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Math Department

 

We offer a variety of mathematics courses that challenge and support our students. Courses help students meet N.Y. State and local requirements and prepare students for study beyond high school. Honors courses may require students to take the Regents Exam at the end of the course as well as a departmental final exam.

Grades that are indicated in the course descriptions are to be used as guides. Grades do not impede a student from taking a course. Please speak with your school counselor about the appropriate course for your academic success.

ALGEBRA 1: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 9
This course follows the New York State Next Generation Math Standards for Algebra 1 and is designed for the students who achieved at least level 2 proficiency on the New York State Grade 8 test. Topics include the algebraic concepts of writing, solving, and graphing linear and quadratic equations, sequences, and statistics. The final exam is Algebra 1 Regents. A passing score (65+) on the Algebra 1 Regents Examination is currently required for graduation. Prerequisite: Math 8


ALGEBRA 9: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 9                                                                                                                                  This course is the first year of the two-year study of the New York State curriculum for Algebra 1 Common Core. This course follows the NY State curriculum for Algebra 1 Common Core. This course is designed for students who have achieved a level 1 proficiency on the NY State Grade 8 test. Topics include the algebraic concepts of writing, solving and graphing linear equations, and statistics. The final examination is a departmental exam. Administrative approval required. Prerequisite: Match 8


ALGEBRA 10: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 10
This course is the second year of the two-year study of Algebra. This course follows the NY State Next Generation Math Standards for Algebra 1. This course is designed for students who have taken and passed Algebra 9. Topics include the algebraic concepts of factoring, quadratic functions, data analysis, exponential and radical functions, and rational expressions. The Next Generation Math Standards aligned Algebra 1 Regents examination is the final exam for this course. Administrative approval is required for registration. A bilingual option for this course is offered. Prerequisite: Algebra 9


GEOMETRY: Full year - 1 credit, Grades 9, 10
This course follows the New York State Next Generation Math Standards for Geometry. Topics include analyzing geometric shapes and relationships, informal and formal proof, transformational geometry, and coordinate geometry. Emphasis is placed on developing strong reasoning skills, clear mathematical communication, and the ability to connect algebraic concepts with geometric principles. The final exam is Geometry Regents. Both Regents and Honors levels are offered for this course. Geometry Honors is a rigorous, fast-paced course that extends beyond the standard geometry curriculum. A passing grade on the Algebra 1 Regents exam is strongly recommended before taking Geometry to ensure algebraic fluency. Prerequisite: Algebra 1


GEOMETRY APPLICATIONS: Full year - 1 credit, Grades 10, 11
This course will focus on topics from the New York State Next Generation Math Standards for Geometry. Topics of study include geometric relationships, properties of various shapes, transformations, and coordinating geometry. This course will include hands-on work and a project-driven curriculum. The final exam is a departmental exam. A bilingual option for this course is offered. Prerequisite: Algebra 1


ALGEBRA 2 TRIGONOMETRY: Full year - 1 credit, Grades 10, 11
This course follows the New York State Next Generation Math Standards for Algebra 2. Topics include the study of rational and radical expressions, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, imaginary numbers, statistics, probability, sequences, and series. Both Regents and Honors levels are offered for this course. Honors Algebra 2 Trig is a rigorous, fast-paced course enriched with key precalculus topics to prepare students for advanced Math study. At the conclusion of this course students are eligible to take the Algebra 2 Regents Exam. The final exam for this course is a math department created exam. Prerequisite: Geometry (Prerequisite for Honors: Geometry Honors)


ALGEBRA 2: Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This course is the first year of the two-year study of the New York State Next Generation Math standards for Algebra 2. This course begins the study of the New York State curriculum for Algebra 2. Topics include the study of rational and radical expressions, imaginary numbers, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The final exam is a departmental exam. Prerequisite: Algebra and Geometry


TRIGONOMETRY: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
This course is the second year of the two-year study of New York State Next Generation Math standards for Algebra 2. Topics include the study of trigonometric functions, statistics, probability, sequences and series, and preparation for the Algebra 2 Regents Exam. The course ends with a department generated final exam. Prerequisite: Algebra 2


CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
This course emphasizes the practical aspects of mathematics. Topics include problem-solving, personal finance, budgeting, investing, student loans and credit cards, and preliminary income tax basics. This course culminates in a capstone project encompassing the students’ stock market portfolio analysis. Enrollment in this course signifies a commitment to completing all assignments and learning activities in a timely and responsible manner. Many tasks will require independent work outside of class time.


