High School Algebra Curriculum

Below are the skills needed, with links to resources to help with that skill. We also enourage plenty of exercises and book work. Curriculum Home

Important: this is a guide only.
Check with your local education authority to find out their requirements.

High School Algebra | Numbers
☐ Simplify radical terms (no variable in the radicand)
☐ Squares and Square Roots
☐ nth Roots
☐ Perform the four arithmetic operations using like and unlike radical terms and express the result in simplest form
☐ Simplify in Algebra
☐ Squares and Square Roots in Algebra
☐ Understand and use scientific notation to compute products and quotients of large or small numbers.
☐ Standard Form
☐ Scientific Notation
☐ Index Notation - Powers of 10
☐ Definition of Scientific Notation
☐ Evaluate expressions involving factorial(s), absolute value(s), and exponential expression(s)
☐ Laws of Exponents
☐ Absolute Value
☐ Absolute Value Function
☐ Factorial Function !
☐ Absolute Value in Algebra
☐ Definition of Absolute Value
☐ Definition of Factorial
☐ Understand that dividing by zero is undefined.
☐ Reciprocal
☐ Dividing by Zero
☐ Reciprocal
☐ Reciprocal of a Fraction
☐ Zero Product Property
☐ Understand what is meant by a recurring decimal and how it is written.
☐ Does 0.999... equal 1?
☐ Convert Decimals to Fractions
☐ Know how to calculate n! for whole numbers n, and the relationship between n! and (n - 1)!
☐ Factorial Function !
☐ Understand what is meant by an imaginary number and a complex number.
☐ Complex Numbers
☐ The Evolution of Numbers
☐ Real Numbers
☐ Imaginary Numbers
☐ Understand what is meant by infinity and that infinity is not a Real number.
☐ What is Infinity?
☐ Real Numbers
High School Algebra | Measurement
☐ Calculate rates using appropriate units (e.g., rate of a space ship versus the rate of a snail)
☐ Definition of Speed
☐ US Standard Speed (Velocity)
☐ Metric Speed (Velocity)
☐ Girl, Boy and Dog
☐ Making the Average
☐ The Fly and The Trains
☐ Riding Against the Wind
☐ Solve problems involving conversions within measurement systems, given the relationship between the units
☐ Conversion of Area
☐ Conversion of Length
☐ How to Safely Convert From One Unit to Another
☐ Metric Numbers
☐ Unit Converter
☐ Conversion of Volume
☐ Conversion of Temperature - Celsius to Fahrenheit
☐ Calculate the relative error in measuring square and cubic units, when there is an error in the linear measure
☐ Accuracy and Precision
High School Algebra | Algebra
☐ Translate a quantitative verbal phrase into an algebraic expression
☐ Introduction to Algebra - Multiplication
☐ Introduction to Algebra
☐ Find values of a variable for which an algebraic fraction is undefined.
☐ Dividing by Zero
☐ Algebra Mistakes
☐ Solving Equations
☐ Solving Rational Inequalities
☐ Add or subtract fractional expressions with monomial or like binomial denominators
☐ Fractions in Algebra
☐ Multiply and divide algebraic fractions, and express the product or quotient in its simplest form
☐ Fractions in Algebra
☐ Recognize and factor the difference of two perfect squares
☐ Factoring in Algebra
☐ Special Binomial Products
☐ Definition of Difference of Squares
☐ Zero Product Property
☐ Factor algebraic expressions completely, including trinomials with a lead coefficient of one (after factoring a GCF)
☐ Factoring in Algebra
☐ Definition of Trinomial
☐ Factoring Quadratics
☐ Solve equations involving fractional expressions. Note: Expressions which result in linear equations in one variable.
☐ Fractions in Algebra
☐ Solving Equations
☐ Distinguish the difference between an algebraic expression and an algebraic equation
☐ Algebra - Definitions
☐ Understand Special Binomial Products
☐ Special Binomial Products
☐ Solve complex equations of degree greater than two by making an appropriate change of variable.
☐ Change of Variables
☐ Degree (of an Expression)
☐ Identify and factor the difference of two cubes or the sum of two cubes.
☐ Difference of Two Cubes
☐ Factoring in Algebra
☐ Solving Polynomials
☐ Understand the difference between an equation and a formula.
☐ Equations and Formulas
☐ Know how to change the subject of a formula.
☐ Equations and Formulas
☐ Activity: Buffon's Needle
☐ Know the various meanings of the words 'Standard Form', including Scientific Notation.
