Quantitative Reasoning
WHS Math - QR
This course will review the standards from Algebra and Geometry by utilizing a project-based approach. to solve both home and vocational application problems. Students should take this class if they are not yet ready for Precalculus, but seek to improve their mathematics skills in preparation for choosing a college major, planning a career path, or for use in day-to-day life. Assessments for the course are mostly project-based, so students signing up should be independent and motivated workers during class time. Topics will include unit conversion, measurement, logical thinking, personal finance, data analysis and organization, probability, and modeling with geometry. If you have ever asked yourself, "When will I use this math?” this may be the course for you! Prerequisite courses: Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.
| Unit | Timeframe (tentative) | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) | Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit #1: Thinking and Arguing | Throughout the course | Arguments Following oral and written Directions and Instructions |
Students can successfully justify an opinion or answer to a question. Students can interpret/critique other’s arguments and directions. |
| Unit #2: Measuring Our World | September October |
Basic Calculation Review: Fractions, decimals Mental math estimation Strategies Converting Units: Dimensional Analysis Interpreting Rates |
Students can interpret everyday rates such as MPG, and make decisions based on them. Students can perform everyday mental math calculations such as giving change, figuring out a price after a % discount, tipping. Students are prepped for the Accuplacer Test. |
| Unit #3: $MONEY$ | September October November |
Budgets Credit Cards Saving Accounts and Investments Loans Taxes |
Students can create a budget. Students can interpret a given budget. Students can calculate savings totals over years by hand and with Google Sheets. Students can calculate installment loan payments and totals by hand and with Google Sheets. Students can file a basic tax return, and generally explain what is taxed and where the money goes. |
| Unit #4: Statistics | December January |
Responsible data collection Assessing the validity of studies Displaying data in various charts and tables Measures of Central Tendency Range and Standard Deviation Correlation |
Students can responsibly collect data. Students can display data by hand and using Google Sheets. Students can interpret data by performing statistical calculations by hand and using Google Sheets. Students can critique the validity of a statistical study. |
| Unit #5: Probability | February March |
Multiple events Combinations and permutations |
Students can make decisions based on risk vs. reward (financial, surgical etc.) Students can apply probability to game play and creation. |
| Unit #6: | April May |
Angles, Types of polygons, Circles, Perimeter, Area, Surface Area, Volume, Dimension change effect on area, SA and volume Indirect measurement with similar triangles Basic trigonometry |
Students can create scale drawings to help in space planning. Students can apply measurement concepts to pricing of projects. |