Mathematics
Mathematics is a creative, dynamic system that we use to model and understand our environment. Math students at PCH will be taught to appreciate the aesthetics and beauty of mathematics and will gain a deep understanding of how it enriches their lives. They will be challenged to gain not only a conceptual understanding of mathematical skills and principles, but also knowledge of, and experience with, pure reasoning. This logical reasoning will prepare the students for a broad range of situations in which answers to real life problems can be found with accuracy. The students will see the interdependence of mathematics and music, art, architecture, science, and philosophy to other disciplines and will become lifelong students of mathematics regardless of the career they pursue.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Graduation requirement: 3 years of high school math
Algebra I Honors or Algebra I – (Year Course)
This course is designed to develop a student’s mathematical comprehension and skills. Special attention is given to the solution of linear equations and inequalities, solution of quadratic equations, evaluation of algebraic expressions, performance of polynomial arithmetic, operations with rational expressions, operations with radicals, and the solution of graphing of linear equations involving two variables. The analysis and solution of word problems is stressed throughout the course.
Geometry Honors or Geometry – (Year Course)
This course presents geometry as a topic of importance for daily living, for career development, and for the future study of mathematics. It applies the skills of drawing, measurement, visualization and deductive logic to the study of triangles, quadrilateral, general polygons, and circles. It analyzes concepts of similarity, congruence, and isometric transformations of figures. Emphasis is placed upon the analysis of right triangle and the area and volume of plane and solid figures. Trigonometry of right triangles is introduced. Techniques of coordinate geometry are developed. Algebraic representation and deductive analysis of geometric relations are stressed throughout the course. Dynamic Geometry software is used for discovery and as a demonstration tool.
A TI-83PLUS graphing calculator is required for this course
Algebra II Honors or Algebra II – (Year Course)
This course emphasizes the real-world applications of mathematics using appropriate technology throughout the course. Topics covered include: the analysis of linear, quadratic, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions are relations, binomial expansions, permutations and combinations. Graphing skills are developed in these areas using graphing utilities. Students will work with polynomial and rational algebraic expressions, radicals, irrational and imaginary numbers, exponents and logarithms, trigonometric identities and formulas, and circular functions. The analysis and solution of word problems is stressed throughout the course.
A TI-83PLUS graphing calculator is required for this course
Pre-calculus Honors or Pre-calculus – (Year Course)
This course will lay the foundation for calculus by surveying the behavior of the most common functions and relations, and their inverses, including conics, powers, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Besides the behavior of these functions, the course will explore ways of handling the graphs, tables, and formulas that represent them. Students will be expected to read graphs and think graphically, and to read tables and think numerically. They will have the opportunity to apply these skills with their algebraic skills to many applications and to modeling real-world problems, including data analysis and regression equations. Students will be introduced to the concepts of limits and continuity, derivatives and integrals. Graphing utilities are used extensively.
A TI-83PLUS graphing calculator is required for this course
Calculus – (Year Course)
This course is a continuation of the topics introduced in Pre-calculus. Topics covered include: algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, limits and continuity, the derivative and applications of the derivative, the antiderivative, the definite integral and applications and techniques integrals, infinite series, and conics and parametric equations.
A TI-83PLUS graphing calculator is required for this course
AP Calculus AB – (Year Course)
This course is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Calculus AB Examination. Topics covered in AP Calculus AB include: algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, limits and continuity, the derivative and applications of the derivative, the antiderivative, the definite integral and applications and techniques integrals, infinite series, and conics and parametric equations.
A TI-83PLUS graphing calculator is required for this course
AP Calculus BC – (Year Course)
This course is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Calculus BC Examination. Topics covered in AP Calculus BC include: algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic, parametric, polar and vector functions, limits and continuity, the derivative and applications of the derivative, the antiderivative, the definite integral and applications and techniques integrals, polynomial approximations and infinite series, Taylor series, and conics and parametric equations.
A TI-83PLUS graphing calculator is required for this course