Course Syllabus

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Syllabus Algebra 1B

Welcome

Welcome to Algebra 1B! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

Algebra 1 is the the first step into mathematics after essential arithmetic. This course will help you build your skills to describe a situation with words, symbols like x², pictures, and data tables. The course will also provide you with the perspectives and tools to analyze a situation in order to understand patterns and relationships, to turn the unknown into the known, and to make predictions.

You have done this already. In grade-school math, a lot of problems were of the form of "2 + 3 = what?" In algebra, the unknown thing will be tangled in more complicated relations like "2 times something plus 4 = 10."

The first half of Algebra 1 explored relationships with a constant rate of change, "equal to" situations, linear graphs, and inequalities. The second half of Algebra 1 extends these ideas to nonlinear functions. This second half moves on to dealing with situations such as compound interest, population growth, and the height of falling objects. These graph as curves instead of lines.

The skills to describe and analyze such mathematical situations are handy for more than these common practical applications. Algebra 1 skills are fundamental for subsequent mathematics courses and understanding business, construction, and technology.

Is algebra useful? Clearly, millions of people now and throughout history have lived happy and productive lives without mathematical skills much beyond 2 + 2 = 4. It may surprise many people to learn that algebra is not primarily about numbers. Algebra is about relationships: equality, inequality, relationships that increase, relationships that go downhill—and in this second half unit, relationships that go down and then come up again. Numbers and arithmetic help describe relationships.

Algebra is also about representations. You can describe a thing with words. You can describe a thing with a picture. Other representations include tables and the time-saving "x > y" language of math. Most things in life are better understood if we see them from different perspectives.

Algebra is also about problem solving. Problem solving often involves guessing, trying, failing, and trying again with an improved strategy. If you can stick through factoring polynomials, you will gain insight and stamina to build houses, to run a business, to settle disputes, and to succeed in other journeys that take more than one step.

Algebra is also about patterns and prediction. If you can see a pattern, you can predict what is yet to come.

Catalog Description: This course reviews the essential skills of arithmetic as they relate to the study of algebra, building upon the concepts learned in Algebra 1A. Topics covered include solving and graphing linear inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, factoring polynomials, and quadratic equations and functions.

Course Essential Questions

 Essential Question

How can we represent and analyze patterns, relationships, and real-world phenomena using algebra?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Exponential Functions and Sequences

1.1a Determine whether data represent exponential growth or exponential decay.
1.1b Write exponential growth functions and exponential decay functions.
1.1c Solve real-life problems using exponential growth and decay functions.
1.2a Solve exponential equations with the same base.
1.2b Solve exponential equations with unlike bases.
1.2c Solve exponential equations by graphing.
1.3a Determine whether a sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or neither.
1.3b Write and graph terms of geometric sequences.
1.3c Write geometric sequences as functions.
1.4a Write terms of recursively defined sequences.
1.4b Write recursive rules for sequences.
1.4c Translate between recursive rules and explicit rules.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

2: Introduction to Polynomials

2.1a Classify polynomials by degree and number of terms.
2.1b Add and subtract polynomials.
2.1c Model real-life situations using sums and differences of polynomials.
2.2a Multiply and divide polynomials by monomials .
2.2b Multiply binomials using the Distributive Property.
2.2c Multiply binomials using the FOIL method.
2.2d Multiply binomials and trinomials.
2.3a Use the square of a binomial pattern.
2.3b Multiply binomials using the sum and difference pattern.
2.3c Solve problems involving polynomials using special product patterns.
2.4a Use the Zero-Product Property to solve polynomial equations in factored form.
2.4b Factor polynomials using the greatest common factor.
2.4c Solve polynomial equations by rewriting them in factored form.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

3: Factoring Polynomials

3.1a Identify the terms of a trinomial.
3.1b Factor polynomials in the form x2 + bx + c.
3.1c Explain how to use b and c find binomial factors of a polynomial x2 + bx + c.
3.2a Factor a polynomial using the GCF of the terms of the polynomial.
3.2b Factor polynomials of the form ax2 + bx + c.
3.2c Explain how to use a, b, and c to find the binomial factors of a polynomial ax2 + bx + c.
3.3a Factor the difference of two squares.
3.3b Factor perfect square trinomials.
3.3c Solve real-life problems by factoring using special product patterns.
3.4a Factor polynomials by grouping.
3.4b Factor polynomials completely.
3.4c Solve real-life problems by factoring.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

4: Graphing Quadratic Functions

4.1a Identify characteristics of quadratic functions and their graphs.
4.1b Graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = ax2.
4.1c Compare the graph of f(x) = ax2 to the graph of the parent quadratic function f(x) = x2.
4.2a Graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = ax2 + c.
4.2b Compare the graph of f(x) = ax2 + c to the graph of the parent quadratic function.
4.2c Describe translations of the graph of f(x) = ax2 + c.
4.2d Find zeros of f(x) = ax2 + c.
4.3a Find the axis of symmetry and vertex of a quadratic function.
4.3b Graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = ax2 + bx + c.
4.3c Determine a maximum or minimum value of a quadratic function.

20 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment 1: Lessons 1-4

There are 5 questions on this assignment, ranging in value from 2 points to 10 points each, for a total of 25 points.

