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What does a student learn in ?

This is the stretch where math stops being about getting one right answer and starts being about modeling the real world with equations, graphs, and data. Students work with functions, solve harder equations, prove things in geometry, and use statistics to make sense of information. They also learn to ask whether a model actually fits the situation. By the end, students can take a real problem, pick the right kind of function or formula, and explain what their answer means.

  • Functions and graphs
  • Solving equations
  • Geometry and proof
  • Statistics and data
  • Probability
  • Modeling with math
Source: Michigan Michigan K-12 Standards
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
  1. 1

    Numbers, units, and expressions

    Students start by sharpening the basics behind every problem. They work with exponents and radicals, keep track of units in word problems, and pull apart algebraic expressions to see what each piece really means.

  2. 2

    Equations and linear systems

    Students write and solve equations and inequalities from real situations. They handle pairs of equations with two unknowns and graph the solutions on the coordinate plane.

  3. 3

    Quadratics and polynomials

    Students factor, complete the square, and use the quadratic formula. They graph polynomial functions, find the zeros, and meet complex numbers when a quadratic has no real solution.

  4. 4

    Functions and modeling

    Students compare linear, exponential, and other function families using graphs, tables, and formulas. They build functions to model growth, decay, and other patterns, and read key features like intercepts and maximums.

  5. 5

    Geometry, triangles, and trigonometry

    Students prove what they used to take on faith about lines, triangles, and circles. They use congruence, similarity, and right triangle trig to find missing lengths and angles, and apply geometry to volume and design problems.

  6. 6

    Statistics and probability

    Students summarize data with center, spread, and shape, and read scatter plots to spot relationships between two variables. They work with probability, two-way tables, and the difference between correlation and cause.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 11.
High School — Number and Quantity
  • Extend the properties of exponents to rational exponents

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-RN.A
    High School

    Students learn to work with exponents that are fractions, not just whole numbers. That means understanding why an expression like 8 to the one-third power is the same as the cube root of 8.

  • Explain how the definition of the meaning of rational exponents follows from…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-RN.A.1
    High School

    Rational exponents are a shorthand way to write roots. Students learn why an exponent like 1/2 means square root by extending the familiar rules of whole-number exponents until the notation stays consistent.

  • Rewrite expressions involving radicals and rational exponents using the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-RN.A.2
    High School

    Switching between radical signs and fractional exponents is the same operation written two different ways. Students learn the rules that connect them so they can rewrite expressions in whichever form makes the next step easier.

  • Use properties of rational and irrational numbers

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-RN.B
    High School

    Students learn why adding or multiplying fractions and whole numbers sometimes produces a neat fraction and sometimes produces a number that never ends or repeats. They practice predicting which kind of number a calculation will produce before doing the math.

  • Explain why the sum or product of two rational numbers is rational

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-RN.B.3
    High School

    Students explain why adding or multiplying two fractions (or whole numbers) always gives another fraction, and why mixing a fraction with a number like pi always gives something that can't be written as a fraction.

  • Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A
    High School

    Students learn to pick the right units for a problem (miles, dollars, seconds) and use those units as a built-in check on their work. The unit itself becomes a tool for deciding whether an answer makes sense.

  • Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.1
    High School

    Students pick the right units for a problem (miles, hours, dollars) and stick with them through every step of solving it. They also read graphs carefully, paying attention to what the scale and starting point actually mean.

  • Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.2
    High School

    Students choose which numbers and units actually matter for the problem they're modeling. For example, deciding whether to measure a road trip in miles, hours, or gallons depends on what question they're trying to answer.

  • Choose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurement when…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.3
    High School

    When solving a real problem, students decide how precise their answer needs to be. A distance measured with a ruler shouldn't be reported down to ten decimal places just because a calculator can produce them.

  • Perform arithmetic operations with complex numbers

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.A
    High School

    Students add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers that include imaginary parts, like 3 + 2i. It extends the arithmetic they already know into a broader number system used in physics and engineering.

  • Know there is a complex number i such that i² = -1

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.A.1
    High School

    The square root of -1 doesn't exist on the regular number line, so mathematicians named it i. Students learn that every complex number is built from two parts: a real number plus a real multiple of i.

  • Use the relation i² = -1 and the commutative, associative

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.A.2
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and multiply complex numbers (numbers that include an imaginary part) by applying the rule that i² equals -1, the same way they would combine like terms in algebra.

  • (+) Find the conjugate of a complex number

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.A.3
    High School

    Finding the conjugate of a complex number means flipping the sign on its imaginary part. Students use conjugates to divide complex numbers and to find how far a complex number sits from zero on the number plane.

  • Represent complex numbers and their operations on the complex plane

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.B
    High School

    Students plot complex numbers on a grid that uses a real axis and an imaginary axis, then show what happens to those points when the numbers are added, subtracted, or multiplied.

  • (+) Represent complex numbers on the complex plane in rectangular and polar form

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.B.4
    High School

    Students plot complex numbers on a coordinate grid using two different formats: a horizontal-vertical address and an angle-with-distance address. They explain why both formats point to the same location.

  • (+) Represent addition, subtraction, multiplication

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.B.5
    High School

    Students plot complex numbers on a coordinate plane and use the geometry of that picture to add, subtract, multiply, and find conjugates. The visual layout becomes a calculation tool, not just a diagram.

  • (+) Calculate the distance between numbers in the complex plane as the modulus…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.B.6
    High School

    Finding the distance or midpoint between two complex numbers works the same way it does on a regular coordinate grid. Students subtract to find the distance and average the endpoints to find the midpoint, treating each complex number as a point on the plane.

  • Use complex numbers in polynomial identities and equations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.C
    High School

    Students apply complex numbers, which include a real part and an imaginary part, to solve polynomial equations that have no real-number solutions. This extends the solution set beyond what the number line can show.

  • Solve quadratic equations with real coefficients that have complex solutions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.C.7
    High School

    Quadratic equations don't always have solutions you can plot on a number line. Students solve those equations anyway, expressing the answer using imaginary numbers.

  • (+) Extend polynomial identities to the complex numbers

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.C.8
    High School

    Polynomial identities like the difference of squares still hold when the variables include imaginary numbers. Students apply familiar algebraic rules to expressions with complex numbers, not just real ones.

  • (+) Know the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-CN.C.9
    High School

    Every polynomial equation has at least one solution, even when that solution is a complex number. Students verify this by finding all solutions to quadratic equations, including ones with no real roots.

  • Represent and model with vector quantities

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A
    High School

    Students use arrows to show things that have both size and direction, like wind speed or a moving object. They set up and solve real problems where direction matters, not just distance.

  • (+) Recognize vector quantities as having both magnitude and direction

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.1
    High School

    A vector is an arrow that carries two pieces of information: how far it travels and which way it points. Students learn to draw vectors as directed line segments and read the symbols used to label them and their lengths.

  • (+) Find the components of a vector by subtracting the coordinates of an…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.2
    High School

    A vector has a starting point and an ending point. Students find the vector's horizontal and vertical reach by subtracting the starting coordinates from the ending coordinates.

  • (+) Solve problems involving velocity and other quantities that can be…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.3
    High School

    Students use vectors to solve real problems involving speed and direction, like figuring out a plane's actual path when wind pushes it off course. The math connects arrows on a graph to movement in the real world.

