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What does a student learn in ?

High school math is where students stop solving for a single answer and start working with whole families of functions. Algebra I builds the toolkit: linear, quadratic, and exponential equations, and the graphs that go with them. Geometry adds proofs, similar and congruent shapes, right-triangle trigonometry, and circles. Algebra II stretches it further with polynomials, logarithms, complex numbers, and the unit circle. By the end, students can model a real situation with the right kind of equation and explain what the answer means.

  • Linear equations
  • Quadratic functions
  • Exponential growth
  • Geometric proofs
  • Right-triangle trigonometry
  • Polynomials and logarithms
  • Statistics and probability
Source: Louisiana Louisiana Student Standards
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
  1. 1

    Algebra I: equations and linear models

    Students start high school math by solving equations and inequalities, then graphing lines and writing them from word problems. They learn to read a slope and a starting value as real things, like a price per hour and a flat fee.

  2. 2

    Algebra I: quadratics and exponential growth

    Students work with curves that rise and fall, like the path of a ball, and with quantities that double or shrink by a percent each step. They factor, complete the square, and use the quadratic formula to find where a curve crosses zero.

  3. 3

    Algebra I: data and two-way tables

    Students compare data sets using center and spread, and fit a line to a scatter plot to make predictions. They also read two-way tables to spot patterns, and learn why a strong correlation does not prove one thing caused another.

  4. 4

    Geometry: shapes, proofs, and similarity

    Students prove why familiar facts about triangles, parallel lines, and parallelograms are true, using transformations like slides, flips, and turns. They also work with similar figures, scale factors, and right-triangle trigonometry to find missing lengths and angles.

  5. 5

    Geometry: circles, coordinates, and solids

    Students study circles, arcs, and sectors, and write equations for circles on a coordinate grid. They also find volumes of cylinders, cones, pyramids, and spheres, and use shapes to model real objects like tanks, columns, and packaging.

  6. 6

    Algebra II: advanced functions and statistics

    Students extend their toolkit to polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, and meet complex numbers when a quadratic has no real answer. They also use normal curves, samples, and simulations to draw careful conclusions from data.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 11.
High School - Algebra I
  • Use properties of rational and irrational numbers

    A1.N-RN.B
    High School

    Students practice rules for working with fractions, decimals, and numbers like the square root of 2 to predict whether an answer will be a clean fraction or a never-ending decimal.

  • Explain why the sum or product of two rational numbers is rational

    A1.N-RN.B.3
    High School

    Students explain why adding or multiplying two fractions (or whole numbers) always gives another fraction, and why mixing a fraction with a number like pi always gives something that can't be written as a fraction.

  • Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems

    A1.N-Q.A
    High School

    Students use units like miles, dollars, or seconds to set up and solve real problems. The unit is part of the math, not an afterthought.

  • Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of…

    A1.N-Q.A.1
    High School

    Students pick the right units for a problem (miles, seconds, dollars) and stick with them through every step. On a graph, they decide what the scale means and where zero should go so the data makes sense.

  • Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling

    A1.N-Q.A.2
    High School

    Students decide which numbers and units to track when building a real-world model, like choosing miles per hour instead of total feet when describing a road trip.

  • Choose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurement when…

    A1.N-Q.A.3
    High School

    When solving a real problem, students decide how precise their answer needs to be. A distance measured with a ruler doesn't need ten decimal places; a dose of medicine might.

  • Interpret the structure of expressions

    A1.A-SSE.A
    High School

    Reading an expression like 2x + 10 means seeing more than symbols. Students figure out what each part represents in context, such as a starting value or a rate of change.

  • Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context

    A1.A-SSE.A.1
    High School

    Students read an algebraic expression and explain what each part means in context. For example, in a formula about money or distance, students identify what a number, variable, or group of terms actually represents in the real situation.

  • Interpret parts of an expression, such as terms, factors

    A1.A-SSE.A.1.a
    High School

    Students read a math expression and explain what each part means in context. A coefficient, for example, might represent a price per item or a rate of speed.

  • Interpret complicated expressions by viewing one or more of their parts as a…

    A1.A-SSE.A.1.b
    High School

    Students learn to read a messy algebraic expression by treating a chunk of it as one unit. Instead of getting lost in every symbol, they identify the piece that matters and work with it as a whole.

  • Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it

    A1.A-SSE.A.2
    High School

    Students look at an expression like x² - 9 and recognize it can be rewritten as (x + 3)(x - 3). Spotting those patterns makes the math easier to work with.

  • Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems

    A1.A-SSE.B
    High School

    Rewriting an expression means finding a different form that makes the math easier to work with. Students rearrange or factor algebraic expressions so a problem that looked stuck becomes one they can actually solve.

  • Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain…

    A1.A-SSE.B.3
    High School

    Students rewrite math expressions, like factoring or expanding them, to make hidden information easier to see. For example, rewriting a quadratic can reveal its maximum value or where it equals zero.

  • Factor a quadratic expression to reveal the zeros of the function it defines

    A1.A-SSE.B.3.a
    High School

    Factoring a quadratic means rewriting an expression like x² + 5x + 6 as (x + 2)(x + 3) to find where the function hits zero on a graph. Students use this to solve equations without a calculator.

  • Complete the square in a quadratic expression to reveal the maximum or minimum…

    A1.A-SSE.B.3.b
    High School

    Students rewrite a quadratic expression by completing the square to find the highest or lowest point on a parabola. That peak or valley tells you where the function turns around.

  • Use the properties of exponents to transform expressions for exponential…

    A1.A-SSE.B.3.c
    High School

    Students rewrite exponential expressions using exponent rules, such as turning a base raised to a negative power into a fraction. The goal is to see the same expression written in different forms without changing its value.

  • Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials

    A1.A-APR.A
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and multiply expressions like (x + 3)(x - 2) to get a single simplified expression. The numbers and variables follow the same rules as regular arithmetic.

  • Understand that polynomials form a system analogous to the integers, namely…

    A1.A-APR.A.1
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and multiply polynomial expressions the same way they add, subtract, and multiply whole numbers. The result is always another polynomial.

  • Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials

    A1.A-APR.B
    High School

    Students learn why the places where a polynomial equation equals zero connect directly to its factors. This is the algebra behind why (x, 2) is a factor when x = 2 makes the whole expression equal zero.

  • Identify zeros of quadratic functions

    A1.A-APR.B.3
    High School

    Students find where a quadratic equation crosses zero, then use those crossing points to sketch the curve's shape on a graph.

  • Create equations that describe numbers or relationships

    A1.A-CED.A
    High School

    Students write equations to describe a real-world situation, like the total cost of a purchase or how far a car travels over time. The goal is to turn a word problem into math that can be solved.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems

    A1.A-CED.A.1
    High School

    Students write an equation or inequality using one unknown, then solve it to answer a real question. The equation might describe something growing steadily, accelerating, or compounding over time.

  • Create equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between…

    A1.A-CED.A.2
    High School

    Students write an equation that connects two changing quantities, like speed and time or price and number of items, then plot that equation as a line or curve on a labeled graph.

