regular chemistry & honors chemistry [math review for chemistry]
1. use of conversion factors & dimmensional analysis
2. solving simple algebraic equations, e.g. proportions & equation of the form: a x + b = c; concept of a "dummy variable", i.e. a variable need not be x or y, only.
3. calculator use: entering & interpreting output, e.g. multiplication & division of numbers expressed in scientific notation (e.g. 4.92 * 10 - 4 ); finding log and inverse log (both base 10 & e) of a number
4. word problems - translate sentences into algebraic expressions
5. multiplication & division of numbers that are powers of ten without a calculator
6. graph of the equation: y = m x + b; relate a graph & its equation
7. functions; its domain (e.g a step function) & influence of parameters on its behavior (e.g. for the function, y = mx + b, m determines the steepness of the line and b determines, where the line intersects the y-axis).
8. use the quadratic formula to solve 2nd order polynomials
I expect that you know the above items (# 1 - 8) prior to a chemistry course, as such, I will use, but not teach (extensively), the above math operations / concepts. I expect that these topics (# 1 - 8) were taught in your 1st year algebra course.
wish list
9. vector addition (qualitative only)
10. graph & properties of the log & inverse log functions (both base 10 & e) (link)
11. solving a polynomial using a graphing calculator to find the x-intercept or using "polynominal solver"
12. basis of statistical test (t-test, F-test, Q-test, anova); p-value; basis of regression analysis, i.e. curve-fitting
13. limits & its properties, including L'Hopital's rule; asymptote of a function
14. derivatives; finding the minimum of a function; inflection point
15. ordinary differential equations & its solution
the above items (# 9 - 15) will be used briefly in the ap chem course, while items # 9 & 12 will be briefly used in both honors & regular chemistry courses.