Syllabus for Algebra III – Fall 2016
Course Description: Algebra III is a course meant to prepare students for higher level math courses such as College Algebra. We will review many of the concepts from Algebra II while working to build strong thinking and reasoning skills which are necessary to survival not only in college, but also in most careers. Looking at how these concepts can be used in the world outside the classroom will allow students to gain a better appreciation for how all of what they have seen so far in math comes together.
Course Outline:
Unit One – Graphs, Functions and Models
Intro to graphing
Functions and graphs
Linear functions, slope and applications
Equations of lines and modeling
Linear equations, functions, zeros, and applications
Solving linear inequalities
Unit Two –More on Functions
Increasing, decreasing, and piecewise functions
The algebra of functions
The composition of functions
Inverse functions
Symmetry
Transformations
Unit Three –Quadratic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities
The complex numbers
Quadratic equations, functions, zeros, and models
Analyzing graphs of quadratic functions
Solving rational equations and radical equations
Solving equations and inequalities with absolute value
Unit Four – Polynomial and Rational Functions
Polynomial functions and modeling
Graphing polynomial functions
Polynomial division, the remainder theorem, and factor theorem
Theorems about zeros of polynomial functions
Rational functions
Polynomial inequalities and rational inequalities
Unit Five – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Exponential functions and graphs
Logarithmic functions and graphs
Properties of logarithmic functions
Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
Application and models – growth and decay, compound interest
Unit Six – Systems of Equations and Matrices
Systems of equations in 2 variables
Systems of equations in 3 variables
Matrices and systems of equations
Matrix operations
Variation
Unit Seven – Sequences and Series
Sequences and series
Arithmetic sequences and series
Geometric sequences and series
Unit Eight – Trigonometry
Finding missing parts of right triangles using Trig. ratios
Angle of Elevation and Depression
Co-terminal angles, Reference angles and Radians
Graphing Trig functions
Law of Sines and Cosines
Trig Identities
Solving Trig Equations
Technology:TI-84 plus graphing calculators will be used on aregular basis in this class. We have these available for students to use during classtime. Assignments will be made with the understanding that not all students havethese calculators at home. So while owning a graphing calculator is not arequirement for this class, students may want to consider investing in one,especially if they plan on taking more math courses.
Assessments:Students will be given take-home assessments throughout the year and given a due date for each. Algebra III is classified as a weighted course in Geary (pg 15 in the student handbook), and therefore; grades will be based on a 5 point scale (A = 5 pt, B = 4 pt, etc.). This means all students will be required to take the semester exam as stated in the Geary Student Handbook (pg 13).
Textbook Resource: PreCalculus, Brooks/Cole
A textbook will be checked out to each student to take home