Mathematics
The Moeller Mathematics Department aims to develop disciplined, self-motivated, creative problem solvers using diverse methods and tools who can successfully complete rigorous mathematical courses needed for their future success. The department strives to meet every student where he is and support him in his mathematical goals. As outlined in the course sequences below, we start most students in the bedrock of mathematics courses: Algebra I. Although many of our students have had some level of Algebra before they reach Moeller, we believe building and strengthening these fundamental skills are critical to students succeeding in higher level mathematics. Students will then progress through challenging courses such as Geometry and Algebra II, with most eventually reaching some level of Calculus in their senior year. Even those students who do not excel in mathematics will take a College Algebra course geared to prepare them for entrance into college.
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Algebra I is the cornerstone of the high school mathematics sequence. Students learn how to use the essential tools of Algebra including: how to work with and understand the properties of real numbers, including exponents and radicals; analyze, solve and represent linear and quadratic functions; and how to express real world phenomena in the language of algebra. This course is designed for students with average and above average mathematics aptitude.
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Algebra I CP1 Level 1 will meet the needs of a wide range of students, but at a slightly slower pace than Algebra I, covering all topics of Algebra I. Throughout this course, students will grow in their ability to synthesize mathematical concepts and then apply them to familiar and unfamiliar problems. This course is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of real number sense, linear and quadratic functions.
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Algebra 1 Honors is the first of four classes in the honors sequence meant to prepare the student for a year of Calculus as a senior; it is designed for students with higher mathematics aptitude who have completed Pre-Algebra. Throughout this course, students will develop abilities to understand and communicate mathematical ideas effectively and increase their appreciation of mathematics through seeing a range of mathematical applications.
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Algebra 1 CP2 begins with a general review of all the basic operations of arithmetic. It then exposes the student to the entire spectrum of a first-year high school Algebra 1 course.
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Prerequisite: Geometry CP1 or 95% or higher in Geometry CP1 Level 1
Algebra 2 and Trigonometry serves as the transition from elementary algebra to the more rigorous calculus based courses. Instructors emphasize higher order polynomial functions, word problems, and other traditional topics.
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Prerequisite: Geometry Honors, department chair approval, or placement exam for Algebra I
Algebra II and Trigonometry will place emphasis on systems of linear equations, polynomial functions, quadratic relations, trigonometric and circular functions, and trigonometric identities.
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Prerequisite: Geometry CP1 Level 1 or 95% or higher in Geometry CP2
Algebra 2 completes the topics of algebra and prepares the student with average math skills for the complexities of Trigonometry. Throughout this course, students will develop quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills.
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Algebra II continues the study of Algebra by reviewing the concepts studied in Algebra I including solving system of equations and investigating higher order polynomial functions, such as quadratics. Students will then investigate other types of functions such as exponential and logarithmic functions.
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Prerequisite: Analysis Honors or 85% or higher in Algebra II and Trigonometry Honors
AP Calculus AB covers the following topics while focusing on techniques and applications: functions, graphs, and limits; derivatives; integrals. Students will be prepared to take the “AB” version of the AP test which is equivalent to first semester of upper level college calculus.
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Prerequisite: 80% or higher in Analysis Honors
AP Calculus BC is the final course in our Honors Math sequence. The pace of this course is very rigorous which requires successful completion of Honors Analysis. This course not only includes the topics of Calculus AB in greater depth (adding 17 parametric, polar, and vector functions) but it also covers topics of polynomial approximations and series. Calculus BC is equivalent to the first two semesters of upper level college calculus. Students will be prepared to take the “BC” version of the AP test.
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Prerequisite: Algebra 2 and Trigonometry CP1 or department chair approval
Intro to Calculus brings together many of the concepts and procedures from algebra, geometry and trigonometry. The focus in the first half of the year will be on functions, limits and differential calculus with an emphasis on real world problems in the area of related rates, business, optimization and motion. The focus in the second half of the year will be on integral calculus with applications that include finding areas enclosed by the graphs of functions, finding the volumes of shapes defined by functions and calculating quantities by integrating derivative functions.
