Accelerated Algebra 1 / Honors Geometry

Department: Mathematics
Teachers: Susan Torales, Judy Dell'Amico
Open to: Freshmen
Length: 4 Semesters

This one-year double-peiod course will teach students the basics of the number system and the use of algebraic expressions and equations. Students enrolled in this course are expected to already be proficient in applying the order of operations, performing operations with negative numbers and fractions, and solving equations and inequalities.

Topics covered include: proportions; factoring; simplifying rational and radical expressions; forms of linear equations and graphing techniques; and methods for solving systems of equations and quadratics.

In comparison to the college-preparatory level Geometry class, this honors course goes into greater depth and moves at a faster pace. This course covers geometric terms and processes, logic, and problem solving. Various forms of proof are studied. Emphasis is placed upon reasoning and problem solving skills gained through study of the following major topics: angle relationships, congruent and similar triangles, geometric inequalities, parallel lines and their applications to quadrilaterals, areas of a polygon and circular regions, arcs and angle measures related to circles, surface area and volume of solids, and coordinate geometry. Trigonometry will be introduced as it applies to geometry. Algebraic skills (particularly work with ratios, simplification of and operations with radicals) are applied.