  • Represent constraints by equations or inequalities

    A1.A-CED.A.3
    High School

    Students translate real-world limits into equations or inequalities, then check whether the answers they get actually make sense for the situation being modeled.

  • Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same…

    A1.A-CED.A.4
    High School

    Students take a familiar formula (like distance = rate x time) and rearrange it to solve for a different variable. The algebra steps are the same ones used to solve any equation.

  • Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the…

    A1.A-REI.A
    High School

    Solving an equation is not just finding the answer. Students learn to explain each step, showing why each move keeps both sides of the equation balanced.

  • Explain each step in solving a simple equation as following from the equality…

    A1.A-REI.A.1
    High School

    Solving an equation is more than getting the right answer. Students explain why each step is allowed, showing that both sides of the equation stay balanced every time they make a move.

  • Solve equations and inequalities in one variable

    A1.A-REI.B
    High School

    Students find the value of an unknown in a single equation or inequality, such as solving for x in 2x + 3 = 11 or figuring out which values make x - 5 > 2 true.

  • Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations…

    A1.A-REI.B.3
    High School

    Students solve equations and inequalities with one unknown, including problems where some numbers are replaced by letters standing in for constants. This covers straightforward algebraic solving as well as interpreting what the solution means.

  • Solve quadratic equations in one variable

    A1.A-REI.B.4
    High School

    Students solve equations where a variable is squared, using methods like factoring, completing the square, or the quadratic formula. The goal is to find the value (or values) of the unknown that make the equation true.

  • Use the method of completing the square to transform any quadratic equation in…

    A1.A-REI.B.4.a
    High School

    Completing the square is a method for rewriting a quadratic equation so it takes the form (x, p)² = q. Students use that rewritten form to derive the quadratic formula from scratch.

  • Solve quadratic equations by inspection

    A1.A-REI.B.4.b
    High School

    Students practice multiple methods for solving equations where a variable is squared, choosing the approach that fits the problem. When no real answer exists, students recognize that and say so.

  • Solve systems of equations

    A1.A-REI.C
    High School

    Students solve two equations together to find the one pair of numbers that satisfies both at once, using substitution, elimination, or a graph to find where the two lines cross.

  • Prove that, given a system of two equations in two variables, replacing one…

    A1.A-REI.C.5
    High School

    Adding a multiple of one equation to another equation in a system doesn't change the solution. Students show why this works, building the logic behind the elimination method used to solve pairs of equations.

  • Solve systems of linear equations exactly and approximately

    A1.A-REI.C.6
    High School

    Students find the point where two straight lines cross, using graphs or algebra to get the exact answer. This skill shows up in problems about cost, speed, and anything where two changing quantities meet at one value.

  • Represent and solve equations and inequalities graphically

    A1.A-REI.D
    High School

    Graphing is how students make algebra visual. Students plot equations and inequalities on a coordinate plane to find solutions, spot patterns, and see where two relationships intersect.

  • Understand that the graph of an equation in two variables is the set of all its…

    A1.A-REI.D.10
    High School

    Reading a graph as a picture of every point that makes an equation true. Students learn that each dot on the line or curve is a solution, and together those points reveal the shape of the relationship between two values.

  • Explain why the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs of the equations y…

    A1.A-REI.D.11
    High School

    When two graphs cross, the x-value at that crossing point is the answer to the equation where both formulas are equal. Students find those crossing points by graphing on a calculator, building a table of values, or narrowing in step by step.

  • Graph the solutions to a linear inequality in two variables as a half-plane

    A1.A-REI.D.12
    High School

    Students shade a region of a coordinate plane to show every point that satisfies a linear inequality. When two inequalities are combined, the solution is where both shaded regions overlap.

  • Understand the concept of a function and use function notation

    A1.F-IF.A
    High School

    A function is a rule that pairs each input with exactly one output. Students learn to read and write function notation, like f(x), and use it to describe how one value depends on another.

  • Understand that a function from one set

    A1.F-IF.A.1
    High School

    A function pairs each input with exactly one output. Students learn to read f(x) notation and see how that input-output relationship shows up as a graph.

  • Use function notation, evaluate functions for inputs in their domains

    A1.F-IF.A.2
    High School

    Students read and use function notation like f(x) to find an output when given an input, then explain what that result means in context. For example, f(3) = 7 might mean three hours of work earns seven dollars.

  • Recognize that sequences are functions whose domain is a subset of the integers

    A1.F-IF.A.3
    High School

    Sequences are functions in disguise. Students learn that arithmetic sequences (add the same number each step) behave like linear functions, and geometric sequences (multiply by the same number each step) behave like exponential functions.

  • Interpret functions that arise in applications in terms of the context

    A1.F-IF.B
    High School

    Students read a graph, table, or equation tied to a real situation and explain what the numbers and shape of the data actually mean. A rising line might show sales climbing; a flat section might show a machine sitting idle.

  • For linear, piecewise linear

    A1.F-IF.B.4
    High School

    Students read a graph or table for a function and explain what the key points mean in context: where the graph crosses an axis, where it rises or falls, where it peaks or bottoms out, and what happens at the far ends.

  • Relate the domain of a function to its graph and, where applicable, to the…

    A1.F-IF.B.5
    High School

    Reading a graph means knowing which input values actually make sense. Students decide what numbers are reasonable to plug into a function based on what the situation describes, like recognizing that a factory can't assemble a fraction of an engine.

  • Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a linear, quadratic…

    A1.F-IF.B.6
    High School

    Students find how fast something is growing or shrinking over a chosen stretch of time, like miles per hour or dollars per year. They read that rate from an equation, a table, or a graph.

  • Analyze functions using different representations

    A1.F-IF.C
    High School

    Students read graphs, tables, and equations for the same function and explain what each one reveals. The goal is to see how a different format can highlight something a formula hides.

  • Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by…

    A1.F-IF.C.7
    High School

    Students sketch or plot a function on a graph and label its key features, like where the line crosses zero, where it peaks, or where it levels off. Simple graphs go by hand; more complex ones use a graphing tool.

  • Graph linear and quadratic functions and show intercepts, maxima

    A1.F-IF.C.7.a
    High School

    Students graph straight lines and U-shaped curves on a coordinate plane, then label where the graph crosses the axes and where it hits its highest or lowest point.

  • Graph piecewise linear

    A1.F-IF.C.7.b
    High School

    Students graph functions that change rules partway through, like absolute value V-shapes, and functions that grow by multiplying instead of adding. They plot and connect points to show how each function behaves across the whole number line.

  • Write a function defined by an expression in different but equivalent forms to…

    A1.F-IF.C.8
    High School

    Students rewrite the same math rule in a different form to spotlight something new about it, like turning a quadratic into vertex form to find its highest or lowest point without guessing.

  • Use the process of factoring and completing the square in a quadratic function…

    A1.F-IF.C.8.a
    High School

    Rewriting a quadratic equation by factoring or completing the square reveals where the parabola crosses the x-axis, where it peaks or bottoms out, and where its center line sits. Students connect those numbers to what the equation is actually modeling.

