Honors Algebra 2 & Trigonometry

For the first several weeks, this class will be reviewing important prior math concepts. Then we will proceed into Algebra 2 topics. The topics and dates we will be addressing are:

Pacing Guide: Chapter 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 

For several weeks, this class will be learning about inverse functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions. The topics and dates we will be addressing are:     

-Section 4.1   Inverse Functions: November 12 - November 13

-Section 4.2   Exponential Functions: November 14 - November 17

-Section 4.3   Logarithmic Functions: November 18 - November 19

-Section 4.4   Properties of Logarithms: November 20 - November 21

-Section 4.5   Exponential and Logarithmic Equation Properties: December 1 - December 2

-Section 4.6   Modeling Exponential and Logarithmic Equations: December 3 - December 4

-Test Review: December 5

-Test: December 8

All Assignments can be viewed in the Canvas portion of the class. (Two weeks are posted.)

This week, we will be testing on Tuesday, and start studying inverse functions and exponential functions the rest of the week. This week's homework will be submitted for grading on Monday, December 1. 

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday, November 17:

We will be studying exponential functions.

Homework:

Complete #37 - #41 (odd problems only) and #45 - #47 (odd problems only), AND #49 - #52 ALL on page 424. (Your teacher will supply graphing paper.)

Tuesday, November 18: 

We will be learning the basics of logarithms today.

Homework:

Complete #9 - #13 (odd problems only), #17 - #21 (odd problems only), #25 - #37 (odd problems only), and #55 - #61 (odd problems only) on pages 438 - 439.

Wednesday, November 19:

We will be learning how to graph logarithms today.

Homework:

Complete #72 - #78 (all problems), #93, #94 on page 439.

Thursday, November 20:

We will be learning about the properties of logarithms today.

Homework:

Complete #31 - #35 (all problems), #54 - #58 (all problems), #71 - #73 (all problems) on pages 450 - 451. Show all work for full credit.

Friday, November 21: 

We will be learning about the properties of logarithms today.

Homework:

Complete #79 - #88 (all problems) on page 451. Show all work for full credit.

This week, we will be studying exponential functions and logarithmic functions adn preparing for Monday's test. This week's homework will be not submitted for grading due to a test being given on Monday, December 8. Use this homework as a reference to study for the test.

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday, December 1:

We will be studying about solving exponential equations.

Homework:

Complete #9 - #27 (odd problems only) on page 463. (Show all work.)

Tuesday, December 2: 

We will be studying about solving exponential equations.

Homework:

Complete #37 - #53 (odd problems only) on page 463. (Show all work.)

Wednesday, December 3:

We will be studying modeling with exponential and logarithmic equations.

Homework:

Complete #5 - #18 (all problems) on page 476. 

Thursday, December 4: 

We will be studying modeling with exponential and logarithmic equations.

Homework:

Complete #19 - #25 (all problems) on pages 477 - 478. (Show all work.)

Friday, December 5:

We will be reviewing for Monday's test.

Homework:

Complete the review provided in class (and also provided in the Canvas online class). This will not be submitted for grading, but will be used as a test resource. The answers are also in the file in Canvas.

HONORS ALGEBRA 2 AND TRIGONOMETRY - 2025/2026

Course Instructors: John Glaser and Lorena Glaser

Emails: glaser_j@aps.edu and glaser_l@aps.edu

COURSE OVERVIEW:  The Honors Algebra 2 and Trigonometry class is designed to be a later high school math course that expands foundations in algebra and trigonometry to prepare students for future advanced math classes like AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics. The course covers functions and their graphs, multiplication and division of polynomials, exponent and logarithmic systems, quadratic equations, rational expressions, and trigonometric math. This class is designed to bridge a gap that has occurred since the Covid-19 lockdowns where many incoming calculus students have had major gaps in their math skills. These recent math skill gaps have limited many students’ success in AP Calculus AB. This class is designed to address those gaps before students join the AP Calculus AB class next year.

LEARNING OUTCOMES/INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:  The purpose of math is to help students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Learning more algebra and trigonometry concepts helps students to analyze and model real-world phenomena and relationships, and to analyze and communicate their thinking processes. This course focuses on improving students’ understanding of content and skills learned in early high school, deepening students’ understanding of mathematical models for complex real-world applications, improving students’ problem-solving strategies, and improving students’ ability to communicate their mathematical reasoning using mathematical and verbal responses.

More specifically, upon successful completion of this course, the student will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrate the fundamental principles of complex algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. 

• Understand the concepts of functions and their graphs.

• Describe the properties of different functions and their graphs. 

• Describe the relationship between the different mathematical situations and how they relate to each other.

• Understand and compute the different aspects of algebra and geometry. 

• Apply math skills to solve mathematical problems and/or situations. 

• Construct and analyze graphs from raw data. 

• Analyze graphical representation of data. 

CLASS TEXTBOOK: Our class textbook will be College Algebra & Trigonometry (2017) by Julie Miller and Donna Gerken. We will have class sets in the classroom to use and students will check out a book from ECA to keep at home.

COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Daily attendance to the class is imperative. New concepts will be introduced every class and missed material may vitally impact future learning in the class. Homework can be expected every day. For the first semester, 30-45 minutes of homework will be typical. For the second semester, 30-60 minutes of homework will be typical. 

Students are expected to keep a binder in which all notes, classwork, and homework will be kept. Since this class is a somewhat college-preparatory class, the homework will be given daily, but occasionally the homework will be due in groups of assignments. Students are expected to turn in the homework for grading on the day the assignment is due. Late homework can be submitted one day late with a 10% penalty, per ECA late homework policies.

STUDENT SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR ALGEBRA 2

• Three-ring binder or spiral notebooks

• Notebook paper

• Graphing paper

• Pencils

• Graphing calculator (A class set of TI-Inspire calculators will be in the classroom.)

• Compass

• Protractor

CLASS GRADE BREAKDOWN

This class is designed to bridge a gap that has occurred since the Covid-19 lockdowns that shown that many incoming calculus students have had major gaps in their math skills that have limited success in calculus. This class’s grading structure will be close to the grading structure of ECA’s AP Calculus AB class to help those future calculus students be successful in the future.

Tests and quizzes – 50% of overall average

Classroom work  – 30% of overall average

Final exam – 20% of overall average

Other ECA/CEC Policies

Cell phone policy: At ECA/CEC, inappropriate cell phone usage is not allowed in the classroom.  If Mr. Glaser notices a student is using a cell phone without permission, he will confiscate the phone and return the phone to the student at the end of class. Repeated violations can result in Mr. Glaser giving a student’s cell phone (or other devices) to the administration. The school’s policy on cell phone retrieval will then need to be followed by the student or the parent to have the phone returned.   

Tardy policy: Students are expected to be on time to their classes. Tardy students will not be allowed to enter the class. They will be sent to the administrative offices, per ECA/CEC policy. Students who are occasionally tardy will miss important information that may not be repeated later in the class.