Students connect polynomial arithmetic to computations with whole numbers and integers.  Students learn that the arithmetic of rational expressions is governed by the same rules as the arithmetic of rational numbers.  This unit helps students see connections between solutions to polynomial equations, zeros of polynomials, and graphs of polynomial functions.  Polynomial equations are solved over the set of complex numbers, leading to a beginning understanding of the fundamental theorem of algebra.  Application and modeling problems connect multiple representations and include both real world and purely mathematical situations. 

Module 2 builds on students’ previous work with units and with functions from Algebra I, and with trigonometric ratios and circles from high school Geometry. The heart of the module is the study of precise definitions of sine and cosine (as well as tangent and the co-functions) using transformational geometry from high school Geometry. This precision leads to a discussion of a mathematically natural unit of rotational measure, a radian, and students begin to build fluency with the values of the trigonometric functions in terms of radians. Students graph sinusoidal and other trigonometric functions, and use the graphs to help in modeling and discovering properties of trigonometric functions. The study of the properties culminates in the proof of the Pythagorean identity and other trigonometric identities.

In this module, students synthesize and generalize what they have learned about a variety of function families.  They extend the domain of exponential functions to the entire real line (N-RN.A.1) and then extend their work with these functions to include solving exponential equations with logarithms (F-LE.A.4).  They explore (with appropriate tools) the effects of transformations on graphs of exponential and logarithmic functions.  They notice that the transformations on a graph of a logarithmic function relate to the logarithmic properties (F-BF.B.3).  Students identify appropriate types of functions to model a situation.  They adjust parameters to improve the model, and they compare models by analyzing appropriateness of fit and making judgments about the domain over which a model is a good fit.  The description of modeling as, “the process of choosing and using mathematics and statistics to analyze empirical situations, to understand them better, and to make decisions,” is at the heart of this module.  In particular, through repeated opportunities in working through the modeling cycle (see page 61 of the CCLS), students acquire the insight that the same mathematical or statistical structure can sometimes model seemingly different situations.

Students build a formal understanding of probability, considering complex events such as unions, intersections, and complements as well as the concept of independence and conditional probability.  The idea of using a smooth curve to model a data distribution is introduced along with using tables and techonolgy to find areas under a normal curve.  Students make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies.  Data is used from random samples to estimate a population mean or proportion.  Students calculate margin of error and interpret it in context.  Given data from a statistical experiment, students use simulation to create a randomization distribution and use it to determine if there is a significant difference between two treatments.

This undergraduate level course follows Algebra I. Topics include group representations, rings, ideals, fields, polynomial rings, modules, factorization, integers in quadratic number fields, field extensions, and Galois theory.

In earlier grades, students define, evaluate, and compare functions and use them to model relationships between quantities. In this module, students extend their study of functions to include function notation and the concepts of domain and range. They explore many examples of functions and their graphs, focusing on the contrast between linear and exponential functions. They interpret functions given graphically, numerically, symbolically, and verbally; translate between representations; and understand the limitations of various representations.

In earlier modules, students analyze the process of solving equations and developing fluency in writing, interpreting, and translating between various forms of linear equations (Module 1) and linear and exponential functions (Module 3). These experiences combined with modeling with data (Module 2), set the stage for Module 4. Here students continue to interpret expressions, create equations, rewrite equations and functions in different but equivalent forms, and graph and interpret functions, but this time using polynomial functions, and more specifically quadratic functions, as well as square root and cube root functions.

An introduction to how to identify and graph conic sections. [Algebra: Lesson 57 of 86]

Additional explanation of how to identify and graph conic sections. [Algebra: Lesson 58 of 86]

A demonstration of how to use algebra to add sums of consecutive integers.

How to find the coefficients of a third degree polynomial given 2 roots and the y-intercept.

This lesson introduces conic sections and explains why they are called conic sections.

This lesson gives a possible reason why even functions are called even, and odd functions are called odd.