Advanced Placement Calculus AB Summer Practice
Mr. Hulbert
The AP Calculus Course is a challenging, fast paced effort to prepare students for the AP Exam in
May and also to provide a strong experience in preparation for any college calculus courses that may be taken
after graduation. As such, the foundation upon which this course stands must be firmly in place. This
practice is intended to assure that the mathematics covered in the past four years has been retained at a
sufficient level so as to not hinder the development of new concepts with the pondering over fundamental
computations.
This practice, with the exception of Section XI, is intended for the student to be able to complete
independently, without the need to look up anything in either a text book, or on the internet. It should be
noted, that anything the student does need to look up would indicate a need for study in that topic area. All of
the material in this practice shall be needed at quick recall at some point during the calculus class. A need to
look things up will hinder the student’s process of understanding the concepts that will be addressed in this
course. Therefore, one of the intentions of this practice is to reveal to the student topic areas that may require
some independent remediation, hopefully before starting calculus. Section XI is, however, new material.
This will be discussed in the first days of school, and students would benefit from preparation.
This practice is divided into two parts. The first is only informational; each section addresses some
fundamental ideas and skills required for that topic. The second section consists of the problems that are to be
solved. A reasonable amount of work should be shown for each question. With rare exceptions, an answer
standing alone would not be accepted on a graded assesment. When in doubt, show some sort of work or
description of your thought process. Answers are provided at the end of the packet, for self–assessment.
The last page is the course information sheet. Please have this signed and ready to hand in on the first
day of school.
If you lose this practice, it will be posted on the Columbia High School Math Department website.
Upon the opening of school in September, questions may be asked over the course of the first few class days,
during the homework review portion of class. In addition, after school help will be available upon request
during that time. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, there will be a quiz in class based on this material.
Section A – Information
I. Polynomials & Equations
IDEAS
multiplying polynomials
factoring trinomials
factoring difference of 2
squares
greatest common factors
factoring sum/difference of
cubes
factor by grouping
solving quadratics by factoring
solving quadratics by quadratic
formula
solving quadratics by
completing the square
solve higher order polynomial
equations algebraically
solve radical equation
use fractional exponents
simplify complex fractions
solve equations containing
rational expressions
calculate rational exponents
without a calculator
CALCULATOR SKILLS
graph polynomial equations
solve equations graphically
find roots
find extrema
use appropriate zoom and
adjust window
format and use the table
find any y–value given an x–value,
not using the table
II. Exponentials & Logarithms
IDEAS
sketch graph of exponential
function
determine domain and range of
exponential function
determine domain and range of
logarithmic function
use properties of logarithms to
manipulate log expressions
solve exponential equations
solving logarithmic equations
CALCULATOR SKILLS
graph exponential equations
graph logarithmic equations
solve equations graphically
use base e to calculate
calculate logarithmic values
III. Graphing Polynomials and Rational Functions
IDEAS
find slope of line given two
points
write equation of line in slope
intercept form
write equation of line in point
intercept form
recognize intervals of increase
or decrease on a graph
determine turning points or
vertices of graphs
determine end behavior of a
graph from the equation
find vertical and horizontal
asymptotes algebraically
find x and y intercepts
algebraically
use long division to find
factors and roots
determine algebraically and
graphically if a function is
even
or odd
use synthetic division to find
factors and roots
CALCULATOR SKILLS
graph polynomial equations
graph polynomial equations
find roots
find extrema
find any y–value given an
x–value, not using the table
use appropriate zoom and
adjust window
format and use the table
IV. Transformations of Graphs
IDEAS
transformation rules for
translation, reflection, scaling
parent graphs of the following:
complete the square on
quadratic to find vertex
( )
2
xxf =
( )
xxf log=
( )
xxf =
( )
xxf ln=
( )
x
bxf =
( )
xxf =
( )
x
xf
1
=
CALCULATOR SKILLS
graph equations
use multiple graphs simultaneously
V. Conic Sections
IDEAS
recognize standard form of equation for parabola, circle, ellipse, hyperbola
sketch a graph using information form equation to determine features such as vertices, foci, axis of
symmetry, major axis, minor axis, transverse axis, conjugate axis
complete the square to put
equation in standard form
write an equation based on the
graph
CALCULATOR SKILLS
graph using multiple equations
solve equations graphically
VI. Trigonometry Basics
IDEAS
convert degrees→radians
know common angles in radians
=
=
= etc.,
6
30,
4
45,
2
90
signs of trig functions in the
different quadrants (ASTC)
21 club values→NO CALC!!!
