DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
Mathematics helps us perceive the unlimited power, perfection, creativity and wisdom of God in His creation. By meeting a direct need of mankind, mathematics serves as a tool by which man can study the quantitative properties of the world. Teaching mathematics enables us to draw out a student’s potential for perceiving patterns of ideas and qualities of relationships as well as developing certain basic skills necessary for living in today’s world. A serious study of most any discipline requires mathematical explanation of data. The topics of
general math, pre-algebra, consumer math, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, trigonometry, and calculus are included in our studies because they provide the tools most frequently needed for mathematical applications at all levels and occupations.

CONCEPT LEVEL LEARNER OUTCOMES:

1. 1. perceive the unlimited power, creativity, perfection, and wisdom of God’s creation.
2. 2. develop an awareness of the important role which mathematics plays in today’s society by becoming informed citizens who can deal with social and technological problems rooted in mathematics and technology.
3. 3. appreciate the logic of mathematics, becoming skilled in the art of logical reasoning, including varied forms of proofs.
4. 4. develop and improve their abilities to problem solve.
5. 5. increase in their ability to interpret, graph, and analyze data, functions, and relations.
6. 6. solve equations and inequalities of varying degrees of difficulty. This also includes developing skills in simplifying basic through complex mathematical expressions.
7. 7. introduce students to varying kinds of technology that can enhance mathematical problem solving.

COURSES OFFERED

• General Math
• Consumer Math
• Pre-Algebra
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Advanced Algebra
• Pre-Calculus
• AP Calculus AB
• Honors Advanced Algebra
• Honors Geometry

General Math. This computer-assisted course is designed to further develop the mathematical competencies of those students who have experienced difficulties in master mathematical concepts. Students will work in the areas of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, ratios, basic geometric concepts and positive and negative numbers. (Credit arranged.)

Consumer Math. (Grades 11-12) Consumer Math is designed to provide the students the ability to learn strategies for managing their financial resources. Major topics of interest will include budgets, checking, savings, investments, credit, housing, insurance, personal income tax, etc. Lifestyle and career investigation is also included. (One semester, 1 credit.)

Pre-Algebra. Pre-Algebra provides students with an introduction to the concepts of algebra, and at the same time solidifies their grasp of arithmetic concepts and procedures. Pre-Algebra begins by connecting arithmetic and algebra through variables and variable expressions; calculating with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, using mathematical properties; and understanding the order of operations. The
major concepts of the course include an introduction to algebra; integers; equations; number theory and
fractions; rational numbers; ratios, proportions and percents. (One semester, 1 credit.)

Algebra. Algebra prepares students for the upper levels of mathematics by developing logical and abstract reasoning skills. Algebra begins with a review of variables, equations, and the order of operations. The major topics of the course include combining real numbers, solving equations, combining and factoring polynomials, fractions, ratios, proportions, percents, functions, and systems of linear equations. (Three quarters, 1.5 credits.)

Geometry. Geometry is the study of shapes, sizes, and relationships in the world around us. During the course, the student will study points, lines, planes, angles, parallels, congruent figures, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, similar figures, circles, areas, and how all these are related. In addition, throughout the course, the student will be introduced to the concept of proof and supplying correct reasons for their answers. (Prerequisite: Algebra. One semester, 1 credit.)

Advanced Algebra. This course is designed to give the student a broader understanding of the real and complex number systems. Through such an understanding, the student becomes acquainted with problem solving and develops a faculty for applying this knowledge to various types of problems. Major concepts investigated will be the real numbers, orders of operations, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, exponents, relations, functions, solving and graphing quadratics, factoring, simplifying rational
expressions, conic sections, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions. Calculator used: TI30 or TI86.
(Prerequisite: Algebra. Three quarters, 1.5 credits.)

Pre-Calculus. This course is designed for those students who wish to develop a more extensive background into advanced mathematics, which will provide a preparation for college courses in calculus and abstract algebra. The major emphasis of this course is the examination of the different number systems in mathematics and the study of the elementary functions over these systems. Major topics to be studied include logic, abstract systems and their properties, finite and infinite sequences and series, limits of a sequence, polynomial functions, solving equations and inequalities, complex numbers, triangle trigonometry, trigonometric identities, circular functions and their graphs. A calculator will be needed for several units of study. Calculator used: TI30 or TI86 (Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra. One semester, 1 credit.)

AP Calculus AB. AP Calculus AB covers material contained in a first semester course of college calculus. Many areas of college study will require some familiarity with calculus and its many applications. It begins with a review of many precalculus topics including polynomial functions, circular functions, graphing, and solving equations and inequalities. The major topics of the course include limits and their properties,
differentiation and its applications, integration and its applications, and transcendental functions. The use of a graphing calculator will also be essential to the course. Calculator used: TI86 or TI89 (Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus. Three quarters, 1.5 credits.)

Honors Advanced Algebra. This course is designed to give the student a broader understanding of the real and complex number systems. Through such an understanding, the student becomes acquainted with problem solving and develops a faculty for applying this knowledge to various types of problems. Major concepts investigated will be the real numbers, order of operations, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, exponents, relations, functions, solving and graphing quadratics, factoring, simplifying polynomial and rational expressions, conic sections, exponential functions, complex numbers, logarithmic functions, statistics, probability, matrices, and determinants. The pace of this class is significantly faster than that of the regular Advanced Algebra class. Calculator used: TI 30 or TI 86. (Prerequisite: B+ or higher in Algebra and/or Geometry, or permission of instructor. Three quarters, 1.5 credits)

Honors Geometry. Honors Geometry is the study of shapes, sizes, and relationships in the world around us. During the course, the student will study points, lines, planes, angles, parallels, congruent figures, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, similar figures, circles, areas, volumes, coordinate geometry, and how these are related. In addition, throughout the course, the student will be introduced to the concept of proof and supplying correct reasons for their answers. The pace of this class is significantly faster than that of the regular Geometry class. (Prerequisite: A- or higher in a complete Algebra course, and permission of a CA math instructor. Two quarters, 1 credit)