Graphing Calculator Course Outline
Kathleen Noftsier
Beaver River Central School
I.
Introduction
a. Map of Calculator
b. Resetting the Calculator
c. Basic Functions
d. Working with Fractions and Mixed Numbers
II.
Equation Solver
a. Introduction
b. Error Messages
c. Basic Equations
d. Proportions and Algebraic Fractions
e. Converting Decimal Solutions to Fractions
i. Regents Practice I
f. Percent in Solver
i. Regents Practice II
g. Pythagorean Theorem
i. Baseball Diamond
ii. Regents Practice III
h. Other Formulas in Solver
III.
Some Miscellaneous Activities
a. Least Common Multiple
b. Greatest Common Factor (Divisor)
c. Evaluating Expressions
d. Absolute Value
e. Inequalities and the Test Menu
f. Logic (And/Or)
IV.
Statistics
a. Introduction
b. Entering Lists
i. Linking to Exchange Lists
c. Stem-and-Leaf Plots
d. Box-and-Whisker Plots
i. Hunting Statistics
1. Deer
2. Bear
e. Histograms
i. Syrup Production
ii. State Population
f. Scatter Plots
i. Weather Patterns
g. Regressions
i. Introduction
ii. Linear
1. Equations of Lines
2. Other Linear Applications
3. Correlation Coefficient
iii. Quadratic
h. Regents Practice IV
V.
Graphing
a. Zoom Exploration
b. Finding Best Window
c. Graphing and Solving Quadratic Equations
i. Using Graph
ii. Using Equation Solver
iii. Finding Maximum/Minimum/Axis of Symmetry
iv. Math B Regents Challenge
v. Regents Practice V
d. Solving Systems
i. Using the Intersect Command
1. Linear
2. Linear/Quadratic
ii. Using the Table
1. How to Use the Table
2. Changing the Table Settings
3. Practice
4. Regents Practice VI
5. Math B Regents Questions
e. Equations of Circles
i. Using DRAW from the Home Screen
ii. Using DRAW from the Graphing Screen
iii. Finding the Equation Given the Center and Radius
iv. Finding the Center and Radius Given the Equation
v. Regents Practice VI
f. Graphing Inequalities With Shading
i. Linear
ii. Quadratic
VI.
Functions
VII. Basic Trig
a. Changing Mode
b. Using Equation Solver
c. Word Problems
d. Regents Practice VII
VIII. Science Applications
a. Scientific Notation
b. Questions from Science Regents Tests
c. Science-Based Labs Using the CBL
IX.
Introduction to Complex Numbers
X.
Probability
a. Combinations
b. Permutations
A cumulative review is assigned every other Wednesday with a
cumulative test two days later. This has proven to be best for
retention of skills.
Students complete all work in class and credit is not given until the
assignment is 100% correct.
This outline is for a twenty week course designed to be taken in the
spring of the freshman year or fall of the sophomore year, but is
appropriate for any student with at least one semester of Math A
completed.
Notes:
1.
Beaver River gives the Math A exam in January with a
90% or better passing rate.
2.
As a group, students taking the graphing calculator
class scored better than 5 points higher than the class
average on the January 2002 Math A exam.
3.
Most students who failed in January were scheduled
into the spring semester of the course and passed in
June. They were also enrolled in the Math B1 class,
but gave credit to the graphing calculator skills for the
change in their grades.
4.
Math B students who are currently taking the course as
Juniors wish they had taken it before taking the Math A
exam and are scoring much better on Math B work
than their classmates who have not taken the course.