Skip to main content

Mr. Vega, Algebra II

Course Description

Algebra 2 is a comprehensive course designed to deepen students' understanding of algebraic concepts and enhance their problem-solving skills. Building on the foundation laid in Algebra 1, this course explores a variety of mathematical topics (see the syllabus for a full topic list). This course aims to equip students with a solid algebraic foundation necessary for advanced mathematics and various practical applications. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world problem application. 

Posts

Algebra II: 2/17 - 2/20

Hello.
We are nearing the end of our exponential and logarithmic functions unit. This is a very difficult unit for most students, especially the introduction to logarithms. We have taken our time and worked hard towards a strong foundation of understanding.

Next week, we will finish the unit by modeling with exponential and logarithmic functions. We will be able to write exponential and logarithmic functions from tables or pairs of points, and we will also be able to use technology to make exponential regression lines to model real-world data. We will have our end-of-unit test on Thursday.

A summary of the week is as follows:
Monday 2/16 - PRESIDENT'S DAY (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday 2/17 - Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Wednesday 2/18 - Unit 6 Review
Thursday 2/19 - Unit 6 Test

Algebra II: February 9th - February 13th

Hello.
This week has been a journey. We started our logarithms unit and it always starts off with so many questions! But we are working to answer those questions as we get more and more into what logarithms are, how they work, and how they are related to exponents.

Next week, we will continue diving into logarithms, and by the end of the week, we will finish our last lessons of the unit. We will focus on graphing logarithms, modeling real-world phenomena with logarithmic functions, and solving.

A summary of the week is as follows:
Monday 2/9 - Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Tuesday 2/10 - Properties of Logarithms
Wednesday 2/11 - Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Thursday 2/12 - Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Friday 2/13 - Kindness Day (HALF DAY - DISMISSAL AT 11:30)

Algebra II: 1/26 - 1/30

Hello! We are nearing the end of our 5th unit, and we have a test coming this week! I plan to take this test on Tuesday after a review day on Monday.
 
Following our test, we will dive into our 6th unit of the year - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. We will end the week next week with some building off of Algebra 1 concepts we learned in Algebra 1 related to writing and solving exponential functions and equations (with a little review of these things too!)
 
Monday 1/26 - Review
Tuesday 1/27 - Unit 5 Test
Wednesday 1/28 - Unit 6 Intro / Prerequisite Review
Thursday 1/29 - Exponential Growth vs. Decay

Algebra II: 1/19 - 1/23

Hello! Welcome to a new semester, we are at the halfway point! This semester, we are starting off strong with our radical functions unit. So far, we have reviewed exponential rules, learned about nth roots and rational exponents, and converted expressions with rational exponents to radical expressions.

Next week, we will look at solving radical equations, composite functions, and inverse functions.

I plan to have our first test of the semester the following week on Tuesday, January 27th.
 
Monday 1/19 - NO SCHOOL - MLK Day
Tuesday 1/20 - Solving Radical Equations
Wednesday 1/21 - Composition of Functions
Thursday 1/22 - Inverse Functions

Finals Week: 12/15 - 12/19

Hello! Next week is final exam week here in the Westgate high school. We have been preparing diligently in the past days/weeks. Next week is also spirit week for the whole school that the high school has organized. Below is a loose plan for the week as well as each day's spirit week theme:
 
Monday 12/15 - Finals all day - Pajama/Onesie
Tuesday 12/16 - Finals all day - Ugly Sweater
Wednesday 12/17 - Makeup Finals/Team Building - Anything but a Backpack
Thursday 12/18 - Avatar Day!!
Friday 12/19 - Visit from Supreme Court Justice/Winter Party - Dress to Impress
 
As we wind down and reach the end of the semester, I want to wish everyone a nice and relaxing winter break after this final stretch!

Algebra II: 11/17 - 11/21

We are in the midst of our 4th unit in Algebra II. This unit, we have learned so many ways to find the roots of polynomials, solve polynomials, factor polynomials, and perform basic operations (+, -, x, /) to polynomials.

This coming week, we will practice, practice, and practice! We will have a test on Thursday before Thanksgiving Break and will prepare for it these first few days leading up to it. This has been our longest and most challenging unit so far this year, and we are rising to the occasion! Here is a tentative schedule for the week:

Monday 11/17 - Practicing Polynomial Operations
Tuesday 11/18 - Methods for Factoring Polynomials
Wednesday 11/19 - Unit 4 Practice Test
Thursday 11/20 - Unit 4 Test

Algebra II: 11/10 - 11/14

We just finished learning all the different ways to factor polynomials in Algebra II. We can factor out common monomial factors, we can factor quadratics, we can factor polynomials by grouping, and we can use special factoring patterns to factor polynomials.

This week, we will move onto what it looks like to calculate the roots or zeroes and "solve" a polynomial function. This will be the final piece of our 4th Unit this year, and the end of unit test will land on the week before Thanksgiving Break. Here is a tentative schedule for next week:

Monday 11/10 - NO WCS (students still have FRCC classes!!!!)
Tuesday 11/11 - The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Wednesday 11/12 - The Rational Root Theorem
Thursday 11/13 - Solving Polynomials Practice

Algebra II: 11/3 - 11/7

November 3rd - November 7th

We are working through our Polynomials Unit where we are working on performing polynomial operations, factoring, and solving.
 
This coming week, we will get to several methods for factoring polynomials and using the tools in our toolbox to solve polynomials.
  • Monday 11/3 - Greatest Common Factors
  • Tuesday 11/4 - Factoring by Grouping
  • Wednesday 11/5 - Sum and Difference of Cubes / Difference of Squares
  • Thursday 11/6 - Practice
We have a half day on Friday 11/7, students will be released at 11:30.

Algebra II - Unit 4

October 27th - October 31st

We just finished our fourth unit all about quadratic functions. This passed week we finished a project where we model projectile motion with quadratics using catapults, one of my favorite projects of the year! This coming week, we will begin our fourth unit.
 
Unit 4 - Polynomial Functions
This unit focuses on polynomial functions. We will learn to factor and solve polynomials, graph them (using technology), and how to perform operations with them.
 
This coming week, we are going to start by learning about what it means to be a polynomial functions. Then, we will spend the majority of the week adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials. Here is the tentative plan for the week:
  • Monday 10/27 - What is a Polynomial?
  • Tuesday 10/28 - Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
  • Wednesday 10/29 - Multiplying Polynomial
  • Thursday 10/30 - Practice
    • Homework 4.2

Algebra 2 - Unit 1

We are making great pace in our first unit in Algebra 2. Many of the concepts we learn in this unit will be used throughout the entire year, specifically transformations of functions, so we are taking our time. I plan on having our first test next Monday, August 25th. We will finish this unit talking about using linear equations as models and solving systems of linear equations (this year we look at linear equations with 3 variables, these problems get very challenging but rather fun!)