  • Compare properties of two functions

    A1.F-IF.C.9
    High School

    Two functions can be shown in different forms: a graph, a table, an equation, or a written description. Students compare the key features of both, like slope or maximum value, even when the two functions look nothing alike on the surface.

  • Build a function that models a relationship between two quantities

    A1.F-BF.A
    High School

    Students write or adjust a function to match a real pattern, like using a rule to predict how a phone bill grows as data use increases.

  • Write a linear, quadratic

    A1.F-BF.A.1
    High School

    Students write a math rule (like an equation or formula) that captures how two real-world quantities relate, such as how distance changes with time or how a savings account grows.

  • Determine an explicit expression, a recursive process

    A1.F-BF.A.1.a
    High School

    Students read a real-world situation and write a formula or step-by-step rule that describes it. They might turn a word problem about a growing savings account into an equation they can calculate with.

  • Build new functions from existing functions

    A1.F-BF.B
    High School

    Students take a function they already know and shift it, flip it, or stretch it to create a new one. This shows up when adjusting a graph to fit new data or rewriting a formula to change how quickly it grows.

  • Identify the effect on the graph of replacing f

    A1.F-BF.B.3
    High School

    Students learn how shifting, stretching, or flipping a graph connects to a change in its equation. Given two graphs side by side, students find the exact value that moved or scaled one into the other.

  • Construct and compare linear, quadratic

    A1.F-LE.A
    High School

    Students build equations for situations that grow at a steady rate, speed up like a falling object, or multiply like compound interest. Then they compare those models to figure out which one fits the data.

  • Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and…

    A1.F-LE.A.1
    High School

    Students look at a real situation and decide whether it grows by adding the same amount each time (linear) or by multiplying by the same amount each time (exponential). The choice shapes which kind of equation fits the data.

  • Prove that linear functions grow by equal differences over equal intervals

    A1.F-LE.A.1.a
    High School

    Linear functions add the same amount in every equal step. Exponential functions multiply by the same factor instead. Students prove why each pattern holds, not just recognize it.

  • Recognize situations in which one quantity changes at a constant rate per unit…

    A1.F-LE.A.1.b
    High School

    Linear growth means one number goes up by the same amount every time. Students identify real situations where that steady increase is happening, like a car traveling at a fixed speed or a savings account with no interest that grows by the same deposit each week.

  • Recognize situations in which a quantity grows or decays by a constant percent…

    A1.F-LE.A.1.c
    High School

    Students learn to spot real-world situations where something grows or shrinks by the same percentage over and over, like a bank account earning interest or a car losing value each year.

  • Construct linear and exponential functions, including arithmetic and geometric…

    A1.F-LE.A.2
    High School

    Students build equations for lines and exponential growth patterns using clues like a graph, a table of values, or a written description. They work backward from the data to find the rule that fits.

  • Observe, using graphs and tables, that a quantity increasing exponentially…

    A1.F-LE.A.3
    High School

    Students compare how fast different patterns grow by reading graphs and tables. They see that an exponential pattern, like a bank balance that doubles repeatedly, will eventually outpace any steadily growing or curved pattern, no matter how big a head start the slower one has.

  • Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model

    A1.F-LE.B
    High School

    Students read a math formula and explain what it actually means for a real situation, like what the numbers in a population model tell you about how fast something is growing.

  • Interpret the parameters in a linear, quadratic

    A1.F-LE.B.5
    High School

    Students explain what the numbers in a function's equation actually mean in a real situation. For example, they identify what the starting value and rate of change tell you about a phone plan's cost or a population's growth.

  • Summarize, represent

    A1.S-ID.A
    High School

    Students read graphs, tables, and plots to describe what a set of data shows. They look at the shape, center, and spread of the data to draw conclusions.

  • Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare…

    A1.S-ID.A.2
    High School

    Students compare two sets of data by looking at the middle value and how spread out the numbers are. They choose the right measure for the job, picking median and interquartile range for skewed data or mean and standard deviation for more even distributions.

  • Interpret differences in shape, center

    A1.S-ID.A.3
    High School

    Students look at two data sets side by side and explain what the differences in shape, center, and spread actually mean. They also spot outliers and describe how those unusual values skew the picture.

  • Summarize, represent

    A1.S-ID.B
    High School

    Students look at two sets of data together, such as test scores and study time, to find patterns and describe what the relationship between them suggests.

  • Summarize categorical data for two categories in two-way frequency tables

    A1.S-ID.B.5
    High School

    Two-way frequency tables sort data into a grid with two categories, like grade level and favorite subject. Students read the table to find patterns and compare groups using the counts and percentages inside it.

  • Represent data on two quantitative variables on a scatter plot

    A1.S-ID.B.6
    High School

    Students plot two sets of numbers on a graph to see if they move together, such as height and shoe size. Then they describe the pattern: does one go up as the other does, or is there no clear connection?

  • Fit a function to the data

    A1.S-ID.B.6.a
    High School

    Students plot real data points on a graph, then draw or calculate a line or curve that fits the pattern. They use that fitted line or curve to answer questions about what the data predicts.

  • Informally assess the fit of a function by plotting and analyzing residuals

    A1.S-ID.B.6.b
    High School

    Students plot the difference between their predicted values and the actual data points to see how well a trend line fits. A pattern in those gaps means the model probably needs adjusting.

  • Fit a linear function for a scatter plot that suggests a linear association

    A1.S-ID.B.6.c
    High School

    Students draw a straight line through a scatter plot where the data points trend in a line. That line helps predict values and shows how two quantities relate.

  • Interpret linear models

    A1.S-ID.C
    High School

    Students read a line on a scatter plot and explain what the slope and y-intercept mean in plain terms. They also judge whether the line is a reliable fit for the data.

  • Interpret the slope

    A1.S-ID.C.7
    High School

    Students explain what the slope and starting point of a line on a graph actually mean for the real-world situation it represents. For example, a slope of 3 might mean a plant grows 3 centimeters per week.

  • Compute (using technology) and interpret the correlation coefficient of a…

    A1.S-ID.C.8
    High School

    Students use a calculator or software to find the correlation coefficient, a number between -1 and 1 that shows how closely two variables follow a straight-line relationship. The closer it is to 1 or -1, the stronger the connection.

  • Distinguish between correlation and causation

    A1.S-ID.C.9
    High School

    Correlation means two things move together in data. Causation means one thing actually causes the other. Students learn why a pattern in a graph does not prove that one factor is responsible for the change.

High School - Geometry
  • Experiment with transformations in the plane

    GM.G-CO.A
    High School

    Students explore how shapes move, flip, and rotate on a flat surface. They test what changes and what stays the same when a figure slides across a grid, reflects over a line, or spins around a point.

  • Know precise definitions of angle, circle, perpendicular line, parallel line

    GM.G-CO.A.1
    High School

    Students learn the exact definitions of basic geometric figures: what makes two lines parallel, what defines a circle, and how an angle is formed. These precise meanings are the foundation every geometry proof and construction builds on.

