Math is fun. It is everywhere. It is a set of tools by which we try, as human beings, to explain our physical universe. We will explore the vastness of the Creation and as we travel and explore from the innermost portions of the atom to the outer reaches of the known physical universe...and beyond!

So don't miss anything! I am excited to teach you all of these things!
Whether or not you may think of yourself a mathematician, I really want to teach you how to act and THINK like one!

All real scientists, mathematicians, and engineers are curious little kids in grown-up bodies. We are inquisitive, annoying creatures who need to know everything: how something works, why something works, what will happen if we do this or that, and so on. Bring out that curious inner child within you -- Be Child-like, not Child-ish.

Honors Math Analysis

Beverly Hills High School -- Honors Math Analysis Syllabus -- J. Berkeley -- 2015-2016

This is the preparatory course for taking AP Calculus AB/BC. It is an in-depth course in all of the topics necessary for succeeding at the college/university level in the technical disciplines of professional mathematics, calculus-based physics, engineering, architecture and related subjects.

The student is expected to function at the very highest level of achievement throughout the course with the goal of matriculating to such advanced courses in the near future. It will satisfy the UC A-thru-G requirements for a proper Honors-level designation.

General Course Topics Include (but are not limited to):

1) Graphical and analytical representations of algebraic, logarithmic, exponential,
trigonometric and transcendental functions and related

2) In-depth analysis of the conic sections, i.e., analytic geometry of circles, ellipses,
hyperbolae, parabolae, etc.

3) Analysis of systems of two- and three-dimensional equations and methods of solving

4) Complex Numbers, Polar Equations, and Parametric Equations

5) Limits and other foundational calculus concepts

Naturally I reserve the right to present related topics as necessary, both for enlightenment and for interest’s sake. This gives an overall view of what it is we will be covering. There may or may not be a project this semester.

There will be a final exam. Most commonly my final exams are 50% new material and 50% old material, taken from prior tests. Again, I reserve the right to give a final as I see fit.
Such a final normally constitutes 15-20% of the total points for the semester.

CLASS RULES (normally I detest rules, but good fences make good neighbors)

1) Okay, here’s the deal: I will do all I can to teach and you will do all you can to learn.
2) I wish to train you to think logically -- bring your inner child, be curious, be inquisitive -- always ask the how and why questions.
3) Though I do not require you bring your textbook every day (though it’s not a bad idea), I do require you to bring your notebook/journal every day -- every class note, every problem, and all lab data will be in there -- and it will be graded for completion. You will also need a calculator though we won’t always use it. (Believe it or not, they can be purchased at the 99 cent store.)
4) It is YOUR responsibility to read your textbook. I reserve the right to use any homework questions on exams. Just because we may not have actual class time to discuss them all does not mean that you are not responsible for the information contained in them. I will do my best to discuss them all of course.
5) If you have to miss class, that will be too bad for you (and for me too) but it is YOUR responsibility to get the notes and assignments you missed. If homework was due that day, you may turn it in the next day without penalty. If homework was assigned that day, you will need to get that from me, your fellow students or my website and turn it in on time (or when you return).
6) Your work is your work. Their work is their work. Never copy another student. Automatic zero for copying - both for the student who copied and for the student who permitted it. A grade of F for the semester for a second offense (yikes!).
7) If notecards are permitted for an exam, only original handwritten or typed ones are allowed.
8) All notes in your notebook/journal must be written in your own handwriting/printing. Copying someone else’s notes and stapling them in will not be accepted.
9) Do not ditch my class. Any unexcused absence will result in a zero for any work due that day AND for any work assigned that day...besides, you’ll probably miss some good stuff (my class is fun!).
10) Late homework is accepted, but at half-credit at best. No late homework will be accepted after each exam. Once an exam is given, all missing assignments will be given a score of zero. Get all your work in BEFORE the exam.
11) Though the grading software and your teacher make mistakes (I’m only human you know), it is YOUR responsibility to see that your grades were entered correctly. Once an exam is given, all prior grades will remain unchanged.
12) If you were on campus for just one period, it is your responsibility to see that any work due on that day is received by me; either give it to the office, put it in my box, have a friend give it to me, or slide it under my door. No excuses will be granted to athletes, half-day field trips, early doctor’s appts., hangnails, nauseousness, etc.
13) This is a “family show.” No profanity, no violence, no disrespect, no taunting or antagonism.
14) All of BHHS’ rules stated in the student handbook are always in force, including dress code, cell phone usage, unexcused absences and tardies and decorum.

