Honors Algebra 2
Piscataway High School
Teacher:
Mr. Ross
Email:
dross@pway.org
Textbook:
Algebra 2 (2015), HMH (Kanold, Burger, et al.)
Course Overview
Full year course: 5.0 credits (Honors Algebra 2 has a 5 point weight added to your grade)
Prerequisite: Honors Geometry, Geometry 9
Description: Algebra 2 is a college prep course that builds on Algebra 1 topics but extends the
study of algebra beyond linear and quadratic functions. Topics include analysis and modeling
with a variety of complex functions such as quadratic, exponential, polynomial, logarithmic,
square root, cube root, and rational. Students will also learn techniques to solve many types of
equations using the basic skills acquired in Algebra 1 and will complete an introductory study of
trigonometry. Additional topics may include graphing in three dimensions, probability, and
combinatorics, if time permits.
The Algebra 2 course is structured as follows:
Unit
Topic
Length
Unit 1
Number Sets
5 Days
Unit 2
Introductory Graph Analysis
9 Days
Unit 3
Quadratic Functions
12 Days
Unit 4
Graphing Higher Order Polynomials
12 Days
Unit 5
Rational Functions: Graph Analysis
Rational Functions: Applications
10 Days
10 Days
Unit 6
Powers, Roots, and Radicals
15 Days
Unit 7
Exponential and Logarithmic Relations
15 Days
Unit 8
Trigonometry
12 Days
Unit 9
Systems
6 Days
Scope and Sequence – First Semester
Unit
Timing
Unit 1
5 days
Unit 2
9 days
Topic
Concepts and Skills
(1 day = 1 hour)
Assessment for Units 1 and 2 administered by the end of Cycle 3
 Review solving absolute value equations, inequalities, special cases (i.e, x<2
Number Sets
Introductory Graph
Analysis
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Unit 3
12 days
Assessment for Unit 3 administered by the end of Cycle 6
 Factor to find roots of quadratic functions
Quadratic Functions
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Unit 4
12 days
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Factoring to find zeroes
Factoring by grouping and U substitution
Synthetic vs. long division
Descartes rule of signs
Rational zero theorem
Connecting x-intercepts (zeros) of functions to factors of equations (roots)
f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
Assessment for Unit 5 administered by the beginning of Cycle 12
 Vertical asymptotes connected to restrictions to domain
Rational Functions:
 Horizontal asymptotes through degrees of numerator/denominator
Graph Analysis
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Unit 5b
10 days
Define i
Complex solutions of quadratic equations vs. imaginary zeroes of quadratic
functions (through quadratic formula and completing the square)
Three forms of a quadratic function
Find a vertex using –b/2a and by finding the midpoints of the roots
Write equations of quadratics given a vertex and a point on the curve
f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
Assessment for Unit 4 administered by the end of Cycle 9
 Perform operations with polynomials
Graphing Higher Order
 End behaviors (odd and even degree) and multiplicity of roots
Polynomials
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Unit 5a
10 days
and x<3, x<2 or x<3)
Graph on a number line verses a coordinate plane (IE: x < 2 )
Review compound inequalities: conjunctions and disjunctions
Use Venn diagrams to analyze set relationships
Set-builder notation vs. interval notation
Write equations of lines given 2 points
Parallel versus perpendicular lines
Point slope form versus slope intercept form
Graph analysis of linear, absolute value, piecewise, linear inequalities, and
quadratic functions
Emphasize domain and range of all functions covered so far
Practice using function notation
f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
Rational Functions:
Applications
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Introduction to limits, connecting to end behavior
Continuity vs. point of discontinuity vs. discontinuous functions
Domain and range
Emphasize translations from the parent graph and restrictions on domain
f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
Simplifying rational expressions
Performing operations on rational expressions
Solving rational equations
Solving direct, inverse, joint variations
Distance, work and mixture problems
Simplify complex fractions
Scope and Sequence – Second Semester
Unit
Timing
Unit 6
15 days
Approximate time frame
Concepts and Skills
(1 day = 1 hour)
Assessment for Unit 6 administered by the end of Cycle 17
 Composition of functions
Powers, Roots, and
 Definition of inverses
Radicals
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Unit 7
15 days
Laws of exponents
Radical notation vs. Exponent notation
Solve Radical equations
3
Graph analysis of radical equations 𝑦 = √𝑥, 𝑦 = √𝑥
domain and range
f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
Assessment for Unit 7 administered by the end of Cycle 21
 Exponentials vs. Logarithms
Exponential and
 Graph analysis (asymptotes, domain and range)
Logarithmic Relations
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f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
change of base formula
Modeling
Growth (doubling) , decay (half-life), logarithms, interest
Arithmetic/Geometric Series (time permitting)
Connect to linear and exponential relationships
Assessment for Unit 8 administered by the end of Cycle 24
Unit 8
12 days
Trigonometry
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Introduction to unit circle
Ordered pairs
Proof of Pythagorean identities
Six trig functions
Radians vs. Degrees
Graph analysis
Amplitude, period, phase shift, vertical shift
f(x)+k, kf(x), f(kx), f(x+k)
No standardized assessment is planned for Unit 9
Unit 9
6 days
Systems
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Three variable systems
Use graphing calculator to solve systems using reduced row echelon form
Linear Programming
Classes of functions
Non-linear system of equations
Line intersecting a circle
System of quadratic equations