  • Represent transformations in the plane using, e.g., transparencies, tracing…

    GM.G-CO.A.2
    High School

    Students move, flip, and rotate shapes on a coordinate grid, then describe what happened to each point. They also distinguish between transformations that keep a shape's size and angles intact and those that stretch or distort it.

  • Given a rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid

    GM.G-CO.A.3
    High School

    Students identify which turns and flips map a shape back onto itself. A square, for example, can be rotated a quarter turn or flipped across its center and still look exactly the same.

  • Develop definitions of rotations, reflections

    GM.G-CO.A.4
    High School

    Students learn the precise rules behind three ways a shape can move: spinning around a point, flipping across a line, and sliding in a direction. The definitions are built from basic geometry ideas like angles, parallel lines, and circles.

  • Given a geometric figure and a rotation, reflection

    GM.G-CO.A.5
    High School

    Students draw what a shape looks like after it has been flipped, slid, or turned. They also figure out which combination of those moves changes one shape into another.

  • Understand congruence in terms of rigid motions

    GM.G-CO.B
    High School

    Rigid motions are moves that keep a shape the same size and form: sliding, flipping, and rotating. Students use these moves to show that two shapes are congruent, meaning one can be repositioned exactly onto the other.

  • Use geometric descriptions of rigid motions to transform figures and to predict…

    GM.G-CO.B.6
    High School

    Students slide, flip, or rotate a shape and predict exactly where it will land. Then, given two shapes, they decide if one can be moved onto the other perfectly to prove they match.

  • Use the definition of congruence in terms of rigid motions to show that two…

    GM.G-CO.B.7
    High School

    Two triangles are congruent when their matching sides and angles are equal. Students prove this by showing that one triangle can be flipped, slid, or rotated to land exactly on the other.

  • Explain how the criteria for triangle congruence

    GM.G-CO.B.8
    High School

    Students explain why two triangles are identical by showing that flips, slides, and rotations can line one up perfectly on the other. ASA, SAS, and SSS are shortcuts that tell you when that match is guaranteed.

  • Prove and apply geometric theorems

    GM.G-CO.C
    High School

    Students prove and apply theorems about lines, angles, triangles, and other shapes. They use logical reasoning to show why geometric rules are always true, then apply those rules to solve problems.

  • Prove and apply theorems about lines and angles

    GM.G-CO.C.9
    High School

    Students prove and use rules about how angles behave when lines cross. For example, they show why opposite angles match up, why a line cutting across parallel lines creates equal angles, and why any point on a segment's perpendicular bisector sits exactly the same distance from both endpoints.

  • Prove and apply theorems about triangles

    GM.G-CO.C.10
    High School

    Students prove and use key facts about triangles: that the three interior angles always add up to 180 degrees, that equal-sided triangles have equal base angles, and that a line connecting two side midpoints runs parallel to the third side at half its length.

  • Prove and apply theorems about parallelograms

    GM.G-CO.C.11
    High School

    Students prove and use rules about parallelograms, such as opposite sides being equal in length, opposite angles matching, and the two diagonals cutting each other in half at the center.

  • Make geometric constructions

    GM.G-CO.D
    High School

    Students use a compass and straightedge to draw precise geometric shapes, such as a bisected angle or a perpendicular line, following a set of steps without measuring.

  • Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods, e.g…

    GM.G-CO.D.12
    High School

    Students use a compass, straightedge, or folded paper to build precise geometric figures, such as copying an angle, splitting a line segment in half, or drawing a line perfectly parallel to another.

  • Construct an equilateral triangle, a square

    GM.G-CO.D.13
    High School

    Using only a compass and straightedge, students draw a perfect triangle, square, or six-sided shape that fits exactly inside a circle, with every corner touching the edge.

  • Understand similarity in terms of similarity transformations

    GM.G-SRT.A
    High School

    Similarity transformations are moves like scaling, rotating, or flipping a shape that keep its angles the same while changing its size. Students learn to recognize when two figures are similar and explain why using these geometric moves.

  • Verify experimentally the properties of dilations given by a center and a scale…

    GM.G-SRT.A.1
    High School

    Dilations are a way of stretching or shrinking a shape around a fixed center point. Students test what stays the same and what changes when a figure is scaled up or down by a given factor.

  • A dilation takes a line not passing through the center of the dilation to a…

    GM.G-SRT.A.1.a
    High School

    When a shape is scaled up or scaled down, any line that doesn't pass through the center point shifts to a new position but stays parallel to where it started. Lines that run through the center point don't move at all.

  • The dilation of a line segment is longer or shorter in the ratio given by the…

    GM.G-SRT.A.1.b
    High School

    When a line segment is stretched or shrunk by a scale factor, its new length equals the original length multiplied by that factor. A segment scaled by 3 is three times as long; scaled by one-half, it's half as long.

  • Given two figures, use the definition of similarity in terms of similarity…

    GM.G-SRT.A.2
    High School

    Two shapes are similar if one can be resized, flipped, or rotated to match the other exactly. Students decide whether two triangles are similar by checking that their angles match and their sides grow or shrink by the same factor.

  • Use the properties of similarity transformations to establish the AA criterion…

    GM.G-SRT.A.3
    High School

    Two triangles are similar if two of their angles match. Students use what they know about scaling and flipping shapes to prove why two matching angles are enough to guarantee the triangles have the same proportions.

  • Prove and apply theorems involving similarity

    GM.G-SRT.B
    High School

    Students prove why two shapes are similar, then use that relationship to find missing side lengths or angles. The focus is on writing a logical argument, not just recognizing that shapes look alike.

  • Prove and apply theorems about triangles

    GM.G-SRT.B.4
    High School

    Students prove and use rules about triangles: why parallel lines split two sides in equal ratios, why the Pythagorean Theorem works, and how matching sides or angles tell you two triangles have the same shape.

  • Use congruence and similarity criteria for triangles to solve problems and to…

    GM.G-SRT.B.5
    High School

    Students use rules about matching or scaled triangles to solve measurement problems and explain why shapes relate to each other the way they do.

  • Define trigonometric ratios and solve problems involving right triangles

    GM.G-SRT.C
    High School

    Students learn what sine, cosine, and tangent mean, then use those ratios to find missing side lengths and angles in right triangles. This shows up in problems involving ramps, shadows, and distances that are hard to measure directly.

  • Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles, including…

    GM.G-SRT.C.6
    High School

    Right triangles with the same angles always have the same side-length ratios, no matter how big or small the triangle is. That reliable pattern is what sine, cosine, and tangent measure.

  • Explain and use the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary…

    GM.G-SRT.C.7
    High School

    Two angles are complementary when they add up to 90 degrees. Students learn that the sine of one angle in a right triangle equals the cosine of its partner angle, then use that connection to solve problems without a calculator.

  • Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles…

    GM.G-SRT.C.8
    High School

    Students use sine, cosine, tangent, and the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing side lengths and angles in right triangles. The problems are grounded in real situations, like finding the height of a building or the length of a ramp.

  • Understand and apply theorems about circles

    GM.G-C.A
    High School

    Students learn the key rules that govern circles, such as how angles, arcs, and chords relate to each other, then apply those rules to solve geometry problems.