Please see the certification for your agreement to and understanding of these rules and other class concerns.

Trigonometry

Beverly Hills High School -- Trigonometry Syllabus -- J. Berkeley -- 2015-2016

Trigonometry is simply the in-depth study of triangles. But its worth is far more general than that. It is an invaluable tool in physics, engineering, and architecture and constitutes the first real mathematics course beyond high school algebra and geometry. It leads to studies in calculus and beyond. Understand we are dealing in plane trigonometry, as spherical
trigonometry is a study aside from this and which will be helpful in ocean and space navigation.

This course covers all of the six plane trigonometric functions and their operations. Emphasis will be placed on the unit circle and circular functions. Investigation and verification of the fundamental trigonometric identities will be an intricate part of this semester’s study in
preparation for higher level math courses. Hopefully this class provides a thorough treatment of trigonometry both with and without the use of the graphing calculator.

General Course Content:

1) Trigonometric Basics – Angles in degrees and radians, the six trigonometric functions, special angles, simple identities, applications

2) A Closer Look at Right Triangles -- Pythagorean triples, unit circle, trig applications

3) Graphs of the Circular Functions – Graphing trig functions, amplitude, period, shifting, and significant applications

4) Solving Trigonometric Identities – Sum and difference, double-angle, half-angle, and product/sum identities

5) Inverse Trigonometric Functions – Inverse trig functions, trigonometric equations

6) More Applications of Trigonometry – Law of sines, ambiguous case, law of cosines

7) Complex Numbers, Polar Equations, and Parametric Equations

8) Exponential and Logarithmic Functions – exponential and logarithmic functions and their graphs

Naturally I reserve the right to present related topics as necessary, both for enlightenment and for interest’s sake. This gives an overall view of what it is we will be covering. There may or may not be a project this semester.

There will be a final exam. Most commonly my final exams are 50% new material and 50% old material, taken from prior tests. Again, I reserve the right to give a final as I see fit. Such a final normally constitutes 15-20% of the total points for the semester.

CLASS RULES (normally I detest rules, but good fences make good neighbors)

1) Okay, here’s the deal: I will do all I can to teach and you will do all you can to learn.
2) I wish to train you to think logically -- bring your inner child, be curious, be inquisitive -- always ask the how and why questions.
3) Though I do not require you bring your textbook every day (though it’s not a bad idea), I do require you to bring your notebook/journal every day -- every class note, every problem, and all lab data will be in there -- and it will be graded for completion. You will also need a calculator though we won’t always use it. (Believe it or not, they can be purchased at the 99 cent store.)
4) It is YOUR responsibility to read your textbook. I reserve the right to use any homework questions on exams. Just because we may not have actual class time to discuss them all does not mean that you are not responsible for the information contained in them. I will do my best to discuss them all of course.
5) If you have to miss class, that will be too bad for you (and for me too) but it is YOUR responsibility to get the notes and assignments you missed. If homework was due that day, you may turn it in the next day without penalty. If homework was assigned that day, you will need to get that from me, your fellow students or my website and turn it in on time (or when you return).
6) Your work is your work. Their work is their work. Never copy another student. Automatic zero for copying - both for the student who copied and for the student who permitted it. A grade of F for the semester for a second offense (yikes!).
7) If notecards are permitted for an exam, only original handwritten or typed ones are allowed.
8) All notes in your notebook/journal must be written in your own handwriting/printing. Copying someone else’s notes and stapling them in will not be accepted.
9) Do not ditch my class. Any unexcused absence will result in a zero for any work due that day AND for any work assigned that day...besides, you’ll probably miss some good stuff (my class is fun!).
10) Late homework is accepted, but at half-credit at best. No late homework will be accepted after each exam. Once an exam is given, all missing assignments will be given a score of zero. Get all your work in BEFORE the exam.
11) Though the grading software and your teacher make mistakes (I’m only human you know), it is YOUR responsibility to see that your grades were entered correctly. Once an exam is given, all prior grades will remain unchanged.
12) If you were on campus for just one period, it is your responsibility to see that any work due on that day is received by me; either give it to the office, put it in my box, have a friend give it to me, or slide it under my door. No excuses will be granted to athletes, half-day field trips, early doctor’s appts., hangnails, nauseousness, etc.
13) This is a “family show.” No profanity, no violence, no disrespect, no taunting or antagonism.
14) All of BHHS’ rules stated in the student handbook are always in force, including dress code, cell phone usage, unexcused absences and tardies and decorum.

