Financial Algebra

Financial Algebra is a mathematics course which explores the studies of Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics concepts in the context of personal finance management. The course includes the studies of mathematics concepts and skills based on Common Core State Standards in Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 that are applicable to the modeling, calculations, and analysis of financial situations. The mathematics concepts and skills needed to study the financial situations are introduced, developed, and applied within these six financial topics: Banking and Investment, Credit, Automobile Ownership, Home Ownership, Employment and Taxes, and Retirement Planning and Personal Budgeting. In addition to the content standards, this course also allows students to build proficiency in Mathematical Practice Standards as they engage with mathematics through the financial lens, finding and generalizing patterns, thinking abstractly and quantitatively, making and testing conjectures or predictions, using technology (graphing calculator and spreadsheet), and using multiple representations (tables, graphs, equations, and verbal descriptions) of functions to model a number of financial situations. The relatability of the financial context in this course to our young-adult students will motivate them to learn these mathematical concepts and skills in depth, and equipped with these mathematics skills, students will be empowered to plan and better manage their personal finances in their lives and their future.