Mathematics

Total Credits Needed for Graduation: 3

Vision

The purpose of the mathematics department at Providence Christian High School is to help students begin to understand God’s world through logical reasoning.  The fundamental idea behind mathematics is that it is a study of logic and structure, given to us by God through his Creation.  In studying mathematics, students can begin to understand logical reasoning and order.  Through this process students can begin to see these elements in the world around them.  Students will start to understand how God created the world logically and gave it structure and order.  It is the hope of this department that students will be able to connect the mathematics they learn to Creation and leave wanting to learn more.

Standards

After having completed a mathematics course, students will:

• Be able to be critical problem-solvers.  They will be able to take the problem solving steps and examples done in mathematics class and apply them to the world outside of the school environment.
• Be able to reason logically upon completion of their mathematics credit.  Students will be able to be presented with a number of situations outside of high school and apply the logical reasoning used in mathematics in order to understand these situations better.
• Have a well-rounded mathematical background. Students will have experienced several different types of mathematics and be able to leave high school with enough exposure to continue into whatever field they should choose.
• Be able to see that mathematics is one avenue for understanding God and his creation.  Mathematics is found all around us in the order of Creation and students will leave with a taste of this knowledge.

Course Descriptions

Algebra 1                           

Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra
Key Text: Algebra I, Prentice Hall, 2004

Description: Algebra is a course covering patterns in data, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of expressions and equations, solutions and graphs of inequalities and equations, systems of equations, probability, quadratic equations, properties of exponents, polynomials, and factoring.  The course is intended to be an introductory course to Algebra and will prepare students for Geometry and Advanced Algebra. Algebra is one of the first steps in understanding the logic and order given to us by God.

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Geometry        

Credit: 1
Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra I
Key Text: Geometry, Prentice Hall, 2004

Description: Geometry is a course that uses knowledge gained from Algebra 1 to explain the properties of objects.  A firm foundation in Algebra 1 is necessary for this course.  Geometry is a course covering the recognition, understanding and use of geometric properties and relationships among points, lines, planes, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons of Euclidean Geometry.  Students will complete algebraic, coordinate, and deductive proofs of these relationships, and study measurements of both two and three-dimensional figures.  Students will also be introduced to advanced topics such as right triangle trigonometry which will prepare them for Algebra 2 and beyond.  All learning will be in relation to the department’s goal of introducing students to God’s world and his creation through mathematics.

Algebra 2                                

Credit: 1
Prerequisite:  C or better in Geometry
Key Text: Algebra II, Prentice Hall, 2004

Description: Algebra 2 is a course that expands upon and helps us better understand knowledge learned in both Algebra 1 and Geometry.  Some subjects that were taught in those courses are investigated a little further and a little more in depth.  There are new topics that are also presented in the course to help prepare students for future math classes such as Pre-Calculus. It is a study of functions, equations and graphs.  Many types of functions are studied including quadratics, polynomials, rational, logarithmic, and trigonometric.  Students will learn about systems of equations and matrices.  The course will also include a study of probability and statistics as well as trigonometry.  All aspects of the course will be taught from a Christian perspective and we will use mathematics to help us better understand God’s world. 

Note: Graphing calculators are required for all courses, beginning with Algebra II.  The TI83+ is recommended.

Business Math             

Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra although Algebra 1 is highly recommended.
Key Text:  Business Math 6th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002

Description: Business Math is a course intended to give the students a perspective on the business world and the mathematics that would be useful in that world.  The math and concepts that will be learned in this course will be helpful in just about any career that the students wish to purse.  Many concepts that are to be learned are practical in life as well.  Some of the topics to be discussed in this class include taxes, insurance, markup, markdown, compound interest, bank records and many more.  We will approach our learning from a Christian perspective and learn more about how God’s world works through mathematics and the human interactions of business.    

Pre-Calculus               

Credit: 1
Prerequisite:  C or better in Algebra 2
Key Text:  Pre-Calculus with Limits: A Graphing Approach. 3rd Edition Houghton-Mifflin 2001

Description: Pre-Calculus is a continuation of the mathematics students have learned in Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Algebra.  Pre-Calculus takes the concepts to a new level and expands on many things already learned while teaching new topics at the same time.  It is also a preparatory course for Calculus.  Some of the topics to be discussed in this course include functions, trigonometry, analytical geometry and an introduction to calculus.  We will work to discover how mathematics can help us further understand God’s world as we approach it from a Christian perspective.  This course is graphing calculator intensive so students are required to have a graphing calculator. 

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