Mathematics
Possible Career Paths in Mathematics: Accountant, Actuary, Bank Manager/Teller, Computer Programmer, Electrician, Engineer,
Financial Planner, Insurance Agent, Investment Analyst, Loan Officer, Meteorologist, Physicist, Real Estate Appraiser, Statistician,
Systems Analyst, Teacher/Professor, Tool and Die Maker, Website Developer.
1737A: Intermediate Algebra A
1737B: Intermediate Algebra B
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: Placement determined by middle school math teacher.
Course Description: In this course, students will have a comprehensive study of solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations and exponential equations. Students will solve systems of equations and inequalities as well as rational functions. Probability and statistics will also be discussed.
1739A: Algebra II A (Required)
1739B: Algebra II B (Required)
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Geometry 9 or Geometry. Students who received a B or lower in any semester of Intermediate Algebra or Geometry (or
both) are recommended to take Algebra II.
Course Description: Algebra II studies the concepts of linear functions, systems of linear equations, absolute value functions, quadratic functions, the complex number system, polynomial functions, radical functions, exponential functions, rational functions, sequence, series, probability, and statistics. The study of these functions focuses on intercepts, zeros, maxima, minima, intervals of increase and decrease, domain, range, and asymptotes. Students analyze each type of function graphically and symbolically.
1739AH: Algebra II A Hybrid (Required)
1739BH: Algebra II B Hybrid (Required)
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Geometry 9 or Geometry. Students who received a B or lower in any semester of Intermediate Algebra or Geometry (or
both) are recommended to take Algebra II.
Course Description: See course description above and Hybrid Learning description on page 5.
1741A: Geometry A
1741B: Geometry B
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra
Course Description: Geometry is the study of points, lines, and planes. Familiar figures such as circles, triangles, rectangles, and spheres are given mathematical meaning. Deductive logic is used formally to give structure to the study and to provide practice in problem solving. The concepts of Algebra I are used to review and improve skills and understanding. Geometry measures areas and volumes and includes the drawing of figures and using angles and lines. Topics studied will include reasoning and proof, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, relationships with triangles, polygons and quadrilaterals, similarity, right triangles and trigonometry, transformations, area, surface area and volume, and circles. If you will be taking Geometry as a sophomore, junior or senior, you should register for Geometry A and B, NOT Geometry 9 A and B.
1775A: Geometry 9A
1775B: Geometry 9B
Grade Level: 9 or teacher recommendation
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered). Additional criteria for placement will include staff recommendation and/or principal’s discretion.
Course Description: Geometry is the study of points, lines, and planes. Familiar figures such as circles, triangles, rectangles, and spheres are given mathematical meaning. Deductive logic is used formally to give structure to the study and to provide practice in problem solving. The concepts of Algebra I are used to review and improve skills and understanding. Geometry measures areas and volumes and includes the drawing of figures and using angles and lines. Topics studied will include reasoning and proof, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, relationships with triangles, polygons and quadrilaterals, similarity, right triangles and trigonometry, transformations, area, surface area and volume, and circles. Students are required to have a graphing calculator for Geometry 9. Please note: Geometry 9 is only for 9th graders. If you will be taking Geometry as a sophomore, junior or senior, you should register for Geometry A and B, NOT Geometry 9 A and B.
NOTE: Any math class Algebra II and higher (Algebra II and Honors Algebra II, FST A&B, Pre-Calculus A&B, AP Calculus AB and BC, and AP Statistics) require a graphing calculator. The math department recommends the TI-83 and TI-84 calculators (of any variety). The TI-89 and TI-92 are not allowed. Other calculators are not recommended. Algebra II is a graduation requirement.
1743A: Honors Algebra IIA
1743B: Honors Algebra IIB
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered). Additional criteria for placement will include staff recommendation and /or principal’s discretion.
Course Description: Honors Algebra II is a more rigorous course than Algebra II. It is intended for students who easily retain mathematical concepts from year to year and who quickly learn new math concepts. This course reviews the concepts of linear functions, systems of linear equations and absolute value functions before beginning our study of quadratic functions, the complex number system, polynomial functions, radical functions, exponential functions, rational functions, sequence, series, probability, and statistics. The study of these functions focuses on intercepts, zeros, maxima, minima, intervals of increase and decrease, domain, range, and asymptotes. Students analyzes each type of function graphically and symbolically.
1743AH: Honors Algebra IIA Hybrid
1743BH: Honors Algebra IIB Hybrid
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered). Additional criteria for placement will include staff recommendation and /or principal’s discretion.
