The Mathematics Department strives for students to attain mastery in high school mathematics so that they will be fully prepared for any postsecondary curriculum that they choose. Various approaches are utilized in an effort to provide greater depth of comprehension. Handheld technology is widely used as it easily enhances learning from a numeric and graphical standpoint. Traditional algebraic methods help provide the skills necessary to develop both deductive and inductive reasoning processes. Students should also be able to discuss mathematics in their own words and be able to recognize real-world appli–cations of their skills. Placement in a Walnut Hill math course is determined by a math placement test given during Student Orientation or by recommendation of their current Walnut Hill teacher.
Requirements
All students are required to complete three credits of secondary school–level mathematics. The minimum sequence is Algebra 1, Geometry, and Introductory Algebra 2 Topics. In addition, students are encouraged to take Advanced Algebra 2 Topics. Students who successfully complete Advanced Alge–bra 2 Topics may be recommended for Precalculus, and then Calculus. There is an elective in Statistics available for students once they have completed Introductory Algebra 2.
Courses in Mathematics
Algebra 1
This course is the foundation for all subsequent high school mathematics courses. Topics include real num–bers and their properties, linear equations and inequal–ities, graphing, polynomial operations, factoring, ratio and proportion, solving systems of equations, and an introduction to quadratic functions.
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra and/or placement exam results.
Geometry
This course includes the study of the basic properties of congruence, similarity, parallelism, perpendicu–larity, constructions of geometric shapes, and proof. The relationships between points, lines, planes, and solids are studied as a mathematical system. Students use the tools of geometry to discover properties by investigation and observation. This course emphasizes the use of inductive and deductive reasoning in the development of the formal proof.
Prerequisite: Algebra 1.
Algebra 2 (Two-course sequence) Introductory Algebra 2 Topics:
This course is designed to cover the first half of Algebra 2, including a review of linear functions. Other topics include solving systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, quadratics, and other polynomial functions and their graphs.
Prerequisites: Algebra 1 and Geometry.
Advanced Algebra 2 Topics:
This course is designed to cover the advanced topics necessary to complete an Algebra 2 course and required to enter the Precalculus course. Topics include the study of conic sections, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences, series, discrete math topics, and trigonometry.
Prerequisite: Introductory Algebra 2 Topics.
Statistics
This is an introductory course and topics include statistical concepts, elementary probability theory, normal distributions and their applications, statistical inference, hypotheses testing, regression lines, and cor–relation. Handheld technology enhances the study of these topics. This course is designed to show students how statistics is used in the world around them.
Prerequisite: Introductory Algebra 2 Topics.
Precalculus
This course provides foundational skills necessary for success in Calculus. It includes the study of poly–nomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs, all in greater depth. Applications of the mathematics are utilized throughout the course, including mathematical modeling. The course concludes with an introduction to limits.
Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra 2 Topics and recommendation of the department.
Calculus
This introductory applied course covers limits, conti–nuity, rates of change, differentiation of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, applications of the derivative and antiderivative, and integrals and methods of integration. The student studies applications of Calculus to economics, business, life, and physical and social sciences.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the department.
Accelerated Calculus
This course is equivalent to the freshman course offered at most universities. The topics are similar to the curriculum outlined in the Calculus course above, but also include trigonometric functions. The syllabus is closely aligned with the College Board AB-level Calculus curriculum. Students will be prepared to take this exam should they elect to do so.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the department.
