NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
ADVANCED PRE-ALGEBRA
3074
Course Length: Full Year (184 Days)
Instructors:
Advanced Pre-Algebra Syllabus
Pre-Requisites
Students maintaining an 80% or higher average in the Advanced Course 2 are
qualified for placement into Advanced Pre-Algebra. Otherwise, placement will be
determined by a five-fold system that takes into account the student’s grade average in
the previous course, student work attributes, the student’s scores on standardized tests,
and a placement test.
Course Overview
In Advanced Pre- Algebra, students develop the concepts needed to prepare for
Algebra 1. The Advanced Pre-Algebra curriculum provides a strong foundation in
algebra while also preparing students for future study in areas of geometry, probability,
and data analysis. The curriculum has a strong focus on algebraic concepts and
reasoning, solving of equations and inequalities, and geometry.
Mathematics Department Curriculum Differentiation
The Advanced/Honors Mathematics courses are intended to be more challenging
than Academic courses and are designed to provide multiple opportunities for students to
take an increased responsibility for their own learning and achievement. These courses
are designed for students who have demonstrated an advanced level achievement in
mathematics. The curriculum is distinguished by a difference in rigor, relevance, and the
quality of the work, not merely the quantity. The content of theses courses is rigorous in
its breadth and depth of study.
The key distinctions between Academic and Advanced/Honors curriculum at each level
are:
 Expectation of Performance: Students in Advanced/Honors Mathematics courses
will have different performance expectations.
 Assignments: The complex nature of Advanced/Honors Mathematics courses
will have assignments that reflect the rigor of these courses.
 Pacing Guides: The pacing of instruction of the Advanced/Honors Mathematics
courses will be accelerated to challenge the students enrolled in these courses.
 Assessments: The assessments of the Advanced/Honors Mathematics course will
include cognitive and performance based tasks that will measure the students’
synthesis, application and analysis of the material.
Textbook
McDougal Littell Pre-Algebra. Evanston: McDougal Littell, 2005.
Course Outline
The following topics are covered in Advanced Pre-Algebra:
Chapter 1:
Variables, Expressions, and Integers
 Expressions and Variables
 Powers and Exponents
 Order of Operations
 Basic Operations with Integers
 The Coordinate Plane
Chapter 2:
Solving Equations
 Properties and Operations
 The Distributive Property
 Simplifying Variable Expressions
 Variables and Equations
 Solving Equations with Basic Operations
Chapter 3:
Multi-Step Equations and Inequalities
 Solving Multi-Step Equations and Inequalities Using Basic Operations
 Solving Equations Having Like Terms and Parenthesis
 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Chapter 4:
Factors, Fractions, and Exponents
 Factors and Prime Factorization
 Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple
 Rules of Exponents
 Negative and Zero Exponents
 Other Rules of Exponents
 Scientific Notation
Chapter 5:
Rational Numbers and Equations
 Rational Numbers
 Adding and Subtracting Like and Unlike Fractions
 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
 Using Multiplicative Inverse to Solve Equations
 Equations and Inequalities with Rational Numbers
 Sequencing
Chapter 6:
Ratios, Proportions, and Probability
 Ratios and Rates
 Writing and Solving Proportions
 Similar and Congruent Figures
 Probability and Odds
 Permutations and Combinations
Chapter 7:
Percents
 Percents and Fractions, Proportions, and Decimals
 The Percent Equation
 Percent of Change
 Percent of Application
 Simple and Compound Interest
Chapter 10:
Measurement, Area, and Volume
 Triangles, Polygons, and Quadrilaterals
 Areas of Parallelograms and Trapezoids
 Circumference and Area of a Circle
 Surface Area of Prisms and Cylinders
 Volumes of Prisms and Cylinders
Chapter 11:
Data Analysis and Probability
 Stem-and-Leaf Plots and Histograms
 Box-and-Whisker Plots
 Using Data Displays
 Collecting and Interpreting Data
Chapter 8:
Linear Functions
 Relations and Functions
 Linear Equations in Two Variables
 Slope, Intercepts, and Slope-Intercept Form
 Writing Linear Equations
 Systems of Linear Equations and Graphs of Linear Inequalities
 Quadratic Functions
Chapter 9:
Real Numbers and Right Triangles
 Square Roots
 Pythagorean Theorem
 Distance and Midpoint Formula
 Special Right Triangles
 The Tangent Ratio
 The Sine and Cosine Formulas
Chapter 13:
Angle Relationships and Transformations
 Angle Relationships
 Angles and Parallel Lines
 Angles and Polygons
 Translations
 Reflections, Rotations, and Symmetry
 Dilations
Expected Levels of Student Achievement
Report Card grades are determined by considering all pertinent factors including
but not limited to: test, quizzes, homework, class work, participation, and are given in
accordance with the school’s grading scale. Appropriate allowances will be made for
those students with special needs.
Homework is an important component of a mathematics course, for it gives
practice in applying the procedures and techniques learned in the classroom. It is
expected that all students will complete all homework assignments as assigned.
Students are expected to demonstrate appropriate study, behavioral, and
organizational skills. For these reasons, it is expected that all students will: keep a
notebook, participate in all classroom activities, and contribute to classroom discussions
on a regular basis.
Technology
Technology will be integrated through the use of scientific calculators (TI30XIIS) and www.classzone.com, the on-line component of the textbook used for this
course.
Standard Test Preparation
The curriculum also prepares students for standardized tests while meeting
Pennsylvania state standards and eligible content. This includes the Pennsylvania
Standards of Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Algebraic Concepts,
and Data Analysis and Probability. Eligible content may be viewed at
www.pde.state.pa.us.
Pre-Requisites for next course
Students maintaining an 80% or higher average in the Advanced Pre-Algebra
course are qualified to move into Advanced Algebra I. Otherwise, placement will be
determined by a five-fold system that takes into account the student’s grade average in
the current course, student work attributes, the student’s scores on standardized tests, and
a placement test.