Course contents document · Integrated Math · generated 2026-07-15

Integrated Math III

126 core topics + 62 prerequisite topics taught as needed · approximately 47 hours of instruction including spaced review

How the course runs

An adaptive diagnostic (up to 40 questions) places the student on the course's knowledge graph — topics already known are credited, and instruction begins exactly at the learning frontier. Every topic is taught with a worked-example lesson and auto-graded practice; a topic is mastered at 75%+ and then maintained through spaced reviews on an expanding schedule. A cumulative quiz follows every 6 lessons. Prerequisite gaps below the course are detected and taught rather than skipped, so completion certifies the whole tower, not just the top.

Core curriculum

Functions & Algebra II · 24 topics

Function Notation & Evaluation [E] Reading f(x) notation and plugging in inputs.
Domain & Range [E] Which inputs a function accepts, and which outputs it can produce.
Function Composition [M] Feeding one function's output into another: f(g(x)).
Inverse Functions [M] The function that undoes f: f⁻¹(b) is the input that f sends to b.
Transformations of Functions [M] How f(x − h) + k slides a graph around the plane.
Piecewise Functions [M] Functions defined by different rules on different intervals.
Absolute Value Equations [M] |x − a| = b splits into two linear equations.
Systems by Elimination [H] Adding or subtracting equations to cancel a variable.
Nonlinear Systems [H] Where a line meets a parabola: set the two formulas equal.
Complex Numbers [M] The imaginary unit i = √(−1) and numbers of the form a + bi.
Operations with Complex Numbers [M] Multiplying complex numbers with FOIL and i² = −1.
Quadratics with Complex Roots [H] When the discriminant is negative, the roots come in a conjugate pair a ± bi.
Polynomial Division [H] Dividing a polynomial by (x − a) with long or synthetic division.
Remainder & Factor Theorems [M] The remainder when p(x) is divided by (x − a) is simply p(a).
Zeros of Polynomials [H] Finding all the roots of a cubic by factoring it down.
End Behavior of Polynomials [E] Far from the origin, only the leading term matters.
Simplifying Rational Expressions [M] Factor top and bottom, then cancel the common factor.
Operations on Rational Expressions [H] Multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions.
Rational Equations [H] Clearing denominators to solve equations with x below the line.
Logarithms [M] log_b(x) asks: to what power must b be raised to get x?
Properties of Logarithms [M] Logs turn products into sums, quotients into differences, powers into multiples.
Exponential & Log Equations [M] Matching bases and rewriting between exponential and log form.
Arithmetic Sequences [M] Sequences that grow by a constant difference each step.
Geometric Sequences [M] Sequences that grow by a constant ratio each step.

Trigonometry · 15 topics

Right-Triangle Trigonometry [M] SOH-CAH-TOA: the three trig ratios of an acute angle in a right triangle.
Solving for Sides with Trig [M] Using a known angle and one side to find another side.
Degrees & Radians [E] Two ways to measure the same angle: 180° equals π radians.
The Unit Circle [M] Exact sine, cosine, and tangent values at the special angles.
Trig of Any Angle [H] Reference angles plus quadrant signs extend trig beyond 90°.
Graphs of Sine & Cosine [M] Reading amplitude, period, and midline from y = a sin(bx) + c.
Phase Shifts & Other Trig Graphs [M] Horizontal (phase) shifts of trig graphs, and the period of tangent.
The Pythagorean Identity [M] sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 links sine and cosine of the same angle.
Basic Trig Identities [M] Quotient, reciprocal, and even-odd identities.
Sum & Difference Formulas [H] Expanding sin(A ± B) and cos(A ± B) to reach non-special angles.
Double-Angle Formulas [H] sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x and cos 2x = 1 − 2 sin²x.
Trig Equations [H] Isolating a trig function and reading solutions off the unit circle.
Law of Sines [H] In any triangle, each side over the sine of its opposite angle is constant.
Law of Cosines [H] c² = a² + b² − 2ab cos C generalizes the Pythagorean theorem.
Inverse Trig Functions [M] arcsin, arccos, and arctan undo the trig functions on restricted ranges.