  • Perform operations on vectors

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and scale vectors, combining quantities that have both size and direction. Think of it as moving arrows on a grid and finding where you end up.

  • (+) Add and subtract vectors

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.4
    High School

    Students add and subtract vectors by combining their direction and size, the way you'd track two legs of a trip to find where you end up. This standard covers both the geometric picture and the numerical calculation.

  • Add vectors end-to-end, component-wise

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.4a
    High School

    Students learn three ways to add vectors and discover that combining two arrows rarely gives a total length equal to simply adding their individual lengths.

  • Given two vectors in magnitude and direction form, determine the magnitude and…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.4b
    High School

    Students add two vectors given as a size and angle, then find the size and angle of the result. This is the math behind combining forces, like figuring out where a boat ends up when current and wind push it at the same time.

  • Understand vector subtraction v - w as v +

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.4c
    High School

    Vector subtraction means flipping one vector to point the opposite direction, then adding it to the other. Students calculate this by subtracting matching components and can show it on a graph by connecting the arrow tips in the right order.

  • (+) Multiply a vector by a scalar

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.5
    High School

    Students scale a vector up or down by multiplying it by a single number. That changes the vector's length, and may flip its direction, but keeps it pointing along the same line.

  • Represent scalar multiplication graphically by scaling vectors and possibly…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.5a
    High School

    Students multiply a vector by a single number to stretch or shrink it on a graph, and sometimes flip its direction. They also apply that number to each coordinate separately.

  • Compute the magnitude of a scalar multiple cv using ||cv|| = |c|v

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.B.5b
    High School

    Scaling a vector by a number changes how long it is and sometimes flips its direction. Students calculate the new length by multiplying the scale factor by the original length, then decide whether the result points the same way or the opposite way.

  • Perform operations on matrices and use matrices in applications

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and multiply grids of numbers called matrices, then use those calculations to solve real problems like encoding data or modeling change.

  • (+) Use matrices to represent and manipulate data, e.g., to represent payoffs…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.6
    High School

    A matrix is a grid of numbers used to organize and work with data. Students learn to set up and calculate with these grids to represent things like scores, costs, or connections between points in a system.

  • (+) Multiply matrices by scalars to produce new matrices, e.g., as when all of…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.7
    High School

    Multiplying a matrix by a single number scales every value inside it by that amount. If every score in a game doubles, the whole matrix doubles with it.

  • (+) Add, subtract, and multiply matrices of appropriate dimensions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.8
    High School

    Students add, subtract, and multiply grids of numbers called matrices, as long as the grids are the right sizes to work together. This is the arithmetic of matrices, the same idea as adding or multiplying regular numbers but applied to organized tables of data.

  • (+) Understand that, unlike multiplication of numbers, matrix multiplication…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.9
    High School

    Multiplying matrices in a different order usually gives a different result, unlike multiplying regular numbers. But grouping or distributing matrix multiplication still follows the same rules numbers do.

  • (+) Understand that the zero and identity matrices play a role in matrix…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.10
    High School

    The zero matrix acts like the number 0 in addition, and the identity matrix acts like the number 1 in multiplication. A square matrix can be "divided out" only when its determinant is not zero.

  • (+) Multiply a vector

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.11
    High School

    Multiplying a matrix by a vector shifts, stretches, or rotates that vector to a new position. Students practice this to see how matrices act as rules that move points around a coordinate plane.

  • (+) Work with 2 × 2 matrices as transformations of the plane

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.C.12
    High School

    A 2x2 matrix can move, stretch, or flip shapes on a coordinate plane. Students learn how to measure how much a transformation scales area using a single number called the determinant.

High School — Algebra
  • Interpret the structure of expressions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.A
    High School

    Students read an algebraic expression and explain what each part means in context. They look at how terms and factors are arranged to understand what the expression is actually describing.

  • Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.A.1
    High School

    A math expression is a kind of shorthand. Students read expressions like 3t or P(1+r) and explain what each number, letter, and operation actually means in the real situation being described.

  • Interpret parts of an expression, such as terms, factors

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.A.1a
    High School

    Reading an expression like 2x + 5, students identify what each part means: the number out front, the variable it multiplies, and the standalone number. They explain what each piece represents in the real situation the math describes.

  • Interpret complicated expressions by viewing one or more of their parts as a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.A.1b
    High School

    A complex math expression can be read in chunks, not just symbol by symbol. Students learn to spot a piece of an expression, treat it as one unit, and figure out what that piece means in the context of the problem.

  • Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.A.2
    High School

    Students look at an algebra expression and spot patterns that let them rewrite it in a simpler or more useful form. The goal is recognizing, for example, that x⁴ minus 1 can be treated like a difference of squares and factored from there.

  • Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B
    High School

    Rewriting an expression means reshaping it without changing its value, which makes hidden patterns easier to spot. Students learn to factor, expand, or rearrange algebraic expressions so they can solve problems that would otherwise be hard to start.

  • Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B.3
    High School

    Students rewrite a math expression in a different but equal form to make a hidden pattern or value easier to see. Factoring a quadratic or pulling out a common term are typical examples.

  • Factor a quadratic expression to reveal the zeros of the function it defines

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B.3a
    High School

    Students factor a quadratic expression, like x² + 5x + 6, to find the input values that make it equal zero. Those values show where the function crosses the x-axis on a graph.

  • Complete the square in a quadratic expression to reveal the maximum or minimum…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B.3b
    High School

    Students rewrite a quadratic expression by completing the square to find the highest or lowest point on a parabola. That peak or valley shows where the function turns around.

  • Use the properties of exponents to transform expressions for exponential…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B.3c
    High School

    Students rewrite exponential expressions using exponent rules to reveal useful information, like converting a monthly growth rate into an equivalent annual rate.

  • Derive the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B.4
    High School

    Students learn where the geometric series formula comes from, then use it to find the total of a sequence where each term is multiplied by the same number, like doubling a penny every day for a month.

  • Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.A
    High School

    Adding, subtracting, and multiplying expressions with variables and exponents, the same way students add and multiply regular numbers. This is the foundation for solving more complex equations later in algebra.

  • Understand that polynomials form a system analogous to the integers, namely…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.A.1
    High School

    Adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials works the same way as adding, subtracting, and multiplying whole numbers. Students practice combining expressions like (x squared plus 3x) and (2x minus 5) and confirm the result is still a polynomial.

  • Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.B
    High School

    Zeros are the input values that make a polynomial equal zero, and factors are the expressions that multiply together to build it. Students learn why these two ideas are connected and how finding one helps you find the other.

  • Know and apply the Remainder Theorem

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.B.2
    High School

    Students learn a shortcut for checking whether a value makes a polynomial equal zero. Instead of doing long division, they plug the number in directly, and if the result is zero, they know (x minus that number) divides the polynomial evenly.

  • Identify zeros of polynomials when suitable factorizations are available

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.B.3
    High School

    Students find where a polynomial equation equals zero by factoring it, then use those points to sketch what the graph looks like. It connects the algebra on paper to the shape of the curve.

  • Use polynomial identities to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.C
    High School

    Polynomial identities are equations that stay true for any number you plug in. Students use these shortcuts to factor expressions, expand products, and solve problems faster than working everything out by hand.