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Prerequisite: Algebra 2 CP2 or department chair approval
College Algebra expands upon those topics covered in Algebra I and Algebra II. College Algebra seeks fill in any gaps to prepare a student for entry into a college level mathematics course. Time permitting, the course will also introduce the student to basic
business statistics concepts .
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Prerequisites: 85% or higher in Algebra I and Geometry
Data is generated in everything we do; e.g. driving, surfing the internet, using your cell
phone or making a purchase with your credit card. The data that is collected can be used to model real world scenarios. This course will examine the process that develops, analyzes and modifies models of natural phenomena in business, engineering, science and sports. A non-exhaustive list of example models includes population growth, the spread of a disease, the elimination of drug from the body, interest, present value calculations, and sports statistics. Student interests will drive the content of the
models explored. The project-based curriculum will develop the necessary
mathematical, content area knowledge and programming background as needed. Please note that this elective course does not meet graduation requirements for Mathematics.
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Prerequisite: Algebra I CP1 or teacher recommendation
Geometry covers all topics of plane geometry including investigating parallel and perpendicular lines, triangles and other polygons, circles and eventually three dimensional shapes. Students will solve geometric problems using their Algebra skills. There will also be some emphasis on deductive reasoning, proofs and the properties of an axiomatic mathematical system. Various technologies will be used to discovery these properties.
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Prerequisite: Algebra I Level 1 CP1 or teacher recommendation
Geometry covers all topics of plane geometry including investigating parallel and perpendicular lines, triangles and other polygons, circles and eventually three-dimensional shapes. Students will solve geometric problems while reviewing their Algebra skills and placing an emphasis on justifying "why" we know certain facts about a topic.
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Prerequisite: Algebra I CP2
Geometry covers all topics of plane geometry including investigating parallel and perpendicular lines, triangles and other polygons, circles and eventually three-dimensional shapes. This will give students a solid introduction in Geometry. Various technologies will be used to visualize concepts in this course.
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Prerequisite: Algebra 1 Honors, department chair approval, or placement exam
Geometry will place a special emphasis on logic, proof, and rigorous mathematical development and include some introduction to non-Euclidean geometry. Geometer's Sketchpad will be utilized in this course.
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Prerequisite: Score of 3 or higher on AP Calculus BC examination This is the University of Cincinnati’s MATH 2063 course. The course will cover the study of lines and planes, vector-valued functions, partial derivatives and their applications, multiple integrals, and calculus of vector fields.
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Prerequisite: Score of 3 or higher on AP Calculus BC examination
This is the University of Cincinnati’s MATH 2073 course. The course will cover the study of first-order differential equations (linear, separable, exact, homogenous), second-order linear homogeneous differential equations with constant coefficients, Euler equations, higher-order linear differential equations. Covers linear dependence for solutions of a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation, Wronskians, the method of undetermined coefficients, the method of variation of parameters, series solutions of second-order linear differential equations, regular singular points, and the Laplace transform.
Ordinary Differential Equations CCP is a CCP course through the University of Cincinnati in which students can earn college credit; students must meet University of Cincinnati’s mathematics requirements to qualify for college credit. Students must register for the College Credit Plus (CCP) program through the Ohio Department of Education and be accepted as a student by the University of Cincinnati to enroll in this course.
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Prerequisite: Algebra 2 and Trigonometry CP1 or teacher recommendation
Pre-Calculus is a fundamental course, covering the following necessary topics for pre-calculus: sequences and series; polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions and graphs; limits and continuity. It is intended for students who have completed two years of high school algebra and one year of high school geometry.
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Prerequisite: Algebra II and Trigonometry Honors or department chair approval
Pre-Calculus Honors will cover topics including sequences, series and limits, functions, differential calculus, trigonometric functions and graphs, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
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Prerequisite: Analysis Honors or 80% or higher in Pre-Calculus CP1
The AP Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics. The course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference.
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Prerequisite: Algebra 2 CP1 Level 1 or teacher recommendation
Trigonometry will cover the introduction and applications of trigonometry as well exponentials, logarithms, sequences and series and data analysis. This course will give the student a better understanding of the applications of trigonometry and prepare them for Precalculus or College Algebra by showing the relationship to real world problems.