Analysis
| Department | Math |
|---|---|
| Length | Year |
| Credit type | Weighted |
| Teacher(s) | Ms. Tantod Ms. Hlasek Mr. Hahn |
Analysis (also known as Analysis H) is a math class typically taken by juniors. Students typically take this after Trig H, although some also come up from Trig A, and a few come directly from Geometry H. Most Analysis H students go to AP Calculus BC after this, although some instead go to AP Calculus AB or simply be done with their math credit.
Course catalog description
In addition to the objectives of IAC course, students study Group Theory, Algebraic Problem Solving, quadric surfaces, and more applications of matrices, such as transformations and Markov Chains. The course concludes with the “A” portion of calculus including limits, difference quotients, derivatives and an introduction to the indefinite integral. A graphing calculator is required.
- Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 2 and a complete Trigonometry course; open to grades 10 and 11.
Students laning up from Alg2/TrigA will require summer work to be prepared.
- Students self-report spending an average of 3.5 hours a week outside of school on this course
- District SLOs Addressed in this Course: 1, 2, 5, 6
- This is an honors course
Units/Textbooks
Analysis H is notable for having many textbooks, each of which corresponds to a unit. Students are NOT required to purchase/borrow them since textbook homework is posted digitally.
Redbook is a set of problems from random books.
Semester 1
- Algebra Through Problem Solving - Algebra Through Problem Solving, Hillman, Alexanderson
- Probability - Finite Mathematics, Lial, Greenwell, Ritchey, Pearson Addison Wesley 2005
- Polar and 3D graphing - Redbook; Pre-Calculus Mathematics, Shanks, Fleenor, Brumfeld, Addison Wesley, 1981
- Vectors and Parametric Equations; Pre-Calculus Mathematics, Shanks, Fleenor, Brumfeld, Addison Wesley, 1981
- Growth and Finance - Redbook; Finite Mathematics, Lial, Greenwell, Ritchey, Pearson Addison Wesley 2005
Semester 2
- Matrices - Finite Mathematics, Lial, Greenwell, Ritchey, Pearson Addison Wesley 2005
- Geometric Approach to Matrices - A Geometric Approach to Matrices, Herreshoff
- Limits - Limits, A Transition to Calculus, Buchanan, Houghton Mifflin, 1985
- Calculus - Calculus, Concepts and Applications, Forester, Key Curriculum Press, 1998
Structure
Analysis H, like a typical PAUSD honors mathematics course, has a lot of homework, quizzes, and tests. Quizzes contribute to your grade about 1/3 as much as midterms, with homework making up 10% of the grade. This course is a problem-solving course; as such, the best way to excel in Analysis H is to do all the homework, review sheets, and old tests. If you do this work, you are much more likely to get an A in the course. Time in class is generally dedicated to introducing new material and doing practice problems, while the homework is generally used to practice the day's material, like a standard math class. There isn't much consistency to the topics taught in Analysis, as the course grabs topics from competition math, discrete math, linear algebra, and calculus. The course can be basically described as "a bunch of challenging and interesting math topics."
Should I sign up for this class?
This class is rather difficult due to the challenging problems you are expected to solve and the speed at which the material is covered. Many people drop out of Analysis H (particularly after the first test, which is said to be extra-difficult to encourage people to drop out) because it is simply too difficult for them. Therefore, you should only take Analysis H if you are enthusiastic about math and are prepared to put in the time and effort to learn the material deeply. Generally, Analysis H is considered to be the hardest course in the Math Honors lane. However, others think that Analysis' difficulty is overstated, and that doing the homework and in-class practice, in addition asking clarifying questions if necessary, are sufficient to succeed in this class. Analysis has a very large collection of past years' tests, leaving no shortage of test study material for students. The teachers are also very friendly and willing to answer any questions you have about the math. In summary, Analysis is difficult, but there are many resources to help you do well in the course.