Mathematics

The goal of the Mathematics Department is to prepare students for college and to be successful in their careers and everyday life using mathematics in rigorous and challenging ways. We offer the following courses on four levels:  Honors (H), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Mentally Gifted (MG).

ALGEBRA I (H, MG): 9th grade.

Students will study Real numbers and their properties: algebraic expressions; equations and inequalities in one variable; polynomials including operations and factoring; operations with rational expressions; linear equations and functions; operations with irrational numbers; quadratic equations; systems of equations; and problem solving.

GEOMETRY (H, MG): 10th grade.

This course is a required core-curriculum course. The content includes basic geometric elements, informal logic, conjectures, principals of deduction and formal proof, congruency, coordinate geometry, parallelism, similarity, Pythagorean Theorem, circles, triangles, volumes, area, solids and other polygons. Prerequisite: Algebra I.

ALGEBRA 2 (H, MG): 11th grade.

This course is a continuation of Algebra I plus complex numbers, exponential functions, logarithms, conic sections, systems of equations and problem solving. Prerequisite: Algebra 1.

ELEMENTARY FUNCTIONS: 11th or 12th grade.

Triangle trigonometry including trigonometric ratios and their inverses; graphing; formulas; laws of sines and cosines; identities; equations; applications; circular functions, conic sections and probability. Prerequisites: Algebra I, II and Geometry, a grade of 79 or lower in Algebra 2.

PRE-CALCULUS (H): 11th or 12th grade.

An extension of Algebra II and trigonometry; analytic geometry; functions and their inverses; graphing; logarithmic and exponential functions; complex numbers; radian and degree measure of angles; polar and rectangular coordinates; six trigonometric functions and their inverses; graphs; identities; trigonometric equations; formulas for the sum and difference of two angles, for double angles; law of sines and cosines; operations of vectors and complex numbers. Prerequisites: Algebra I, II and Geometry, grade of B or higher in Algebra II.



CALCULUS (H): 11th or 12th grade.

Topics include properties of functions; limits; the derivative and applications; anti-derivatives, integrals, the definite integral and applications. Prerequisite: 85 or higher grade in Precalculus, permission of the Department Head.


AP CALCULUS AB: 11th or 12th grade.

This course will follow the prescribed advanced placement college curriculum level AB, including: functions, graphs, limits, derivatives, applications of integrals,
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, anti differentiation, polynomial approximations and series. Students should be able to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify conclusions. Prerequisites:  Algebra 1, 2, Geometry, Precalculus.

IB MATHEMATICS SL:  11th and 12th grades (a 2 year course).

Mathematics SL course is a two-year course designed for students needing a strong background in mathematics as they prepare for entrance into college and continued studies in the sciences, business, or engineering. The curriculum will fully integrate the treatment of Algebra, Functions and equations, Trigonometry, Matrix Algebra, Statistics and Probability, Vectors, and elements of basic first year Calculus. The curriculum will include mathematical modeling of concepts such as data collection, prediction, and simulation. Elements of Calculus will be covered from Limits through Differential and the beginnings of Integral calculus. A portfolio is required. Prerequisites:  Algebra 1, 2, and Geometry.

IB MATH STUDIES SL:  12th grade.

The course aims to cover a one-year (150 hours) mathematics curriculum in Group 5 at the standard level. Also, this course aims to enable candidates to experience international mathematical topics, enjoyment and appreciation for various dimensions of mathematics culturally, aesthetically, historically, creatively, generally, technically, and scholarly. Students completing this course will be equipped with fundamental skills and a knowledge of basic processes which can be applied to multiple disciplines, general real world situations, and internationally. In addition, students will complete a project comprised of an investigation of a self-selected topic using mathematical skills learned in the course. Prerequisites:  Algebra 1, 2, and Geometry.

Math Web Sites

• http://www.aplusmath.com    Improve math skills interactively through addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and basic algebra.
• http://getsmarter.org/index.cfm    An animated, interactive testing and learning environment that can be used by students to compare their math and science skills against students world wide.
• http://mathforum.org    Explore math resources by subject.
• http://www.learner.org/exhibits/dailymath    Explore math through daily life situations. For example, put your decision-making skills to the test by deciding whether buying or leasing a new car is right for you, and predict how much money you can save for your retirement by using an interest calculator.