reference angles (degrees/radians)
reciprocal functions
0º (0)
30º(/6)
45º(/4)
60º(/3)
90º(/2)
180º()
270º(3/2)
sin
0
1/2
2
/2
3
1
0
–1
cos
1
3
/2
2
/2
1/2
0
–1
0
tan
0
3
/3
1
3
undef
0
undef
CALCULATOR SKILLS
use appropriate mode
convert degrees→radians in a rational result (with )
calculate trig values
appropriate use of inverse functions
VII. Trigonometry Graphs
IDEAS
amplitude
frequency (including )
period (including rational)
transformations of basic graphs
work in radians
write equations based on
graphs
graphs of all 6 trig functions
CALCULATOR SKILLS
graph trig functions
work in radians
format and use the table
work with multiple equations
simultaneously
use appropriate zoom and
adjust window
VII. Trigonometric Identities
IDEAS
Pythagorean identities
double angle identities
reciprocal identities
quotient identities
be able to substitute and manipulate trig identities to simplify
expressions
IX. Trigonometric Equations
IDEAS
solve algebraically using identities
work with frequencies other than 1
work in various
intervals
CALCULATOR SKILLS
solve graphically
work in radians
format and use the table
use appropriate zoom and adjust window
X. Geometry
IDEAS
special right triangles → 30–60–90 and 45–45–90
area formulae for: triangle, rectangle, square, parallelogram, trapezoid, circle
volume formulae for: rectangular prism, pyramid, cylinder, cone, sphere
XI. Counting Principles and Binomial Expansion
This is a new topic. Do your best to understand it. Khan Academy has some videos that address it. We
will discuss this when you return to school, under the assumption that you have attempted to understand.
IDEAS
counting principal➔how many ways to do something.
ordered arrangements➔putting a whole group in order
Multiply the number of options for each choice:
A woman has 8 blouses, 5 skirts and 6 scarves. How many outfits can be assembled from these?
__8___ __5__ __6___ = 240 outfits
blouses skirts scarves
A license plate consists of consists of 3 letter and 3 numbers. How many different plates possible?
__26__ __26__ __26__ __10__ __10__ __10__ = 26
3
10
3
= 17,576,000
Putting 3 people in order in a line: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, CBA
Counting principle: ____3___ ___2___ ___1___ = 6
# available # available # available
for 1
st
spot for 2
nd
spot for 3
rd
spot
Uses a function called factorial, whose symbol is after the # ➔ this is 3!
4! = 4 3 2 1 5! = 5 4 3 2 1 n! = n (n–1) (n–2) … 3 2 1
*Fact: 0! = 1 …weird because of definitions
ordered arrangements➔putting part of a group in order
arrangements where order doesn’t matter➔selecting committees or teams
expanding a binomial raised to a power
Taking 5 people, selecting 3 to stand in order in a line
People ABCDE➔in line ABC, BCD, CDE, AEB, DCA, etc.
Counting principle: ____5___ ___4___ ___3___ = 60
# available # available # available
for 1
st
spot for 2
nd
spot for 3
rd
spot
This is a function called a permutation, whose symbol is
n
P
r
, where n = total number of objects
to choose from, and r = number of objects chosen. This one is
5
P
3
.
*Fact: choosing all the items is the same as the factorial➔
5
P
5
= 5!
Taking 5 people, selecting 3 to represent the group (doesn’t matter who was chosen 1
st
)
People ABCDE➔ ABC is same as BAC, CBA, BCA, etc.
