Washington High School

Brandon Fears
1st and 2nd Semester
2015 - 2016
Syllabus for Pre-Calculus
Teacher: Brandon Fears
Course Description:
This is a course in pre-calculus and statistics, designed to prepare students to enter college at the
calculus level. It includes rational, trigonometric, and inverse trigonometric functions; basic
trigonometric identities and the laws of sines and cosines; sequences and series; vectors; the
central limit theorem and confidence intervals.
(Prerequisite: Successful completion of GPS Advanced Algebra.)
Instruction and assessment should include the appropriate use of manipulatives and technology.
Topics should be represented in multiple ways, such as concrete/pictorial, verbal/written,
numeric/data-based, graphical, and symbolic. Concepts should be introduced and used, where
appropriate, in the context of realistic phenomena.
Standards: When this class concludes at the end of the year (May), all students will have
demonstrated progression and eventual mastery of the following standards:
ALGEBRA
Students will analyze rational and trigonometric functions. Students will investigate and apply
sequences and series and will understand and use vectors.
MM4A1. Students will explore rational functions.
a. Investigate and explain characteristics of rational functions, including domain, range,
zeros, points of discontinuity, intervals of increase and decrease, rates of change, local
and absolute extrema, symmetry, asymptotes, and end behavior.
b. Find inverses of rational functions, discussing domain and range, symmetry, and
function composition.
c. Solve rational equations and inequalities analytically, graphically, and by using
appropriate technology.
MM4A2. Students will use the circle to define the trigonometric functions.
a. Define and understand angles measured in degrees and radians, including but not
limited to 0, 30, 45, 60, 90, their multiples, and equivalences.
b. Understand and apply the six trigonometric functions as functions of general angles in
standard position.

c. Find values of trigonometric functions using points on the terminal sides of angles in
the standard position.
d. Understand and apply the six trigonometric functions as functions of arc length on the
unit circle.
e. Find values of trigonometric functions using the unit circle.
MM4A3. Students will investigate and use the graphs of the six trigonometric functions.
a. Understand and apply the six basic trigonometric functions as functions of real
numbers.
b. Determine the characteristics of the graphs of the six basic trigonometric functions.
c. Graph transformations of trigonometric functions including changing period, amplitude,
phase shift, and vertical shift.
d. Apply graphs of trigonometric functions in realistic contexts involving periodic
phenomena.
MM4A4. Students will investigate functions.
a. Compare and contrast properties of functions within and across the following types:
linear, quadratic, polynomial, power, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and
piecewise.
b. Investigate transformations of functions.
c. Investigate characteristics of functions built through sum, difference, product, quotient,
and composition.
MM4A5. Students will establish the identities below and use them to simplify trigonometric
expressions and verify equivalence statements.
sin
cos
1
1
tan
, cot
, sec
, csc
, sin 2 cos 2 1
cos
sin
cos
sin
tan 2 1 sec 2 , cot 2 1 csc 2 , sin( ) sin cos cos sin
cos( ) cos cos sin sin , sin( 2 ) 2 sin cos
cos( 2 ) cos 2 sin 2

MM4A6. Students will solve trigonometric equations both graphically and algebraically.
a. Solve trigonometric equations over a variety of domains, using technology as
appropriate.
b. Use the coordinates of a point on the terminal side of an angle to express x as rcos
and y as rsin.
c. Apply the law of sines and the law of cosines.
MM4A7. Students will verify and apply A = absinC to find the area of a triangle.
MM4A8. Students will investigate and use inverse sine, inverse cosine, and inverse tangent
functions.
a. Find values of the above functions using technology as appropriate.
b. Determine characteristics of the above functions and their graphs.
MM4A9. Students will use sequences and series.
a. Use and find recursive and explicit formulas for the terms of sequences.
b. Recognize and use simple arithmetic and geometric sequences.
c. Find and apply the sums of finite and, where appropriate, infinite arithmetic and
geometric series.
d. Use summation notation to explore finite series.

