Math Concepts and Applications

Course Level: College Preparatory

Credits: 5

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisite: None

NJ Course Code: 

This is the first course of a two-year Algebra 1 program. Students in Math Concepts and Applications will focus on the topics found in the first half of our Algebra 1 CP curriculum. These topics will focus on the description of the relationships between changing quantities using the language of symbols and graphs. Students will use symbols to represent situations, create and apply formulas, and make predictions or generalizations. Students will learn to create graphs, communicate ideas with graphs, and draw conclusions from graphs. Students will also understand how variables play a variety of different roles in symbolic expressions. Students will explore real-world contexts that involve developing flexible notions with uses of variables. In particular, students will use variables to represent constant rates of change and use algebraic expressions and equations to represent different aspects of a situation.

Overall, the course will draw from mathematical topics found in the New Jersey State Learning Standards and students will learn to apply them in a variety of contexts and situations, but students will also learn techniques of algebraic reasoning in the context of making justifications and drawing conclusions. Understanding and applying symbolic manipulation is an important outcome of the course, but students will also be expanding their ability to use verbal, graphical, and numerical ways to represent and justify situations as well. In addition, technology will be used to implement experiments, build understandings, and confirm written solutions.