Counting principle hard to apply here
This is a function called a combination, whose symbol is
n
C
r
, where n = total number of objects
to choose from, and r = number of objects chosen. This one is
5
C
3
.
Combinations can be calculated using permutations and factorials:
( )
!rn
P
C
rn
rn
−
=
( )
30
12
345
!2
345
!35
35
35
=
•
••
=
••
=
−
=
P
C
*Facts: There is only one way of choosing none of the items➔
n
C
0
= 1
There is only one way of choosing all of the items➔
n
C
n
= 1
There are n ways to choose one object ➔
n
C
1
= n
There are n ways to choose all but one object ➔
n
C
n–1
= n
There are pairs of choosing items that are the same➔
n
C
r
=
n
C
n–r
Add up to n
Examples:
5
C
3
=
5
C
2
= 30;
8
C
3
=
8
C
5
= 56;
100
C
1
=
100
C
99
= 100
(x + y)
2
= (x + y) (x + y) = x
2
+ 2xy + y
2
(x + y)
3
= (x + y) (x + y) (x + y) = x
3
+ 3x
2
y + 3xy
2
+ y
3
➔any power higher than 3 is difficult and tedious
Binomial Expansion➔uses known patterns and combinations as a shortcut
(x + y)
n
=
n
C
0
(x)
n
(y)
0
+
n
C
1
(x)
n
–1
(y)
1
+
n
C
2
(x)
n
–2
(y)
2
+
n
C
3
(x)
n
–3
(y)
3
+ …+
n
C
n–1
(x)
1
(y)
n–
1
+
n
C
n
(x)
0
(y)
n
(x + y)
5
=
5
C
0
(x)
5
(y)
0
+
5
C
1
(x)
4
(y)
1
+
5
C
2
(x)
3
(y)
2
+
5
C
3
(x)
2
(y)
3
+
5
C
4
(x)
1
(y)
4
+
5
C
5
(x)
0
(y)
5
= 1x
5
+ 5x
4
y + 30x
3
y
2
+ 30x
2
y
3
+ 5xy
4
+ 1y
5
(x + 2)
4
=
4
C
0
(x)
4
(2)
0
+
4
C
1
(x)
3
(2)
1
+
4
C
2
(x)
2
(2)
2
+
4
C
3
(x)
1
(2)
3
+
4
C
4
(x)
0
(2)
4
= 1x
4
+ 4x
3
(2) + 6x
2
(2)
2
+ 4x(2)
3
+ 1(2)
4
= x
4
+ 8x
3
+ 24x
2
+ 32x + 16
(x – 3)
3
=
3
C
0
(x)
3
(–3)
0
+
3
C
1
(x)
2
(–3)
1
+
3
C
2
(x)
1
(–3)
2
+
3
C
3
(x)
0
(–3)
3
= 1x
3
+ 3x
2
(–3) + 3x
1
(–3)
2
+ 1(–3)
3
= x
3
– 9x
2
+ 27x – 27
CALCULATOR SKILLS
all 3 functions (factorials, permutations, combinations) can be calculated on the graphing calculator
Older operating systems:
MATH ➔➔➔PROB
Choices 2, 3, and 4
Have to enter numbers in proper order
For each individual function
Newer operating systems:
ALPHA➔WINDOW
Choices 7, 8, and 9
Enter factorial number before
For Permutation and combinations
fill numbers into blanks
Section B – Problems
I. Polynomials & Equations
Factor the following polynomials completely:
1. 6x
2
– 13x + 2 2. 9x
2
– 12x + 4 3. 5x
3
– x
2
– 5x + 1
4. x
3
+ 3x
2
– x – 3 5. 2x
3
+13x
2
+ 15x 6. 4x
3
– 10x
2
+ 6x
7. x
4
– 12x
2
+ 27 8. 9 – 9(x + 2)
2
9. 3x
3
– 12x
2
+ 6x – 24
10. 5x
4
– 5y
4
11. 5x
2
+ 22x – 15
Calculate without a calculator
12.
5
3
32
13.
3
2
64
−
14.
( )
3
5
8−
15.