MM4A10. Students will understand and use vectors.

a. Represent vectors algebraically and geometrically.
b. Convert between vectors expressed using rectangular coordinates and vectors
expressed using magnitude and direction.
c. Add, subtract, and compute scalar multiples of vectors.
d. Use vectors to solve realistic problems.
DATA ANALYSIS AND PROBABILITY
Students will organize, represent, investigate, interpret, and make inferences from data, using the
central limit theorem and the standard normal distribution. Students will apply the Central Limit
Theorem to calculate confidence intervals for a population mean using data from large samples.
Students will use sample data and confidence intervals to draw conclusions about populations.
MM4D1. Using simulation, students will develop the idea of the central limit theorem.
MM4D2. Using student-generated data from random samples of at least 30 members,
students will determine the margin of error and confidence interval for a specified level of
confidence.
MM4D3. Students will use confidence intervals and margins of error to make inferences
from data about a population. Technology is used to evaluate confidence intervals, but
students will be aware of the ideas involved.
Textbook/Additional Resources:
Hopson, Postlethwait et al. (2009) Modern Biology. Holt. ($100)
Required Materials:
Pencils, Pen, Loose-leaf paper, Three-ring binder (at least 2 inches thick), and Scientific or
Graphing Calculator.
Grading Policy for Atlanta Public School System
Passing Grade: The minimum passing score for this class is 70.
Grading Scale: Grades will be assessed based upon the scale below
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
F = 69 or below

Excellent achievement
Above-average achievement
Average achievement
Unsatisfactory achievement

Deficiency Notices: A deficiency notice will be issued when a students grade is 75 or less.
These will be issued at least twice during the semester for these students. Expect a phone call to
be made to your home in order to ensure that your parent/legal guardian has received the notice.
Your progress can also be monitored through the parent portal of Infinite Campus. Please see Mr.
Montero for a username and password. If you are struggling in class, you may be assigned a
mandatory tutorial so we can address the concerns and help you get back on track. This tutorial
session will be assigned for Thursday after school. Deficiency notices will be given September 9,
November 11, February 11, and April 25.
Evaluation: Each students grade will be a cumulative average consisting of exams,
assignments, quizzes, and a final exam. The district will administer a SLO for the class, which is a
cumulative exam of the entire year occurring around the beginning of May. Keep all of your work
in a binder so you can prepare for this exam.
3

Computation of Grades: The final grade is calculated using the following categories and
percentages:
1. Final Exams

20%

2. Quizzes

10%

3. Unit Tests

15%

4. Classwork

25%

5. Projects

20%

6. Homework

10%

Assignment Policy: Completing assignments will contribute to mastering the content and
student work is evaluated by the instructor.
Make Up Assignments: Zeroes will be placed in the grade book whenever a student misses an
assignment. Students will have up to five (5) days to make up any missed assignments.
Notebook/Lab Book: One of the most important factors in your success will be organization.
Purchase a binder at least two inches in width to store materials such as handouts, worksheets,
and completed assignments. This will be critical in your preparation for the (SLO) in May. I will
check your notebook periodically to evaluate your organizational skills. You may want to purchase
a small notepad to write down assignments in your classes so you wont forget them.
Classroom Behavior: This class is designed to allow us to work together and it is our
responsibility to behave appropriately. All actions have consequences and may cause others to
not receive the full benefit of a lesson or put someone in harms way. Think of this room as an
extension of your home where respect and kindness should be the norm.
Academic Fair Project: The quality academic fair project is a requirement for this class. When
you complete your project, is must be accompanied with a poster display for the class and
academic fair.
Tutorial Sessions: I am available for tutorial sessions for at least one hour (3:15 pm - 4:15 pm).
If you are struggling, please take advantage of these times. I am also available for help through email. If a request is made for tutorial at other times, please see me. I will also maintain a website
to assist students if they misplace materials or are absent. The best way to contact me is through
e-mail as I check it daily. My contact information is listed below.
Phone: 404-802-4600
E-mail: bfears@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Signature(s) of Acknowledgement:
I, the undersigned, have read, reviewed, and agree to support all of the expectations
required for the successful completion of this course during the 2015 2016 academic year. We

are aware of all academic policies (for Washington and APS) and opportunities for assistance in
Pre-Calculus. We will utilize these resources for the maximum benefit of our child. The instructor
has also signed this document to acknowledge his commitment to our childs academic and social
progress at Washington High School. Should we have any questions or concerns, we
acknowledge that we are aware of how to contact Brandon Fears.
Parent: __________________________________

Date: _________________

Student: _________________________________

Date:

______________

Thank you for the privilege of being able to teach your child this year and I look forward to being a
part of their academic success
_Brandon
Fears___________________
Math Teacher, Washington High School