Mathematics

Welcome, and thank you for visiting the WCHS Mathematics Dept. homepage. Those of us who teach in the department are excited about the opportunities this department offers your child and the progress we see in our students. Feel free to contact any of us if you have questions about the curriculum or your child's progress.

The purpose of the Mathematics Department is to instruct students in the concepts and procedures of mathematics, to train students to think carefully and logically, to familiarize students with the impact mathematics has on the world around them, and to awaken within them an appreciation of the precision of God's created universe.

"The Universe is a grand book which cannot be read until one first learns to comprehend the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is composed. It is written in the language of mathematics." -- Galileo

Teachers

• Cathy Fischer
• Kathy Kanzeg
• H. Mark Pifer
• Kathy White

Curriculum

A course designed to provide students with an introduction to the concepts of algebra. It will strengthen their grasp of the arithmetic skills and procedures needed to be successful in Algebra I. The course will provide experiences with integration and application. A student who is successful with this program should be ready to move on to Algebra I.

The prerequisite is a C average or better in basic math courses or teacher recommendation. The next course is Algebra I if the final grade in this course is a C or better. If the final grade is less than a C, the student should repeat Prealgebra.

The emphasis in Algebra I is the structure of algebra, algebraic procedures and techniques, and the development of problem-solving skills and strategies. Topics of study include basic properties of real numbers, simplifying numerical expressions, applying number properties in addition and multiplication of real numbers, solving equations and word problems, solving inequalities, polynomials, rational expressions, fractional equations, functions, relations and graphs. The course highlights applications and integrates geometry.

The prerequisite for this course is a C average or better in Prealgebra. The next course would be Geometry if the final grade is a C or better. If less than a C is earned, Algebra I should be repeated.

Text: Algebra - Structure and Method: Book 1, McDougal Littell, c. 2000

The emphasis in Geometry at WCHS is to assist the student in developing good thinking skills. The course integrates standard, coordinate and transformation approaches to the study of geometry; reinforces and extends knowledge of algebra and carefully develops an understanding of proof. Real-world applications are provided throughout the course.

Freshmen taking this course MUST take four high school math courses as long as grade requirements are achieved (C or better). Thus, a combination of FST, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, and Calculus is required in this accelerated track.

The prerequisite for this course is a C or better in Algebra I or a B average or better in Algebra I if taken in the Middle School. The next course would be Algebra II if the grade is a C or better. If less than a C is earned, Geometry should be repeated.

Text: UCSMP Geometry, Scott Foresman, c. 1993

Algebra II emphasizes facility with quadratic forms, powers and roots, and the functions based on these concepts. Students study logarithmic, polynomial and other special functions as tools for modeling real-world situations. Graphing is emphasized and geometry is applied. Students are encouraged, but not required, to have a graphing calculator with them daily.

Algebra II is normally offered second semester. Students who are planning to take Honors Precalculus and Calculus will need to double up on math at least one year. Algebra II (First Semester) is provided to assist those students. Previous math teacher recommendation is required.

The prerequisite for this course is a C average or better in Geometry. The TI-84 family of calculators is recommended. The next course would be FST if the grade earned is a C or better. If less than a C is earned, Algebra II should be repeated.

Text: Algebra II, McDougal Littell (c.2004)

Same content and text as Algebra II (First Semester).

This course is the first of a two year extended treatment of precalculus concepts. The course integrates statistical, algebraic and trigonometric concepts through work with functions. Students are taught to display, describe, transform and interpret numerical information in tables, graphs or equations. Enough trigonometry is available to constitute a standard precalculus background in trigonometry and circular functions. Other topics include probability, sequences and series.

A graphing calculator is required (TI-84 family of calculators recommended). The prerequisite for this course is a C average or better in Algebra II. The next course would be Honors Precalculus/Trigonometry if the grade is B or better.

Text: UCSMP Functions, Statistics, & Trigonometry, Scott Foresman, c. 1992

Precalculus is advanced algebra applied to the study of linear, power, exponential, logarithmic, radical and rational functions and their graphs. Trigonometry emphasizes three major groups of study: (1) circular functions and their graphs; (2) trigonometric functions and their inverses and graphs; and (3) applications of trigonometric functions in problem solving, exploration, geometric transformation and visualization. This course is the advanced level of precalculus and is designed for those students intending to take Calculus prior to graduation. This is an honors course and students will receive a weighted grade.

