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The overall goal of the Mathematics Department is to develop students’ abilities to think quickly and analytically. The skills to take in information, process it, and prepare an intelligent response applicable in all life situations are enhanced through the study of mathematics. Not all mathematics students go on to become engineers or physicists, but all students will grow up to encounter situations in which the ability to think on their feet makes the difference between success and failure.
We have a very strong program in the fundamentals of mathematics. Word problems are used throughout the curriculum to enhance the students’ abilities to apply mathematical concepts to real world situations. Modern technologies including graphing calculators, Promethean boards, and many of their features are used to allow for multiple presentations of material. Students are encouraged to build on their arithmetic abilities and develop the attitude that there is an advantage to having a strong math background.
Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in co-curricular mathematics activities which involve exploration of concepts beyond the normal scope of the curriculum. These include but are not limited to participation in the Nassau County Interscholastic Math League, and the Long Island Math Fair.
Class lessons are student driven. Teachers are constantly refining their presentations based on student feedback. Lessons may involve lecture, question and answer, demonstration by both teacher and student, and frequent assessment. Regular homework is a feature of every class. It is an important part of the learning process. Homework is collected after a thorough review, so that students have every opportunity to learn from their mistakes and correct their work. We assess the achievement of the students by exams, projects, quizzes, homework, and classwork.
We aim to prepare students fully for the experiences they will have in college mathematics courses because we recognize that many of the professional fields our students will eventually pursue are math driven.
Students in the ninth grade take this course if their placement test indicates readiness and have successfully completed a course in Algebra. Students learn the fundamentals of geometry, how to deal with geometric figures and to apply deductive reasoning in the creation of formal proofs. Students learn about logic, deductive reasoning, parallel lines, congruence, polygons, inequalities, similarity, circles, constructions, loci, areas, volumes, coordinate geometry, and transformations. Algebraic concepts that were completed in middle school will be incorporated into all topics presented in this course.
Students learn the fundamentals of geometry, how to deal with geometric figures and to apply deductive reasoning in the creation of formal proofs. Students learn about logic, deductive reasoning, parallel lines, congruence, polygons, inequalities, similarity, circles, constructions, loci, areas, volumes, coordinate geometry, and transformations.
Students enhance their algebraic skills and develop an understanding and mastery of trigonometric concepts. Students extend their study of real numbers, equations and inequalities, functions, systems of equations, polynomials, rational expressions, complex numbers, quadratic equations, transformations, second degree equations, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, an in depth study of trigonometric functions, graphs, identities, and equations, probability, and statistics.
This course is given to eleventh grade students who have completed geometry. Students enhance their algebraic skills and develop an understanding and mastery of trigonometric concepts. Students extend their study of real numbers, equations and inequalities, functions, systems of equations, polynomials, rational expressions, complex numbers, quadratic equations, transformations, second degree equations, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, an in depth study of trigonometric functions, graphs, identities, and equations, probability, and statistics. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required.
Students enhance their algebraic skills and develop an understanding and mastery of a variety of topics in Algebra, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus. Topics include polynomials, set theory, trigonometry, matrices and linear algebra, functions, conic sections and game theory. Students are encouraged to develop skills and work habits that will last throughout their academic and future careers.
Students enhance their algebraic skills and develop an understanding and mastery of a variety of topics in Algebra, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus. Topics include polynomials, set theory, trigonometry, matrices and linear algebra, functions, conic sections and game theory. Students are encouraged to develop skills and work habits that will last throughout their academic and future careers.
This course is given to eleventh grade students who have completed Algebra II with Trigonometry. Students further develop the algebraic and trigonometric skills that are necessary for success in AP Calculus BC. Students study linear and quadratic functions, polynomial functions, inequalities, functions, exponents and logarithms, analytic geometry and conic sections, trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, triangle trigonometry, trigonometric addition formulas, polar coordinates and complex numbers, vectors and determinants, sequences and series, matrices, limits, continuity, techniques of differentiation, and related rates. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required.
This course is given to eleventh grade students who have completed Algebra II with Trigonometry. Students further develop the algebraic and trigonometric skills that are necessary for success in AP Calculus AB. Students study linear and quadratic functions, polynomial functions, inequalities, functions, exponents and logarithms, analytic geometry and conic sections, trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, triangle trigonometry, trigonometric addition formulas, and introduction to limits.
This course is open to seniors who have completed Pre-Calculus BC. Students study properties of functions, limits, continuity, definition of the derivative, techniques of differentiation, using calculus to graph functions, rectilinear motion, applied maximum and minimum problems, Rolle’s Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem, the indefinite integral, slope fields, the definite integral, the Fundamental Theorems of Calculus, average value, applications of the definite integral including area and volume, integration by parts, first order separable differential equations, length of a plane curve, advanced integration techniques, improper integrals, first order separable differential equations, Maclaurin and Taylor series, convergence tests for series, polar coordinates, area in polar coordinates, and calculus on vector functions. Technology including a graphing calculator is used. Teacher recommendation required for enrollment.
This course is offered to seniors who have completed Pre-Calculus AB. Topics include properties of functions, limits, continuity, definition of the derivative, techniques of differentiation, using calculus to graph functions with, rectilinear motion, applied maximum and minimum problems, Rolle’s Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem, the indefinite integral, slope fields, the definite integral, the Fundamental Theorems of Calculus, average value, applications of the definite integral including area and volume, and first order separable differential equations. Technology including a graphing calculator is used. Teacher recommendation required for enrollment.
This course is for seniors who have successfully completed pre-calculus AB in the junior year and elect to further their mathematics studies. The course encompasses the study of all elements of a first semester college calculus course including limits, the definition of the derivative, differentiation, and applications of differentiation.
This course is open to seniors who have completed Algebra II with Trigonometry and elect to further their mathematics studies. The course encompasses the study of various functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric, as well as work with sequences and data analysis.
This course is the equivalent of an introductory college-level course. Students will focus on four major themes: exploratory data analysis, designing studies, probability models and simulation, and statistical inference. In essence, students develop strategies for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from real-world data. Students design, administer, and tabulate results from surveys and experiments. Probability and simulations aid students in constructing models for chance phenomena. Sampling distributions provide the logical structure for confidence intervals and hypothesis tests. Students use a graphing calculator, formula sheets, statistical tables and activities to investigate statistical concepts. To develop effective statistical communication skills, students are required to prepare frequent written and oral analyses of real data. Students will regularly build interdisciplinary connections with other subjects and with their world outside of school. Teacher recommendation required for enrollment.
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