Mathematics
“The study of mathematics encourages student growth and proficiency in clear and logical thinking and the ability to reason quantitatively.”
Students work cooperatively, develop precision in their computation and accurately communicate their results with others. Problem solving skills are emphasized and connections with other disciplines are presented.
MATH 6
The goal of the 6th grade mathematics is to help students recognize and appreciate the vital role of mathematics in the real world. This course includes a thorough study of the real number system and attention to structures and skills, applications to problem solving estimation and an introduction to geometry and statistics. Students will study methods used to collect and analyze data, such as mean, medium, mode, and range. Topics studied from number theory include divisibility and prime factorization. Fundamental decimal and fraction operations will be reinforced and this knowledge will be applied to real world problems. Students will study ratios and proportions through scale drawings and applications.
MATH 7
The 7th grade survey course is designed to prepare students for future math studies by integrating key algebra, geometry, and data analysis topics. A solid foundation of fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, and percents will be established throughout the curriculum. Functions are used to reinforce arithmetic skills, while introducing basic algebra concepts such as the order of operations, integers and the use of variables. This course will build math skills, while continually checking understanding. The students will then apply these skills to problem-solving situations while showing the relevance of math in their lives.
INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA
Grade 8
This course introduces the processes and symbols of algebra and their use in problem solving while remediating any deficiencies in arithmetic skills. Operations with fractions, decimals and percents are studied and used in solving problems involving interest, discounts and unit pricing. Algebraic expressions are combined and simplified. Linear equations are solved and graphed on the coordinate plane.
ALGEBRA I
Grade 8 and Above
This course reviews the basic operations on numerical and linear algebraic expressions, and extends these to operations on polynomials, including factoring. Various methods of solving linear equations, linear inequalities, proportions, systems of two linear equations and quadratic equations are explored.
Both the table and the plotting features of the graphing calculator are used. Additional topics studied are radical expressions, algebraic fractions and the Pythagorean theorem.
GEOMETRY
The properties of points, lines and planes and their relationships in polygons and circles are studied along with the area and perimeter of two dimensional figures and the surface area and volume of solids. The process of doing formal proofs is introduced and right triangles are solved using the Pythagorean theorem and the trigonometric functions. The Geometer’s Sketchpad program for the computer is used for experimentation and discovery.
HONORS GEOMETRY
Grades 9, 10
Students are challenged to use their logical reasoning skills to see relationships and prove theorems. The properties of points, lines, planes, and angles are studied and the characteristics of quadrilaterals are explored. Proofs are done using the concepts learned about parallel lines and the triangle congruencies. Ratios and proportions are used to solve for parts of similar figures and transformations are defined and illustrated. After studying the Pythagorean theorem and special right triangles, the trigonometric functions are defined and used to solve for missing parts of right triangles. The formulas for perimeter, area, and volume of plane and solid figures are developed and applied to problem solving situations. The properties of vectors and their applications are illustrated and practiced.
ALGEBRA II
This course extends concepts learned in Albebra I to include the solutions of systems of equations with three unknowns and inequalities with two unknowns and their graphic representation. Operations with complex numbers are studied and equations with imaginary roots are solved. Computation and applications are done with exponents and logarithms and work with polynomials includes synthetic division. The equations and graphs of the conic sections are also explored.
PRECALCULUS
This course includes the study of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions and their applications in areas such as exponential growth and decay and compound interest. The concepts studied in trigonometry include basic identities and equations, solutions of triangles using the laws of sines and cosines, graphs of the trig functions, half angle and double angle formulas, and finding powers and roots of complex numbers using DeMoivre’s Theorem. The graphing calculator and computer programs are used to find solutions and illustrate concepts.
TRIGONOMETRY & ANALYSIS
This course serves as an alternate to pre-calculus in preparation for college mathematics. The topics covered in trigonometry include angle measurement in degrees and radians, the solutions of all types of triangles for the missing parts, and the graphs of the sine and cosine with changing amplitude, phase shift and displacement. Linear and quadratic functions are studied and the formulas for sequences and series, both arithmetic and geometric, are explored.
STATISTICS
This course provides a basis for understanding the applications of statistics in various disciplines. The techniques of gathering and recording data are studied along with finding mean, median, mode, mid-range, and standard deviation. Probability theory and distributions are used to predict outcomes and test hypotheses.
Graphing calculators and computers are used for organizing and displaying data, for computing, and for modeling the occurrence of events.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS
This course is an introduction to limits and the basic techniques and applications of the differentiation and the integration of algebraic functions and elementary transcendental functions. A multi-representational approach (graphical, numerical, analytical and verbal) emphasizes a conceptual understanding of principles involved rather than formal, rigorous proofs. The graphing calculator is used for demonstrations, approximations and problem-solving. This college level course prepares students for the AB level of the advanced placement examination.
|