  • Prove that all circles are similar

    GM.G-C.A.1
    High School

    Students show why every circle, no matter its size, is just a scaled version of any other circle. The reasoning uses the idea that any circle can be enlarged or shrunk to match another by moving its center and adjusting its radius.

  • Identify and describe relationships among inscribed angles, radii

    GM.G-C.A.2
    High School

    Students learn how angles and line segments inside or around a circle relate to each other. A radius always meets a tangent line at a right angle, and any angle drawn across a full diameter is also a right angle.

  • Construct the inscribed and circumscribed circles of a triangle

    GM.G-C.A.3
    High School

    Students draw the circles that fit perfectly inside and outside a triangle, then prove why opposite angles in a four-sided shape drawn inside a circle always add up to 180 degrees.

  • Find arc lengths and areas of sectors of circles

    GM.G-C.B
    High School

    Students calculate how long a curved piece of a circle's edge is and how much area a pie-slice section covers. Both answers depend on the central angle and the radius of the circle.

  • Use similarity to determine that the length of the arc intercepted by an angle…

    GM.G-C.B.5
    High School

    Students learn why a bigger circle stretches an arc by the same factor it stretches the radius, then use that relationship to define radian measure and calculate the area of a pie-slice section of any circle.

  • Translate between the geometric description and the equation for a conic…

    GM.G-GPE.A
    High School

    Students learn to connect the picture of a curve (a circle, parabola, or ellipse) to the equation that describes it. They move in both directions: sketch the curve from an equation, or write the equation from a graph.

  • Derive the equation of a circle of given center and radius using the…

    GM.G-GPE.A.1
    High School

    Students use the Pythagorean Theorem to build the equation of a circle from its center point and radius. They also work backward from an equation to find where the circle is centered and how wide it is.

  • Use coordinates to prove simple geometric theorems algebraically

    GM.G-GPE.C
    High School

    Students use x-y coordinates to prove facts about shapes on a graph, such as showing two lines are parallel or that a point sits exactly at the midpoint of a segment.

  • Use coordinates to prove simple geometric theorems algebraically

    GM.G-GPE.C.4
    High School

    Students use x and y coordinates on a graph to prove geometric facts, like showing that two lines are parallel or that a shape is a rectangle. The algebra replaces a ruler and compass with equations.

  • Prove the slope criteria for parallel and perpendicular lines and use them to…

    GM.G-GPE.C.5
    High School

    Parallel lines have matching slopes; perpendicular lines have slopes that multiply to -1. Students use those two rules to write equations for new lines on a graph, such as finding a line through a given point that runs parallel or perpendicular to a line already shown.

  • Find the point on a directed line segment between two given points that…

    GM.G-GPE.C.6
    High School

    Given two points on a graph, students find the exact location that splits the line between them into a specific ratio, like 1 to 3. It's the math behind dividing a route or a segment into unequal parts at a precise spot.

  • Use coordinates to compute perimeters of polygons and areas of triangles and…

    GM.G-GPE.C.7
    High School

    Students use coordinates on a grid to calculate the side lengths, perimeter, or area of shapes like triangles and rectangles. The distance formula replaces a ruler here, so students can measure precisely without drawing to scale.

  • Explain volume formulas and use them to solve problems

    GM.G-GMD.A
    High School

    Students learn where volume formulas come from and use them to find the space inside cylinders, cones, pyramids, and spheres. They apply those formulas to solve real problems involving three-dimensional shapes.

  • Give an informal argument, e.g., dissection arguments, Cavalieri's principle

    GM.G-GMD.A.1
    High School

    Students explain *why* volume and area formulas work, not just how to use them. They might slice a pyramid into thin layers or compare it to a prism to show where the formula comes from.

  • Use volume formulas for cylinders, pyramids, cones

    GM.G-GMD.A.3
    High School

    Students apply volume formulas to find how much space fits inside cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres. Problems range from simple calculations to real-world scenarios where the shape and a few measurements are given.

  • Visualize relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects

    GM.G-GMD.B
    High School

    Students practice seeing how flat shapes connect to solid ones: how a rectangle swept through space becomes a cylinder, or how slicing a cone produces a circle.

  • Identify the shapes of two-dimensional cross-sections of three-dimensional…

    GM.G-GMD.B.4
    High School

    Slice a cone or sphere with an imaginary flat cut and name the shape you see. Students also figure out what 3-D solid forms when a flat shape, like a rectangle or triangle, spins around an axis.

  • Apply geometric concepts in modeling situations

    GM.G-MG.A
    High School

    Students use shapes, measurements, and geometric formulas to model real-world situations, like estimating the surface area of a building or the volume of a container.

  • Use geometric shapes, their measures

    GM.G-MG.A.1
    High School

    Students practice seeing real-world objects as basic geometric shapes. A tree trunk becomes a cylinder, a window becomes a rectangle, and those shapes let students calculate real measurements like area or volume.

  • Apply concepts of density based on area and volume in modeling situations

    GM.G-MG.A.2
    High School

    Students use density to solve real-world problems, like figuring out how many people fit in a neighborhood or how much heat a room holds. The math connects a count or amount to the area or volume of the space it fills.

  • Apply geometric methods to solve design problems

    GM.G-MG.A.3
    High School

    Students use shapes, measurements, and scale to solve real-world design problems. That might mean figuring out the most cost-effective way to build something or laying out a page so the proportions look right.

  • Understand independence and conditional probability and use them to interpret…

    GM.S-CP.A
    High School

    Students learn when two events are truly unrelated and when knowing one outcome changes the odds of another. They use those ideas to make sense of data from two-way tables, diagrams, and real situations.

  • Describe events as subsets of a sample space

    GM.S-CP.A.1
    High School

    Students sort possible outcomes of a situation into groups, then combine or compare those groups using "or," "and," and "not" to describe the chances of different results.

  • Understand that two events A and B are independent if the probability of A and…

    GM.S-CP.A.2
    High School

    Two events are independent when one happening does not affect the odds of the other. Students check this by multiplying the two separate probabilities and seeing if the result matches the probability of both happening at once.

  • Understand the conditional probability of A given B as P

    GM.S-CP.A.3
    High School

    Conditional probability answers the question: if one event already happened, how likely is another? Students learn to calculate this using a formula and recognize when two events are truly independent (meaning one happening does not change the odds of the other).

  • Construct and interpret two-way frequency tables of data when two categories…

    GM.S-CP.A.4
    High School

    Students build a grid that sorts data into two categories at once, like age and favorite sport, then read the table to figure out whether those two categories are connected or just coincidental.

  • Recognize and explain the concepts of conditional probability and independence…

    GM.S-CP.A.5
    High School

    Conditional probability asks: does knowing one thing change the odds of another? Students learn to spot when two events are connected (a rainy day makes traffic more likely) and when they are truly independent (flipping heads twice in a row does not change the next flip).

  • Use the rules of probability to compute probabilities of compound events in a…

    GM.S-CP.B
    High School

    Students figure out the odds of two or more events happening together, like drawing two red cards in a row or rolling a six twice. They apply probability rules to problems where every outcome has the same chance of occurring.