☐ Standard Form
☐ Scientific Notation
☐ Zero Product Property
☐ Definition of Standard Form (Numbers)
High School Algebra | Exponents
☐ Analyze and solve verbal problems that involve exponential growth and decay
☐ Exponential Growth and Decay
High School Algebra | Inequalities
☐ Determine whether a given value is a solution to a given linear equation in one variable or linear inequality in one variable
☐ Solving Equations
☐ Solving Inequalities
☐ Substitution
☐ Solve linear inequalities in one variable
☐ Solving Inequalities
☐ Graph linear inequalities
☐ Solving Inequalities
☐ Intervals
High School Algebra | Linear Equations
☐ Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables algebraically
☐ Systems of Linear Equations
☐ Solve all types of linear equations in one variable
☐ Balance when Adding and Subtracting
☐ Solving Equations
☐ Analyze and solve verbal problems whose solution requires solving a linear equation in one variable or linear inequality in one variable
☐ Solving Inequalities
☐ Balance when Adding and Subtracting
☐ Analyze and solve verbal problems whose solution requires solving systems of linear equations in two variables
☐ Systems of Linear Equations
☐ Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Matrices
High School Algebra | Quadratic Equations
☐ Solve a system of one linear and one quadratic equation in two variables, where only factoring is required. Note: The quadratic equation should represent a parabola and the solution(s) should be integers.
☐ Factoring Quadratics
☐ Definition of Quadratic Equation
☐ Quadratic Equations
☐ Understand and apply the multiplication property of zero to solve quadratic equations with integral coefficients and integral roots
☐ Quadratic Equations
☐ Factoring Quadratics
☐ Quadratic Equation Solver
☐ Solving Equations
☐ Zero Product Property
☐ Understand the difference and connection between roots of a quadratic equation and factors of a quadratic expression
☐ Factoring Quadratics
☐ Quadratic Equations
☐ Quadratic Equation Solver
High School Algebra | Polynomials
☐ Multiply and divide monomial expressions with a common base using the properties of exponents. Note: Use integral exponents only.
☐ Definition of Monomial
☐ Multiplying Polynomials
☐ Variables with Exponents - How to Multiply and Divide them
☐ Laws of Exponents
☐ Using Exponents in Algebra
☐ Add, subtract, and multiply monomials and polynomials
☐ Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
☐ Polynomials - Long Multiplication
☐ Multiplying Polynomials
☐ Definition of Monomial
☐ Definition of Polynomial
☐ Like Terms
☐ Divide a polynomial by a monomial or binomial, where the quotient has no remainder. Use factoring with canceling, or Polynomial long division.
☐ Dividing Polynomials
☐ Polynomials - Long Division
☐ Simplify in Algebra
☐ Simplify fractions with polynomials in the numerator and denominator by factoring both and renaming them to lowest terms
☐ Rational Expressions
☐ Polynomials - Long Division
☐ Dividing Polynomials
☐ Determine the sum and product of the roots of a cubic and higher poynomials by examining its coefficients.
☐ Polynomials: Sums and Products of Roots
High School Algebra | Sets
☐ Use set-builder notation and/or interval notation to illustrate the elements of a set, given the elements in roster form
☐ Introduction to Sets
☐ Set-Builder Notation
☐ Intervals
☐ Find the complement of a subset of a given set, within a given universe
☐ Introduction to Sets
☐ Sets and Venn Diagrams
☐ Activity: Subsets
☐ Definition of Set
☐ Find the intersection of sets (no more than three sets) and/or union of sets (no more than three sets)
☐ Definition of Set
☐ Introduction to Sets
☐ Sets and Venn Diagrams
☐ Intervals
☐ Identify and apply the properties of real numbers (closure, commutative, associative, distributive, identity, inverse) Note: Students do not need to identify groups and fields, but students should be engaged in the ideas.
☐ Real Numbers
☐ Introduction to Sets
☐ Commutative, Associative and Distributive Laws
☐ Inverse
☐ Introduction to Groups
☐ Definition of Real Numbers
☐ Definition of Commutative Law
☐ Definition of Associative Law
☐ Definition of Distributive Law
☐ Definition of Identity
☐ Definition of Additive Identity
☐ Definition of Multiplicative Identity
☐ Definition of Inverse
☐ Definition of Additive Inverse
☐ Definition of Reciprocal
☐ Definition of Set
☐ Express the union or intersection of sets of numbers in interval notation.
☐ Introduction to Sets
☐ Introduction to Inequalities
☐ Intervals
☐ Number Line
High School Algebra | Functions
☐ Determine when a relation is a function, by examining ordered pairs and inspecting graphs of relations
☐ Domain, Range and Codomain
☐ What is a Function
☐ Definition of Function
☐ Definition of Domain of a function
☐ Definition of Range of a function
☐ Injective, Surjective and Bijective
☐ Identify and graph linear, quadratic (parabolic), absolute value, and exponential functions
☐ Absolute Value
☐ Parabola
☐ Function Grapher and Calculator
☐ Absolute Value in Algebra
☐ Linear Equations
☐ Square Function
☐ Graphing Quadratic Equations
☐ Explore the Quadratic Equation Graph
☐ Absolute Value Function
☐ Exponential Function Reference
☐ Investigate and generalize how changing the coefficients of a function affects its graph
☐ Function Grapher and Calculator
☐ Graphing Quadratic Equations
☐ Explore the Quadratic Equation Graph
☐ Find the roots of a parabolic function graphically. Note: Only quadratic equations with integral solutions.
