Honors Algebra 2: Linear and Quadratic Functions

Overview

Honors Algebra 2: Linear and Quadratic Equations is the first course of a high-level algebra course designed to deepen your mathematical thinking and prepare you for advanced study in math, science, and engineering. Whether you're a high school student looking to accelerate your progress or an adult learner brushing up on foundational skills, this course offers a rich, engaging experience aligned with the Common Core State Standards. You'll explore the essential building blocks of algebra: linear functions, quadratic functions, and systems of equations. Through interactive lessons and real-world applications, you'll develop a deep understanding of how equations model the world around us—from predicting trends to describing physical phenomena. Along the way, you'll strengthen your skills in graphing, solving equations, and interpreting mathematical relationships, with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning. Designed with a university-level rigor but paced for online learners, this course invites you to go beyond memorization and truly engage with the power and elegance of algebra.

Syllabus

Linear Functions and Equations

Throughout this specialization, we will use functions to help visualize, analyze, and interpret the relationships between variables. In this module, we will start by exploring linear functions. A linear relationship between two variables occurs when changes in one variable correspond to proportional changes in the other. Many physical situations can be modeled using linear functions. We will see examples of how to create and interpret linear functions in the sections that follow.

Quadratic Functions

We will now add to our library of functions by exploring quadratic functions. Adding an extra term with x-squared to a linear function creates a quadratic function. The graphs of these functions are parabolas, which can be used to model things like the path of a projectile or the curved surface of a satellite dish. In this module, we will examine the key parts of the graphs of quadratic functions, and explore strategies to fit quadratic functions to real-world data.

Nonlinear Equations and Inequalities

We will wrap up our first course by combining our previous knowledge of systems of equations and inequalities with quadratic functions. Adding squared terms to systems of equations and inequalities, we can describe more elaborate regions in the plane. This allows us to model a wider range of scenarios.