  • Find the conditional probability of A given B as the fraction of B's outcomes…

    GM.S-CP.B.6
    High School

    Students figure out how likely event A is when they already know event B happened. They do this by looking only at B's outcomes and asking how many of those also fit A.

  • Apply the Addition Rule, P

    GM.S-CP.B.7
    High School

    Students use a formula to find the chance that at least one of two events happens. They add the two separate probabilities, then subtract the overlap so it isn't counted twice.

High School - Algebra II
  • Extend the properties of exponents to rational exponents

    A2.N-RN.A
    High School

    Students apply the rules of exponents to fractions like 1/2 or 2/3, which connects square roots and cube roots to exponential notation. This builds the foundation for working with radical expressions in algebra.

  • Explain how the definition of the meaning of rational exponents follows from…

    A2.N-RN.A.1
    High School

    Rational exponents are another way to write roots. Students learn why an exponent like 1/2 means square root by applying the same exponent rules they already know to fractions.

  • Rewrite expressions involving radicals and rational exponents using the…

    A2.N-RN.A.2
    High School

    Rewriting radical expressions like square roots as fractional exponents, and vice versa, so both forms say the same thing. Students practice moving between these two notations to simplify and solve algebraic expressions.

  • Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems

    A2.N-Q.A
    High School

    Students use units like miles per hour or dollars per pound to set up and solve real problems. Choosing the right unit is part of getting the right answer.

  • Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling

    A2.N-Q.A.2
    High School

    Students choose which numbers and units actually matter for a problem, like deciding whether to track time in seconds or hours when modeling a situation. Getting this right keeps the math connected to the real world.

  • Perform arithmetic operations with complex numbers

    A2.N-CN.A
    High School

    Students add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers that include imaginary parts, like the square root of a negative number. This extends the arithmetic they already know into a broader number system used in advanced math and physics.

  • Know there is a complex number i such that i² = −1

    A2.N-CN.A.1
    High School

    Students learn that mathematicians invented a number called i, where i squared equals negative one. Every complex number is just a real number added to a real-number multiple of i, written as a + bi.

  • Use the relation i² = –1 and the commutative, associative

    A2.N-CN.A.2
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and multiply complex numbers (numbers that include an imaginary part) by applying familiar arithmetic rules and using the fact that i² equals negative one to simplify the result.

  • Use complex numbers in polynomial identities and equations

    A2.N-CN.C
    High School

    Students work with imaginary numbers (like the square root of negative one) to solve equations that have no real-number solution. This shows up when graphing parabolas that never cross the x-axis.

  • Solve quadratic equations with real coefficients that have complex solutions

    A2.N-CN.C.7
    High School

    Quadratic equations don't always have neat whole-number answers. Students solve equations where the solutions involve imaginary numbers, which show up in engineering, physics, and other fields that use advanced math.

  • Interpret the structure of expressions

    A2.A-SSE.A
    High School

    Reading an expression like 2(x + 3) squared, students identify what each part means and explain why the structure matters for solving or simplifying the problem.

  • Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it

    A2.A-SSE.A.2
    High School

    Students look at an algebraic expression and spot patterns that let them rewrite it in a simpler or more useful form, like recognizing that x⁴ minus 1 can be factored the same way x² minus 1 can.

  • Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems

    A2.A-SSE.B
    High School

    Students rewrite math expressions into different but equal forms to make a problem easier to solve, such as factoring or expanding an equation to reveal a hidden pattern or value.

  • Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain…

    A2.A-SSE.B.3
    High School

    Rewriting an expression in a different form can make a hidden pattern visible. Students factor, expand, or rearrange algebraic expressions to show what the numbers actually mean, like spotting a maximum value or the rate of growth.

  • Use the properties of exponents to transform expressions for exponential…

    A2.A-SSE.B.3.c
    High School

    Students rewrite exponential expressions using exponent rules, for example turning a messy base and power into a cleaner equivalent form that makes a growth rate or pattern easier to read and work with.

  • Apply the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series

    A2.A-SSE.B.4
    High School

    Students use a formula to find the total of a sequence where each term multiplies by the same number, like 2, 4, 8, 16. They apply it to real problems, such as calculating total savings when an amount grows by a fixed percentage each period.

  • Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials

    A2.A-APR.B
    High School

    Students learn why a polynomial equals zero at certain inputs and how those inputs connect to the polynomial's factors. This is the algebra behind finding where a curve crosses the x-axis.

  • Know and apply the Remainder Theorem

    A2.A-APR.B.2
    High School

    Students learn a shortcut for checking whether a polynomial has a certain factor: plug a number into the polynomial, and if the result is zero, that number reveals a factor. No long division needed.

  • Identify zeros of polynomials when suitable factorizations are available

    A2.A-APR.B.3
    High School

    Students find where a polynomial equation equals zero by factoring it, then use those points to sketch what the curve looks like on a graph.

  • Use polynomial identities to describe numerical relationships

    A2.A-APR.B.4
    High School

    Students use multiplication shortcuts like (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² to explain why certain number patterns always work. It's a way of proving numeric facts with algebra instead of checking each case by hand.

  • Rewrite rational expressions

    A2.A-APR.C
    High School

    Students simplify and rewrite fractions that contain polynomials, the way they would simplify a numeric fraction, including dividing one polynomial by another or breaking a complex expression into simpler parts.

  • Rewrite simple rational expressions in different forms

    A2.A-APR.C.6
    High School

    Students divide one polynomial expression by another, the way long division works with whole numbers, to rewrite a fraction involving variables into a simpler usable form.

  • Create equations that describe numbers or relationships

    A2.A-CED.A
    High School

    Students write equations and inequalities to model real situations, like calculating a loan payment or figuring out when two quantities are equal. The goal is building an equation that actually fits the problem.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems

    A2.A-CED.A.1
    High School

    Students write equations or inequalities with one unknown to solve real problems, such as finding when a savings account hits a target or when two rates break even. Problems can involve linear, quadratic, rational, or exponential relationships.

  • Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the…

    A2.A-REI.A
    High School

    Solving an equation is more than following steps. Students explain *why* each move is valid, showing the logic behind every change they make to both sides.

  • Explain each step in solving an equation as following from the equality of…

    A2.A-REI.A.1
    High School

    Solving an equation is a chain of steps, and each step has to follow logically from the one before it. Students explain why each move is valid and can argue why their method works.

  • Solve simple rational and radical equations in one variable

    A2.A-REI.A.2
    High School

    Students solve equations that contain fractions with variables in the denominator, or square roots, and check whether their answers actually work. Some answers look correct but fail when plugged back in, so students learn to spot and discard those false solutions.

  • Solve equations and inequalities in one variable

    A2.A-REI.B
    High School

    Students solve equations and inequalities that contain one unknown, such as finding the value of x in a quadratic or working out which range of values satisfies an inequality.

  • Solve quadratic equations in one variable

    A2.A-REI.B.4
    High School

    Students solve equations where a variable is squared, using methods like factoring or the quadratic formula to find the value (or values) of the unknown.