Algebra II: Statistics & Probability · 12 topics

The Empirical Rule: One Deviation [E] About 68% of normal data lies within one standard deviation.
Two and Three Deviations [M] 95% within two deviations, 99.7% within three.
Tails: Above and Below [M] Split what's left over evenly between the two tails.
Percents Between Bounds [M] Stack the 34 / 13.5 / 2.35 bands to cover any interval.
z-Scores [M] How many standard deviations from the mean.
Comparing Scores with z [M] The larger z-score is the rarer, stronger performance.
Permutations [M] Ordered arrangements: multiply the shrinking choices.
Combinations [M] Unordered selections: divide out the reorderings.
Order or Not? [M] Medals and PINs care about order; committees don't.
Independent Events [M] Independent ANDs multiply.
Without Replacement [M] The second draw's probabilities shift after the first.
Expected Value [H] The long-run average: weigh each outcome by its probability.

Algebra II: Rational Expressions & Equations · 13 topics

Excluded Values & Domain [E] Factor the denominator to find every input a rational expression forbids.
Simplifying Quadratic over Quadratic [M] Factor both trinomials, cancel the shared factor, and read off what's left.
Opposite Factors: the −1 Trick [M] a − x and x − a are negatives of each other, so they cancel to −1.
Multiplying Rational Expressions [M] Factor every trinomial first, then cancel across the multiplication.
Dividing Rational Expressions [M] Flip the second fraction, then factor and cancel like a multiplication.
Adding with Unlike Polynomial Denominators [H] Build the common denominator (x + p)(x + q) and combine the numerators.
Subtracting Rational Expressions [H] Distribute the minus sign through the entire second numerator.
Rational Equations by Cross-Multiplying [M] One fraction equals another: cross-multiply and solve the linear equation.
Rational Equations That Turn Quadratic [H] Clearing an x from the denominator leaves a factorable quadratic.
Extraneous Solutions [M] A candidate that zeroes an original denominator must be thrown out.
Direct Variation [E] y = kx: find the constant from one data point, then predict any other.
Inverse Variation [M] y = k/x: the product xy stays constant, so one point predicts the rest.
Combined Work-Rate Problems [H] Add the jobs-per-hour rates — 1/a + 1/b = 1/t — and solve for the time.

Algebra II: Sequences & Series · 13 topics

Computing Terms from a Recursive Rule [E] A recursive rule builds each term from the ones before it — step by step.
Explicit vs Recursive Definitions [M] The same sequence can be described step-by-step or by a direct formula.
From Recursive to Explicit [M] Convert the step rule to a direct formula, then jump straight to term n.
Counting Terms of a Sequence [E] Solve a_n = a1 + (n − 1)d for n: divide the total climb by the step size.
The Arithmetic Series Formula [M] Sum an arithmetic series as count times the average of the two ends.
Solving Inside the Series Formula [M] Run S = n(a1 + an)/2 backwards to recover n, the first, or the last term.
Finite Geometric Series [M] Sum a geometric series with Sₙ = a(rⁿ − 1)/(r − 1) — one power, no term list.
Evaluating Sigma Notation [M] Read the limits, substitute each index value, and add the results.
Writing a Series in Sigma Notation [M] Find the kth-term formula, then set the limits so the ends match.
From Sum Formula Back to Terms [M] Subtract consecutive partial sums to recover a single term.
Infinite Geometric Series [M] When |r| < 1 the whole endless series adds to exactly a/(1 − r).
Repeating Decimals as Fractions [M] A repeating decimal is an infinite geometric series in disguise.
Modeling Savings & Loans with Sequences [H] Deposits, payments, and interest are sequences — model them step by step.

Algebra II: Logarithms in Depth · 12 topics

Exponential ↔ Logarithmic Form [E] Every logarithm is an exponent: b^k = x and log_b(x) = k say the same thing.
Evaluating Logarithms Exactly [E] Read log_b(x) as a question: to what power must b be raised to give x?
Change of Base [M] log_b(x) = log_c(x)/log_c(b) — rewrite over any convenient common base.
Expanding with the Log Laws [M] Products become sums, quotients differences, powers coefficients.
Condensing into a Single Logarithm [M] Run the log laws backward: sums into products, coefficients into powers.
The Power Law in Detail [M] log_b(x^k) = k·log_b(x) — even when the exponent is a root.
Solving Exponential Equations with Logs [M] Take a logarithm of both sides — or match a common base — to free the exponent.
Solving Logarithmic Equations [M] Rewrite in exponential form, or combine logs first, then solve for x.
Application: the Richter Scale [M] Each whole step up in magnitude is a tenfold jump in amplitude.
Application: the pH Scale [M] pH = −log₁₀[H⁺]: a lower pH means an exponentially higher acid concentration.
Application: the Decibel Scale [M] Loudness in dB is ten times the base-10 log of the intensity ratio.
Application: Doubling Time [M] Repeated doubling is a logarithm base 2: n doublings multiply by 2^n.

