Mathematics - Pre-Algebra Core

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	Mathematics - Pre-Algebra
	Course Preface Printable Version (pdf)

Course Description

Intended Learning Outcomes
The main intent of mathematics instruction at the secondary level is for students to develop mathematical proficiency that will enable them to efficiently use mathematics to make sense of and improve the world around them.

The Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) describe the skills and attitudes students should acquire as a result of successful mathematics instruction. They are an essential part of the Mathematics Core Curriculum and provide teachers with a standard for student learning in mathematics.

The ILOs for mathematics at the secondary level are:

Develop positive attitudes toward mathematics, including the confidence, creativity, enjoyment, and perseverance that come from achievement.
Become proficient problem-solvers by posing appropriate questions, selecting appropriate methods, employing a variety of strategies, and exploring alternative approaches.
Think logically, using inductive reasoning to formulate reasonable conjectures and using deductive reasoning for justification, formally or informally.
Cooperatively and independently explore mathematics, using inquiry and technological skills.
Make connections between mathematical ideas, between mathematics and other disciplines, and to life.
Communicate mathematics through writing, modeling, and visualizing, using precise mathematical language and symbolic notation.

Course Description
The goal of Prealgebra is to develop fluency with rational numbers and proportional relationships. Students will extend their elementary skills and begin to learn algebra concepts that serve as a transition into formal Algebra and Geometry. Students will learn to think flexibly about relationships among fractions, decimals, and percents. Students will learn to recognize and generate equivalent expressions and solve single-variable equations and inequalities. Students will investigate and explore mathematical ideas and develop multiple strategies for analyzing complex situations. Students will analyze situations verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Students will apply mathematical skills and make meaningful connections to life's experiences.

Prerequisite: Proficiency in 6th Grade Mathematics or Math 7

$Pre-Algebra Reference Sheet$ Pre-Algebra Reference Sheet (pdf)

Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
Students will expand number sense to understand, perform operations, and solve problems with rational numbers.

Objective 1
Compute fluently with understanding and make reasonable estimates with rational numbers.

Compute fluently using all four operations with integers, and explain why the corresponding algorithms work.

Compute fluently using all four operations with rational numbers, including negative fractions and decimals, and explain why the corresponding algorithms work.

Check the reasonableness of results using estimation.

Objective 2
Analyze relationships among rational numbers, including negative rational numbers, and operations involving these numbers.

Order rational numbers in various forms, including scientific notation (positive and negative exponents), and place numbers on a number line.

Predict the effect of operating with fractions, decimals, percents, and integers as an increase or a decrease of the original value.

Recognize and use the identity properties of addition and multiplication, the multiplicative property of zero, the commutative and associative properties of addition and multiplication, and the distributive property of multiplication over addition.

Recognize and use the inverse operations of adding and subtracting a fixed number, multiplying and dividing by a fixed number, and computing squares of whole numbers and taking square roots of perfect squares.

Objective 3
Solve problems involving rational numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Recognize the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from zero.

Simplify numerical expressions, including those with whole number exponents and absolute values, using the order of operations.

Solve problems involving rational numbers, percents, and proportions.

Standard 2
Students will use proportion and similarity to solve problems.

Objective 1
Model and illustrate meanings of ratios, percents, and decimals.

Compare ratios to determine if they are equivalent.

Compare ratios using the unit rate.

Represent percents as ratios based on 100 and decimals as ratios based on powers of ten.

Graph proportional relationships and identify the unit rate as the slope of the related line.

Objective 2
Solve a wide variety of problems using ratios and proportional reasoning.

Set up and solve problems involving proportional reasoning using variables.

Solve percent problems, including problems involving discounts, interest, taxes, tips, and percent increase or decrease.

Solve ratio and rate problems using informal methods.

Objective 3
Recognize similar polygons and use properties of similar triangles to solve problems and define the slope of a line.

Define similar polygons as polygons with corresponding angles congruent and corresponding sides that are proportional.

Identify pairs of similar triangles using two pairs of congruent angles, or two pairs of proportional sides with congruent included angles.

Find missing lengths of similar triangles, including inaccessible lengths, using proportions.

Define the slope of a line as the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change between two points, and show that the slope is constant using similarity of right triangles.

Standard 3
Students will develop fluency with the language and operations of algebra to analyze and represent relationships.

Objective 1
Generalize and express patterns using algebraic expressions.

Compare representations of a relation using tables, graphs, algebraic symbols, and mathematical rules.

Describe simple patterns using a mathematical rule or algebraic expression.

Create and extend simple numerical and visual patterns.

Objective 2
Evaluate, simplify, and solve algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities.

Evaluate algebraic expressions, including those with whole number exponents, when given values for the variable(s).

Simplify algebraic expressions using the order of operations, algebraic properties, and exponent rules.

Solve single-variable linear equations and inequalities, including those that must be simplified on one side or those with variables on both sides of an equation.

Objective 3
Represent relationships using graphs, tables, and other models.

Identify approximate rational coordinates when given the graph of a point on a rectangular coordinate system.

Graph ordered pairs of rational numbers on a rectangular coordinate system.

Graph linear equations using ordered pairs or tables.

Recognize that all first order equations produce linear graphs.

Model real-world problems using graphs, tables, equations, manipulatives, and pictures, and identify extraneous information.

Standard 4
Students will use algebraic, spatial, and logical reasoning to solve geometry and measurement problems.

Objective 1
Apply the properties of proportionality of different units of measure.

Convert units of measure within the same system.

Create and interpret scale drawings and approximate distance on maps using scale factors.

Solve problems using scale factors.

Objective 2
Derive formulas for surface areas and volume of three-dimensional figures.

Derive formulas for and calculate surface area and volume of right prisms and cylinders using appropriate units.

Explain that if a scale factor describes how corresponding lengths in two similar objects are related, then the square of the scale factor describes how corresponding areas are related and the cube of the scale factor describes how corresponding volumes are related.

Find lengths, areas, and volumes of similar figures, using the scale factor.

Select appropriate two- and three-dimensional figures to model real-world objects, and solve a variety of problems involving surface areas and volumes of cylinders and prisms.

Standard 5
Students will understand concepts from probability and statistics and apply statistical methods to solve problems.

Objective 1
Calculate probabilities of events and compare theoretical and experimental probability.

Solve counting problems using the Fundamental Counting Principle.

Calculate the probability of an event or sequence of events with and without replacement using models.

Recognize that the sum of the probability of an event and the probability of its complement is equal to one.

Make approximate predictions using theoretical probability and proportions.

Collect and interpret data to show that as the number of trials increases, experimental probability approaches the theoretical probability.

Objective 2
Formulate questions and answer the questions by organizing and analyzing data.

Formulate questions that can be answered through data collection and analysis.

Determine the 25th and 75th percentiles (first and third quartiles) to obtain information about the spread of data.

Graphically summarize data of a single variable using histograms and box-and whisker plots.

Compute the mean and median of a numerical characteristic and relate these values to the histogram of the data.

Use graphical representations and numerical summaries to answer questions and interpret data.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Office of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.

For more information about this core curriculum, contact the USOE Specialist, DIANA SUDDRETH or visit the Mathematics - Secondary Home Page. For general questions about Utah's Core Curriculum, contact the USOE Curriculum Director, Sydnee Dickson . UEN Contact Info: 801-581-2999 | 800-866-5852 | Contact Us