Please see the certification for your agreement to and understanding of these rules and other class concerns.

Consumer Math

Beverly Hills High School -- Consumer Math Syllabus -- J. Berkeley -- 2015-2016

This is a one semester course which will teach you the methods whereby you can function
within modern society regarding money and its transactions and their impact in your life.

We will also touch on the various ways mathematical data is presented in the modern world, that is, when information is found in books, newspapers and magazines informing you about things in your world.

General Course Topics:

1) Interest -- Simple, compound, loans, credit cards, fractions, decimals and percents

2) Working for a Living -- Paychecks, deductions, taxes, tax returns, checking/savings accounts, COLA, inflation

3) A Home and a Car -- Buying, mortgages, financing, repairs, services, paying the bills

4) Buying Stuff -- Discounts, best buys on food etc., marketing strategies, consumer price index

5) Investments -- Stocks and stock market, bonds, commodities, precious metals, land, mutual funds, life insurance, others

6) Charts and Graphs -- Data, presentation, interpretating, calculating

7) Mental Math -- methods, shortcuts, speed, fractions

Naturally I reserve the right to present related topics as necessary, both for enlightenment and for interest’s sake. This gives an overall view of what it is we will be covering. There will probably be a project this semester.

There will be a final exam. Most commonly my final exams are 50% new material and 50% old material, taken from prior tests. Again, I reserve the right to give a final as I see fit. Such a final normally constitutes 15-20% of the total points for the semester.

CLASS RULES (normally I detest rules, but good fences make good neighbors)

1) Okay, here’s the deal: I will do all I can to teach and you will do all you can to learn.
2) I wish to train you to think logically -- bring your inner child, be curious, be inquisitive -- always ask the how and why questions.
3) Though I do not require you bring your textbook every day (though it’s not a bad idea), I do require you to bring your notebook/journal every day -- every class note, every problem, and all lab data will be in there -- and it will be graded for completion. You will also need a calculator though we won’t always use it. (Believe it or not, they can be purchased at the 99 cent store.)
4) It is YOUR responsibility to read your textbook. I reserve the right to use any homework questions on exams. Just because we may not have actual class time to discuss them all does not mean that you are not responsible for the information contained in them. I will do my best to discuss them all of course.
5) If you have to miss class, that will be too bad for you (and for me too) but it is YOUR responsibility to get the notes and assignments you missed. If homework was due that day, you may turn it in the next day without penalty. If homework was assigned that day, you will need to get that from me, your fellow students or my website and turn it in on time (or when you return).
6) Your work is your work. Their work is their work. Never copy another student. Automatic zero for copying - both for the student who copied and for the student who permitted it. A grade of F for the semester for a second offense (yikes!).
7) If notecards are permitted for an exam, only original handwritten or typed ones are allowed.
8) All notes in your notebook/journal must be written in your own handwriting/printing. Copying someone else’s notes and stapling them in will not be accepted.
9) Do not ditch my class. Any unexcused absence will result in a zero for any work due that day AND for any work assigned that day...besides, you’ll probably miss some good stuff (my class is fun!).
10) Late homework is accepted, but at half-credit at best. No late homework will be accepted after each exam. Once an exam is given, all missing assignments will be given a score of zero. Get all your work in BEFORE the exam.
11) Though the grading software and your teacher make mistakes (I’m only human you know), it is YOUR responsibility to see that your grades were entered correctly. Once an exam is given, all prior grades will remain unchanged.
12) If you were on campus for just one period, it is your responsibility to see that any work due on that day is received by me; either give it to the office, put it in my box, have a friend give it to me, or slide it under my door. No excuses will be granted to athletes, half-day field trips, early doctor’s appts., hangnails, nauseousness, etc.
13) This is a “family show.” No profanity, no violence, no disrespect, no taunting or antagonism.
14) All of BHHS’ rules stated in the student handbook are always in force, including dress code, cell phone usage, unexcused absences and tardies and decorum.

