Mathematics 8th Grade (1st semester)

Course Description\nMathematics 8th Grade helps students to see the power of mathematics in everyday life. The course begins with a review of percentages and proportions, applying these concepts to conversion factors and emphasizing English and metric measurements. Work with linear equations includes computing rates of change, finding intercepts, graphing linear functions, and describing the action of a line. Number patterns and sequences foster a study of arithmetic and geometric means as students learn to find missing terms in sequences. An investigation of the Cartesian plane teaches students how to work with scale drawings, dilations, and graphs. Students learn about the properties of triangles, the Pythagorean Theorem, and the properties of parallel lines cut by a transversal. With pie charts, bar graphs, histograms, scatter plots, and other linear models, students explore probability and make predictions and correlations. Students apply the concepts of independent and dependent events, odds, combinations, permutations, and factorials to situations ranging from playing cards to determining the number of different outfits they have in their closets.\n\nCourse Breakdown\n\n Exponents\n Scientific notation\n Operations with fractions\n Rational numbers\n Proportions\n Radicals\n Percentages\n Unit conversions Solving equations that represent a line\n Perimeter and area\n Volume and surface area\n Scale factor\n The coordinate plane and graphing\n\nCourse Goals\n Apply basic exponent properties to simplify expressions.\n Simplify rational expressions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.\n Simplify radical expressions.\n Convert between English and metric units. Construct and evaluate direct variation equations.\n Identify the areas and perimeters of two-dimensional figures.\n Calculate the volumes and surface areas of three-dimensional figures.\n Determine the dimensions of a figure, given a scale factor