AP Precalculus Cheat Sheet
Updated · For the May 2027 AP exam · Free PDFs
The whole course · 16 pages · 1.3 MB
AP Precalculus Cheat Sheet: The Whole Course
The whole AP Precalculus course, unit by unit and topic by topic: the exam's format, then each topic's key idea, the formulas to know (no formula sheet is given), common mistakes and short worked examples, and what each free-response question asks.
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Every unit, in more depth
Unit 1
Polynomial and Rational Functions
Rates of change, polynomial zeros and end behavior, rational asymptotes and holes, long division, transformations and modeling, with worked examples, common mistakes and calculator steps.
Unit 2
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Sequences, exponential and logarithmic functions, models and residuals, composition, inverses, log rules, exact equations and semi-log plots, with the moves and traps the AP Precalculus exam scores.
Unit 3
Trigonometric and Polar Functions
Radians and the unit circle, sine, cosine and tangent graphs, sinusoidal models, inverse trig, equations, identities and polar graphs, with the moves and traps the AP exam scores.
Unit 4
Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices
Parametric paths and motion, implicit curves and conics, vectors, matrices, inverses, determinants, linear transformations and transition models, with worked examples and traps for class tests (Unit 4 is not on the AP exam).