Please see the certification for your agreement to and understanding of these rules and other class concerns.

Activities, lab inquiries, projects and demonstrations are of course intended to stimulate the students to a greater comprehension of the prevailing concepts at hand. Objectives and procedures will be clearly stated for each. Activities and labs normally involve a write-up to be included in a mandatory lab notebook/journal, as are all lab experiments and demonstrations. Usually intended to test a certain hypothesis, such activities and demonstrations may be presented merely to enlighten.

A typical laboratory inquiry involves a proper expression of a problem, a possible explanation of an observed phenomena, and a method by which such a hypothesis can be either verified or discounted. These also the students to produce a formal lab write-up which includes materials and procedure, data acquisition, calculations (where necessary), conclusions, and error considerations. Later analysis of the class’ results by the class as a whole is mandatory for each.

The course is designed to cover the following topics through careful text reading, analysis and synthesis of progressive learning. Text assignments will include response to section, chapter, and unit review questions, as well as quizzes, informal checks for understanding, and embedded assessments. Research and demonstration of understanding will include web-based research and presentation, research of current mathematics studies through published reports, and current events examination and reporting. Assessments and grading procedures are covered in the certification handout and need not be repeated here.

CLASS RULES (normally I detest rules, but good fences make good neighbors

1) Okay, here’s the deal: I will do all I can to teach and you will do all you can to learn.
2) I wish to train you to think like a scientist -- bring your inner child, be curious, be inquisitive -- always ask the how and why questions.
3) Though I do not require you bring your textbook every day (though it’s not a bad idea), I do require you to bring your lab notebook every day -- every class note, every demonstration, and all lab data will be in there -- and it will be graded for completion. You will also need a scientific calculator.
(Believe it or not, they can be purchased at the 99 cent store.)
4) It is YOUR responsibility to read your textbook. I reserve the right to use any homework questions on exams. Just because we may not have actual class time to discuss them all does not mean that you are not responsible for the information contained in them. I will do my best to discuss them all of course.
5) If you have to miss class, that will be too bad for you (and for me too) but it is YOUR responsibility to get the notes and assignments you missed. If homework was due that day, you may turn it in the next day without penalty. If homework was assigned that day, you will need to get that from me, your
fellow students or my website and turn it in on time (or when you return).
6) Your work is your work. Their work is their work. Never copy another student. Automatic zero for copying - both for the student who copied and for the student who permitted it. A grade of F for the semester for a second offense (yikes!).
7) If notecards are permitted for an exam, only original handwritten or typed ones are allowed.
8) All notes in your lab notebook must be written in your own handwriting/printing. Copying someone else’s notes and stapling in will not be accepted.
9) Do not ditch my class. Any unexcused absence will result in a zero for any work due that day AND for any work assigned that day...besides, you’ll probably miss some good stuff (my class is fun!).
10) Late homework is accepted, but at half-credit at best. No late homework will be accepted after each exam. Once an exam is given, all missing assignments will be given a score of zero. Get all your work in BEFORE the exam.
11) Though the grading software and your teacher make mistakes (I’m only human you know), it is YOUR responsibility to see that your grades were entered correctly. Once an exam is given, all prior grades will remain unchanged.
12) If you were on campus for just one period, it is your responsibility to see that any work due on that day is received by me; either give it to the office, put it in my box, have a friend give it to me, or slide it under my door. No excuses will be granted to athletes, half-day field trips, early doctor’s appts., etc.
13) This is a “family show.” No profanity, no violence, no disrespect, no taunting or antagonism.
14) All of BHHS’ rules stated in the student handbook are always in force, including dress code, cell phone usage, tardies and decorum.

Please see the certification for your agreement to and understanding of these rules and other class concerns.