COLLEGE ALGEBRA ECE: Math 131 WCC Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This course is a dual enrollment course offered in collaboration with Westchester Community College through its Early College Experience (ECE). This course is an introduction to algebraic functions and their graphs, solving equations that involve algebraic functions, and the use of function notation and focuses on topics including Linear Functions, Quadratic Functions, Polynomial Functions, Rational Functions, Radical Functions, and Systems of Linear Equations. The final exam is a departmental exam. This course receives Honors weighting. Students must pay the discounted fee and have a passing grade to receive four Westchester Community College credits. Prerequisites: Algebra 2 Regents (passing score of 75 or higher)


PRE-CALCULUS ECE: MATH 161 WCC Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This course is a dual enrollment course offered in collaboration with Westchester Community College through its Early College Experience (ECE). This course offers problem solving beyond quadratics with emphasis on the analytical geometry leading to Calculus. Topics of study include polynomial functions, conic sections, trigonometry, logarithms, matrices, and limits (time withstanding). The final exam is a departmental exam. Students must pay the discounted fee and have a passing grade to receive four Westchester Community College credits Students are expected to complete homework nightly and long term take home (problem sets) in a timely manner. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisites: Algebra 2 Regents (passing score of 75 or higher)


PRE-CALCULUS HONORS: Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This course continues the study of pre-calculus topics from Algebra 2 Trigonometry Honors and begins the study of Advanced Placement Calculus as outlined by the College Board. It includes the analysis of advanced trigonometry, polar equations, functions, vectors (time allowing), sequences and series and differential calculus. The emphasis is on proofs of higher-level topics and intensive discussions of related topics with student presentations required. The midterm exam is focused on Precalculus Topics covered in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2. Counting for two test grades in Q2 grade. The final exam is a departmental exam focused on Calculus concepts. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: Algebra 2 Trigonometry


CALCULUS 1 ECE: Math 181 WCC Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
This course is a dual enrollment course offered in collaboration with Westchester Community College through its Early College Experience (ECE). This course includes topics in differential and integral calculus - Concept of Limit; understanding and applying the definition of a derivative; analyzing curves of functions; related rates; optimization applications; Rolle’s Theorem; Mean Value Theorem; differentiation of algebraic, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential and other transcendental functions; antiderivatives of algebraic and trigonometric functions; integration using u-substitutions. The final exam is a departmental exam. This course receives honors weighting. Students must pay the discounted fee and have a passing grade to receive four Westchester Community College credits. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus


AP CALCULUS AB: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
AP Calculus AB is rigorous and fast-paced, equivalent to a first-semester college calculus course. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions, complete daily assignments, and prepare for frequent assessments including AP-style free-response and multiple-choice questions. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus with a B+ or higher or Pre-Calculus Honors


AP CALCULUS BC: Full year - 1 credit, Grade 12
AP Calculus BC is rigorous and fast-paced, equivalent to a first AND second-semester college calculus course. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions, complete daily assignments, and prepare for frequent assessments including AP-style free-response and multiple-choice questions. The students are expected to take the Calculus BC Advanced Placement Exam. The final exam is a departmental exam. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus Honors with a B or higher


MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS: Full Year - 1 credit, Grade 12
Multivariable Calculus (also often known as Calculus III) is the third course in a three-semester sequence in calculus designed for future mathematicians, scientists, engineers and students interested in STEM disciplines. Concepts covered in the course include: vectors, vector-valued functions, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, and multiple integration. This course is a dual enrollment course (4 credits) offered in collaboration with Marist College. Grade consists of in-course examinations, homework, and a final exam. Students can earn high school credit independent from Marist College. Students must pay the discounted fee for college credit. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: Students must receive a minimum grade of B in AP BC Calculus, or an A in AP AB Calculus and Calculus II over the summer at an accredited college.


APPLIED STATISTICS: Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This course will focus on topics in statistics with an emphasis on their practical applications in social media, sports, medicine, research, and practically any field that interests you. Have you ever wondered if having a Facebook page makes you more likely to Tweet? Do White Plains High School students prefer orange or black and does gender influence the response? Is there a home field advantage in the NFL? Does the amount of snow needed to close school vary in New York State? Can polyurethane suits make you swim faster? These are the types of questions students will explore in this course. Topics include categorical and numerical data, paired data, measure of variability, normal distribution, confidence intervals, non-linear models, and counting rules. There will be an emphasis on exploration of major concepts through hands-on data collection and analysis. The final exam is a choice between a departmental exam or final project. Prerequisite: Geometry or Geometry Applications


AP STATISTICS and ECE: MATH 140 WCC Full year - 1 credit, Grades 11, 12
This Advanced Placement course provides the opportunity for students who have a strong desire to study advanced mathematics courses on the Advanced Placement level. Topics such as exploring data and observing patterns and departures from patterns, planning a study, producing models using probability theory and simulation, and statistical inference are included in the course. The students are expected to take the Statistics Advanced Placement Exam. The final exam is a departmental exam. This course receives Honors weighting. Prerequisite: Algebra 2 Trigonometry with a 75 or higher. This course is offered as an ECE course AND an AP Course for both types of credit.