  • Prove polynomial identities and use them to describe numerical relationships

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.C.4
    High School

    Students verify that two algebraic expressions always produce the same result, then use that fact to explain patterns in numbers. For example, showing why the difference of two perfect squares always factors the same way.

  • (+) Know and apply the Binomial Theorem for the expansion of

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.C.5
    High School

    Students expand expressions like (x + y) raised to a power by applying a systematic formula, using Pascal's Triangle or a related rule to find the coefficient in front of each term without multiplying everything out by hand.

  • Rewrite rational expressions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.D
    High School

    Rational expressions are fractions made of polynomials. Students learn to rewrite them in simpler or equivalent forms, the same way you simplify a fraction like 6/9 down to 2/3, but with variables and exponents in the mix.

  • Rewrite simple rational expressions in different forms

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.D.6
    High School

    Students divide one polynomial expression by another, the way long division works with whole numbers, to rewrite a fraction as a simpler expression plus a remainder. This shows up when simplifying rational expressions in algebra.

  • (+) Understand that rational expressions form a system analogous to the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-APR.D.7
    High School

    Students add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions that contain variables instead of plain numbers. The rules work the same way they do with ordinary fractions.

  • Create equations that describe numbers or relationships

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A
    High School

    Students write equations and inequalities to model real situations, like figuring out how many hours of work it takes to afford something or how fast a tank drains.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.1
    High School

    Students write an equation or inequality with one unknown and solve it to answer a real question, like finding how long until two savings accounts are equal or when a population doubles.

  • Create equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.2
    High School

    Students write an equation that connects two changing quantities, like speed and time, then plot it as a line or curve on a labeled graph.

  • Represent constraints by equations or inequalities

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.3
    High School

    Students write equations or inequalities to capture real-world limits, like a budget or a time constraint, then figure out whether the answers the math produces actually make sense in the situation.

  • Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.4
    High School

    Students take a formula (like distance = speed x time) and rewrite it to solve for a different variable, using the same steps they'd use to solve any equation.

  • Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.A
    High School

    Solving an equation is not just getting an answer. Students learn to explain each step they take and why it's allowed, so the solution holds up to scrutiny.

  • Explain each step in solving a simple equation as following from the equality…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.A.1
    High School

    Students solve a simple equation and explain why each step is valid, not just what the answer is. They show that each move keeps both sides of the equation balanced.

  • Solve simple rational and radical equations in one variable

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.A.2
    High School

    Solving equations that involve fractions with variables in the denominator, or square roots, sometimes produces answers that don't actually work when plugged back in. Students learn to spot and reject those false solutions.

  • Solve equations and inequalities in one variable

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.B
    High School

    Algebra students practice solving for a single unknown, finding the value of x that makes an equation true or the range of values that satisfy an inequality.

  • Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.B.3
    High School

    Solving for a single unknown, like finding what x equals when the numbers in the equation might be letters instead of digits. Students rearrange and simplify until the variable stands alone.

  • Solve quadratic equations in one variable

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.B.4
    High School

    Quadratic equations have a squared term, like x² + 5x + 6 = 0. Students learn to solve for the unknown using methods such as factoring or the quadratic formula.

  • Use the method of completing the square to transform any quadratic equation in…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.B.4a
    High School

    Completing the square is a technique for rewriting a quadratic equation so it takes the form (x - p)² = q. Students use that rewritten form to derive the quadratic formula from scratch.

  • Solve quadratic equations by inspection

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.B.4b
    High School

    Students solve equations where a variable is squared, choosing the right method (factoring, square roots, or the quadratic formula) based on what the equation looks like. When the formula produces a negative square root, students write the answer using imaginary numbers.

  • Solve systems of equations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.C
    High School

    Students find the values that make two or more equations true at the same time. This might mean finding where two lines cross on a graph or working through the algebra to pin down an exact answer.

  • Prove that, given a system of two equations in two variables, replacing one…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.C.5
    High School

    When solving two equations at once, adding a multiple of one equation to the other gives a new pair of equations with the exact same answer. Students learn why this substitution trick works, not just how to use it.

  • Solve systems of linear equations exactly and approximately

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.C.6
    High School

    Two straight lines on a graph usually cross at one point. Students find that exact crossing point, either by reading the graph or by working through the algebra.

  • Solve a simple system consisting of a linear equation and a quadratic equation…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.C.7
    High School

    Students find where a straight line and a curve cross on a graph, then confirm the answer using algebra. Both methods should match.

  • (+) Represent a system of linear equations as a single matrix equation in a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.C.8
    High School

    Students rewrite a group of linear equations as one compact matrix equation, packaging all the coefficients, variables, and constants into a organized grid-and-column format that makes large systems easier to solve.

  • (+) Find the inverse of a matrix if it exists and use it to solve systems of…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.C.9
    High School

    Students learn to reverse a matrix, then use that reversed matrix to solve a set of equations that share unknowns. For matrices bigger than 2 by 2, a calculator or software does the heavy computation.

  • Represent and solve equations and inequalities graphically

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.D
    High School

    Graphs become a tool for solving problems. Students plot equations and inequalities on a coordinate plane to find solutions visually, reading where lines intersect or where a region satisfies a condition.

  • Understand that the graph of an equation in two variables is the set of all its…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.D.10
    High School

    Every point on a line or curve in a graph is a solution to the equation it represents. Students learn to connect the picture they see on a grid to the equation that produced it.

  • Explain why the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs of the equations y…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.D.11
    High School

    When two graphs cross, the x-value at that crossing point is the answer to the equation that sets them equal. Students find those crossing points by graphing both functions, building a table of values, or zooming in until the answer is close enough.

  • Graph the solutions to a linear inequality in two variables as a half-plane

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.D.12
    High School

    Students shade a region on a graph to show every point that satisfies an inequality, then find where two shaded regions overlap to solve a system. A dashed boundary line means points on the line don't count; a solid line means they do.

High School — Functions
  • Understand the concept of a function and use function notation

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.A
    High School

    A function is a rule that pairs each input with exactly one output. Students read and write function notation like f(x) and use it to describe how one quantity depends on another.

  • Understand that a function from one set

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.A.1
    High School

    A function is a rule where every input has exactly one output. Students learn to read f(x) as "the output when x goes in" and connect that rule to what the graph of that function looks like.

  • Use function notation, evaluate functions for inputs in their domains

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.A.2
    High School

    Students read and use function notation like f(x) to find an output for a given input, then explain what that value means in a real situation, such as what f(3) = 12 tells you about cost or distance.

  • Recognize that sequences are functions, sometimes defined recursively, whose…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.A.3
    High School

    A sequence like 1, 4, 9, 16 is actually a function. Students learn to treat each position in a list as an input and each value as an output, and to write rules that let you find the next term from the one before it.

  • Interpret functions that arise in applications in terms of the context

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.B
    High School

    Reading a function means asking what it actually tells you. Students look at an equation or graph tied to a real situation, like distance over time or cost per item, and explain what the numbers and shape mean in plain terms.

  • For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.B.4
    High School

    A graph tells a story about two quantities changing together. Students read that story by identifying where a function rises, falls, peaks, or levels off, and they sketch a rough graph from a written description of the same relationship.