Course Description: See course description above and Hybrid Learning description on page 5.
1763A: Functions and Trigonometry (FST) A
1763B: Functions and Trigonometry (FST) B
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: B- or lower in any semester of Geometry and/or Algebra II
Course Description: This course is considered an extension of Algebra II. It would be good preparation for the MCA and college admissions tests. Three main topics will be discussed: functions, statistics, and trigonometry. Linear, quadratic, exponential, polynomial and other functions will be solved and graphed. For statistics, graphical displays such as box plots will be developed as well as numerical summaries of the center and spread of the distribution. Probability will also be studied. Basic trigonometric functions, sine, cosine, and tangent will be studied and used to solve problems involving right triangles.
1763AH: Functions and Trigonometry (FST) A Hybrid
1763BH: Functions and Trigonometry (FST) B Hybrid
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: B- or lower in any semester of Geometry and/or Algebra II
Course Description: See course description above and Hybrid Learning description on page 5.
1758A: Pre-Calculus A
1758B: Pre-Calculus B
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered) or a passing grade in FST will be considered for placement. Additional criteria for placement will include staff recommendation and /or principal’s discretion.
Course Description: This course is preparation for AP Calculus, College level, and college entrance exams. Several function classes including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions are studied. Both algebraic and graphical techniques will be used throughout the course with these functions. A significant focus will also be on proving trigonometric identities, solving trigonometric equations and applying the laws of sine and cosine. Parametric equations will also be graphed in preparation for AP Calculus. Probability, basic combinatorics, and statistical displays will also be covered.
1758AH: Pre-Calculus A Hybrid
1758BH: Pre-Calculus B Hybrid
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered) or a passing grade in FST will be considered for placement. Additional criteria for placement will include staff recommendation and /or principal’s discretion.
Course Description: See course description above and Hybrid Learning description on page 5.
College-Level Math Courses
*1745A: Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics A (Hybrid Online)
*1745B: Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics B (Hybrid Online)
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered).
*This class is offered as a Hybrid course. Students in these classes will meet a minimum of three days a week in the classroom and will be required to complete online coursework on mandatory days. Students must maintain a grade of at least 75% or they must attend class on mandatory days.
Course Description: AP Statistics is a college level introductory course in statistics. Within the course students will learn how to collect, organize, analyze and interpret data. AP Stats is unlike any other math course offered at NPHS—there is much more reading and writing involved! The four main topics of study are data analysis, data production, probability, and statistical inference. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test in the spring; most students scoring a 3 or above will receive college credit. Who should take AP Statistics? Anyone interested in a career that will need to collect and analyze data, including careers in science, social sciences (psychology, sociology, and anthropology), business and economics, political science and government, law and medicine (doctors, pharmacists, and nurses). There is a strong chance that you will use statistics in college and in your career.
1760A: Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB A
1760B: Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB B
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered).
Course Description: Advanced Placement Calculus (AB) covers the topics taught in the first semester of college calculus: differentiation and integration of polynomial and transcendental functions with applications including related rates, maximum and minimum areas and volumes of solids of revolution. The National Advanced Placement tests are offered in May. Typically, students who score a 3 or above on the AP test may receive up to 4 college credits for Calculus I.
1764: Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or above in all previous math classes (a grade of B- or below will not be considered).
Course Description: Advanced Placement Calculus (BC) covers the topics taught in the first semester of college calculus and some of the second semester: differentiation and integration of polynomial and transcendental functions with applications including related rates, maximum and minimum areas, volumes of solids of revolution, polars, parametric and infinite series. The National Advanced Placement tests are offered in May. Typically, students who score a 3 or above on the AP test may receive up to 4 college credits for Calculus I. Certain colleges will offer up to 8 credits for a passing BC score.
1769A: College Algebra
1769B: College Trigonometry
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Students taking these courses must have a 3.0 GPA, be in the top 50% of their class, and have completed a math course their junior year. (Class rank can be replaced by scoring in the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized test.) Students must also have met one of the following requirements: completion of FST, or completion of Pre-calculus. Students receive a weighted grade for their high school GPA, multiplier of 1.25. Students must register for both College Algebra and College Trigonometry.
Credits: Students completing these courses with a C- or higher will receive six (6) college credits from Southwest Minnesota State University in addition to two (2) NPHS math credits.
Course Description: This class includes the college level study of the fundamental concepts of algebra and trigonometry. Topics include equations and inequalities; polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions, and their graphs; systems of linear equations; trigonometric equations; and complex numbers. The pace and rigor of this class will reflect a college environment.