  • Solve quadratic equations by inspection

    A2.A-REI.B.4.b
    High School

    Students solve quadratic equations using the method that fits best, whether that means factoring, taking a square root, or applying the quadratic formula. When the formula produces no real solution, students write the answer using imaginary numbers in the form a ± bi.

  • Solve systems of equations

    A2.A-REI.C
    High School

    Students solve two or more equations at once to find values that satisfy all of them together. This shows up in real problems like budgeting or comparing rates.

  • Solve systems of linear equations exactly and approximately

    A2.A-REI.C.6
    High School

    Students solve two or three equations together to find the one set of values that satisfies all of them at once. They work it out by hand or by graphing where the lines cross.

  • Solve a simple system consisting of a linear equation and a quadratic equation…

    A2.A-REI.C.7
    High School

    Students solve problems where a straight line and a curved parabola meet on a graph, finding the exact points where both equations are true at once. They work it out both by hand and by graphing.

  • Represent and solve equations and inequalities graphically

    A2.A-REI.D
    High School

    Students graph equations and inequalities on a coordinate plane to find solutions visually. Instead of solving by hand, they read where lines or curves cross to answer the question.

  • Explain why the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs of the equations y…

    A2.A-REI.D.11
    High School

    Where two graphs cross, the x-value at that crossing point solves the equation that sets those two functions equal. Students find those crossing points by graphing, building tables, or using a calculator.

  • Interpret functions that arise in applications in terms of the context

    A2.F-IF.B
    High School

    Students read a graph, table, or equation tied to a real situation and explain what the numbers and shape actually mean. For example, they describe what a peak or a drop on a graph tells you about the situation it models.

  • For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key…

    A2.F-IF.B.4
    High School

    Students read a graph or table and explain what the highs, lows, and turning points actually mean for the situation being modeled. They also sketch a rough graph from a written description alone.

  • Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a function

    A2.F-IF.B.6
    High School

    Students find how fast a function's output is rising or falling over a given interval, using an equation, a table, or a graph. It's the same idea as calculating average speed: how much did the value change, and over how long?

  • Analyze functions using different representations

    A2.F-IF.C
    High School

    Students read graphs, tables, and equations for the same function and explain what each one shows about how the function behaves, including where it rises, falls, or levels off.

  • Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by…

    A2.F-IF.C.7
    High School

    Students graph equations by hand or with a calculator and label the key features: where the curve peaks, dips, crosses zero, or levels off.

  • Graph square root, cube root

    A2.F-IF.C.7.b
    High School

    Students graph functions that bend, break, or change rules mid-way, including square roots, cube roots, absolute value, and step functions. They plot these by hand or with tools and read what the shape tells them about the math.

  • Graph polynomial functions, identifying zeros when suitable factorizations are…

    A2.F-IF.C.7.c
    High School

    Students graph polynomial functions by finding where the curve crosses the x-axis and describing what happens to the curve at the far left and right ends. When the polynomial can be factored, students use those factors to pinpoint the exact crossing points.

  • Graph exponential and logarithmic functions, showing intercepts and end behavior

    A2.F-IF.C.7.e
    High School

    Students graph curves like exponential growth, logarithms, and sine waves, marking where each curve crosses the axes, how high and low it swings, and what happens to it as the numbers get very large or very small.

  • Write a function defined by an expression in different but equivalent forms to…

    A2.F-IF.C.8
    High School

    Students rewrite the same function in different algebraic forms to spotlight what each version shows clearly, like pulling out a vertex form to find a parabola's peak or factoring to find where a graph crosses zero.

  • Use the properties of exponents to interpret expressions for exponential…

    A2.F-IF.C.8.b
    High School

    Students read an exponential expression and explain what the base and exponent actually mean in context, such as recognizing a growth rate or a decay factor from the numbers in the formula.

  • Compare properties of two functions each represented in a different way

    A2.F-IF.C.9
    High School

    Students look at two functions shown in different forms (one as an equation, another as a graph or table) and compare what each one does: where it peaks, where it crosses zero, and how fast it grows.

  • Build a function that models a relationship between two quantities

    A2.F-BF.A
    High School

    Students write or modify a function that captures how one real-world quantity changes in response to another, such as how total cost grows as hours increase.

  • Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities

    A2.F-BF.A.1
    High School

    Students write an equation that captures how two real quantities relate, such as how the price of a ticket changes with the number of seats sold. The goal is turning a real situation into a working formula.

  • Determine an explicit expression, a recursive process

    A2.F-BF.A.1.a
    High School

    Students read a real-world situation and write a formula or step-by-step rule that models it. The formula might describe something like a bank account growing each year or a pattern repeating in a sequence.

  • Combine standard function types using arithmetic operations

    A2.F-BF.A.1.b
    High School

    Students add, subtract, multiply, or divide two functions to build a new one. For example, combining a linear and an exponential function creates a single rule that captures both behaviors.

  • Write arithmetic and geometric sequences both recursively and with an explicit…

    A2.F-BF.A.2
    High School

    Students learn two ways to write number sequences that grow by adding or multiplying a fixed amount: a rule that uses each term to find the next, and a formula that jumps straight to any term. They practice switching between the two.

  • Build new functions from existing functions

    A2.F-BF.B
    High School

    Students take a function they already know and shift it, flip it, or stretch it to build a new one. This includes moving a graph up or sideways, reflecting it across an axis, or adjusting how steep or wide it looks.

  • Identify the effect on the graph of replacing f

    A2.F-BF.B.3
    High School

    Students learn how shifting, stretching, or flipping a graph connects to a change in its equation. Given two graphs, students can find the exact value that caused the change.

  • Find inverse functions

    A2.F-BF.B.4
    High School

    Students find the inverse of a function by reversing its inputs and outputs, then check whether the inverse is also a function. This shows up when converting between units, decoding formulas, or working backward from a result.

  • Solve an equation of the form f

    A2.F-BF.B.4.a
    High School

    Students solve an equation like f(x) = 10 by working backwards to find x, then write that reverse process as a new function. It's the algebra behind "I know the output, what was the input?"

  • Construct and compare linear, quadratic

    A2.F-LE.A
    High School

    Students build equations from real data to model situations where something grows steadily, speeds up, or multiplies over time. They compare those models to decide which one fits best and use it to solve problems.

  • Given a graph, a description of a relationship

    A2.F-LE.A.2
    High School

    Students look at a graph, a table, or a description and write the equation that fits, whether it's a straight line or an exponential curve. Then they use that equation to solve a multi-step problem.

  • For exponential models, express as a logarithm the solution to a b<sup>ct</sup>…

    A2.F-LE.A.4
    High School

    Students solve equations where a number is raised to an unknown power, such as finding how long it takes a population to double. They rewrite the equation using a logarithm, then use a calculator to get the answer.

  • Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model

    A2.F-LE.B
    High School

    Students read a math formula and explain what each part means in real life, like identifying which number represents a starting amount or how fast something is growing.

