Algebra 2 with Trigonometry

Mr. Nicholas Yates

Mathematics and Engineering Teacher
Patterson High School, Transportation & Engineering Academy, Room 110
2008-2009, 2nd Semester

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mr. Yates e-mail: yates.pltw@gmail.com
Mr. Yates cell phone: (508) 944 – 8362
Patterson main office phone: (410) 396 – 9276

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
This honors-level course will provide students with a strong foundation in the practical and
theoretical applications of polynomials, matrices, conic sections, and transcendental functions. It
will teach skills such as solving quadratic equations, analyzing growth and change, and algebraic
problem-solving. This class will have a strong focus on developing mathematical literacy skills
through reading, writing, and research, and will also examine the applications of mathematics to the
fields of science and engineering. For many students, this course is a prerequisite for the study of
precalculus, probability and statistics, business math, and/or calculus classes that build on the
concepts of advanced algebra and trigonometry.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Where Algebra 1 focused on linear equations—their graphs, solutions, and applications—Algebra 2
is the study of equations of degree 2, which include such diverse geometric manifestations as
parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas, and circles. We learn techniques to solve quadratic equations, as
well as further techniques to solve systems of linear equations. Equations of the second degree have
applications from astrophysics (planetary motion) to geometry (Pythagorean Theorem) to sports
(how a basketball travels through the air). The connection to circles and right triangles marks the
transition to trigonometry, a subject which introduces angle measurement to the algebraic context of
functions, equations, and graphs. Algebra 2 with Trigonometry will also be used to develop general
skills of effective thinking, including imagination, abstraction, persistence, and active learning. All
of these skills are increasingly necessary in our modern mathematical world, but are also timelessly
valuable in understanding what the scientist Galileo called “this grand book the universe, which
stands continually open to our gaze … it is written in the language of mathematics.”

COURSE OUTLINE:
3rd Quarter: Algebra 4th Quarter: Analysis
 Exponents & Scientific Notation  Trigonometry of Triangles
 Polynomial Arithmetic  Trigonometry of the Circle
 FOIL and Factoring  Periodic Functions
 Analyzing Parabolic Graphs  Trig Identities
 Quadratic Formula & Applications  Polar Coordinates
 Complex Numbers  Exponents & Logarithms
 Matrices & Systems of Linear Equations  Exponential Growth
 Research Paper on Linear Systems  Circles & Other Conic Sections
 Linear Programming  Final Projects & Student Portfolios
COACH CLASS:
Mr. Yates is available for coach class to provide extra help (please sign up!):

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon 3:40-4:40pm

Every morning 8:00-8:30am
Wednesday evening at SE Branch Enoch Pratt Library 6:00-8:00pm

The newly-built Southeast Anchor Library is located in Highlandtown at the intersection of Eastern
Avenue and South Conkling Street. Its address is 3601 Eastern Avenue, and its phone number is
(410) 396 – 1580. It is accessible to the following bus lines:
• 10 Line - Stop at Eastern Avenue & Conkling Street (at the library)
• 13 Line - Stop at Eastern Avenue & S. East Avenue (4 blocks east to library)
• 22 Line - Stop at Bank Street & Conkling Street (1 block south to library)

I plan to be there every Wednesday from 6-8pm, to provide additional assistance with homework,
HSA-retake studying, and making up missed material. Please sign up in advance, or otherwise let
me know you’ll be coming, so that I know what materials to bring.

If none of these times works for you, let me know. I will be happy to talk and schedule a time when
we can meet. Remember also—my classroom door is always open to you, and I invite you to come
by to discuss anything.

GRADES:
Quizzes and Tests 25 %
Classwork and Participation 25 %
Projects and Reports 25 %
Homework and Organization 25 %

Homework is an essential component to learning the material in this course. Not to do homework
will be disastrous to your grade. Homework is assigned daily except Friday, and I am available for
extra help nearly every day. To encourage the use of coach class and especially the Wednesday
evening session, homework will not be marked late as long as it is turned in by the Friday of the
week it is due (or else the following Monday if school is not held that Friday). Twice a quarter, your
notebook and binder will be collected and graded for organization and completeness.

Quizzes will be given weekly, generally on Wednesdays. A unit test will be worth two quizzes.

Classwork includes the daily Challenge of the Day and Exit Ticket, and is graded daily out of five
points. Participation, which includes on-time attendance, is graded daily out of ten points.

There will be several group and individual projects over the semester, including applications to
engineering, a research paper/presentation, and a summative portfolio.

There will be opportunities to redo/retake projects, reports, quizzes, and tests, for full credit, as part
of the mastery-redo policy. Missed classwork and homework can be turned in late for half credit.
Numerous extra credit opportunities exist, including coming on time and prepared to class (pencil &
notebook out and first check on the CotD = +2 participation points), being in charge of the class
binder, and miscellaneous extra assignments.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
 pencil(s) and pen(s)  loose-leaf lined paper, to fit binder
 a three-ring binder  [at home] a basic 4-function calculator
(+, -, x, ÷)

RULES:
1. Be respectful of others (even if they disrespect you).
2. Come prepared to class.
3. Help create a positive learning environment, and refrain from disrupting others’ learning.

REWARDS:
By following the rules of the classroom and school, we create a comfortable and safe classroom
environment where unlimited learning and discovery can take place.

CONSEQUENCES:
1. Warning
2. 5 points off daily participation grade
3. Detention: after school that day or next
4. Phone call home / Office Referral

Detentions will be served after school, with a one day grace period. It is the student’s responsibility
to arrange transportation home after the detention, and to inform coaches or other after-school
advisors that the student will miss practice or club meeting. Failure to serve detention will result in
a phone call home and/or an office referral.

PROCEDURES:
1. As soon as you enter the classroom, place homework in your class’s tray and begin work on
the Challenge of the Day.
2. You will have homework four days a week—every day except Friday. I will grade
homework on the basis of completion (2 points if complete, 1 point if half-done, 0 if not
done).
3. All assignments should be dated and have your name written clearly in the upper right
corner. Every assignment should also have a clear title (e.g. page number and question
numbers, if from a book).
4. Lateness is not acceptable. If you enter class late, 2 points will be deducted from your daily
class participation grade (out of 10); you will also be responsible for missed material.
Multiple latenesses will result in detention.
5. At the end of class, an exit ticket should be completed and handed in, your area should be
clean, and your chair pushed in. You will be dismissed by Mr. Yates (not the bell) when all
students are ready.
6. A binder and notebook of worksheets and material covered will be kept up by two members
of the class (rotating through the year). If you are absent or miss class for any reason, you
are responsible for learning the material & making up missed work, by looking in the binder.
7. Be imaginative and creative—have fun with the engineering!

We’ll have a great year together—I’m looking forward

to our class.