Math 4

Math 4 is a course designed to be a capstone for high school math, building on the concepts of algebra, functions, and statistics from NC Math 1-3. It's an excellent option for students who plan to pursue non-STEM fields in college and want to be prepared for college-level algebra and statistics. It also serves as a bridge course for those who will go on to take Pre-calculus or other advanced math classes.

Course Focus

The primary focus of the course is on functions and statistical thinking, with a heavy emphasis on applying mathematical concepts to real-world situations. Students learn to model problems symbolically, graphically, and in tables, and use technology to analyze and interpret data.

Key Content Areas

• Algebra and Functions:

  • Functions: Students work with different function types, including linear, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and piecewise functions. They analyze key features like domain, range, amplitude, and period, and learn to evaluate composite functions.

  • Matrices and Vectors: The course covers basic operations with matrices and vectors, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and scalar multiplication.

  • Logarithms: Students apply the properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions and solve equations, both algebraically and in contextual problems.

• Statistics and Probability:

  • Data Analysis: The curriculum is centered on real-world data sets, often large ones. Students learn to organize and interpret this data using technology and various data visualizations.

  • Probability Distributions: Students are introduced to concepts like discrete probability distributions and the binomial distribution to model and make decisions about random phenomena.

  • Statistical Inference: The course provides an introduction to statistical inference, including the use of simulations to create sampling distributions and informal reasoning to make decisions based on data.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to use the Standards for Mathematical Practice to make sense of problems, reason abstractly and quantitatively, and model with mathematics. The use of technology, such as graphing calculators and spreadsheets, is an integral part of the curriculum.