  • Relate the domain of a function to its graph and, where applicable, to the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.B.5
    High School

    The domain is the set of inputs a function will accept. Students look at a graph or a real-world situation (like hours worked or tickets sold) and decide which input values actually make sense.

  • Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a function

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.B.6
    High School

    Students find how fast something is rising or falling over a stretch of time or distance, using an equation, a table, or a graph. It's the math version of calculating average speed between two points.

  • Analyze functions using different representations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C
    High School

    Reading a function from a graph, a table, and an equation teaches students to see the same relationship in different forms and pull out what each one shows best.

  • Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.7
    High School

    Students graph equations by hand or with a calculator and label the key features: where the line crosses an axis, where it peaks or bottoms out, and whether it levels off or repeats.

  • Graph linear and quadratic functions and show intercepts, maxima

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.7a
    High School

    Students graph straight lines and U-shaped curves on a coordinate plane, then label where each graph crosses the axes and where it peaks or bottoms out.

  • Graph square root, cube root

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.7b
    High School

    Students graph functions that aren't straight lines or simple curves: square roots, cube roots, absolute values, and functions that follow different rules depending on the input. Reading these graphs is a core skill in high school math.

  • Graph polynomial functions, identifying zeros when suitable factorizations are…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.7c
    High School

    Students graph polynomial functions by plotting where the curve crosses the x-axis and showing what happens to the curve at the far left and far right edges of the graph.

  • (+) Graph rational functions, identifying zeros and asymptotes when suitable…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.7d
    High School

    Students graph rational functions (fractions with polynomials top and bottom), marking where the graph crosses zero, where it shoots toward infinity, and what happens to the curve at the far left and right edges.

  • Graph exponential and logarithmic functions, showing intercepts and end behavior

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.7e
    High School

    Students graph exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric curves by hand or with tools, labeling where each curve crosses the axes, how it behaves as it stretches toward the edges of the graph, and the height and rhythm of any wave pattern.

  • Write a function defined by an expression in different but equivalent forms to…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.8
    High School

    Rewriting a function in a different but equivalent form can reveal new information about it. Students practice switching between forms to explain what each version shows about the function's behavior.

  • Use the process of factoring and completing the square in a quadratic function…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.8a
    High School

    Rewriting a quadratic equation by factoring or completing the square reveals where the graph crosses zero, where it peaks or bottoms out, and where it folds in half. Students then explain what those points mean in a real situation.

  • Use the properties of exponents to interpret expressions for exponential…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.8b
    High School

    Exponential functions hide information in their exponents. Students rewrite expressions like 2^(0.35t) to reveal a growth rate or decay rate that makes sense in context, such as how fast a population grows each year.

  • Compare properties of two functions each represented in a different way

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.C.9
    High School

    Two functions can be described in different ways: a formula, a graph, a table, or words. Students compare the same property across both, such as which function grows faster or has a higher starting value.

  • Build a function that models a relationship between two quantities

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A
    High School

    Students learn to write equations and functions that describe how one real-world quantity changes in response to another, like how distance changes with time or how cost changes with the number of items bought.

  • Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A.1
    High School

    Students write an equation or rule that connects two changing quantities, like how total cost changes as the number of items increases. The function captures that relationship so students can calculate any output from any input.

  • Determine an explicit expression, a recursive process

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A.1a
    High School

    Given a real situation (like a savings account growing each month), students write a formula or step-by-step rule that captures the pattern. The formula can describe any term directly or show how each step leads to the next.

  • Combine standard function types using arithmetic operations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A.1b
    High School

    Students add, subtract, multiply, or divide two functions together to create a new one. For example, they might combine a linear and an exponential function into a single formula that models a more complex situation.

  • (+) Compose functions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A.1c
    High School

    Students combine two functions into one by feeding the output of the first function directly into the second. For example, if one function converts hours to minutes and another converts minutes to seconds, students chain them together into a single rule.

  • Write arithmetic and geometric sequences both recursively and with an explicit…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A.2
    High School

    Students learn two ways to write number patterns like "add 5 each time" or "double each time": a rule that uses the previous term, and a formula that jumps straight to any term. They practice switching between the two and using both to model real situations.

  • Build new functions from existing functions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B
    High School

    Students learn to shift, flip, stretch, or combine functions they already know to create new ones. Think of it as remixing a graph rather than starting from scratch.

  • Identify the effect on the graph of replacing f

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.3
    High School

    Students learn how shifting, stretching, or flipping a graph connects to a change in its equation. Given two graphs, they find the exact value that caused the change.

  • Find inverse functions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.4
    High School

    Students learn to "undo" a function: given an equation like y = 2x + 3, they solve for x to find the inverse. It reverses the original relationship so inputs and outputs swap places.

  • Solve an equation of the form f

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.4a
    High School

    Students solve an equation like f(x) = 10 to find what input produces a given output, then write the reverse rule that undoes the original function.

  • (+) Verify by composition that one function is the inverse of another

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.4b
    High School

    Students check that two functions are truly inverses by plugging one into the other and confirming the result is just the original input. If f and g undo each other perfectly, the composition gives back x.

  • (+) Read values of an inverse function from a graph or a table, given that the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.4c
    High School

    Students read a graph or table in reverse, finding the input that matches a given output. This is the starting point for understanding inverse functions.

  • (+) Produce an invertible function from a non-invertible function by…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.4d
    High School

    A function can fail the horizontal line test across its full domain, making it non-invertible. Students learn to cut that domain down to a piece where the function does pass the test, so an inverse can be built from what remains.

  • (+) Understand the inverse relationship between exponents and logarithms and…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.B.5
    High School

    Exponents and logarithms are opposites that undo each other, the way multiplication and division do. Students use that relationship to solve equations where the unknown is in the exponent or inside a logarithm.

  • Construct and compare linear, quadratic

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A
    High School

    Students learn to tell apart three types of growth patterns: steady (linear), accelerating (quadratic), and compounding (exponential). They build equations for each and use them to answer real questions about data.

  • Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.1
    High School

    Graphs and equations can model the real world in different ways. Students learn to tell apart situations that grow by adding a steady amount (linear) from ones that grow by multiplying repeatedly (exponential), like a salary with annual raises versus a bank account compounding interest.

  • Prove that linear functions grow by equal differences over equal intervals

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.1a
    High School

    Linear functions add the same amount in every equal time step. Exponential functions multiply by the same factor instead. Students prove why each pattern holds, not just notice it.

  • Recognize situations in which one quantity changes at a constant rate per unit…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.1b
    High School

    A constant rate means the same amount is added every step. Students learn to spot this pattern in tables, graphs, and everyday situations, like a phone plan that charges the same dollar amount each month.

  • Recognize situations in which a quantity grows or decays by a constant percent…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.1c
    High School

    A quantity grows or decays exponentially when it changes by the same percentage in each time period. Students learn to spot this pattern in situations like compound interest, population growth, or radioactive decay.

  • Construct linear and exponential functions, including arithmetic and geometric…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.2
    High School

    Given a graph or table, students write the equation that fits the pattern, whether that pattern grows by adding the same amount each time or by multiplying by the same amount each time.