2
5
4
9
−
Solve the following equations algebraically for x:
16. 6x
2
+ x – 12 = 0 17. x
3
= x 18. x
4
– 3x
2
+ 2 = 0
19. 2x
3
– 6x
2
– 6x + 18 = 0 20.
272 =−+ xx
21.
1462 =+−+ xx
22.
( )
41
3
2
=+x
23.
( )
1823
3
4
=+− x
24.
( )
27128
2
3
=+
−
x
25.
2
4
3
3
=+
xx
26.
1
2
32
−
−
=
xx
27.
4
6
2
3
2
1
2
−
−
+
=
−
x
x
xx
Solve by completing the square: Solve by the quadratic formula:
28. x
2
+ 6x – 5 = 0 29. 2x
2
+ 3x – 1 = 0
II. Exponentials & Logarithms
1. Write the expression
y
x
2
2
log
in terms of log
2
x and log
2
y.
2. Write as the logarithm of a single quantity:
7log5log216log
4
1
bbb
+−
3. Find the domain of f(x) = log(x – 2).
4. If A = A
0
e
rt
, find ln A in simplest form.
5. Solve for x, rounding to the nearest hundredth:
a) 4 + e
x
= 6.72 b)
7log
3
=y
c)
( )
4loglog3log
555
=−+ xx
d)
1
ln 4ln2 ln4
2
x =−
e) 2
3
x
= 7 f)
7=
x
e
III. Graphing Polynomials and Rational Functions
1. Determine the left-hand and right-hand behavior of the graphs of the following functions:
a) f(x) = –x
5
+ 2x
2
– 1 b) f(x) = 2x
3
+ 5x
2
– 8 c) f(x) = –7x
4
+ ½ x
3
– 3 d) f(x) = 4x
6
+ 8x
5
– 2x
2
+ 4
2. Determine all zeros, asymptotes, and intercepts of the graph of
a)
( )
1
36
2
−
+
=
x
x
xf
b)
( )
56
4
2
2
+−
−
=
xx
x
xf
3. Divide using long division (2x
5
–3x
3
+5x
2
– 1) ÷ (2x + 3)
4. Divide using synthetic division
3
13752
234
−
+−+−
x
xxxx
5. a) Determine if x – 3 a factor of x
3
– x
2
– 14x + 1. b) Determine if x – 1 a factor of 2x
3
+ x
2
– 5x + 2
6. Determine if the following functions are even, odd, or neither…justify your answer.
a) f(x) = 3x
4
– 6x
2
b) f(x) = –x
6
–2x
4
c)
( )
3
2
xxf =
d)
( )
3−= xxxf
( )
xxf =
( )
x
exf =
( )
xxf =
( )
x
xf
1
=
IV. Transformations of Graphs
Write the equation of g(x), given the graph and equation of f (x).
1. 2.
3. 4.
5. 6.
f (x)
g(x)
f (x)
g(x)
f (x)
g(x)
f (x)
g(x)
f (x)
g(x)
f (x)
g(x)
f (x) = x
2
( )
xxf ln=
V. Conic Sections
1. Write the equation in the standard form for its type and sketch a graph:
a) y
2
– 10y + 12x + 37 = 0
b) 9x
2
– 36x + y
2
+ 14y = –76
c) 3x
2
+ 6x – 2y
2
– 12y = 21
d) x
2
+ y
2
– 4x + 8y + 14 = 0
2. Write the standard form of the equation for the ellipse shown here:
3. Write the standard form of the equation for the hyperbola shown here:
VI. Trigonometry Basics
1. Convert the degree measure to radian measure, in terms of π:
a) 45º b) 90º c) 30º d) 60º e) 270º f) 50º g) 24º
2. Convert the radian measure to degree measure:
a)
3
2
b)
4
5
c)
6
11
d)
5
2
3. Determine the quadrant in which the terminal side of lies:
a) If cos > 0 and sin < 0 b) if sec < 0 and cot > 0 c) if csc > 0 and tan < 0
4. Determine the EXACT function value, in simplest form, without a calculator:
a)
3
cos
b)
6
5
tan
c)
4
sin
d)
3
2
cot
e)
6
11
csc
f)
4
7
sec
x
y
x
y
VII. Trigonometric Graphs
1. Find the amplitude, period and frequency for each equation:
a) y = 3 sin 2x b) f (x) = –2 cos
x
2
1
c) y = 9 tan 3
d)
( )
tts
12
sin
4
3
−=
e)
( )

= 4cos
2
f
f)
2
tan
3
2 x
y
=
2. Sketch a graph by hand, then verify with a graphing calculator
a)
1
3
3sin2 −
+= xy
on
( )
− 2,2
b)
1
62
1
cos3 +
−−= xy
on
( )
− 2,2
c)
2
tan
x
y =
on
( )
− 2,2
d)
xy csc2=
on
( )
