Shanghai American School

Mathematics Department

Course: IB Mathematics HL (Years 1 and 2)

Primary Text: Paul Urban, John Owen, David Martin, Robert Haese, Sandra Haese, and
Mark Bruce, Mathematics for the International Student, Mathematics HL (Core), Haese
and Harris Publications, Adelaide, Australia, 2004, ISBN 1 876543 09 4.

Secondary Text: PA.J. Sadler and D.W.S. Thorning, Understanding Pure Mathematics,
Oxford University Press, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-19-914243-2.

Teachers:
Ms. Carolyn Bailey
Dr. David Surowski (Puxi)

Math HL is a demanding two-year program and is intended for students with a solid
background in mathematics and competence in many analytical and technical skills. Most
students will include mathematics as a major component of their university studies and hence
will be expected to have a strong interest in mathematics.

The course develops mathematical concepts in a comprehensible and coherent way. Students
will apply knowledge from a variety of contexts, while at the same time be introduced to rigor
and proof. Insight into mathematical form and structure will be developed.

The course features Portfolios that allow for a degree of independent mathematical
development through several diverse activities. Students can ask their own mathematical
questions and explore alternate solutions to problems without being constrained by the usual
time limitations inherent in written examinations.

Topics: There are seven compulsory core topics, one optional topic, and two portfolios.

Compulsory Core Topics:

1. Algebra
2. Functions and Equations
3. Circular Functions and Trigonometry
4. Matrices
5. Vectors
6. Statistics and Probability
7. Calculus

Option Topics, chosen from:

8. Statistics and Probability

9. Sets, Relations, and Groups
10. Series and Differential Equations
11. Discrete Mathematics
Semester 1:

• Core Topic 2: inequalities, functions, graphing techniques, quadratic functions and

equations. (Chapters 1, 6, and 7)
• Core Topics 1 and 2: polynomials, complex numbers, factor and zero theorems, more
inequalities. (Chapter 8)
• Core Topics 1 and 6: sequences, series, sums, the Binomial Theorem, combinatorics.
(Chapters 2 and 9)
• Core Topic 3: triangle trigonometry, trigonometric functions, periodicity, addition
formulas, and multiple-angle identities. (Chapters 11 – 13)
• Core Topic 7: limits, the derivative, differentiation rules, tangent and normal lines.
(Chapters 21, 23, and 24)

Semester 2:

• Core Topic 7 (continued): extrema and related rates problems. (Chapters 22 – 24)
• Core Topic 7 (continued): integral calculus, antiderivatives, integrals, and the
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, volumes of revolution, integration by
trigonometric substitutions, partial fractions. (Chapters 25 – 29)
• Core Topic 6: elementary probability theory, experimental versus theoretical
probability, tree diagrams, binomial probabilities, rules of probability, Bayes’
Theorem. (Chapter 19)

Semester 3:

• Core Topic 6 (continued): discrete and continuous distributions, mean and variance,
the normal distribution, the Poisson distribution, simulations. (Chapter 30)
• Core Topic 1 (revisited): sequences and series, General Binomial Theorem,
mathematical induction, the geometry of complex numbers. (Chapters 2, 9, 10, and
16)
• Core Topic 4: homogeneous and inhomogeneous linear equations, matrix algebra,
matrix methods, linear transformations. (Chapter 14)
• Core Topic 5: vectors in the plane and in space, unit vectors, scalar and vector
products, geometric applications to planar and special lines and to planes in 3-space.
(Chapters 15 and 17)

Semester 4:

• Option Topic (discretion of instructor)

• Review

Semester Weighting:
• Tests…………….………………..60%
• Quizzes…………………………..20%
• Portfolios……………………..….10%
• Homework…………………….....10%

Semester Grading:

Quarter 1 & Quarter 2…………………80%

Semester Exam……………………..…20%
} equals 100% for semester 1 or 3
Quarter 3 & Quarter 4…………………80%
Final exam………………………….....20%
} equals 100% for semester 2 or 4
 Specifics for Mr. Surowski’s Students

Classroom Guidelines:
1. Be on time. Class time IS valued!
2. Drinking of water is encouraged.
3. Eat a good breakfast low in sugar and high in complex carbohydrates. This
will keep you high functioning until lunch.
4. Be prepared for class by having all required supplies:
Text, pencil(s), eraser, notebook and paper, and a TI-84 graphing
calculator (can be purchased from SAS)
5. Make sure that your desk is behind the ``critical demarcation.”

Homework:
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis, but collected sporadically. You will be
expected to complete each assignment prior to the next class period. Please keep your
notebooks up-to-date in case they are collected at other points during the quarter.

Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given throughout the course to evaluate your comprehension of the
material. All will be scheduled; there will be no ``pop” quizzes.

Tests:
Tests will be given when a unit has been completed. Each test will be worth 100
points and will always be announced in advance. Only students who are absent at
least two consecutive classes immediately prior to the day of the test will be excused
from taking the test on the designated day. Any missed test should be made up after
school the day you return to school (if you missed only one class period) or within
one week (if missed more than one class period). Example: support that you miss
class on the day of a test (Monday) and you return to school on Tuesday. You are
expected to take the test after school on Tuesday. Any student who neglects to take a
missed test without prior arrangements will receive a grade of zero. There will be NO
retests offered. This is a Mathematics Department policy.

Absences:
If you are absent from class, you are responsible for two things:
1) Visiting the teacher (or the web—see below) to obtain the homework
assignment, and
2) making arrangements to make up the homework quiz (lunch) or chapter test
(after school) you missed on the day of your absence. Failure to do this will
result in a quiz or test grade of zero. Any absence that is not verified by a
parent will be considered unexcused which will result in a grade of zero for
anything that was done during the class period(s) you missed.
3)
**If you are absent for more than one day, please visit with me when you return
to discuss and individualize your process of making up the missed work.**
On the Web: Virtually all of the materials relevant to our course can be found on
my web page:
http://search.saschina.org/surowski (Follow the obvious links). If you forget where
my web page is, simply type “surowski” into Google; you’ll get my web page as one
of the early hits.

Email: It is important for parents and students alike to know that I am very
responsive to email inquiries and comments. My email address is
David.Surowski@saschina.org .
Please complete and return:

I have read and understand the policies outlined above. I accept these policies and
agree to be accountable to them.

Student:_________________________⏐____________________________
Print Name Signature

Email:_______________________________

Textbook number:_______________

Parent: __________________________⏐______________________________
Print Name Signature

Home Phone# _______________________

Work Phone# _______________________

Cell Phone# _______________________

email address: _________________________________

** Please notify me if there are any changes throughout the school year.**