Algebra 2
Course Overview
Course Overview
Course Goals and Contents:
Algebra 2 provides a deeper immersion into the study of a wide range of functions, their characteristics, their solution methods,
and their graphs. The course examines the qualities and importance of irrational and imaginary numbers, as well as fractional
and negative exponents, and how they can be manipulated and simplified. The basic principles and methods of trigonometry are
introduced, along with real-world applications and hands-on instruction in the use of surveying equipment. From a broader perspective, Algebra 2 is a training ground for precise and effective analytical thinking.
Topic Areas:
Pre-requisites:
Students shall be proficient in the skills listed in the Algebra 1 course description.
Typical Class Session:
Review: Homework is assigned at the end of each class session. At the start of the following session the teacher provides a short review and then offers to work through problems the students may not have been able to solve.
Homework is collected.
New Instruction: New content is presented with discussion, questions, and whiteboard examples. Students participate in solving additional problems at the whiteboard and at their desks.
Quiz: A very short quiz provides a quick assessment of the student’s grasp of the new material.
Homework: Homework on the new material is assigned. Students are given a few minutes to begin the assignment.
Grading:
20% for classroom participation, 20% for homework completion, and 60% for quizzes.
Required Materials:
Text: Houghton Mifflin’s Algebra and Trigonometry: Book 2 by Brown, Dolciani, Sorgenfrey and Kane. ISBN 0-395-67610-X
Calculator: Texas Instruments Model TI-30XS
Algebra 2 provides a deeper immersion into the study of a wide range of functions, their characteristics, their solution methods,
and their graphs. The course examines the qualities and importance of irrational and imaginary numbers, as well as fractional
and negative exponents, and how they can be manipulated and simplified. The basic principles and methods of trigonometry are
introduced, along with real-world applications and hands-on instruction in the use of surveying equipment. From a broader perspective, Algebra 2 is a training ground for precise and effective analytical thinking.
Topic Areas:
- Combined inequalities
- Equations in two variables
- Graphing equations in two variables
- Finding equations of a line
- Systems of linear equations
- Solving problems in two variables
- Functions
- Linear functions
- Laws of exponents
- Multiplying polynomials
- Factoring polynomials
- Factoring quadratic polynomials
- Problem solving using polynomial equations
- Quotients of polynomials
- Zero and negative exponents
- Scientific notation
- Rational algebraic expressions
- Properties of radicals
- Sums of radicals
- Binomials containing radicals
- Imaginary numbers
- Complex numbers
- Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
- The Quadratic Formula
- Graphing quadratics
- Distance and midpoint formulae
- Circles and their graphs
- Fractional exponents
- Finding and checking inverse functions
- Compound functions
- Logarithms
Pre-requisites:
Students shall be proficient in the skills listed in the Algebra 1 course description.
Typical Class Session:
Review: Homework is assigned at the end of each class session. At the start of the following session the teacher provides a short review and then offers to work through problems the students may not have been able to solve.
Homework is collected.
New Instruction: New content is presented with discussion, questions, and whiteboard examples. Students participate in solving additional problems at the whiteboard and at their desks.
Quiz: A very short quiz provides a quick assessment of the student’s grasp of the new material.
Homework: Homework on the new material is assigned. Students are given a few minutes to begin the assignment.
Grading:
20% for classroom participation, 20% for homework completion, and 60% for quizzes.
Required Materials:
Text: Houghton Mifflin’s Algebra and Trigonometry: Book 2 by Brown, Dolciani, Sorgenfrey and Kane. ISBN 0-395-67610-X
Calculator: Texas Instruments Model TI-30XS