− 2,2
3. Write the equation for the given graph, using the smallest horizontal shift possible.
a) b)
c) d)
2
–2
VIII. Trigonometric Identities
Verfiy the following identities:
1.
x
x
x
csc
2sin
cos2
=
2.
x
x
x
sin1
sin1
cos
2
−=
+
3.
( )
xxx
22
sec22cossec −=
4.
( )
xxx
222
sec1seccsc =−
5.
2cos22cos1
2
=+− xx
IX. Trigonometric Equations
Find exact values of all solutions in the interval stated for each. Round to the nearest hundredth if exact value
not possible.
1.
4tan2sec
2
=− xx
on [0,2) 2.
2cossin4 =xx
on [0,2)
3.
( )
032cos6
2
=−x
on [0,2) 4.
03sin =x
on [–,]
5.
03
3
cos4
2
=−
x
on [0,3] 6.
( )
12cos2sin
2
=+ xx
on [0,2)
7. 3
( )
03tan =−x
on [0,2) 8.
610
4
csc2
3
=−
x
on [0,4]
X. Geometry
1. Find x and y in simplest radical form:
a) b) c)
2. The circumference of a circle is 84π. Find its area.
3. Derive the formula for the area of an equilateral triangle whose side is s. Find the exact area of an
equilateral triangle whose side is
312
ft.
4. An isosceles trapezoid has legs which measure 10 inches, and bases that measure 5 and 17 inches,
respectively. Find the area of this trapezoid.
x
y
10
45
60
30
y
x
14
x
y
12
60
5. A cone has a radius of 3 and a volume of 12. A similar cone has a height of 8. Find the volume of
the second cone, in terms of .
6. A rectangular prism has a length, width, height ratio of
5:4:
2
7
. If it has a volume of 560 m
3
, find its
surface area.
7. Three tennis balls are packed so that they touch each end and the sides of their can exactly.
If the volume of the can is 708.6561235 cm
3
, find the volume of a single tennis ball,
to the nearest tenth of a cm
3
.
XI. Counting Principles and Binomial Expansion
1. Megan decides to go out to eat. The menu at the restaurant has four appetizers, three soups, seven
entrées and five desserts. If Megan decides to order an appetizer or a soup, one entrée, and one
dessert, how many different choices can she make?
2. One state issues license plates with 3 letters and 4 numbers, allowing only numbers to repeat. Another
state uses the same 3 letter, 4 number set up, but only allows repetition of the letters. Which state will
have more available plates, and by how many?
3. 12 people run in a race. Find the following:
a. The number of ways they can finish the race.
b. The number of arrangements of a 1
st
, 2
nd
, and 3
rd
place finish.
c. The number of ways you can randomly select any 3 participants for a drug test.
4. Expand the following, using the binomial expansion:
a. (x + 1)
3
b. (x – 2)
3
c. (3x – 2)
3
d. (x
2
– 4)
3
e. (x – 2)
4
f. (2x + 3)
4
g. (x + 2)
5
Advanced Placement Calculus AB Summer Practice Answers
I. 1. (6x – 1)(x – 2) 2. (3x – 2)(3x – 2) 3. (5x – 1)(x + 1)(x – 1) 4. (x + 3)(x + 1)(x – 1)
5. x(2x + 3)(x + 5) 6. 2x(2x – 3)(x – 1) 7.
