math sequence help needed

My high school age son uses ALEKS for math. He has finished Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. Both are for college credit. I just got him started on Geometry (not college credit) which he should be able to finish in 1 semester. Which 2 courses should follow geometry?? I have 4 choices for laying out the sequence, and credit, they will duplicate if he takes more than 2...so it's all in the titles as far as I can tell. Help me lay out the next 2 classes!


College Algebra
or
College Algebra with Trig

then

PreCal
or
Trig

 

There really isn't much difference between college algebra with trig and pre-calculus.

 

Jennifer,

you might want to work backwards on this sequence. Take a look at the highest level of math he intends to finish. If it is calculus then there are differing levels of calculus. Most of the higher level classes are 4 credit classes. Find one of those and take a look at the prereq and that should help with your decision.

Keep in mind that some schools won't let you take a specific math class if you have taken certain other math classes and you wouldn't want to create a problem down the road.

 

To go a bit further with what Kevin posted, if he only plans to take business (sometimes called applied) calculus, then all he would need is College Algebra (after Geometry, of course). If he is going to take a calculus course (courses) such as one (those) needed by people majoring in egineering, computer science, hard sciences or economics, then he needs Precalculus (which is essentially College Algebra with Trig). If he is unsure, have him take Precalculus rather than just College Algebra.

 

if business then
1) College Algebra
2) Statistics
3) Business math with MS Excel

if going into computer science or engineering then
1) College Algebra
2) Discrete Math
3) Statistics
4) Pre Calc
5) Calc

 

>>

I don't know what discrete math is, is that typical for a high school course?
These are for his high school transcript, not college if that matters. (does it? I'm not mathy, I have no clue)
HOWEVER, I have an ACE transcript going for him so that IF a college he attends accepts ACE, then he will have a good amount of credit going in.

At his point, he has no idea as to a college degree plan. We are 2 weeks into 10th grade, so sometime later this year and next I'll be nudging him to make a decision re careers, he's not especially certain yet. I certainly am NOT going to let him opt of any math- so as high as he can go until 12th grade is as high as he will go. Until he starts college, mommy still gets to be boss lol.

The courses I listed are the ALEKS courses. We are using those since they are ACE evaluated, no other reason- I'd like to stick with ALEKS if possible, is it necessary to switch so he can get discrete math? I'd like to keep using these until he graduates high school/starts college.

 

Kevin,
Can you explain this to me more thoroughly??? Are you saying if he takes certain high school classes he can't take certain lower college classes? Sorry, I'm not sure what this means - but I really want to understand since he will take the sequence I lay out for him.

 

Jennifer,

I'm sorry if I'm confusing. You stated that your son was taking these for college credit. If the classes are to be used only for high school then it is a different issue except where AP classes might fit in to a college curriculum. AP grants credit and the school may not allow for certain course to be taken based upon that credit.

As an example I'll use my current program: BS Commerce and Business

Notice the math requirements.

(MA) MATH 112 or 115 Precalculus
(MA) MATH 121 or 125, Calculus

These sequences are different in that Math 125 is a higher level of calculus, has a different prerequisite and awards a different number of credits than Math 121. You cannot take both. So for instance, if a person needs the higher level of math, say for pursuing an engineering degree, then Math 125 is the end point from which to work back.

You didn't mention what college or program so I'm just postulating based upon my experience.

The difference in these classes is where they marry up to advance studies or different career objectives and may not make a difference in your situation.

 

I'd also want to add another factor. Does he like math? Is he good at it? Does he envision going into the sciences or maybe another direction. One sort of course sequence might set you up to move forward and take an aggressive set of math courses in college. Another sequence might be less aggressive an be suitable for someone who doesn't plan to pursue the subject beyond what is required.

 

....ok, so which is which????? He needs to start College Algebra or College Algebra with Trig in January.

 

Jennifer,

I'm posting the two math sequences from UA below and I believe these will work for most schools. I pulled the Aleks information from the course listing to help you decide. The second sequence is the more math intensive, both cover calculus just a different depths. Pick the Aleks course based upon these sequences.

First Sequence
Math 112
Prerequisites:
ALEKS Standard Math Assessment 057 or ACT Mathematics 29 or SAT Mathematics 640

Math 121
ALEKS Calculus Math Assessment 055 or ACT Mathematics 29 or SAT Mathematics 640


Second Sequence:
Math 115
Prerequisites:
ALEKS Standard Math Assessment 070 or ACT Mathematics 29 or SAT Mathematics 640

Math 125
ALEKS Calculus Math Assessment 065 or ACT Mathematics 29 or SAT Mathematics 640

 

ok, since this is only for high school
when I was in HS (many, many years ago) this was the sequence for the math minded

9th grade) algebra 1
10th grade) algebra 2 and a 2nd class in geometry
11th grade) trig
12th grade) calculus

for the not math minded

9th grade) pre algebra
10th grade) algebra
11th grade) business math or algebra 2

that's it, no more

you know your son better than we do, you know his intelligence, his level of self discipline and how well he's done in his other math courses

be honest with your assessment of your son and his abilities

if he's good at math, then
1) College Algebra with Trig
2) Calculus

if not then
1) College Algebra
2) PreCal or Trig (doesn't matter, they're close enough to be the same)

although I still think you should throw in a course in probability or statistics no matter which route you choose. Statistics is much more useful in daily life for the average person than precalc or trig or calc
Stats is also very useful in college for writing research papers for any class you take, whether it be history, business organization, political science or computer science. Many colleges require stats.

and i have come to the conclusion that EVERY HS student should take a course in business math: credit card fees, car loans, mortgage rates, money markets, IRAs, 401ks, making and balancing a budget. These are all skills too many young adults need but don't have.

 

Thank you, that's helpful.

 

I'm right there with you. I planned on him doing that this summer, but since he started the algebra 2, it just filled up his schedule. I'm planning on throwing it in next summer. Plus, his parents are huge budget/consumer math junkies, so he has gotten tons of that since birth lol. Thanks again.

 

Discrete Math is usually only taken by Computer Science majors or minors and usually has Calculus I (not business calculus but the full monty) as a prereq. Statistics or Business Math would be more useful in other contexts, as was pointed out above.

 

I totally agree - it should be taught in every year of high school as a mandatory subject and replace advanced math for the non-math minded students. It would help prevent people runnning into debt and give them a basis for financial planning for the rest of their lives. DSST has an exam on Personal Finance.