A graphing calculator is required (TI-84 family of calculators recommended). The prerequisite for this course is a consistent A/B average in previous math courses. The next course is Calculus if the final grade is B or higher.

Text: Precalculus, Sixth Edition, Houghton-Mifflin, c. 2004.

This course is intended for students who have a thorough knowledge of college preparatory mathematics, including algebra, geometry, precalculus and trigonometry. The course emphasizes the application of calculus to physics and will be taught in tandem with Advanced Physics. Topics include limits, differentiation with applications, calculus applications of exponential and logarithmic functions, and integration with applications. All students enrolled in this course are expected to take either the CLEP or the AP Calculus test at the conclusion. This is an honors course and students will receive a weighted grade.

A graphing calculator is required (TI-84 family or TI-86 recommended).

Text: Calculus, Seventh Edition, Houghton-Mifflin, c. 2002

Resources

"God always geometrizes." -- Plato

Need math help or information? Here are some good sites to check out. If you find others that prove to be helpful, give the address to Mr. Pifer and we'll include them here.

• Math World Resources
• Java Slide Rule
• Interactive Tangrams
• Calculus Readiness Test (You should be able to complete this test WITHOUT the use of a calculator.)
• PreCalculus Readiness Test (You should be able to complete this test WITHOUT the use of a calculator.)
• Impressive Java 3D Viewer of the Regular Polyhedra.
• Karl's Calculus Tutor
• S.O.S. Math
• Online Calculus Resources
• More Calculus Resources
• Calculus study tips
• Visual Calculus
• Math & Physics
• History of Mathematics
• Yahoo! Math Index
• Math Quotes-
• Women Mathematicians
• TI Graphing Calculators
• Fibonacci Numbers & the Golden Section-
• Pascal's Triangle
• The Art of M.C. Escher
• Manipula Math with Java
• Math Applications
• Take a Challenge!
• The K-12 Math Archives
• Exploring Data
• Middle School -- Algebra Help
• Organized Math Links
• Short Trig Course

Course Sequence

"Let no one ignorant of geometry enter my doors." -- Plato

Sign over the door to his famous Academy in Egypt.
It is the oldest recorded entrance requirement of a college.

Students at Worthington Christian High School are able to select from a variety of mathematics courses to help prepare them for college. WCHS desires that each student be academically challenged at his/her experience and ability level in order to ensure maximum success. The minimum mathematics requirement for high school graduation in Ohio is two credits. Most colleges expect students to have completed three courses, including Algebra II, prior to enrollment. The college entrance tests (SAT and ACT) reflect material at a slightly higher level. WCHS students who take Algebra I as a freshman will have no trouble meeting college entrance mathematics requirements before they graduate. WCHS recommends that students take at least one math course each year. This is the recommended sequence of courses for college entrance:

• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• FST (Functions, Statistics, & Trigonometry)

The accelerated track at WCHS places students into Algebra I in the 8th grade to ensure that they have opportunity to complete a precalculus course and possibly AP Calculus before they graduate. A student who begins in the above track can move over to the accelerated track by doubling up his/her math courses in the junior or senior year. The recommended sequence of courses for an accelerated student would be:

• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• FST
• Honors Precalculus/Trigonometry

The WCHS Mathematics Department offers two honors courses and one Advanced Placement course - FST, Honors Precalculus/Trigonometry, and AP Calculus. The latter two are college-level courses and are taught as such. They are fast-paced with high expectation and are academically challenging, therefore, not every student will qualify. The curriculum for Honors Precalculus/Trigonometry contains virtually the same material taught at OSU or CSCC in Math 148 and Math 150 (College Algebra and Precalculus). AP Calculus contains most of the material that a college student at OSU or CSCC would encounter in Math 151 and Math 152 (Calculus & Analytic Geometry I & II).

A student who has average math ability or who is taking the course for the wrong reason (i.e. ego; friends; other external pressure; etc.) will generally not do well in these courses and will experience high levels of frustration. A student who has consistently maintained an A- or A from Algebra I through FST and who is a self-motivated, conscientious worker, would probably be a good candidate for the honors courses.

Taking these courses may also require students to double up on math courses as early as the sophomore year, which requires administrative approval.

If you have questions about the mathematics curriculum of WCHS, please call the school at 614-431-8210 or contact Mr. Pifer