De La Salle High School - ALGEBRA 2
Jim Olwell
email: [email protected]
phone: 288-8100 ext 7035
Course Description: Algebra 2 covers solving linear equations and systems of linear equations
and inequalities. Solving and graphing quadratic equations, polynomial functions, radical
functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and rational functions. We finish with an
introduction to probability and data analysis.
Text: ALGEBRA 2: Concepts and Skills by Larson,Boswell,Kanold,Stiff. Houghton Mifflin
Publishing 2010.
Outcomes: By the end of this course the successful student will be able to:
1. Solve linear equations and inequalities algebraically and graphically.
2. Determine equations of lines.
3. Use verbal models, tables, graphs, and equations to represent and interpret data.
4. Understand the concepts and vocabulary related to relations and functions.
5. Perform basic operations and factor polynomial expressions.
6. Solve quadratic equations algebraically and graphically.
7. Evaluate expressions involving rational exponents.
8. Simplify radical expressions and solve radical equations.
9. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations.
10. Evaluate simple probabilities.
11. Explain the difference between a population and a sample, and explain what a margin of
error means.
12. Effectively communicate ideas and work cooperatively with others.
Success in this class: Student success will be maximized if the student is organized, comes to
class prepared, and stays current with the assigned work. The class work and homework are
the MINIMUM that needs to be done for most students to master the material. Many students
will require extra help outside of class. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the
assigned work, prepare for quizzes and tests, and find out what was missed if class time is
missed. Homework assignments can be found on my website at dlshs.org.
Cheating: Cheating is the giving or receiving of unauthorized help on any assignment, quiz, or
test. The penalty is a ZERO on that assignment. Repeat offenders will be directed to the
director of studies. DON’T DO IT!!!
Requirements and Grading: All students are expected to be in class at their seat by the bell
that begins class. Students should bring all needed materials for class. There will be daily
lecture and problem solving. A graphing calculator is required for the class and should be
brought every day, however there may be some days when it CANNOT be used.
Homework will be assigned nearly every day, but will usually be collected on MONDAYS and
THURSDAYS. Each homework assignment that is collected is worth 5 points.
There will be class work assignments to be completed in class the day it is assigned. These are 5
points each.
There will be EIGHT quizzes, worth 25 points each, during the semester. At the end of the
semester the two lowest quiz scores will be dropped. Quizzes are open note
There will be FOUR tests, worth 100 points each, during the semester. At the end of the
semester the low test score will be dropped. All tests are cumulative. Students may use ONE
page of notes (8.5x11) for the tests
The final exam is open note and is worth 150 points,
At the end of the semester there will be 625 points possible:
HOMEWORK
100 POINTS
CLASS WORK
50 POINTS
QUIZZES
150 POINTS
TESTS
300 POINTS
FINAL EXAM
150 POINTS
TOTAL
750 POINTS
The grade breakdown by percentages can be found in the student handbook.