8TH Grade Math

Pre-algebra is an introductory algebra course designed to prepare middle school students for Algebra I. The 8th grade homeschool course focuses on strengthening needed skills in problem-solving, integers, equations, and graphing. Students will begin to see the “big picture” of mathematics and learn how numeric, algebraic, and geometric concepts are woven together to build a foundation for higher mathematical thinking.

Students who may have taken Pre-algebra in seventh grade or demonstrate through quantifiable academic work may be approved to take Algebra I in eighth grade for High School credit. Algebra I is a full year, high school credit course that is intended for the student who has successfully mastered the core algebraic concepts covered in the prerequisite course, Pre-Algebra. Within the Algebra I course, the student will explore basic algebraic fundamentals such as evaluating, creating, solving and graphing linear, quadratic, and polynomial functions.  Upon completion of the course the student’s goals are to successfully, solve single variable, absolute value, and linear systems of equations; solve and graph single variable, absolute value, and linear inequalities; evaluate, solve, and graph linear and quadratic functions as well as conceptualize the relationship between the independent and dependent variable of a function; understand and know how to apply the distance, midpoint, and slope formulas as well as the Pythagorean theorem; form an equation of a line using the slope-intercept, point-slope and standard forms of a line; organize data in the form of a table or matrix; perform complex matrix operations such as multiplication, evaluating the determinant, and solving a system of linear equations using Cramer’s Rule; apply basic fundamental rules of exponents; be able to construct a formula or equation necessary to solve algebraic word problems involving area, perimeter, and linear systems of equations, basic probability and statistical reasoning, distance, and compounding interest; evaluate rational expressions and solve equations with rational expressions; and, simplify and perform operations with radical expressions and polynomials.