  • Observe using graphs and tables that a quantity increasing exponentially…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.3
    High School

    Exponential growth always wins in the end. Students use graphs and tables to see that a quantity doubling repeatedly will eventually outpace anything growing at a steady rate or even accelerating like a curve.

  • For exponential models, express as a logarithm the solution to ab<sup>ct</sup>…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.4
    High School

    Students solve equations where a variable sits in the exponent by rewriting them using logarithms, then use a calculator to find the answer. This comes up when working with growth or decay problems where time is the unknown.

  • Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.B
    High School

    A graph or equation tells a story about a real situation. Students read the numbers and symbols in a function and explain what each part means in plain terms, like what a starting value or a rate of change represents in context.

  • Interpret the parameters in a linear or exponential function in terms of a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.B.5
    High School

    Students look at the numbers inside a linear or exponential equation and explain what each one means in the real situation. For example, a starting value might represent a bank balance, and a growth rate might represent monthly interest.

  • Extend the domain of trigonometric functions using the unit circle

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.A
    High School

    The unit circle is a circle with radius 1 centered at the origin. Students use it to define sine, cosine, and tangent for any angle, not just the acute angles that fit inside a right triangle.

  • Understand radian measure of an angle as the length of the arc on the unit…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.A.1
    High School

    Radians are a way to measure angles using arc length. Students learn that one radian equals the arc length cut off on a circle with radius 1, connecting angle size directly to distance around the circle.

  • Explain how the unit circle in the coordinate plane enables the extension of…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.A.2
    High School

    A circle with radius 1 drawn on a graph lets students find sine and cosine for any angle, not just the sharp corners inside a triangle. Students trace angles around that circle to connect geometry to the trig functions they'll use in algebra and beyond.

  • (+) Use special triangles to determine geometrically the values of sine…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.A.3
    High School

    Using the 30-60-90 and 45-45-90 triangles, students find exact sine, cosine, and tangent values for key angles. They then use those results to figure out trig values for angles in any quadrant of the unit circle.

  • (+) Use the unit circle to explain symmetry

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.A.4
    High School

    Using the unit circle, students explain why sine and cosine repeat in a predictable pattern and why some trig functions mirror themselves across an axis. This is an advanced standard, typically covered in precalculus.

  • Model periodic phenomena with trigonometric functions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.B
    High School

    Students use sine and cosine graphs to describe real patterns that repeat on a cycle, like a wave, a season, or a spinning wheel. They find the equation that fits the pattern.

  • Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena with specified…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.B.5
    High School

    Students pick a sine or cosine function to match a repeating pattern, like a tide or a spinning wheel, then adjust its height, speed, and center line to fit the data.

  • (+) Understand that restricting a trigonometric function to a domain on which…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.B.6
    High School

    To find the inverse of a sine or cosine function, students first limit the function to a stretch where it only goes up or only goes down. That restriction makes the inverse possible to build.

  • (+) Use inverse functions to solve trigonometric equations that arise in…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.B.7
    High School

    Students use inverse trig functions to work backward from a known ratio to find a missing angle, then check the answer with a calculator and explain what it means in a real situation like a ramp angle or a satellite's path.

  • Prove and apply trigonometric identities

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.C
    High School

    Students learn to verify and use equations that connect sine, cosine, and tangent, then apply those relationships to solve problems. This is the algebra of angles.

  • Prove the Pythagorean identity sin²

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.C.8
    High School

    Students learn that sine squared plus cosine squared always equals one, then use that relationship to figure out a missing trig value when they know one angle ratio and which quarter of the coordinate plane the angle sits in.

  • (+) Prove the addition and subtraction formulas for sine, cosine

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-TF.C.9
    High School

    Students prove why the sine, cosine, and tangent of combined angles follow predictable patterns, then apply those proofs to solve problems involving angles that don't sit neatly on a standard chart.

High School — Geometry
  • Experiment with transformations in the plane

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A
    High School

    Students learn how shapes move, flip, and rotate on a flat surface. They explore what happens when a triangle or polygon slides to a new position, reflects across a line, or spins around a point.

  • Know precise definitions of angle, circle, perpendicular line, parallel line

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.1
    High School

    Students learn the exact geometric definitions that textbooks and proofs rely on: what makes lines parallel, what a circle actually is, and how angles and segments are described in precise mathematical terms.

  • Represent transformations in the plane using, e.g., transparencies and geometry…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.2
    High School

    Transformations are rules for moving or resizing shapes on a graph. Students learn which moves (like slides and rotations) keep a shape's size and angles intact, and which moves (like stretching) change them.

  • Given a rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.3
    High School

    Students identify which flips and turns map a shape exactly back onto itself. A square, for example, can be rotated a quarter turn or flipped across its center line and still look identical.

  • Develop definitions of rotations, reflections

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.4
    High School

    Rotations, reflections, and translations each have a precise geometric definition. Students learn to describe each move using angles, circles, parallel lines, and perpendicular lines, not just by feel.

  • Given a geometric figure and a rotation, reflection

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.5
    High School

    Students draw a shape after it has been flipped, slid, or rotated, then figure out the exact sequence of moves needed to get one shape to land perfectly on top of another.

  • Understand congruence in terms of rigid motions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.B
    High School

    Rigid motions are moves that slide, flip, or rotate a shape without changing its size. Students use these moves to prove two shapes are congruent, meaning they match exactly.

  • Use geometric descriptions of rigid motions to transform figures and to predict…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.B.6
    High School

    Students slide, flip, or rotate a shape and predict where each point will land. Then, given two shapes, they decide if one can be moved exactly onto the other without stretching or shrinking it.

  • Use the definition of congruence in terms of rigid motions to show that two…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.B.7
    High School

    Two triangles are congruent when you can flip, slide, or rotate one to land exactly on the other. Students show this works only when every matching side length and every matching angle are equal.

  • Explain how the criteria for triangle congruence

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.B.8
    High School

    Students explain why two triangles are identical by showing that flips, slides, and rotations can line them up perfectly. ASA, SAS, and SSS are the shortcut rules that tell you when that's guaranteed without checking every side and angle.

  • Prove geometric theorems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.C
    High School

    Students write logical step-by-step arguments to prove why rules about shapes, angles, and parallel lines are always true. They use definitions and earlier proven facts to build each proof.

  • Prove theorems about lines and angles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.C.9
    High School

    Students write formal proofs showing why geometric rules about lines and angles must be true. For example, they prove that vertical angles are always equal or that parallel lines cut by a transversal create equal alternate interior angles.

  • Prove theorems about triangles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.C.10
    High School

    Students prove why triangles work the way they do, such as why angles in a triangle always add to 180 degrees and why the longest side always sits opposite the largest angle.

  • Prove theorems about parallelograms

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.C.11
    High School

    Students prove why parallelograms work the way they do: opposite sides are equal, opposite angles match, and the diagonals cut each other in half. The focus is on building a logical argument, not just stating the rule.

  • Make geometric constructions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.D
    High School

    Students use a compass and straightedge to draw precise geometric shapes, such as a bisected angle or a perpendicular line, without relying on measurement tools like a ruler.

  • Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.D.12
    High School

    Students use a compass and straightedge (or folded paper, or geometry software) to draw exact copies of angles and segments, cut them in half, and build perpendicular or parallel lines without measuring by eye.

