International American School of Cancun

High School Division

Mathematics Department
Algebra II
Teacher: Mr. Luis Carlos Méndez Reséndiz
luis.mendez@ciac.edu.mx
August 25, 2021

Overview
Welcome! This class explores definitions, properties, expressions, equations and graphs of all the major
function groups used in high school math. Topics covered will include:
• Equations and inequalities
– Solving linear equations
– Solving linear inequalities with one variable
• Graphing linear relations and functions
– Relations, graphs, and functions
– Linear functions and their graphs
– Modeling linear functions
– Solving absolute value equations and inequalities
– Solving inequalities with two variables
• Solving systems of linear equations and inequalities
– Solving linear systems with two variables
– Solving linear systems with three variables
• Using matrices
– Matrix algebra
– Solving systems of equations using Cramer’s Rule
– Solving systems of equations by finding the reduced-row echelon form
• Exploring quadratic functions and inequalities
– Solving equations in quadratic form
– Quadratic functions and their graphs
• Exploring polynomials and radical expressions
– Algebra of functions
– Factoring polynomials
– Roots and general behavior of polynomials
• Rational expressions
– Simplifying radical expressions

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 – The conjugate operation
– Complex numbers and their operations
• Conic sections
– Circles
– Ellipses
– Hyperbolas
– Solving nonlinear systems of equations

Course supplies
These supplies MUST be brought to every math class:
• Textbook(s):
– College Algebra, by Carl Stitz & Jeff Zeager
– Intermediate Algebra, by John Redden
(Both are books that have a creative commons copyright which means that their distribution and
use is free as long as they are cited properly and not used for profit. Your download of these
materials is completely legal.)
• Graphing calculator

• Notebook for the subject

• Pencil, eraser, pen, whiteout, ruler.

Assessment
This plan could change throughout the semester, but in general will follow something resembling this table:

percentage
Class Activities 50%
Quizzes and other exams 25%
Projects 25%

• Class Activities: all the formative activities, including the ones you do during your days at school and
the ones you do at home.

• Quizzes and other exams: this criterion includes do-nows, exit-tickets, unit evaluations, pop quizzes,
participation questions, etc.
• Projects: out of the “ordinary” work in which some times you will have to work on these outside regular
school hours. These type of projects usually involve the delivery of a final written report that will be
graded in accordance with the corresponding rubric. In other instances, I may ask you produce an
essay about some math concept or process.

Absences and Responsibility for your learning

Students who miss classes are responsible for approaching the teacher to find out what they missed. Any
class notes that were missed should be copied from another student in class. Unexcused absences for quizzes,
tests and assignments will result in a score of 0. Students with pink slips (excused absences) will be allowed
to make up work following the rules given by the Ofiice. If the teacher finds out that the student made the
missing work during another teacher’s class, the assigned score will be 0.

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Instructional Methods and Class Procedures
The material will be covered through a variety of ways, including teacher-centered lectures, student-centered
group work, individual exercises and activities.
• Students are expected to bring all materials to class every day.
• Homework assignments will come from the textbook(s) and other materials at the teacher’s discretion.
Students are expected to complete these assignments, as they will be graded often. Classroom activities
and homework not included in the book will be posted on Google Classroom. Students are encouraged
to check it in advance of every class. Other information concerning the classes will always be posted
there as well.
• Students will be notified of exams in advance. Students will be notified in advance of quizzes as well,
unless they are pop quizzes.
• Students are also expected to turn in a math-related project for grading every bimester, on a topic that
covers most of the units reviewed, or a couple of complex problems that require use of more than one
of the topics covered in the bimester.
• There will be some days with allotted time for class support (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from
2:05 to 2:40 p.m.). You will connect through zoom in the following direction:

Meeting ID: 916 1495 2336

Passcode: IASLuis

Couse Work Expectations

Learning math is all about practicing and students will have assignments and homework on a daily basis.
• Complete all homework/assignments ON TIME!
• Incomplete homework is given a zero and late assignments will be penalized for lateness
• On all assignments: write your full name, date, group and name of the assignment
• You must ALWAYS show ALL your work and procedure or you will NOT receive CREDIT for your
final answers.
• All assignments work MUST be written in PENCIL. Staple multiple sheets together.
• Complete assignments neatly and NUMBER questions. REMEMBER: if I cannot read it you do not
gget any marks for it!

Help In and Out of Class

During class students need to be respectful of everyone in the class and participate with a positive attitude
in all activities. If something is unclear, please ASK QUESTIONS!
• Any students who are having difficulty with the material should come to receive extra help. Talk to
the teacher about arranging a time outside of class to get extra help at recess or lunchtime.
• Additional tutoring sessions are available after school from a variety of teachers. Students who are
failing or have major struggles are advised to seek additional help.

Classroom Rules
Attendance and punctuality are very important for success.
• COME TO CLASS AND DO NOT BE LATE! The class will start on time.
• NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES (including CELL PHONES) are to be used in class. Put them away
before coming to class. If your devices are seen or heard during class or if you are seen using it for any
reason, it will be taken away. CELL PHONES are NOT CALCULATORS!

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• NO COPYING! NO CHEATING! ALL people will be penalized.
• With the exception of bottled water, or a small snack (applicable only for the 4th and 7th periods),
DO NOT eat or drink in the classroom.
• Request permission to leave the class to go to the washroom.

• Students are expected to be respectful and listen to the instructor in class and their fellow classmates.
ASK LOTS of questions if you do not understand.
• Students should follow all rules and policies as described in the IAS guidelines.
• This time around there won’t be detentions.

• The teacher can and will send any misbehaving student to the cafeteria to take the class via zoom if
they show disruptive behaviour in the classroom.