( )( )
( )( )
3333 −+−+ xxxx
8. –9(x + 3)(x + 1)
9. 3(x
2
+ 2)(x – 4) 10. 5(x
2
+ y
2
)(x + y)(x – y) 11. (5x – 3)(x + 5) 12. 8 13.
16
1
14. –32 15.
243
32
16.
−
3
4
,
2
3
17. {–1,0,1} 18.
2,1,1,2 −−
19.
3,3,,3−
20. {1} 21. {5} 22. {–9,7}
23. {–5, 11} 24.
−
18
5
25.
13
24
26. {–1,4} 27. { } 28.
143−
29.
−
4
173
II. 1.
yx
22
log
2
1
log −
2.
25
14
log
b
3.{x : x > 2} or (2,∞) 4. ln A
0
+ rt
5. a) 1.00 b) 1.77 c) 1.00 d) 16.00 e) 0.94 f) 1.95
III. 1. a) rises left, falls right b) falls left, rises right c) falls left, falls right d) rises left, rises right
2. a) zeros x = – ½; vertical asymptotes x = ±1; horizontal asymptote y = 0; y–int y = –3
b) zeros x = ±2; vertical asymptotes x = 1,5; horizontal asymptote y = 1; y–int y = –
4
/
5
3.
( )
3216
83
16
33
8
11
4
3
2
3
234
+
+−++−
x
xxxx
4.
3
82
27102
23
−
++++
x
xxx
5.a) no b) yes
6.a) even b) even c) even d) neither
IV. 1.
( ) ( )
42
2
−+= xxg
2.
( )
3+−= xxg
3.
( )
2+−=
x
exg
4.
( ) ( )
52ln +−= xxg
5.
( )
31 −+−= xxg
6.
( )
3
2
1
+
+
=
x
xg
V. 1. a)
( ) ( )
1125
2
+−=− xy
b)
( )
( )
1
9
7
2
2
2
=
+
+−
y
x
2.
( )
( )
1
4
3
9
1
2
2
=
−
+
−
y
x
3.
1
416
2
2
=−
y
x
c)
( )
( )
1
3
3
2
1
2
2
=
+
−
+
y
x
d)
( ) ( )
642
22
=++− yx
VI. 1.a)
4
b)
2
c)
6
d)
3
e)
2
3
f)
18
5
g)
15
2
2. a) 120º b) 225º c) 330º d) 72º
3. a) IV b) III c) II 4. a)
2
1
b)
3
3
−
c)
2
2
d)
3
3
−
e) –2 f)
2
VII. 1. a) amp = 3 b) amp = 2 c) no amp d) amp = 3/4 e) amp = /2 f) amp = 2/3
(scale factor = 9) (scale factor = 2/3)
per = per = 4 per = /3 per = 24 per = ½ per = 2
freq = 2 freq = ½ freq = 3 freq = /12 freq = 4 freq = /2
2.a) b) c)
d) 3. a) y = –3.5 cos 2x
b)
+−=
12
2cos2 xy
c) y = 3 sin x
d) y = 2 sec x
VIII. solutions will vary
IX. 1.
4
7
,39.4,
4
3
,25.1
2.
8
11
,
8
9
,
8
3
,
8
3.
8
15
,
8
13
,
8
11
,
8
9
,
8
7
,
8
5
,
8
3
,
8
4.
−
−− ,
3
2
,
3
,0,
3
,
3
2
,
5.
2
19
,
2
17
,
2
13
,
2
11
,
2
7
,
2
5
,
2
1
6.
2
3
,,
4
7
,
4
5
,
4
3
,
2
,
4
,0
7.
4
25
4
21
4
17
4
13
4
9
4
5
4
1
,,,,,,
8.
3
34
,
3
26
,
3
10
,
3
2
X. 1.a)
25,25 == yx
b)
37,7 == yx
c)
34,38 == yx
2. 1764 3.
