Gray Stone Day 2014-2015 Allison FAULKENBERRY Room 109

Course Description
Course Number: MA 302

In this course students will focus on different conic shapes,
including parabolas, ellipses, circles, and hyperbolas. We
will study circles in depth including but not limited to the
following topics: radians, degrees, arc length, sectors. The
course will also extend its study of conics into surface area
and volume of 3-dimensional figures and parametric
equations. For students to finish their NC standards for
mathematics, this course will also cover a unit in
probability. Applications and modeling will be included
throughout the course of study. Appropriate technology,
from manipulatives to calculators and application software,
will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Course Objective
Drawing on students experiences in previous courses,
advanced spatial analysis will deepen the understanding of
various types of conic sections and extend their knowledge
of probability and random phenomena. The goal of this
course to take this understanding of these concepts and
apply them to real-world situations. In addition to being
preparation for a variety of careers, advanced spatial
analysis will prepare students for the challenges of AP
Calculus and other college-level mathematics courses.


Instructor information
Allison Stroud Faulkenberry
B.A. Mathematics 2009
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
[email protected]

Instructor Comments:

Conic sections play such an integral role in our everyday
lives. From space orbit to the trajectory of a baseball, conic
sections have been used to uncover some of the worlds
most fascinating discoveries. The study of probability is
similar in its everyday use and relevance to our lives. I am
thrilled to be teaching you these intriguing branches of
mathematics this year. At times you will find problems in
this course that will find very applicable to real-world
situations and at other times you may see no immediate
use for a topic. Sometimes in mathematics the big picture
may become clear only after further study, but as they say:
What you know, you may never use. But what you dont
know, youll definitely never use! If you keep a positive
attitude and an open mind then this course will be very
rewarding, and even fun.

Instructor Objectives:

Prepare course content in the form of lectures,
assignments, activities, and assessments that align
with NC standard course of study
Promote competence and confidence with the
course content and applying this knowledge to
everyday life
Maintain a professional and academic classroom
environment that promotes learning and a positive
attitude toward mathematics
Hold high expectations for all students and push
them to succeed


Course Outline
PROBABILITY
General Rules of Probability
Permutations and Combinations
Contingency Tables
Conditional Probability and Independence
Random Variables
Expected Values
Probability Distributions

CIRCLES
Constructions
Circumscribed and Inscribed Circles
Equations of Circles
Segments of Circles
Radians and Degrees
Arc Length, Sector Length
Unit Circle

CONIC SECTIONS
Parabolas
Ellipses
Hyperbolas
ANALYTICAL GEOMETRY
Translation & Rotation of Axes
Polar Equations
Rectangular Equations
Rose Curves & Spirals

PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS
Parametric Equations
Modeling with Parametrically Defined Curves
Vectors in a Plane
Three-Dimensional Cartesian coordinate system

Course Text

Students will not be assigned a textbook for personal use.
The instructor will provide the appropriate content for the
student as well as any additional content the student may
request.

Grading

Grades will be based on a total number of points earned in
a given trimester. Assignments will be given a different
weight based on the amount of material covered, the
amount of work required, and the importance of the
material. The instructor will establish the maximum points
when presenting the assignment. As a basic guideline, the
following typical point totals have been established:

Tentative Trimester Point Totals
Tests 300
Quizzes 100
Daily Homework 10
Final 500

Tests: The purpose of tests are to assess the students
understanding of a specific chapter or group of chapters.
The amount given per trimester will fluctuate with course
pacing. It is possible for these tests to be cumulative.
Quizzes: The purpose of quizzes are to assess the students
understanding of current lectures and homework
assignments. These are shorter than tests and may not be
announced in advance. These will allow the instructor to
gauge student work and provide feedback before a test is
given.
Homework: Your homework participation will be assessed
by a daily questionnaire with problems from the previous
days homework assignment.
Other: Group assignments, projects, and presentations are
also possible grades throughout the course. The point
value of these assignments will be announced at the time it
is presented.
CLASSROOM Expectations
Respectfulness Respectfulness is very important in this
classroom. Students will be expected to remain respectful
at all times in the following areas:
To the instructor: students show respect to the
instructor during class and through any form of
communication.
To their peers: students will be working together
at times so it is imperative that students respect
each others ideas and opinions.
To the environment: students must refrain from
interrupting the learning environment of the
classroom. This includes arriving late, leaving the
classroom, interrupting the instructor by talking or
with technology, or having a negative attitude.
Students must also respect school property by not
damaging desks, walls, etc. and by not bringing
unapproved food and drinks into the classroom.

Accountability - Students are expected to take
responsibility for their actions in the classroom. This
includes being punctual, behaving in a proper manner,
communicating politely with others, having the appropriate
materials, and completing assignments on time.

Honesty Students are to adhere to the Gray Stone Honor
Code for all assignments. For classroom assessments and
major assignments, it is required that the student legible
write and sign the statement on the document. Violations
that may likely occur and will not be tolerated in this
classroom are:
Using technology (cell phones, calculators, etc.)
for information on assessments.
Receiving or sharing answers on assessments.
Copying or allowing someone to copy work on at-
home assignments.

Gray Stone Day Schools Honor Code Statement:

On my honor, I have not sought, given, or received
purposeful or inadvertent aid not permitted by the spirit of
this assignment.

Course materials

Students are required to have these materials at each class
meeting, no exceptions.

Pencils/Pens
Loose-leaf notebook paper
Three-ring binder
Graphing calculator (TI 83, 84, or Inspire, non CAS)
Graphing Paper, highly recommended


Classroom Procedures
School Policies - All rules and guidelines of Gray Stone Day
School apply to this class. These are listed in the Student
Handbook.
Late Work late work is not tolerated.
Absences Students will be counted absent if they miss
over half of the period. Work missed can be made up if:
1. the absence is documented and excused through
the office; and
2. the proper return procedure is followed.
Return Procedure:
1. If YOU know ahead of time, let ME know ahead of
time.
2. If you are able, email me while youre absent.
3. On the day you come back to school, you are
responsible for collecting missed assignments or
notes and scheduling a time to make up missed
assignments.

Make-Up Work Deadlines:

Homework: Homework questionnaires need to be
made up during a time scheduled with the
instructor within 2 days of returning to school.

Quizzes and Tests If a student is absent during an
in-class assessment, the student is responsible for
scheduling a time to make up this assignment on
the day the student returns to school. The student
has a maximum of 3 school days to make up the
missed assignment. If this 3 day deadline is missed,
a letter grade will be deducted from the
assessment every day until the assessment is
completed. Note: make-up assessments will not
be identical to the original assessment.
Technology Cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. are allowed
during lectures only if they are being used for academic
purposes and if the instructor has deemed it an appropriate
time for its use. Technology is NOT allowed during in-class
assessments.
PowerSchool Grades and attendance can be checked by
visiting PowerSchool. Information will be updated as
completed by the instructor. Please allow adequate
amounts of time for the instructor to update grades. For
quizzes and tests expect 1 week, for other assignments
approximately 3 days. Students will be notified if the
grading time period will take longer than noted above.
Instructor Help Sessions Individual help from the
instructor will be available by appointment only. You must
schedule a time in advance and must have specific
questions prepared for the appointment. The instructor
may also post times for group help sessions on a need-be
basis.

Flex Time
Flex time will be a non-instructional time for students work
on strictly MA 302 coursework. The instructor will present
an activity, practice problems, or project for students to
work on during this time. Flex time is also an appropriate
time to make-up missed assignments in this course or to
seek one-on-one help from a peer or the instructor.