wherein you will be given ample quizzes in each section to test your knowledge and preparedness to advance to the following sections. Plus, there are several practice problems attached as downloadable resources that you can use to improve your understanding.

 

You can buy this course with a one-off fee which will give you full lifetime access to all its online precalculus classes. Just like the other online pre calc courses on Udemy, this course is also covered under a 30-days money-back guarantee. And you will be awarded a certificate of completion at the end. This pre calc online course has a rating of 4.1, and 970 students have enrolled for it so far.

 

What You Will Learn

The important topics covered in this precalculus online course are:

  • Finding domain and range of different functions
  • Determining the behavior of a function from its graph
  • Transforming and combining functions
  • Dividing polynomials
  • Mastering logarithmic and exponential functions
  • Mastering the unit circle
  • Constructing and graphing trigonometric functions and inverse trig functions
  • Determining the domain and range of trigonometric functions
  • Proofing trigonometric identities and equations
  • Mastering sequences and series and knowing the different kinds
  • Understanding conic sections and finding their equations
  • Using binomial theorem

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

To benefit from this course and other similar online pre calc courses, you must have a basic understanding of algebra.

Reviews by Chris Rouse:

If this teacher had taught me when i was in school i think i would have become an engineer. Very clear explanations. Great teacher

6. Precalculus: The Mathematics of Numbers, Functions, and Equations By University of Padova [FutureLearn]

Precalculus: The Mathematics of Numbers, Functions, and Equations By University of Padova

What is this course all about?

If you are interested in free precalculus online courses that will improve your use of math in everyday life, then you must check out this online precalculus class on FutureLearn. The online pre calc classes of this course will serve as an introduction to the essential math skills required to excel at calculus courses.

 

This course is the first part of the two precalculus online courses by the University of Padova that will teach you the basics of precalculus for college and undergraduate studies. The other course is Advanced Precalculus: Geometry, Trigonometry, and Exponentials. By attending the pre calc online classes of this course, you will be able to describe the basic arithmetic of numbers, identify standard notation for set and set operations, and explain the elements of mathematical reasoning and proofs. You will also be able to classify the types of functions and their graphs and solve polynomials, equations, and inequalities.

 

This course is one of the best precalculus online courses on FutureLearn that can be completed in five weeks, provided that you can dedicate six hours of study every week to its online precalculus classes. These classes are 100% online, and you can choose to learn at your own pace.

 

While the two precalculus online courses by the University of Padova can be accessed for free for up to seven weeks, you can opt for the upgraded versions to get lifetime access to this course and also to bag a certificate of achievement. You can even choose the unlimited version of FutureLearn, which will give you access to other online pre calc courses on the website. This pre calc online course has a rating of 4.6, and 19,661 students have already enrolled for its online precalculus classes.

 

What You Will Learn

The topics covered in the first course of the two precalculus online courses are:

  • Integers, rationals, real numbers, absolute value, and induction
  • Function graphs, roots and radicals, rational powers, and integer powers
  • Polynomials and their roots, quadratic polynomials, finding roots, polynomial division, and binomial coefficient
  • Types of equations, equations involving radicals, equivalence, and equations with several variables
  • Linear and polynomial inequalities, absolute values, and inequalities involving radicals.

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

No pre-requisites have been listed to gain knowledge from such online pre calc courses on FutureLearn.

Reviews by Maria P.:

Review by Malcolm P. on 25 Jan 2021 review stating I thoroughly enjoyed the course, I thoroughly enjoyed the course, which was well presented with tests on each step of the way to check understanding. It has been many years since my A level Maths so it was challenging to remember techniques.
Thanks and I will move on to the next course you offer.

7. Pre-University Calculus by Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) [edX]

Pre-University Calculus by Delft University of Technology

What is this course all about?

edX is another popular platform that offers some terrific online pre calc courses. This edX course is one of the top precalculus online courses as it has been awarded the 2016 Open Education Award for Excellence under the category of ‘Open MOOC’ by the Open Education Consortium. Prepare for introductory calculus with this top online precalculus course from Delft University of Technology. Covering five essential math concepts, it’s designed to ensure mastery before entering a Bachelor’s degree.

 

The topics covered include functions, equations, differentiation, integration, and analytic geometry. Through the online precalculus classes of one of the best online pre calc courses on edX, you will be taught how to apply these concepts to solve different mathematical problems. By the end of this pre calc online course, you will be confident enough to take up any calculus course at the university level and will be able to apply the concepts to different disciplines of engineering and science.

 

This introductory course is one of the best precalculus online courses that you can complete in eight weeks. You must be ready to invest 6-8 hours of effort per week for its online pre calc classes to complete the course in the stipulated time. The course comprises seven modules where each module contains a collection of 3-5-minute video lectures. The modules are also enriched with practice exercises and homework.