  • Construct an equilateral triangle, a square

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.D.13
    High School

    Using only a compass and straightedge, students draw a triangle with equal sides, a square, and a six-sided figure that each fit perfectly inside a circle, with every corner touching the edge.

  • Understand similarity in terms of similarity transformations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.A
    High School

    Scaling, rotating, or flipping a shape produces a similar figure. Students learn why two shapes are "similar" by tracking exactly how one shape was moved or resized to match the other.

  • Verify experimentally the properties of dilations given by a center and a scale…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.A.1
    High School

    Dilations shrink or stretch a figure by a scale factor from a fixed center point. Students test what stays the same (angles, shape) and what changes (side lengths) by actually drawing and measuring scaled figures.

  • A dilation takes a line not passing through the center of the dilation to a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.A.1a
    High School

    When a shape is scaled up or down from a fixed center point, any line that doesn't pass through that center shifts to a new position but stays parallel to where it started. Lines through the center don't move at all.

  • The dilation of a line segment is longer or shorter in the ratio given by the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.A.1b
    High School

    When a line segment is scaled up or down, its new length equals the original length multiplied by the scale factor. A segment scaled by 3 becomes three times as long; scaled by one-half, it becomes half as long.

  • Given two figures, use the definition of similarity in terms of similarity…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.A.2
    High School

    Two shapes are similar if one can be resized, rotated, or flipped to match the other exactly. Students look at two triangles and decide if they're similar by checking whether matching angles are equal and matching sides are proportional.

  • Use the properties of similarity transformations to establish the AA criterion…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.A.3
    High School

    Two triangles are similar when two of their angles match, meaning the shapes are the same but one may be bigger or smaller. Students prove this rule using what they know about how figures scale and keep their angles unchanged.

  • Prove theorems involving similarity

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.B
    High School

    Students use proportions and angle relationships to prove that two shapes are similar, then apply those proofs to find unknown side lengths and angles in real figures.

  • Prove theorems about triangles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.B.4
    High School

    Students prove geometric facts about triangles using logical steps, such as showing why a line drawn parallel to one side of a triangle always cuts the other two sides in equal proportion.

  • Use congruence and similarity criteria for triangles to solve problems and to…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.B.5
    High School

    Students use rules about matching or scaled triangles to solve problems, such as finding a missing side length or proving that two shapes relate to each other in a predictable way.

  • Define trigonometric ratios and solve problems involving right triangles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.C
    High School

    Trigonometry connects the angles of a right triangle to the ratios of its sides. Students use those ratios, like sine and cosine, to find missing side lengths or angles in real problems.

  • Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.C.6
    High School

    When two right triangles share the same angles, the ratios of their sides are always equal, no matter how big or small the triangles are. That consistent ratio is what sine, cosine, and tangent measure.

  • Explain and use the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.C.7
    High School

    Sine and cosine are connected: for two angles that add up to 90 degrees, the sine of one equals the cosine of the other. Students use that relationship to solve problems without recalculating from scratch.

  • Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.C.8
    High School

    Given a real situation like finding the height of a building or the length of a ramp, students use sine, cosine, tangent, or the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate missing sides and angles in a right triangle.

  • Apply trigonometry to general triangles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.D
    High School

    Trigonometry works beyond right triangles. Students use the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to find missing side lengths and angles in any triangle, including ones with no right angle.

  • (+) Derive the formula A = 1/2 ab sin

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.D.9
    High School

    Students figure out where the triangle area formula comes from when a right angle isn't given. They draw a helper line straight down from one corner and use sine to connect the two known sides and the angle between them to find area.

  • (+) Prove the Laws of Sines and Cosines and use them to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.D.10
    High School

    Working with triangles that have no right angle, students use two formulas, the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines, to find unknown side lengths and angles. They also learn where those formulas come from and why they work.

  • (+) Understand and apply the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to find…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-SRT.D.11
    High School

    Given a triangle where only some sides and angles are known, students use the Law of Sines or Law of Cosines to find the missing measurements. This applies to any triangle, not just ones with a right angle.

  • Understand and apply theorems about circles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.A
    High School

    Circles follow predictable rules about angles, arcs, and lines that cross through or touch them. Students learn those rules and use them to solve problems involving circles and their parts.

  • Prove that all circles are similar

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.A.1
    High School

    Students show why any two circles are always the same shape, just different sizes. The key is that any circle can be scaled up or down to match another exactly, using the same logic that connects similar triangles.

  • Identify and describe relationships among inscribed angles, radii

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.A.2
    High School

    Inscribed angles, radii, and chords follow predictable rules inside a circle. Students learn those rules and use them to find missing angles and lengths.

  • Construct the inscribed and circumscribed circles of a triangle

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.A.3
    High School

    Students draw the circle that fits perfectly inside a triangle and the circle that wraps exactly around it. They also prove why opposite angles in a four-sided shape drawn inside a circle always add up to 180 degrees.

  • (+) Construct a tangent line from a point outside a given circle to the circle

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.A.4
    High School

    Students draw a line from a point outside a circle that touches the circle at exactly one point, without crossing through it. This requires compass-and-straightedge construction steps learned earlier in geometry.

  • Find arc lengths and areas of sectors of circles

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.B
    High School

    Students calculate how long a curved slice of a circle's edge is and how much area a pie-slice section covers. Both answers depend on the circle's radius and the angle of the slice.

  • Derive using similarity the fact that the length of the arc intercepted by an…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-C.B.5
    High School

    Students learn why a bigger circle stretches an arc but keeps the angle the same, then use that relationship to define radians and calculate the area of a pie-slice section of any circle.

  • Translate between the geometric description and the equation for a conic section

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.A
    High School

    Students connect the shape of a curve (a circle, ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola) to its equation, and read an equation to figure out what the curve looks like and where it sits on a graph.

  • Derive the equation of a circle of given center and radius using the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.A.1
    High School

    Students use the Pythagorean Theorem to build the equation of a circle from its center point and radius, then work backward from a given equation to find where the circle is centered and how wide it is.

  • Derive the equation of a parabola given a focus and directrix

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.A.2
    High School

    Students figure out the algebraic equation for a parabola by using two things: a fixed point and a fixed line. This shows how the geometry of a curve connects directly to its equation.

  • (+) Derive the equations of ellipses and hyperbolas given the foci, using the…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.A.3
    High School

    Given two fixed points called foci, students figure out the equation of an ellipse (where distances to both foci add to a constant) or a hyperbola (where those distances subtract to a constant).

  • Use coordinates to prove simple geometric theorems algebraically

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.B
    High School

    Students use x and y coordinates on a graph to prove geometric facts, like showing that two sides of a shape are parallel or that a triangle's midpoint lands exactly where it should.

  • Use coordinates to prove simple geometric theorems algebraically

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.B.4
    High School

    Students use x-y coordinates to prove geometric facts algebraically, such as showing that four points form a rectangle or that a point lies on a circle. Algebra replaces the ruler and compass.

  • Prove the slope criteria for parallel and perpendicular lines and use them to…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.B.5
    High School

    Parallel lines have equal slopes; perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals of each other. Students use those two rules to write equations for lines on a coordinate grid that run parallel or perpendicular to a given line through a specific point.