  • Interpret the parameters in a linear, quadratic

    A2.F-LE.B.5
    High School

    Reading a word problem and explaining what each number in a formula actually means in real life. Students connect the equation to the situation, so the numbers refer to prices, speeds, or populations rather than abstract variables.

  • Extend the domain of trigonometric functions using the unit circle

    A2.F-TF.A
    High School

    Students use a circle with radius 1 to define sine, cosine, and tangent for any angle, not just the acute angles that fit inside a right triangle.

  • Understand radian measure of an angle as the length of the arc on the unit…

    A2.F-TF.A.1
    High School

    Radians are a way to measure angles by asking how far around a circle the angle reaches. Students learn that one radian equals the arc length on a circle with radius one, connecting angle size to actual distance traveled around that circle.

  • Explain how the unit circle in the coordinate plane enables the extension of…

    A2.F-TF.A.2
    High School

    The unit circle is a circle with radius 1 centered at the origin. Students use it to define sine and cosine for any angle, not just angles inside a right triangle, by reading the x and y coordinates of a point as it moves around the circle.

  • Model periodic phenomena with trigonometric functions

    A2.F-TF.B
    High School

    Students use sine and cosine functions to model real-world patterns that repeat, like tides, sound waves, or seasonal temperature shifts. They find the equation that fits the cycle.

  • Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena with specified…

    A2.F-TF.B.5
    High School

    Students pick a sine or cosine function that matches a real pattern, like ocean tides or a spinning wheel, by setting the right height, speed of repetition, and center line.

  • Prove and apply trigonometric identities

    A2.F-TF.C
    High School

    Students verify and use equations that show how sine, cosine, and tangent relate to each other, such as sin²x + cos²x = 1. These relationships let students simplify expressions and solve problems without a calculator.

  • Prove the Pythagorean identity sin²

    A2.F-TF.C.8
    High School

    Students learn why sin²(θ) + cos²(θ) always equals 1, then use that relationship to find a missing sine, cosine, or tangent value when one ratio and the angle's quadrant are known.

  • Summarize, represent

    A2.S-ID.A
    High School

    Students organize and display data from a single category, like test scores or heights, then explain what patterns or outliers the data show.

  • Use the mean and standard deviation of a data set to fit it to a normal…

    A2.S-ID.A.4
    High School

    Students use the average and spread of a data set to figure out what percentage of a population falls above, below, or between certain values on a bell curve. They also learn to spot when that bell-curve method does not fit the data.

  • Summarize, represent

    A2.S-ID.B
    High School

    Students look at two sets of data together, such as test scores and study time, to spot patterns or relationships. They organize that information into tables or graphs and explain what the connection means.

  • Represent data on two quantitative variables on a scatter plot

    A2.S-ID.B.6
    High School

    Students plot two sets of numbers on a graph and explain the pattern they see. For example, they might chart hours of sleep against test scores and describe whether more sleep tends to mean higher scores.

  • Fit a function to the data

    A2.S-ID.B.6.a
    High School

    Students fit a line or curve to real data points on a graph, then use that equation to answer questions. For example, they might predict next year's sales or estimate a missing value based on the pattern they found.

  • Understand and evaluate random processes underlying statistical experiments

    A2.S-IC.A
    High School

    Students learn to judge whether a study's results are trustworthy by examining how data was collected. They look at whether random chance explains the outcome or whether the results point to something real.

  • Understand statistics as a process for making inferences to be made about…

    A2.S-IC.A.1
    High School

    Statistics is how we draw conclusions about a large group by studying a smaller random sample. Students learn why the sample has to be chosen randomly and what that randomness makes possible.

  • Decide if a specified model is consistent with results from a given…

    A2.S-IC.A.2
    High School

    Students check whether a math model actually matches real data by running simulations and comparing the results. If the model's predictions don't line up with what the data shows, the model needs adjusting.

  • Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments

    A2.S-IC.B
    High School

    Students look at data from surveys, experiments, and real-world observations, then draw conclusions and explain why those conclusions hold up.

  • Recognize the purposes of and differences among sample surveys, experiments

    A2.S-IC.B.3
    High School

    Students learn when to use a survey, an experiment, or an observation study to answer a question, and why random selection matters in each case.

  • Use data from a sample survey to estimate a population mean or proportion

    A2.S-IC.B.4
    High School

    Students use survey data to estimate facts about a larger group, like the average or a percentage. Then they run simulations to figure out how far off that estimate might be.

  • Use data from a randomized experiment to compare two treatments

    A2.S-IC.B.5
    High School

    Students run experiments or simulations to compare two groups, then decide whether the difference in results is real or just random chance.

  • Evaluate reports based on data

    A2.S-IC.B.6
    High School

    Students read charts, graphs, or news headlines that cite data and decide whether the numbers actually support the conclusion being made.

Common Questions
  • What math will students actually work on in high school?

    Most students move through three big courses: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. They learn to solve equations, graph functions like lines, parabolas, and exponential curves, prove things about shapes, and make sense of data and probability.

  • How can a parent help with homework when they have not done algebra in years?

    Ask students to explain the problem out loud and show what each letter stands for. If they get stuck, have them rewrite the problem in words or draw a picture. Helping them slow down and check their steps matters more than knowing the math yourself.

  • Does a student need to memorize the quadratic formula and other formulas?

    Yes, a few core formulas come up often, including the quadratic formula, slope, the Pythagorean theorem, and basic area and volume formulas. Flashcards or a one-page formula sheet on the fridge works well for quick review before tests.

  • How should Algebra I be sequenced across the year?

    A common path starts with units and linear equations, moves into systems and inequalities, then functions, then quadratics with factoring and the quadratic formula, then exponential functions, and closes with data and scatter plots. Quadratics usually need the most time.

  • Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

    Factoring, working with negative signs, and interpreting word problems show up as weak spots every year. Graphing by hand and reading key features from a graph also need repeated practice, especially before quadratics and exponential functions.

  • What does it look like when a student is ready for the next course?

    A ready student can solve a multi-step equation, graph a line or parabola from an equation, factor a basic quadratic, and explain what slope or a y-intercept means in a real situation. Speed matters less than being able to explain the steps.

  • How is Geometry different from algebra, and why does proof matter?

    Geometry leans on shapes, angles, and reasoning rather than just solving for x. Writing proofs teaches students to justify each step, which carries over into Algebra II and any class that asks for an argument backed by evidence.

  • What can a parent do at home in ten minutes a day?

    Ask one question about the day's math: what was the problem, what did you try, and what did the answer mean. For students who struggle, pull up a free practice site like Khan Academy and do two or three problems together a few nights a week.

  • How should teachers introduce functions so they stick?

    Tie function notation to a real input and output early, such as hours worked and pay earned. Move between tables, graphs, equations, and words from the start so students see them as four views of the same thing, not four separate topics.

  • Where do statistics and probability fit into a high school math year?

    Data work shows up in every course: scatter plots and lines of best fit in Algebra I, two-way tables and conditional probability in Geometry, and normal distributions and sampling in Algebra II. A few short data units spread across the year tend to land better than one long unit at the end.