 

While you can access the online pre calc classes of this course for free, you will have to shell out an additional fee to receive an instructor-signed certificate of completion. Plus, you will have to appear for the final examination to be eligible for the verified certificate. More than 1,00,000 students have already enrolled for this course to learn pre calc online.

 

What You Will Learn

The skills that you will acquire by enrolling in this best online precalculus course are:

  • Understanding, visualizing and manipulating different functions like power function, roots, polynomials, exponential, and logarithmic functions
  • Solving equations and inequalities involving the above elementary functions
  • Understanding the concept of differentiation and calculating the derivatives of compositions of elementary functions
  • Using elementary integration techniques
  • Visualizing and manipulating geometric objects in vectors, lines, circles, and more general curves

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

Since this is an introductory pre calc online course, no prior knowledge of the subject is required.

8. Master Pre Calculus and Trigonometry [Udemy]

Master Pre Calculus and Trigonometry

What is this course all about?

There are plenty of precalculus online courses that you can find on Udemy. However, we have shortlisted only the best online precalculus courses from the lot. This particular course will also gear you up to solve the problems of calculus head-on as you will be grasping all the essentials of precalculus and trigonometry through its online pre calc classes.

 

With more than nine hours of video content, this best online precalculus course will introduce you to topics such as functions, quadratics, trigonometric graphs, vectors, polynomials, conics, and more. You will be solving triangles using trigonometric identities and will be made comfortable with the unit circle.

 

The online precalculus classes of this course have been divided into 99 lectures, distributed under 12 sections. Then there are attached articles to enhance your learning. Your progress will also be assessed regularly through practice tests and quizzes related to every new topic introduced under pre calc online. Just like the other Udemy precalculus online courses, you can get access to this course with a one-time fee, which is also safeguarded by Udemy’s money-back guarantee.

 

You can access classes on precalculus online via mobile and TV. You will also bag a certificate of achievement at the end. This course has been created by Grant Hall, a credentialed Actuary, and a dedicated math tutor. This course to learn precalculus online has a rating of 4.0, and 3,536 students have already enrolled and benefitted from this course.

 

What You Will Learn

The different topics and math skills covered under this best online precalculus course are:

  • Graphing different types of functions
  • Drawing conics and writing their equations, including parabolas, hyperbolas, and ellipses
  • Understanding angles and their measure – in radians and degrees
  • Solving trigonometric equations, including factoring and multiple angles
  • Discovering the shapes of high degree polynomials
  • Finding the domain and range of a function

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

In order to benefit from such online pre calc courses, an understanding of algebra and geometry will come in handy.

 

Reviews by Claudia Brandon:

Really glad i bought this course. It has definitely filled few of my gaps. Its easy to follow and i hope he is doing some more courses as i will definitely buy them. Grant is a great tutor, wish i had him when i went to school.

9. Math Precalculus [Khan Academy]

Math Precalculus

What is this course all about?

If you have been taking the help of Khan Academy for math, you can also access some excellent online precalculus classes on this platform. The pre calc online classes here will help you earn up to 11,200 mastery points that you can showcase on your student dashboard and also share with your peers.

 

The online pre calc classes on Khan Academy have been divided into nine modules that will cover topics like complex numbers, vectors, polynomials, composite functions, trigonometry, matrices, series and sequences, conics, probability, and combinations. All the precalculus online courses on Khan Academy are available for free.

 

These pre calc online classes are also entirely self-paced. And once you are confident enough about your pre calc concepts, you can go ahead and take up the 30 to 45 minutes course challenge to see where you stand and which are the topics that you need to work on. Students who are not yet ready to opt for paid online pre calc courses should definitely give this website a try.

 

What You Will Learn

Some of the subtopics that you will understand through the nine modules of this pre calc online package include:

  • The complex plane
  • The polar form of complex numbers
  • The binomial theorem
  • Solving equations by graphing
  • Invertible functions
  • Trigonometric identities
  • Sinusoidal equations and models
  • Scalar multiplications
  • Combined vector operations
  • Adding and subtracting matrices
  • Features of a circle
  • Foci of an ellipse
  • Permutations and combinations

 

Pre-requisites For This Course

No pre-requisites have been mentioned to learn precalculus online at Khan Academy.

Conclusion

These were our top choices for the bestselling and top-rated precalculus online courses. We have shortlisted these nine classes after comparing hundreds of online pre calc courses so that you do not have to struggle to compare them on your own. These courses have also been shortlisted after consulting several experts who understand the role of precalculus in building a solid foundation in calculus. The crux of the matter is; you can trust our judgment when we say these are the best courses to study precalculus online.

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