  • Find the point on a directed line segment between two given points that…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.B.6
    High School

    Given two points on a graph, students find the exact spot between them that divides the segment at a specific ratio, like splitting a path into a 1-to-3 split. They calculate the coordinates of that dividing point using the ratio.

  • Use coordinates to compute perimeters of polygons and areas of triangles and…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.B.7
    High School

    Students use coordinates on a graph to measure the distance between points, then calculate the perimeter or area of shapes like triangles and rectangles. It's the distance formula put to practical use.

  • Explain volume formulas and use them to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.A
    High School

    Students learn where volume formulas come from and use them to find the space inside shapes like cylinders, cones, and spheres. Problems go beyond plugging in numbers, asking students to reason about why the formula works.

  • Give an informal argument for the formulas for the circumference of a circle…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.A.1
    High School

    Students explain *why* area and volume formulas work, not just how to use them. They reason through where the formula for a circle's area or a cone's volume actually comes from, using plain logic instead of memorized steps.

  • (+) Give an informal argument using Cavalieri's principle for the formulas for…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.A.2
    High School

    Students use a visual argument to explain why volume formulas for spheres and other 3D shapes actually work. The reasoning relies on comparing cross-sections of two solids that match at every height.

  • Use volume formulas for cylinders, pyramids, cones

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.A.3
    High School

    Students apply volume formulas to find how much space fits inside 3D shapes like cans, cones, and spheres. The problems are real: given the dimensions, find the volume, or work backward to find a missing measurement.

  • Visualize relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.B
    High School

    Students picture how a flat shape becomes a solid, like how a rectangle swept through space forms a cylinder. This connects what they see on paper to the actual shape of real objects.

  • Identify the shapes of two-dimensional cross-sections of three-dimensional…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GMD.B.4
    High School

    Slice a cone or a sphere in your mind and name the flat shape you'd see. Students also figure out what 3-D solid a flat shape would trace if you spun it around an axis.

  • Apply geometric concepts in modeling situations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-MG.A
    High School

    Students use shapes, measurements, and spatial reasoning to solve real-world problems, like figuring out how much material a structure needs or how to fit objects into a space.

  • Use geometric shapes, their measures

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-MG.A.1
    High School

    Real objects like buildings, trees, or body parts can be modeled using basic shapes such as cylinders, cones, and spheres. Students use those shapes and their measurements to estimate size, area, or volume in practical situations.

  • Apply concepts of density based on area and volume in modeling situations

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-MG.A.2
    High School

    Density problems ask: how much of something fits into a given space? Students use area or volume to figure out real answers, like how many people live per square mile or how much heat a room can hold.

  • Apply geometric methods to solve design problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-MG.A.3
    High School

    Students use shapes, measurements, and ratios to solve real design problems, like figuring out how to build something within a size limit or at the lowest cost.

High School — Statistics and Probability
  • Summarize, represent

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.A
    High School

    Students learn to collect a set of numbers, display them in a dot plot, histogram, or box plot, and describe what the shape, center, and spread actually mean.

  • Represent data with plots on the real number line

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.A.1
    High School

    Students learn to display a set of numbers visually using dot plots, histograms, and box plots. Each format shows where data clusters, spreads out, or skews, helping students spot patterns a list of numbers alone would hide.

  • Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.A.2
    High School

    Students compare two or more data sets by choosing the right summary numbers, like the median or mean to find the middle, and the range of the middle half or standard deviation to show how spread out the data is.

  • Interpret differences in shape, center

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.A.3
    High School

    When comparing two sets of data, students explain what differences in the middle values, the spread, and the shape of a graph actually mean. They also flag any extreme values that might be pulling the numbers in a misleading direction.

  • Use the mean and standard deviation of a data set to fit it to a normal…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.A.4
    High School

    Students learn to use the average and spread of a data set to work with a bell curve, then estimate what percentage of a population falls in a given range. They also learn to spot data sets where a bell curve does not fit.

  • Summarize, represent

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.B
    High School

    Students look at two variables at once, like age and test score, to spot patterns or connections. They create graphs or tables and explain what the data actually shows.

  • Summarize categorical data for two categories in two-way frequency tables

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.B.5
    High School

    Students read a two-way table that crosses two categories, like grade level and lunch choice, and figure out what the numbers say. They calculate percentages across rows, columns, and the whole table to spot patterns or connections between the two categories.

  • Represent data on two quantitative variables on a scatter plot

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.B.6
    High School

    Students plot two numerical values on a scatter plot, then describe the pattern they see. For example, does taller height seem to come with heavier weight, or do the two numbers show no clear connection?

  • Fit a function to the data

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.B.6a
    High School

    Students plot real-world data, then find a curve or line that fits the pattern. They use that fitted function to answer questions, like predicting a future value based on the trend.

  • Informally assess the fit of a function by plotting and analyzing residuals

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.B.6b
    High School

    Students plot the difference between each actual data point and the line of best fit, then look at those gaps to judge whether the line is a good model for the data.

  • Fit a linear function for a scatter plot that suggests a linear association

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.B.6c
    High School

    Students draw a straight line through a scatter plot to describe the overall pattern when the data points seem to follow a linear trend. That line lets them make reasonable predictions from the data.

  • Interpret linear models

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C
    High School

    Students read a line fitted to data and use it to explain what the relationship between two measurements means in real life, such as how a change in one value predicts a shift in the other.

  • Interpret the slope

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C.7
    High School

    Students look at a line drawn through real data on a graph and explain what the steepness and starting point actually mean. For example, they might say how much a car's value drops each year, or what it was worth when it was new.

  • Compute (using technology) and interpret the correlation coefficient of a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C.8
    High School

    Students calculate a number between -1 and 1 that shows how closely two things move together on a graph, such as study time and test scores. A number near 1 or -1 means the relationship is strong; a number near 0 means there is little connection.

  • Distinguish between correlation and causation

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C.9
    High School

    A graph can show that two things rise and fall together without one causing the other. Students learn to spot the difference between a pattern that looks connected and a relationship where one thing actually drives the change.

  • Understand and evaluate random processes underlying statistical experiments

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A
    High School

    Statistical experiments rely on randomness to produce trustworthy results. Students learn to recognize when a process is truly random and judge whether the results of an experiment can be trusted.

  • Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A.1
    High School

    A random sample is a small group chosen to represent a much larger group. Students learn how to use data from that sample to draw reasonable conclusions about the whole population.

  • Decide if a specified model is consistent with results from a given…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A.2
    High School

    Students check whether a math model actually matches real data by running simulations, like flipping a virtual coin thousands of times to see if the results line up with what the model predicts.

  • Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B
    High School

    Students analyze real data from surveys, experiments, and observational studies, then draw conclusions and explain why those conclusions hold up.

  • Recognize the purposes of and differences among sample surveys, experiments

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.3
    High School

    Sample surveys ask people questions, experiments test what happens when you change something, and observational studies just watch without interfering. Students learn why randomization matters in each approach and what kind of conclusions each method can reliably support.

  • Use data from a sample survey to estimate a population mean or proportion

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.4
    High School

    Students take survey data from a sample group and use it to estimate a fact about a larger population, like an average or a percentage. They also run simulations to figure out how far off that estimate might realistically be.

