Precalculus · AP Precalculus · One-on-one
Online precalculus tutor for the last step before calculus.
Precalculus gathers up Algebra 2, adds a full course of trigonometry, and expects students to work faster with less help. As a private online precalculus tutor, Rijul takes students one-on-one through Precalculus, Honors Precalculus and AP Precalculus, so they reach calculus fluent in the functions it is built on.
Taught by Rijul, a UC Berkeley Regents’ Scholar
Dual degree in Data Science and Business Administration
Teaches middle school math through AP Calculus, SAT and ACT
Who it’s for
For students who need functions to feel familiar before calculus begins.
Precalculus covers a lot of ground quickly. Students tend to struggle with:
Function families
Polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions each behave in their own way. Students who memorize graphs instead of reasons get lost when the functions are combined.
The unit circle
Exact values of sine and cosine in radians need to be second nature, because later topics build on them without stopping to review.
Trigonometric identities
Proving an identity is a puzzle with no fixed recipe. It takes fluent algebra and a sense of which form to aim for.
Rational functions
Asymptotes, holes and end behavior depend on careful factoring and on knowing what happens as x grows very large.
Explaining, not just computing
AP Precalculus and many honors courses ask students to justify answers in words and to model real data. Practice built only on computation leaves them unready.
What we cover
Precalculus, topic by topic.
Functions and graphs
Domain and range, transformations, composition and inverses, and average rates of change.
Polynomial and rational functions
Zeros and end behavior, asymptotes and holes, and polynomial and rational inequalities.
Exponential and logarithmic functions
Properties of logarithms, solving equations, and modeling growth and decay from data.
Trigonometric functions
The unit circle in radians, the graphs and transformations of all six functions, and their inverses.
Identities and equations
Pythagorean, sum and difference, and double-angle identities, and solving trigonometric equations.
Triangles, vectors and parametrics
The Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines, vectors in two dimensions, and parametric equations.
Polar coordinates and complex numbers
Converting between polar and rectangular forms, polar graphs, and complex numbers in polar form.
Sequences, series and conics
Arithmetic and geometric series, and parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas, where the course includes them.
Toward calculus
An introduction to limits, for courses that end the year with one.
Coming from Algebra 2, or heading into AP Calculus next year? Both are taught here too, so the plan can bridge the two.
AP Precalculus
The AP course and its exam.
The course has four units. The exam tests the first three, so the plan gives them the most time while keeping pace with whatever the class is covering.
- On the exam
- Units 1 to 3: Polynomial and Rational Functions; Exponential and Logarithmic Functions; Trigonometric and Polar Functions.
- Not on the exam
- Unit 4, Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices, which some schools teach to meet state or local requirements.
- Multiple choice
- 42 questions in 1 hour 45 minutes: 29 without a calculator, 13 with a graphing calculator.
- Free response
- Four questions in 1 hour 10 minutes: function concepts, a non-periodic model, a periodic model, and symbolic manipulation.
- Format
- Hybrid digital: multiple choice in the Bluebook app, free-response answers handwritten in a paper booklet.
- Scoring
- 1 to 5. Each college decides what credit or placement a score earns.
How it works
A plan that ends ready for calculus.
Weekday sessions after school, until 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and weekend sessions too.
- 01
A free consultation
We discuss the course and its pace, whether it’s AP, and what comes after it: AP Calculus, a college course, or the end of high school math.
- 02
A diagnostic
A check of the Algebra 2 skills precalculus leans on, from factoring and exponent rules to the unit circle, with AP-style questions for AP students.
- 03
A written plan
Matched to the syllabus, with extra time for trigonometry and, for AP students, for each free-response question type before May.
- 04
One-on-one sessions
Function families explained at the board one at a time, with graph, equation and behavior connected, then practice written for your student.
- 05
Updates for parents
Notes on unit tests and AP practice, sent regularly, with a clear read on readiness for calculus.
Your tutor
Your precalculus tutor: Rijul.
Each precalculus student is taught one-on-one by Rijul, the founder of Vidansa Education. A UC Berkeley graduate and Regents’ Scholar, he holds a dual degree in Data Science and Business Administration.
Summers at Berkeley took him to analytical roles at Houlihan Lokey and Summit Partners; a role at a leading North American educational consulting firm came later. He teaches every topic with calculus in view, pointing out where each idea will be used next.
Testimonials
What families say.
“My two kids, now 7th and 5th grades, have been working with Rijul for 2.5 years, and both started well behind grade level. Both my kids wrapped up the previous school year top of their classes. My son was invited to compete in a global math competition as a representative of the school for this current school term. Math has become their favorite subject, they look forward to new concepts and challenges, and tackle them with true confidence.
Read the full note
“Rijul not only teaches them math, but also instills a genuine curiosity and joy for learning. My kids love their tutoring sessions, and actively ask for extra time with Rijul if they have an exam to prep for.
“Rijul truly cares about his students. We started working together in CA, then relocated to Hong Kong. Despite the time difference, Rijul has made sure my kids do not skip a beat in math. My son also often praises that Rijul teaches in ways he can actually understand.
“We are so deeply grateful for all the work Rijul has done.”
TS · Parent of 5th and 7th graders, Hong Kong “Rijul has been an incredible math and science tutor for my daughter. Beyond helping her strengthen her understanding of the subjects, he has helped her become more diligent, confident, and accountable as a student. What really sets Rijul apart is how invested he is in her success — he checks in regularly, follows up on her progress, and genuinely cares about her outcomes. We have seen a meaningful difference in both her confidence and her approach to school since working with him.”
CG · Parent of a 10th grader, Palo Alto, CA
Questions
Precalculus tutoring questions.
How much does a precalculus tutor cost?
$150 per hour, one-on-one, for regular, honors and AP Precalculus alike. The initial consultation call is free.
Do you tutor AP Precalculus and its exam?
Yes. Sessions cover the course units and prepare for the exam in May, including timed multiple choice and all four free-response question types.
My student’s course is called something else. Is that covered?
Probably. Pre-Calc, Math Analysis and Trigonometry/Precalculus overlap heavily, and sessions follow your student’s syllabus, whatever the course is called.
Does my student need precalculus before AP Calculus?
Most schools expect it, with good reason: calculus problems often go wrong in the algebra or trigonometry rather than in the calculus itself.
What does an online session look like?
A live Zoom call, with graphs sketched and algebra worked out together on one whiteboard, line by line. Sessions are on weekdays after school, until 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and on weekends.
How do we begin?
Send the form below with your student’s course and grade, and Rijul will reply within 2 hours during the day (Eastern Time).
Free consultation
Book a free precalculus consultation.
Tell us whether the course is regular, honors or AP, and which topics have been hardest.
Prefer email?
rijul@vidansaeducation.com