4
3
2
s
A =
,
3108
XI. 1. 245 2. Repeating numbers by 67,416,960 3. a. 479,001,600 b. 1320 c. 220
4. a. x
3
+ 3x
2
+ 3x + 1 b. x
3
– 6x
2
+ 12x – 8 c. 27x
3
– 54x
2
+ 36x – 8 d. x
6
– 12x
4
+ 48x
2
– 64
e. x
4
– 8x
3
+ 24x
2
– 32x + 16 f. 16x
4
+ 96x
3
+ 216x
2
+ 216x + 81 g. x
5
+ 10x
4
+ 40x
3
+ 80x
2
+ 80x + 32
2
–2
2
–2
2
–2
2
–2
4. 88 in
2
5. 96 6. 412 m
2
7. 157.5 cm
3
Intro to Calculus Mr. Hulbert
The following information will be necessary for a successful year:
• Supplies: Notebook→may be spiral, composition book, or binder with loose leaf; Folder or binder for
returned classwork, quizzes, & tests; Graph paper; Straightedge; Pencil/pen; Textbook→should be covered.
• Calculator: Graphing calculators are required for the AP exam. Graphing calculators will be made
availiable in class, but the students’ ability to use it is greatly improved by practice at home. The model
used in class will be the TI-84 Plus CE, made by Texas Instruments. The TI-83 is similar. The TI-Nspire
CAS is an advanced calculator that is allowed by the College Board and may also be used.
• Grading: Your quarterly average is based on total points earned divided by total points possible. This one
semester course ends in a final exam in January. Each quarter counts as 40% of your final grade, and the
final exam counts as 20% of the final grade. Continuation on to the 2
nd
half of the course is contingent
upon a passing average in the first semester.
• Tests & Quizzes: Tests, which cover an entire unit, will be announced ahead of time. Quizzes, which
cover smaller sections of a unit, may be announced or unannounced. Anyone AWOL on the day of an
assessment will receive a zero. There will be no curves, shifts, or retests.
• Homework: Will be given almost daily, reviewed the next day, and collected at a later date. Not every
assignment will be collected. When collected, credit will be assigned for completeness, and a random
selection of problems will be graded for accuracy. All work must be shown for all problems. All
assignments must be labeled clearly and legible, otherwise no credit will be given. When collected, ALL
homework is due at the time of collection, and no later. Handing in homework when it is collected is
optional. When not handed in, the points will not count against your grade.
• Attendance: When absent for ANY reason, YOU are responsible for getting missed assignments and
notes. Tests & quizzes will be made up immediately. Anyone AWOL on the day of an assessment will
receive a zero. Being on time is important. This is your warning. Any tardiness without written
permission form a staff member of Columbia High School may result in a detention assignment.
• Being Prepared: ESSENTIAL!! Bring your notebook, textbook, and pen or pencil to EVERY SINGLE
class Also, use of the restroom should be done outside of class time. Habitual problems of this nature
will become disciplinary issues.
• Cell Phones: Use of a cell phone without permission will not be tolerated. Students are not to use or
display any communication device, including cell phones, during assessments of any type, such as writing
assignments, quizzes, tests, Regents exams, etc. Students observed using any prohibited communication
device during these assessments will receive a zero.
• PLAGIARISM/CHEATING POLICY: ALL WORK SHOULD BE YOUR OWN, UNLESS OTHER
INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN. Any student who commits plagiarism (the use of another's words or
ideas, or including phrases within a writing assignment as his or her own without proper citation, or
copying solutions from a teacher edition or the Internet) will IMMEDIATELY receive a ZERO for that
assignment. The same consequence holds true for any instance of cheating, including but not limited to
sharing homework assignment answers through various means of communication. Please be aware that a
student who has completed the work and shared it with other students will receive the same consequence.
• Drop Date: From the Columbia High School Program of Studies:
“No Dropping of 20 week (1 semester) courses after five weeks”
• Extra Help: I am available after school almost every day. Check the math office or make an
appointment.
Student ______________________________Signature_______________________________
Parent/Guardian_______________________Signature________________________________
Date________________________________