5: More Graphing Quadratic Functions

5.1a Identify even and odd functions.
5.1b Graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k.
5.1c Compare the graph of f(x) = a(x – h)2 to the graph of the parent quadratic function.
5.1d Compare the graph of f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k to the graph of the parent quadratic function.
5.2a Graph quadratic functions of the form f(x) = a(x – p)(x – q).
5.2b Find the zeros of functions using intercept form.
5.2c Use characteristics to graph and write quadratic functions and cubic functions.
5.3a Determine whether data can be represented by a linear, exponential, or quadratic function.
5.3b Write functions to model data.
5.3c Compare functions using average rates of change.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

Midterm Exam

6: Solving Quadratic Equations

6.1a Use properties of square roots to write equivalent expressions.
6.1b Use properties of cube roots to write equivalent expressions.
6.1c Rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
6.1d Perform operations with radicals.
6.2a Solve quadratic equations by graphing.
6.2b Use graphs to find and approximate zeros of functions.
6.2c Use technology to find a quadratic model for a set of data.
6.3a Find the square roots of a number.
6.3b Solve quadratic equations using square roots.
6.3c Approximate solutions of quadratic equations.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

7: More Ways to Solve Quadratic Equations

7.1a Complete the square for an expression of the form x2 + bx.
7.1b Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.
7.1c Find maximum and minimum values of quadratic functions by completing the square.
7.2a Solve quadratic equations using the Quadratic Formula.
7.2b Find and interpret the discriminant of an equation.
7.2c Choose an efficient method for solving a quadratic equation and explain my choice of method.
7.3a Solve nonlinear systems graphically.
7.3b Solve nonlinear systems algebraically.
7.3c Approximate the solutions of nonlinear systems.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

8: Radical Functions and Equations

8.1a Find the domain and range of a square root function.
8.1b Graph square root functions.
8.1c Graph and describe transformations of square root functions.
8.1d Use square root functions to solve real-life problems.
8.2a Graph cube root functions.
8.2b Graph and describe transformations of cube root functions.
8.2c Use cube root functions to solve real-life problems.
8.3a Identify radical equations.
8.3b Solve radical equations.
8.3c Identify extraneous solutions of radical equations.
8.3d Solve real-life problems involving radical equations.
8.4a Explain what inverse functions are.
8.4b Find inverses of functions algebraically.
8.4c Determine if the inverse of a function is also a function.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

9: Descriptive Statistics

9.1a Find and compare the measures of center of a data set.
9.1b Find measures of variation of a data set.
9.1c Describe effects of data transformations.
9.2a Use box-and-whisker plots to represent data sets.
9.2b Interpret box-and-whisker plots.
9.2c Use box-and-whisker plots to compare data sets.
9.2d Explain how to identify outliers in a data set.
9.3a Describe the shape of a distribution.
9.3b Determine which measures of center and variation best represent a data set.
9.3c Compare data sets.

20 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment 2: Lessons 6-9

There are 6 questions on this assignment, ranging in value from 2 points to 6 points each, for a total of 25 points.

10: Two-Way Tables and Proper Graphical Displays

10.1a Find and interpret marginal frequencies.
10.1b Make two-way tables.
10.1c Find and interpret relative frequencies and conditional relative frequencies.
10.1d Recognize associations and trends in data using two-way tables.
10.2a Classify data as qualitative or quantitative.
10.2b Create an appropriate data display and explain the choice of display.
10.2c Identify misleading data displays.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

Final Exam

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 50
Lesson Quizzes 200
Midterm Exam 187.5
Final Exam 187.5
Total 625

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

Larson R. & Boswell, L. Algebra 1. Erie, PA: Big Ideas Learning, LLC, 2022. [ISBN: 978-1-64432-864-4]

 

Digital Textbook Option

The digital version of the textbook is integrated into the course online. Select the Big Ideas Math textbook link from the course navigation menu. You do not have to purchase a hard-copy of the textbook unless you so desire. Please review the Big Math Ideas System Requirements page to confirm that your device, browser, and browser settings meet the textbook system requirements.

Materials

  • Students should maintain an Algebra 1 Notebook to organize notes, practice exercises, and do other work. A three-ring binder is best because it allows the insertion of printouts and other loose materials. Is your notebook graded? Not directly. But from years of observing students, we know that students who practice these habits get good grades, and students who don't practice these habits get poor grades. The commentary will explain how to use a notebook to save brain cells and succeed in this course. After this initial advice, you are on your own in keeping up your notebook.
  • Students should have Microsoft Word to render MathType. (This is not necessary, but is highly recommended.)
  • Students will need to use 2, 5, or 10 mm, or similar, graph paper. Graph paper can be purchased in many stores or printed from online sources. The following PDF files can be printed to make graph paper. Any of these sizes are suitable for this course, but most students will prefer the 5 mm grid. Lines may appear uneven when viewed on the screen, but they should print satisfactorily.
  • Students should have access to a graphing calculator when studying. Though not directly assessed, some instruction and homework exercises will involve technology. We urge that you use the Texas Instruments TI-84, graphing calculator (or newer). For this course, you will be viewing examples from the TI-84. The TI-84 graphing calculator is preferred for Mizzou Academy mathematics courses. These are widely used in U.S. schools, demonstrated by this course's textbook and lesson commentary, and available in retail stores. These types are permitted on many standardized tests that allow calculators. Though not all the features will be used in beginning courses, subsequent courses (through college graduation) will exploit more and more features of these calculators. These calculators are sturdy, so you should be able to find acceptable used ones. "Scientific calculators" and other calculators without the ability to graph a function and display tables are not adequate for all parts of this course. Computer tools have advantages, but you need practice with the tools you are allowed to use on some exams. Students may not use a scientific or graphing calculator on the exams. Only a basic functions calculator is allowed on these assessments.

† Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection.

 

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due