Algebra II: Polynomial & Rational Functions · 12 topics

Synthetic Substitution [E] Horner's method: evaluate a polynomial with only multiplies and adds.
Reading the Synthetic-Division Quotient [M] The bottom row of synthetic division is the quotient, then the remainder.
Polynomial Long Division [M] Dividing by a quadratic: match leading terms, multiply back, subtract, repeat.
The Remainder Theorem [M] The remainder of P(x) ÷ (x − a) is just P(a) — no division required.
The Factor Theorem: Finding a Root [M] x = a is a root exactly when (x − a) is a factor, i.e. when P(a) = 0.
Testing Whether (x − a) Is a Factor [M] Compute P(a): a zero remainder means (x − a) is a factor.
The Rational Root Theorem: Listing Candidates [M] Candidate rational roots are ±(factors of the constant)/(factors of the lead).
Finding Integer Roots with the Rational Root Theorem [M] List the candidates, then test them to pin down the actual roots.
End Behavior from the Leading Term [E] Degree parity sets whether the ends agree; the lead sign sets the direction.
Excluded Values of a Rational Function [M] Every zero of the denominator is barred from the domain.
Holes versus Vertical Asymptotes [M] A cancelling factor makes a hole; a leftover denominator factor makes an asymptote.
Horizontal Asymptotes by Degree [M] Compare top and bottom degrees to read off the horizontal asymptote.

Algebra II: Introduction to Trigonometry · 12 topics

Sine as a Ratio [E] sin of an angle is the opposite side over the hypotenuse.
Cosine as a Ratio [E] cos of an angle is the adjacent side over the hypotenuse.
Tangent as a Ratio [E] tan of an angle is the opposite side over the adjacent side.
Pythagoras, Then the Ratio [M] When only two sides are given, the Pythagorean theorem supplies the third.
The Pythagorean Identity [M] sin^2 + cos^2 = 1 turns one ratio into the other.
Exact Values at 45 Degrees [M] Half a square: legs equal, hypotenuse sqrt(2) times a leg.
Exact Values at 30 and 60 Degrees [M] Half an equilateral triangle gives every 30 and 60 degree value exactly.
Coterminal Angles [E] Add or subtract 360 degrees to land on the same terminal ray.
Reference Angles [M] The acute angle between the terminal ray and the x-axis.
Signs by Quadrant [M] Which of sine and cosine are positive depends on the quadrant.
Degrees to Radians [M] Multiply degrees by pi/180 and reduce the fraction of pi.
Values at 0, 90, 180, 270 [M] On the axes, sine and cosine are always -1, 0, or 1.

Algebra II: Complex Numbers & Matrices · 13 topics

Adding Complex Numbers [E] Combine real parts with real parts and imaginary parts with imaginary parts.
Subtracting Complex Numbers [E] Distribute the minus sign, then subtract part by part.
Multiplying Complex Numbers [E] FOIL the two binomials, then replace i² with −1 and collect parts.
Powers of i [E] Powers of i repeat every four steps: i, −1, −i, 1.
Complex Conjugates [E] The conjugate of a + bi keeps the real part and flips the sign of i.
The Product (a + bi)(a − bi) [E] A number times its conjugate is always the real value a² + b².
Dividing Complex Numbers [M] Multiply top and bottom by the denominator's conjugate to clear the i.
The Modulus of a Complex Number [M] The modulus |a + bi| = √(a² + b²) is the point's distance from the origin.
Adding 2×2 Matrices [E] Add two matrices of the same size entry by matching entry.
Scalar Multiplication of a Matrix [E] Multiply a matrix by a number by scaling every entry.
Multiplying 2×2 Matrices [M] Each product entry is a row of A dotted with a column of B.
The Determinant of a 2×2 Matrix [M] For [[a, b], [c, d]] the determinant is ad − bc.
Solving a 2×2 System with Determinants [M] Cramer's rule reads each variable off a ratio of determinants.

