The mission of the Mathematics Department at Palma School is to strengthen students’ backgrounds with a math education that is essential for progressive and continuing development throughout their academic and professional careers. Emphasis is placed on achieving intellectual discipline, mastery of reasoning, understanding of math concepts, skill in practical applications of mathematics and appreciation for the role of mathematics in daily life. The goal is to instill in each student a problem-solving mindset resulting in a student who knows how to think and reason.
Math 6
Prerequisite: 6th Grade standing
Credits: 10
This class is a foundational class to help students build their understanding and fluency with basic math computational skills. Topics covered include operations with integers, fractions and decimals, and an introduction to ratios, percentages, basic geometry, areas, measurements, variables, and critical thinking through real-world problem-solving.
Math 7
Prerequisite: 7th Grade standing
Credits: 10
This course is designed to help students continue to develop their number sense, computational skills and the ability to apply this knowledge to problem solving situations. The topics covered include integers, decimals, fractions, percentages, graphs, measurement, ratio and proportion, consumer math, basic geometry concepts, area and volume, probability and introduction to Algebra. Successful completion of this course allows a student to progress to Pre-Algebra or, with an “A” grade average in the class and instructor approval, to Algebra I Honors.
Pre-Algebra
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 7 and/or results of Palma’s entrance exam and/or recommendation of current Math instructor
Credits: 10
The emphasis in this course is a gradual and thorough preparation for the first year of Algebra. The topics covered are: exponents, integers, factors, ratios, graphing, area and volume, square roots and word problems. Students will learn to solve degree one level equations and inequalities and also study properties of real numbers.
Algebra I
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Algebra and/or results of Palma’s entrance exam and/or recommendation of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course covers the following concepts: variables, exponents, linear equations, polynomials, word problems, factoring, algebraic fractions, rational and irrational numbers, radical expressions and quadratic equations. Students will also study properties of real numbers, scientific notation, statistics, and probability.
Algebra I Honors
Prerequisite: “A” grade average in Math 7 or in Pre-Algebra and/or results of Palma’s entrance exam and/or approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course covers all the topics in Algebra I in greater depth. In addition to the topics listed in Algebra I, this Honors course includes linear regression, graphing functions through transformations, and the graphing of quadratic and exponential growth functions. It is designed for a student who plans to continue in advanced mathematics or a concentration in science. Students will also study properties of real numbers, statistics, and probability. Students may participate in math competitions.
Geometry
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course develops the individual’s ability to observe, analyze and reason in a logical manner within a mathematical system of terms, postulates and theorems. It covers the traditional topics: deductive reasoning and formal proofs, parallel lines and parallelograms, congruent and similar triangles, circles, constructions, coordinates, right triangles, area and volume. Algebra skills are reviewed and strengthened through problems that integrate algebraic and geometric concepts.
Geometry Honors
Prerequisite: “B” grade average in Algebra I Honors or an “A” grade average in Algebra I and approval of the Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course covers all the topics included in Geometry plus constructions; however, topics are covered in greater depth. It is designed for a student who plans to continue in advanced mathematics or a concentration in science.
Algebra II
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
Algebra II has as its primary goal the achievement of student success by helping students further develop their understanding of algebraic concepts and skills. Students will explore the use of coordinates and functions, data analysis, transformations, coordinate geometry, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, direct and inverse variation, exponential functions, quadratic functions and complex numbers, polynomial and rational functions, sequences and series.
Algebra II/Trigonometry
Prerequisite: Successful completion of both Algebra I and Geometry and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
Algebra II/Trigonometry helps students further develop their understanding of algebraic concepts and skills. Students will explore the use of coordinates and functions, data analysis, transformations, coordinate geometry, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, direct and inverse variation, exponential functions, quadratic functions and complex numbers, polynomial and rational functions, sequences and series, trigonometric functions and ratios.
Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors
Prerequisite: “B” grade average in Algebra I Honors and Geometry Honors or an “A” grade average in Algebra I and Geometry, and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
Algebra II has as its primary goal the achievement of student success by helping students further develop their understanding of algebraic concepts and skills. Students will explore the use of coordinates and functions, data analysis, transformations, coordinate geometry, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, statistics, probability, direct and inverse variation, exponential functions, quadratic functions and complex numbers, polynomial and rational functions, sequences and series, trigonometric functions and ratios.
Pre-Calculus
Prerequisite: “B” grade average in Algebra II/Trigonometry and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course is designed to give the student a solid background for college Calculus by cementing together the topics taught in Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry in greater depth. The new topics covered are: polar coordinates, sequence and series, vectors, limits and derivatives.
Pre-Calculus Honors
Prerequsite: “B” grade average in Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors or an “A” grade average in Algebra II/Trigonometry and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course covers all topics included in Pre-Calculus; however, topics are covered in greater depth. It is designed for a student wishing to take Calculus as his next math course.
AP Statistics
Prerequisite: “B” grade average in Pre-Calculus and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
The AP Statistics course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes evident in the content, skills, and assessment in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, probability and simulation, and statistical inference. Students use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they build conceptual understanding.
AP Calculus AB
Prerequisite: “B” grade minimum in Pre-Calculus Honors and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course is designed to prepare the student to sit for the AP Calculus AB Examination. The exam is a requirement of the course. Topics covered are: limits, derivatives and integrals, all within the AP framework for this level.
AP Calculus BC
Prerequisite: Minimum of “B” grade average in AP Calculus AB and approval of the AP Calculus AB instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
Students will prepare to sit for the Calculus BC Advanced Placement Examination. The exam is a requirement of the course. Topics covered: formal definition of a limit, arc length, integration by parts, trig substitution & partial fractions, sequences & series, Maclaurin and Taylor Series, parametric equations, and polar coordinates. Course offered pending sufficient requests.
Statistical Reasoning in Sports
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra II or Algebra II/Trigonometry and approval of current Math instructor
Credits: 10 | UC/CSU: C
This course teaches students how to use four-steps of the statistical process in the context of sports: ask questions, collect data, analyze data, and make conclusions. Each chapter will begin with a sports-related statistical question (e.g., Is there a home field advantage in the NFL?) and then students will learn how to collect appropriate data, how to analyze the data, and how to make reasonable conclusions. Although the context of the examples and exercises will be sports related, the primary focus of the class will be to teach students the basic principles of statistical reasoning. Use of technology, including online applets and the graphing calculator will be prominent in the course. Students can move on to AP Statistics with a grade of “B” or better.