Contact the Math Department (click text to link)

Math Standards

A minimum of 20 credits is required for graduation. Students cannot receive credit for the same class/course more than one time. All students must pass Algebra 1 to graduate with a high school diploma. A grade of “C” is generally required to continue to the next semester in each course. Every student is strongly encouraged to take mathematics all four years of high school.

The mathematics curriculum at Golden Valley is designed to provide all students with the mathematical background needed to begin study in their field of interest and/or in college. The mathematics program includes a comprehensive series of college preparatory courses coupled with classes designed to bring all students to a proficient or advanced level of mathematical competence.

Placement may be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual student. Input from the teacher, parent, counselor, and student will be considered in making initial placements. In order to be eligible for a four year university, a student must successfully complete Algebra II.

Possible Career Objectives for the Student with Mathematics Training*
Accountant	Business Manager	Mathematician
Actuary	Computer Programmer	Physicist
Appraiser	Computer Scientist	Secretary
Assessor	Controller	Statistician
Auditor	Economist	Stock Broker
Banker	Engineer	Systems Analyst
Budget Analyst	Financial Analyst	Teacher

*Mathematics skills are required in all career areas

PRE-ALGEBRA A/B Grade 9
5 Credits
Prerequisite: This course is highly recommended for any student that does not have the foundation for Algebra. Placement into this course will be determined by teacher recommendation, prior mathematical history and/or assessment results.
This course is the first semester in a two semester Pre-Algebra sequence. The course
concentrates on concepts regarding whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents,
measurements, ratios, proportions, and basic rational expressions. This course will
concentrate on skills and concepts that are critical to success in Algebra I.

ALGEBRA IA/IB Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B or better in Pre-Algebra and teacher recommendation.
This two semester class concentrates on concepts outlined by the California State Standards for Algebra 1. Successful completion of this course will satisfy a students Algebra 1 requirement for graduation. Topics include integers, variables, linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, factoring, rational and irrational expressions, graphing and quadratic equations.

ALGEBRA A Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 5 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “C” in Pre-Algebra or teacher recommendation
This course is the first semester in a three-semester algebra sequence. Students will explore concepts involving integers, rational numbers, equations, inequalities, exponents and polynomials. At the completion of this sequence, students will have completed the algebra requirement for graduation.

ALGEBRA B Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 5 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “C” in algebra or teacher recommendation
This course is the second semester in a three-semester algebra sequence. Students will explore concepts involving polynomials, factoring, graphs, linear equations, systems of equations, inequalities and absolute values. At the completion of this sequence, students will have completed the algebra requirement for graduation.

ALGEBRA C Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 5 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “C” in Algebra B or teacher recommendation
This course is the third semester in a three-semester algebra sequence. Students will explore concepts involving rational equations, radical equations, relations, functions and quadratic equations. At the completion of this sequence, students will have completed the algebra requirement for graduation.

SENIOR ALGEBRA Grade 12
5 credits
Prerequisite: Experience in Algebra B or Algebra C. Spring semester only.
This is a one-semester course to fill the graduation requirement for seniors. A contract, the willingness to do homework and good attendance are mandatory. This course is the final semester in an Algebra sequence. Students study rational equations, radical equations and quadratic equations.

GEOMETRY A Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 5 Credits
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” in Algebra C or teacher recommendation
This course is the first semester in a three-semester geometry sequence. Students will explore concepts involving points, lines, planes, proofs, parallel lines and congruent triangles.

GEOMETRY B Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 5 Credits
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” in Geometry A or teacher recommendation
This course is the second semester in a three-semester geometry sequence. Students will explore concepts involving congruent triangles, quadrilaterals, proportions, similarity, right triangles, and circles.

GEOMETRY C Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 5 Credits
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” in Geometry B or teacher recommendation
This course is the third semester in a three-semester geometry sequence. Students will explore concepts involving polygons, area, volume, and coordinate geometry.

GEOMETRY 1A /B Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” earned in Algebra 1A/1B or Algebra A/B/C or teacher recommendation
Geometry 1A will explore concepts of points, lines, planes, proofs, parallel lines, congruent triangles, quadrilaterals, and similarity in the first semester. Geometry 1B will explore concepts of right triangles, circles, polygons, area, volume, and coordinate geometry.

GEOMETRY 1A/ B HONORS Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” in Honors Geometry 1A or teacher recommendation
This course covers the same topics as in Geometry 1/AB at a more rigorous and accelerated pace and in greater depth.

ALGEBRA II A/B Grades 10 - 11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or above in Algebra A/B/C and Geometry A/B/C or teacher recommendation
This elective two semester course expands on concepts learned in algebra and geometry. Review of these concepts is integrated throughout the course. Emphasis is placed on abstract thinking skills, the function concept, and the algebraic solution of problems in various content areas. This course does not cover trigonometry and therefore will not allow a student to move to pre-calculus.

ALGEBRA II / TRIGONOMETRY A/B Grades 9-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “C” or above in Geometry 1A/1B and/or teacher recommendation.
This elective two semester course expands on concepts learned in algebra and geometry. Review of these concepts is integrated throughout the course. Emphasis is placed on abstract thinking skills, the function concept, and the algebraic solution of problems in various content areas. Concepts of trigonometric ratios and functions, inverse functions, trigonometric equations, graphing, identities, and problem solving using both right and non-right triangles are covered in the trigonometry chapters.

ALGEBRA 2 / TRIGONOMETRY A/B HONORS Grades 10-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “B” or above in Honors Geometry 1A/1B and/or teacher recommendation.
This elective two semester course covers the same topics as in Algebra 2/Trigonometry at an accelerated rate and in greater depth.

PRE-CALCULUS A/B Grades 10-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “C” or above in Algebra 2/Trigonometry and/or teacher recommendation.
This two semester course blends together pre-calculus concepts such as mathematical induction, sequences, vectors, complex numbers, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, and second degree equations during the first semester. The second semester focuses on concepts necessary for success in calculus such as limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals. This course is designed to help students prepare to take college-level calculus.

PRE-CALCULUS A/B HONORS Grades 10-11
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of “C” or above in Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry and/or teacher recommendation.
This two semester course covers the same topics presented in Pre-Calculus A/B at an accelerated rate and in greater depth.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS AB Grades 11-12
UC/CSU Approved 10 Credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Pre-Calculus B with a C or better or completion of Honors Pre-Calculus with a C or better and teacher recommendation.
In this college level course, students will study the limit concept and develop the theory and skills of the derivative and integral of algebraic and transcendental functions, study of series and parametric equations. Curve sketching, extreme value problems, areas, volumes, moments, and centroids of two and three dimensional figures are included in applications. A major emphasis is placed on problem-solving. The course requires at least an hour of outside work each day.

TRIGONOMETRY Grades 10-11
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Algebra II A/B or Geometry C 5 Credits
This one semester course is an elective. Trigonometry is a comprehensive study of trigonometric functions with emphasis on application. Topics include circular functions and their graphs, polar coordinates, trigonometric identities and formulas, triangle trigonometry, Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.

Last Modified: March 18, 2009