Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry
Course Syllabus 2002 – 2003
Ms. Zimmermann
Course Description
This year-long Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry course will focus on developing algebraic skills through
understanding in the following key ways: writing algebraic expressions to represent problems described
in words, given as diagrams, or based on data; understanding the relationships among equations, graphs,
and solutions to equations; and knowing how and when to use algebraic or approximate methods to solve
a variety of equations and combinations of equations or inequalities. The second semester of the course
will focus on trigonometric functions, graphs, and identities. Students who successfully complete this
course will be prepared to take Honors Pre-Calculus/Calculus A.
Course Goals
The content objectives for this course are aligned with the content standards for Algebra II, Trigonometry,
and Probability and Statistics, as outlined in the Mathematics Content Standards for California Public
Schools. [You can find a full copy of the text on the Internet at http://www.cde.ca.gov/board/. From
there, click on the Mathematics (pdf) link.] We also have goals for developing students’ learning and
problem solving strategies. These goals are in line with our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results
(“ESLRs”), focusing especially on critical thinking and listening, problem solving, and effective
communication. The cooperative learning that is integral to the CPM curriculum also promotes our
citizenship ESLR.
On completion of Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry, students should be able to use problem solving
strategies in conjunction with a knowledge of the inter-connections among algebra, geometry, functions,
and trigonometry to analyze problems and formulate appropriate solutions and to extend current
knowledge by making new connections; visualize, express, interpret, and graph functions and their
inverses (when they exist); solve equations and systems of equations; and connect right triangle
definitions with the trigonometric functions.
Required Materials
Textbook:
Notebook:
Journal:
Calculator:
Other:
Optional:
College Preparatory Mathematics 3, Volumes 1 (Units 1 – 6) and 2 (Units 7 – 13)
PreCalculus, Fifth Edition (Houghton Mifflin Company, Publishers)
a two-inch three-ring binder (or a math section in a larger binder) with dividers, binder
paper, and graph paper
a spiral notebook with lined paper
a TI-82 or T-83 (recommended) graphing calculator
pencils, erasers, and pens in contrasting colors
3 x 5 index cards in assorted colors (optional)
Course Overview
Note: The topic description for each unit is followed by a list of the content standards addressed in that unit.
Unit 1
1ST SEMESTER
Sharpening Pencils Exploring Functions
Introduction to the Graphing Calculator; Function Investigation; Gathering and
Organizing Data; Linear and Quadratic Functions; Lines of Best Fit; Subproblems
(Algebra II Standards 2.0 – 3,0, 7.0 – 8.0, 10.0, 15.0, 24.0 – 25.0)
12 days
Course Overview (continued)
Unit 2
The Bouncing Ball: Sequences
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences; Discrete and Continuous Functions;
Systems of Equations; Arithmetic and Geometric Series (from Unit 13)
11 days
(Algebra II Standards 2.0 – 3.0, 7.0 – 10.0, 12.0, 15.0, 22.0 – 25.0)
Unit 3
Fast Cars and Depreciation: Exponential Functions
Exponential Functions; Negative and Non-Integer Exponents; Radicals;
Depreciation and Appreciation
11 days
(Algebra II Standards 2.0 – 4.0, 7.0 – 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, 15.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0)
Unit 4
The Gateway Arch: Parabolas and Other Parent Graphs
Stretching, Compressing, and Moving Parent Graphs; Vertex of a Parabola;
Non-Functions
14 days
(Algebra II Standards 1.0 – 4.0, 7.0 – 10.0, 12.0, 15.0 – 17.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0)
Unit 5
The Toy Factory: Linear Systems and Matrices
More Systems of Equations; System of Inequalities; Three Equations and Three
Variables; Matrices; Finding the Equation of a Parabola
13 days
(Algebra II Standards 1.0 – 4.0, 7.0 – 10.0, 12.0, 15.0 – 17.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0)
Unit 6
The Case of the Cooling Corpse: Logarithms and Other Inverses
Inverse Functions; Logarithms
13 days
(Algebra II Standards 1.0 – 4.0, 7.0 – 17.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0)
Unit 7
At the County Fair: Polynomials and General Systems
Graphs of Polynomial Functions; Finding Intersections of Non-Linear Functions;
Complex Numbers; Polynomial Long Division (from Unit 13) and Sum and
Difference of Cubes
10 days
(Algebra II Standards 1.0 – 13.0, 15.0 – 17.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0)
Unit 8
2ND SEMESTER
The Circle of Terror: Circular Functions
Sine and Cosine Functions and Their Graphs; Radian Measure; Tangent Function
15 days
(Algebra II Standards 1.0 – 3.0, 5.0 – 13.0, 15.0 – 16.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0;
Trigonometry Standards 1.0 – 5.0, 9.0, 12.0, 19.0)
Unit 9
The Search for Sunken Treasure: More Triangles and Trigonometry
Laws of Sines and Cosines; Inverse Trigonometric Functions
11 days
(Algebra II Standards 1.0 – 3.0, 5.0 – 16.0, 22.0, 24.0 – 25.0;
Trigonometry Standards 1.0 – 5.0, 7.0 – 9.0, 12.0 –14.0, 19.0)
Units
10 – 13
More Algebra II Topics
Probability; Permutations and Combinations; the Binomial Theorem;
Mathematical Induction; More Complex Numbers
7 days
(Algebra II Standards 5.0 – 6.0, 18.0 – 21.0; Probability & Statistics Standards 1.0 – 3.0)
Selected Topics from PreCalculus, Fifth Edition
Trigonometric Functions; Circular Functions and Inverses; Graphs of Circular
Function Sinusoids; Graphs of Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, and Cosecant
Functions; Trigonometric Identities and Equations; Composition of Ordinates;
Rotary Motion; Triangle Problems
(Trigonometry Standards 1.0 – 19.0)
11 weeks