Math Prompts
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Which type of function is the most important function?
Is randomness really random?
What is the best method for solving a quadratic function?
If we had to get rid of one of them, which transformation can we live without? (translation, reflection,
rotation, dilation)
Essential Questions
Math I
Unit 1
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Unit 2
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Unit 3
Unit 4
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How do the properties of exponents compare to other mathematical properties that you have
learned?
Why is maintaining equality (between the left and right sides of an equation) the key concept
behind solving equations?
When is it appropriate to create and use an equation versus an inequality to model a given
situation and/or solve a given problem?
How do I use the structure of algebraic expressions to analyze or solve problems?
When given a description of a situation, why is it important that you know how to appropriately
model data, taking into account units, limitations, and accuracy?
How do different statistical measures and representations affect your ability to analyze and
interpret data?
What makes a piece of data unusual as compared to the rest of the data set it belongs to? How do
outliers affect the shape, center, and spread of a data distribution?
How can the relationship between two quantities be described or represented?
Why is the concept of "function" important in mathematics?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
 How is the fact that functions have a unique y-value for each x-value reflected in the different
representations of a relation?
 How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of
functions?
 How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
Note: The essential questions listed here are overarching not only for all functions units in Math I, but for Math
II and III as well.
 Why is the concept of "linear function" important in mathematics?
 Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
 How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of linear
functions?
 How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
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Unit 5
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Unit 6
Why is a constant rate of change the key characteristic of a linear function? How is a constant rate of
change revealed in different representations of a linear function (graph, table, equation, and verbal
forms)?
Why is the concept of "exponential function" important in mathematics?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of
exponential functions?
How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
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Why is a multiplicative rate of change the key feature of an exponential function and how is it
revealed in the different forms of this function (verbal, graph, table, equation)?
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Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of quadratic
functions?
How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
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Why is symmetry the key feature of a quadratic function and how is it revealed in the different
forms of this function (graph, table, equation, and verbal)?
Unit 7
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Unit 8
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of methods for solving systems of
equations?
How are systems of linear equations and systems of inequalities alike? How are they different?
What type of real-life situations can be modeled using a system of equations and/or inequalities?
How does the analysis of categorical data compare to the analysis of quantitative data?
What are effective methods to use when looking for patterns of association?
When interpreting data, what types of conclusions can be made? When is it appropriate to use a linear
model versus an exponential model to describe the relationship between two quantities? What factors
should be considered when deciding whether to use a linear model or an exponential model to describe
the relationship between two quantities?
How are the concepts of correlation and causation related? How can you distinguish them?
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Math II
Unit 1 
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Unit 2 
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Unit 3
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Why are only four types of transformations needed to describe the motion of a figure?
How do the SSS, SAS, and ASA congruence criteria follow from the definition of congruence in terms of rigid
motions?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of quadratic
functions?
How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
Why is symmetry the key feature of a quadratic function and how is it revealed in the different forms of
this function (graph, table, equation, and verbal)?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
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Unit 4
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Unit 5
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Unit 6
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How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of
exponential functions?
How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
Why is a multiplicative rate of change the key feature of an exponential function and how is it revealed in
the different forms of this function (verbal, graph, table, equation)?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of a
function?
How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of a
function?
How are geometric transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations) of figures related to
transformations of functions?
How do trigonometric functions compare to other functions you have studied?
Why can there be a difference between actual and expected probability?
Why can the results of an experiment be different than expected?
How does probability influence opinions and decisions in everyday situations?
Why would the probabilities of two similar events differ?
Math III
Unit 1 
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Unit 2
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Unit 3
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What does it mean when data follows a normal distribution?
How does standardizing data help our understanding of a distribution?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of observational studies and experiments?
Is anything in life truly random?
How can we use mathematical simulation to enable us to more precisely explain, organize and understand
the world around us?
How can we analyze data to make inferences and/or predictions, based on surveys, experiments,
probability and observational studies?
How can probability and expected value be used to make informed decisions in real life?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of methods for solving systems of
equations?
How are systems of linear equations and systems of inequalities alike? How are they different?
What type of real-life situations can be modeled using a system of equations and/or inequalities?
Why are parallel and perpendicular lines important in geometry and real life?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of
polynomial functions?
How are the factors, zeroes (both real and complex), and degree of a polynomial related and how
Unit 4
Unit 5
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Unit 6
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do they determine the shape of the graph of a polynomial function?
How do the properties of complex numbers compare to the properties of real numbers?
How do operations with rational expressions compare to operations with rational numbers?
Evaluate which representations of a function are most useful for solving problems in different
mathematical and real world settings. Note: This statement does not have the same meaning in question
format, so we left it the way it is.
How are the key features identified, described, and interpreted from different representations of
exponential and logarithmic functions?
Why is the concept of a logarithm important in mathematics?
Why is trigonometry important?
How are trigonometric functions similar to and different from other algebraic functions?