MR. LUPINACCI'S CLASSROOM

Coordinate Geometry:

 

 

In order to prepare yourself for next year, you need to familiarize yourself with coordinate geometry. 

You studied this topic when you took Algebra I and you will certainly remember things like the x, y set of axes and the equation of a line: y = mb + b, where m = slope and b = y-intercept. 

 

This material is central to the work you will do in Algebra II and your teacher will assume a level of familiarity with this material on your part. It would be a BIG mistake to enter sophomore year without doing as much of chapter 13 from last year's textbook as possible. Here is an electronic version of the chapter. 

Keep in mind that these materials are copywritten. You have permission to use them, but you may not distribute these materials. 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, late in the semester I emailed you the answers from the back of the book, so look to see if you still have that file. 

 

Here are my suggestions on how to proceed:

 

• Emphasize the basics, including vocabulary and formulas.

• Do a bunch of A-level problems for starters to get your confidence up. 

• If you have time, move on to B and C-level problems.

• Work to understand how the x,y axes really work (this set of axes is also known as the Cartesian Plane, named for the French philosopher and mathematician Renee DesCartes, famous for his proclamation, "Cogito ergo sum", which translates from Latin as, "I think, therefore I am", which was part of his "proof" of the existence of G-d.

• If you don't understand something, Google it or use online resources such as Khan Academy. 

 

Finally, I want to reiterate something that I said throughout the year:  if you want to be an honors math student, it doesn't just mean that you like math, or that you are willing to work hard - it means that you truly want to pursue how math works on a conceptual level. If you take that approach, you will learn more, you will remember more, and the experience will be much more fulfilling. 

 

Have a great summer and looking forward to seeing you in September.

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Lupinacci