  • Use data from a randomized experiment to compare two treatments

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.5
    High School

    Students run experiments and simulations to compare two treatments, like testing whether a new medicine works better than an old one, and determine whether the difference in results is real or just chance.

  • Evaluate reports based on data

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.6
    High School

    Students read charts, surveys, and study results and decide whether the conclusions hold up. They look for misleading numbers, missing context, and claims that go further than the data supports.

  • Understand independence and conditional probability and use them to interpret…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A
    High School

    Students learn when two events truly have nothing to do with each other, and when the outcome of one changes the odds of another. They use those ideas to make sense of real data, like survey results or medical test rates.

  • Describe events as subsets of a sample space

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.1
    High School

    Students learn to sort possible outcomes into groups and describe combinations of those groups: outcomes that fit one category or another, outcomes that fit both, and outcomes that fit neither.

  • Understand that two events A and B are independent if the probability of A and…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.2
    High School

    Two events are independent when the chance of both happening equals the chances of each multiplied together. Students use this rule to decide whether two outcomes, like flipping heads and rolling a six, actually affect each other.

  • Understand the conditional probability of A given B as P

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.3
    High School

    Conditional probability asks: if one event already happened, how does that change the odds of another? Students learn to calculate and interpret whether two events truly affect each other or have no connection at all.

  • Construct and interpret two-way frequency tables of data when two categories…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.4
    High School

    Students build a grid that sorts data into two categories at once (like grade level and favorite subject), then use the counts in that grid to figure out whether two things are related or whether knowing one fact changes the odds of another.

  • Recognize and explain the concepts of conditional probability and independence…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.5
    High School

    Students decide whether two real-world events actually affect each other's odds. For example, they figure out whether knowing it rained changes the chance that a game was cancelled.

  • Use the rules of probability to compute probabilities of compound events in a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.B
    High School

    Students figure out the chances of two or more events happening together, such as drawing a red card and a face card from the same deck. They use probability rules to calculate those combined odds, not just guess.

  • Find the conditional probability of A given B as the fraction of B's outcomes…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.B.6
    High School

    When one event has already happened, students figure out how likely a second event is. They calculate that chance as a fraction and explain what the number means in context.

  • Apply the Addition Rule, P

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.B.7
    High School

    Students use a formula to find the chance that at least one of two events happens, adjusting for any overlap between them. They also explain what the result means in context.

  • (+) Apply the general Multiplication Rule in a uniform probability model, P

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.B.8
    High School

    Students use a formula to find the probability that two events both happen, accounting for how the first event affects the odds of the second. They then explain what that combined probability means in context.

  • (+) Use permutations and combinations to compute probabilities of compound…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.B.9
    High School

    Students figure out the odds of multi-step events by calculating how many ways outcomes can be arranged or chosen. This applies to problems like lottery draws, card hands, or race finishes where order may or may not matter.

  • Calculate expected values and use them to solve problems

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.A
    High School

    Students learn to find the long-run average outcome of a random event, like how much money a raffle ticket is really worth, and use that number to decide whether a risk is worth taking.

  • (+) Define a random variable for a quantity of interest by assigning a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.A.1
    High School

    Students assign a number to each possible outcome of a random event (like rolling a die or spinning a wheel), then plot those numbers and their likelihoods on a graph the same way they would display any data set.

  • (+) Calculate the expected value of a random variable

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.A.2
    High School

    Students find the long-run average outcome of a random event, like the typical payout of a lottery ticket or a dice game, by weighting each possible result by how likely it is to occur.

  • (+) Develop a probability distribution for a random variable defined for a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.A.3
    High School

    Students list every possible outcome of a situation, assign each one a probability, then calculate the average result they'd expect over many repetitions. This is how insurance companies and casinos set their prices.

  • (+) Develop a probability distribution for a random variable defined for a…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.A.4
    High School

    Students collect real data, such as survey results or game outcomes, to build a table showing how likely each result is. Then they calculate the average result they'd expect over many tries.

  • Use probability to evaluate outcomes of decisions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.B
    High School

    Students learn to use probability to weigh real options, like whether a medical test is worth taking or which business choice is less risky. Math becomes a tool for thinking through actual decisions with uncertain outcomes.

  • (+) Weigh the possible outcomes of a decision by assigning probabilities to…

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.B.5
    High School

    Students calculate the average outcome they can expect from a decision by multiplying each possible result by its probability and adding those up. This is how insurance companies, gamblers, and investors decide whether a risk is worth taking.

  • Find the expected payoff for a game of chance

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.B.5a
    High School

    Students calculate the average payout a player can expect from a game over many tries. This shows whether a game is worth playing or tilted against them.

  • Evaluate and compare strategies on the basis of expected values

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.B.5b
    High School

    Students compare two options, like insurance plans or game bets, by calculating the average outcome each one produces over time. The better strategy is the one with the higher expected value.

  • (+) Use probabilities to make fair decisions

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.B.6
    High School

    When a decision needs to be fair, students use chance to make it. They might draw names from a hat or use a random number generator so no person or outcome has an unfair advantage.

  • (+) Analyze decisions and strategies using probability concepts

    CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-MD.B.7
    High School

    Real-world decisions often come down to odds. Students use probability to evaluate choices like whether a medical test is reliable or when a sports team should change strategy.

Common Questions
  • What math will students actually learn in high school?

    The big areas are algebra, functions, geometry, and statistics. Students solve equations, graph functions like lines, parabolas, and exponentials, prove things about shapes, and analyze data. Most of it builds on middle school algebra and geometry, just with harder problems and more reasoning.

  • How can a parent help with math homework without remembering it all?

    Ask students to explain the problem out loud and show what each step means. If they get stuck, ask what the question is really asking and what they already know. Talking through the reasoning usually matters more than knowing the answer.

  • What should students be able to do by the end of high school math?

    Solve linear, quadratic, and basic exponential equations. Graph and interpret functions, work with right triangles and circles, and read a scatter plot or two-way table without guessing. They should also be able to set up an equation from a word problem and explain why their answer makes sense.

  • How should a teacher sequence algebra, functions, geometry, and statistics across the year?

    Most schools spread these across Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2, with statistics woven in. Within a course, build expressions and equations before functions, and lean on graphs early so students see what the algebra is doing. Save proofs and modeling tasks for after the basic moves are solid.

  • Which topics usually need the most reteaching?

    Fractions, negative numbers, and solving for a variable show up everywhere and cause most of the trouble. Quadratics, function notation, and reading graphs are the next big sticking points. Plan short review moments before any new unit that depends on them.

  • Does a student need to memorize formulas?

    A few, yes. The quadratic formula, slope, the Pythagorean theorem, and basic area and volume formulas come up constantly. Most other formulas can be looked up, but students should know what each one is for and when to use it.

  • How can families practice math at home in ten minutes?

    Use real numbers from real life. Estimate the tip, figure out gas mileage, compare two phone plans, or check a sale price. These short conversations build the same reasoning students use on word problems and modeling tasks.

  • How do teachers know students are ready for the next course?

    Look for students who can move between a graph, a table, and an equation for the same relationship and explain what changes. They should solve multi-step problems without needing the steps spelled out and catch their own mistakes when an answer looks off. That flexibility matters more than a single test score.