☐ Parabola
☐ Function Grapher and Calculator
☐ Graphing Quadratic Equations
☐ Explore the Quadratic Equation Graph
☐ Quadratic Equations
☐ Define a relation and function
☐ What is a Function
☐ Definition of Function
☐ Definition of Domain of a function
☐ Definition of Range of a function
☐ Injective, Surjective and Bijective
☐ Determine when a relation is a function
☐ What is a Function
☐ Determine if a function is one-to-one, onto, or both
☐ Injective, Surjective and Bijective
☐ Increasing and Decreasing Functions
☐ Determine whether a function is injective, surjective or bijective.
☐ Injective, Surjective and Bijective
☐ Increasing and Decreasing Functions
High School Algebra | Graphs
☐ Graph the slope as a rate of change between dependent and independent variables
☐ Definition of Slope
☐ Equation of a Straight Line
☐ Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
☐ Linear Equations
☐ Explore the properties of a straight line graph
☐ Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
☐ Determine the slope of a line, given the coordinates of two points on the line
☐ Explore the properties of a straight line graph
☐ Equation of a Straight Line
☐ Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
☐ Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
☐ Linear Equation Test
☐ Calculate the Straight Line Graph
☐ Equation of a Line from 2 Points
☐ Linear Equations
☐ Write the equation of a line, given its slope and the coordinates of a point on the line
☐ Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
☐ Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
☐ Explore the properties of a straight line graph
☐ Equation of a Straight Line
☐ Linear Equation Test
☐ Point-Slope Equation of a Line
☐ Equation of a Line from 2 Points
☐ Calculate the Straight Line Graph
☐ Linear Equations
☐ Write the equation of a line, given the coordinates of two points on the line
☐ Calculate the Straight Line Graph
☐ Equation of a Line from 2 Points
☐ Write the equation of a line parallel to the x-axis or the y-axis
☐ Point-Slope Equation of a Line
☐ Linear Equations
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Determine the slope of a line, given its equation in any form
☐ Explore the properties of a straight line graph
☐ Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
☐ Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
☐ Equation of a Straight Line
☐ Linear Equation Test
☐ Linear Equations
☐ Determine if two lines are parallel, given their equations in any form
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Determine the vertex and axis of symmetry of a parabola, given its equation.
☐ Parabola
☐ Definition of Parabola
☐ Graphing Quadratic Equations
☐ Explore the Quadratic Equation Graph
☐ Square Function
☐ Determine the vertex and axis of symmetry of a parabola, given its graph. Note: The vertex will have an ordered pair of integers and the axis of symmetry will have an integral value.
☐ Parabola
☐ Graphing Quadratic Equations
☐ Definition of Parabola
☐ Explore the Quadratic Equation Graph
☐ Square Function
☐ Graph and solve systems of linear equations and inequalities with rational coefficients in two variables.
☐ Systems of Linear Equations
☐ Solve systems of linear and quadratic equations graphically. Note: Only use systems of linear and quadratic equations that lead to solutions whose coordinates are integers.
☐ Function Grapher and Calculator
☐ Find the slope of a perpendicular line, given the equation of a line
☐ Definition of Perpendicular Lines
☐ Definition of Slope
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Calculate the Straight Line Graph
☐ Determine whether two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither, given their equations
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Perpendicular and Parallel
☐ Find the equation of a line, given a point on the line and the equation of a line perpendicular to the given line
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Find the equation of a line, given a point on the line and the equation of a line parallel to the desired line
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Find the midpoint of a line segment, given its endpoints
☐ Definition of Midpoint
☐ Midpoint of a Line
☐ Find the length of a line segment, given its endpoints
☐ Distance Between 2 Points
☐ Activity: A Walk in the Desert
☐ Pythagoras Theorem
☐ Find the equation of a line that is the perpendicular bisector of a line segment, given the endpoints of the line segment
☐ Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Midpoint of a Line
☐ Find a set of ordered pairs to satisfy a given polynomial equation or other simple function; then plot the ordered pairs and draw the curve.
☐ Graph of an Equation
☐ Activity: Soup Can
☐ Recognize the symmetry in equations and their graphs.
☐ Symmetry in Equations
☐ Plot points using coordinates in three dimensions.
☐ Cartesian Coordinates