Algebra 2
Welcome to Algebra 2. Students will continue the exciting topic of Algebra and explore logarithms and exponents and the many aspects of functions.
The syllabus for this class is available as a PDF.
We are using Standards-Based Grading (SBG). 75% of your grade consists of little tests on roughly 35 specific Algebra 2 skills. The skills themselves, along with the dates of the tests, are listed at the bottom of this page.
Homework is assigned each night and is due the next school day. When you are working assignments from the book, be sure to check all of your odd-numbered answers in the back of the book. If you've gotten the wrong answer, go back and do the exercise again until you understand how to do it.
Homework Assignments
The date you see is the date the homework was assigned. It is due the next school day. Most days, I have chosen the homework assignment as practice for the concepts and skills discussed in class. If you are working without distractions, a typical assignment will take you 20 minutes.
Algebra 2 Skills
The skills listed below are based on the Common Core State Standards.
Second-semester skills
Number | Name | Goal | Textbook section | Tested in class | CCSS standard | |
1 | Adding and subtracting complex numbers | To simplify the sum or difference of two complex numbers. | 5.6 | 1/12/17 1/18/17 1/26/17 |
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2 | Multiplying complex numbers | To simplify the product of two complex numbers. | 5.6 | 1/12/17 1/18/17 1/26/17 |
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3 | Modeling data with polynomial functions | To f ind a cubic model for a set of given data | 6.1 | 1/18/17 1/26/17 2/2/17 2/9/17 |
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4 | Writing a polynomial function from its zeros | Given three zeros, write a cubic polynomial function | 6.2 | 1/26/17 2/2/17 2/9/17 |
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5 | Sum and difference of cubes | To use the formula to factor a sum or difference of cubes | 6.4 | 2/2/17 2/9/17 2/16/17 2/22/17 |
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6 | Solving a polynomial equation | To solve a cubic equation using the sum or difference of cubes formula | 6.4 | 2/2/17 2/9/17 2/16/17 2/22/17 |
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7 | Irrational Root Theorem | To use the Irrational Root Theorem to identify two additional roots, given two irrational roots | 6.5 | 2/9/17 2/16/17 2/22/17 3/1/17 |
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8 | Rational Root Theorem | To use the Rational Root Theorem to identify roots of a given cubic equation | 6.5 | 2/9/17 2/16/17 2/22/17 3/1/17 3/9/17 3/16/17 |
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9 | Fundamental Theorem of Algebra | To use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra to identify roots of a given cubic equation | 6.6 | 2/16/17 2/22/17 3/1/17 3/9/17 3/16/17 3/23/17 |
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10 | Factorial arithmetic | To simplify a quotient of factorials | 6.7 | 2/22/17 3/1/17 3/9/17 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 |
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11 | Permutations and combinations | To find permutations or combinations from a counting scenario | 6.7 | 3/1/17 3/9/17 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 |
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12 | Simplifying radical expressions | To simplify radical expressions | 7.2 | 3/9/17 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 4/6/17 |
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13 | Multiplying radical expressions | To multiply radical expressions | 7.2 | 3/9/17 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 4/6/17 |
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14 | Dividing radical expressions | To divide radical expressions | 7.2 | 3/9/17 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 4/6/17 |
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15 | Adding and subtracting radical expressions | To add and subtract radical expressions | 7.3 | 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 4/6/17 4/27/17 |
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16 | Multiplying binomial radical expressions | To multiply binomial radical expressions | 7.3 | 3/16/17 3/23/17 3/30/17 4/6/17 4/27/17 |
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17 | Simplifying expressions with rational exponents | To simplify expressions with rational exponents | 7.4 | 3/23/17 3/30/17 4/6/17 4/27/17 |
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18 | Solving radical equations | To solve a radical equation, and to check the result | 7.5 | 3/30/17 4/6/17 4/27/17 |
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19 | Function composition | Given two functions, to compose them and to evaluate the composition at a given value | 7.6 | 4/6/17 4/27/17 |
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20 | Inverses of functions | Given a function, identify its inverse, and determine whether or not the inverse is a function | 7.7 | 4/27/17 | ||
First-semester skills
Number | Name | Goal | Textbook section | Tested in class | CCSS standard | |
1 | Evaluating functions | To evaluate a function at a given value | 2.1 | 8/25 9/1 9/8 |
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2 | Graphing linear equations | To graph a linear equation of any form | 2.2 | 9/1 9/8 9/15 |
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3 | Writing linear equations | To write the equation of a line | 2.2 | 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 |
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4 | Perpendicular & parallel lines | To write the equation of a line perpendicular or parallel to another line, given a point | 2.2 | 9/8 9/15 9/22 |
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5 | Direct variation | To identify direct variation and the constant of variation | 2.3 | 9/8 9/15 9/22 |
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6 | Lines of best fit | To write the equation of a line of best fit from a set of data | 2.4 | 9/15 9/22 9/29 |
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7 | Absolute-value graphs | To graph an absolute-value function given the formula | 2.5 | 9/22 9/29 10/6 10/13 |
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8 | Graphs of parabolas | To graph a quadratic function given the formula | 5.3 | 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/20 |
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9 | Extreme values of quadratic functions | To identify the extreme value of a quadratic function in standard form | 5.2 | 10/6 10/13 10/20 11/3 |
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10 | Factoring quadratic trinomials (a = 1) | To factor quadratic trinomials where a = 1, and to check results by multiplying | 5.4 | 10/13 10/20 10/27 11/3 |
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11 | Factoring quadratic trinomials (a ≠1) | To factor quadratic trinomials where a ≠ 1, and to check results by multiplying | 5.4 | 10/20 10/27 11/3 |
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12 | Factoring perfect-square trinomials | To factor perfect-square trinomials, and to check results by multiplying | 5.4 | 10/27 11/3 |
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13 | Factoring a difference of squares | To factor a difference of squares, and to check results by multiplying | 5.4 | 10/27 11/3 |
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14 | Solving quadratic equations by factoring | To solve a quadratic equation by factoring, and to check results by substituting and simplifying | 5.5 | 10/27 11/3 |
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15 | Solving quadratic equations using the Quadratic Formula | To solve a quadratic equation using the Quadratic Formula, and to check results by substituting and simplifying | 5.8 | 11/3 | ||
16 | Classifying polynomials | To write a polynomial in standard form and classify it based on number of terms and degree | 6.1 | |||
17 | Writing a polynomial in standard form | To combine like terms and write a polynomial in standard form | 6.2 | |||