Prerequisite material — taught automatically when the diagnostic finds gaps

Arithmetic Foundations · 8 topics
Adding & Subtracting Whole Numbers Multi-digit addition and subtraction.
Multiplication Multiplying whole numbers.
Division Dividing whole numbers.
Order of Operations Parentheses first, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction.
Negative Numbers: Adding & Subtracting Working with numbers below zero on the number line.
Negative Numbers: Multiplying & Dividing Sign rules for products and quotients.
Exponents Repeated multiplication in shorthand.
Square Roots Undoing a square.
Fractions · 6 topics
Equivalent Fractions Different fractions can name the same amount.
Simplifying Fractions Reducing a fraction to lowest terms.
Adding Fractions (Like Denominators) Same-denominator addition.
Adding Fractions (Unlike Denominators) Rewrite over a common denominator first.
Multiplying Fractions Multiply straight across.
Dividing Fractions Multiply by the reciprocal.
Decimals, Percents & Ratios · 4 topics
Fractions ↔ Decimals Converting between the two notations.
Percent of a Number Percent means per hundred.
Percent Increase & Decrease Applying a percent change to a quantity.
Ratios & Proportions Two quantities that scale together.
Expressions & Equations · 7 topics
Evaluating Expressions Substituting a value for a variable.
Combining Like Terms Adding the coefficients of matching variable parts.
The Distributive Property Multiplying across a sum.
One-Step Equations Undoing a single operation.
Two-Step Equations Undo addition/subtraction first, then multiplication.
Multi-Step Equations Equations needing distribution or variables on both sides.
Linear Inequalities Solving with <, >, ≤, ≥.
Linear Functions · 6 topics
The Coordinate Plane Locating points with (x, y) pairs.
Slope of a Line Rise over run between two points.
Slope-Intercept Form y = mx + b describes a whole line.
Systems of Equations (Substitution) Two equations, two unknowns.
Arithmetic Sequences Add the same amount each step.
Geometric Sequences Multiply by the same ratio each step.
Quadratics & Polynomials · 10 topics
Adding & Subtracting Polynomials Combining polynomials by collecting like terms.
Multiplying Binomials (FOIL) Expanding products of binomials.
Factoring Out the GCF Undoing the distributive property.
Factoring Trinomials Reversing FOIL: finding two numbers that multiply to c and add to b.
Special Factoring Patterns Difference of squares and perfect-square trinomials.
Solving Quadratics by Factoring Zero-product property: if a·b = 0 then a = 0 or b = 0.
Solving x² = k Taking square roots of both sides — remembering ±.
Completing the Square Turning any quadratic into a perfect square plus a constant.
The Quadratic Formula x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a solves any quadratic.
Vertex of a Parabola The turning point at x = −b/2a.
Radicals & Exponentials · 7 topics
Product Rule for Exponents Multiplying powers of the same base adds the exponents.
Quotient & Power Rules Dividing powers subtracts exponents; a power of a power multiplies them.
Zero & Negative Exponents Anything (nonzero) to the 0 power is 1; a negative exponent flips to a reciprocal.
Simplifying Radicals Pulling perfect-square factors out of a square root.
Rational Exponents Fractional exponents are roots: x^(p/q) is the q-th root of x, raised to the p.
Exponential Growth & Decay Quantities that multiply by the same factor each time step: y = a·bᵗ.
Compound Interest Money growing exponentially: A = P(1 + r)ᵗ.
Geometry · 7 topics
Angle Relationships Vertical, complementary, and supplementary angle pairs.
Triangle Angle Sum The three angles of a triangle always add to 180°.
The Pythagorean Theorem In a right triangle, a² + b² = c².
Similar Triangles Same shape, different size: corresponding sides are proportional.
Perimeter & Area Measuring around and inside basic shapes.
Circles: Area & Circumference C = 2πr and A = πr².
Special Right Triangles The 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 side ratios.
Ratios, Data & Geometry (Middle School) · 4 topics
Absolute Value & Distance Absolute value is distance from zero.
Mean, Median & Range Three ways to summarize a data set with one number.
Probability Basics Favorable outcomes over total outcomes.
Compound Probability Independent events multiply.
Algebra I: Descriptive Statistics · 3 topics
Computing the Mean The mean is the total shared out equally — and totals work backwards too.
Mean Absolute Deviation MAD is the average distance of the data from its own mean.
Variance of a Data Set Square each deviation from the mean, then average the squares.

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