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Mathematics II—Semester B

Math II—now with more quadratics.

  • Credit Recovery Enabled
  • Course Length: 18 weeks
  • Course Type: Basic
  • Category:
    • Math
    • High School

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Shmoop's Mathematics II course has been granted a-g certification, which means it has met the rigorous iNACOL Standards for Quality Online Courses and will now be honored as part of the requirements for admission into the University of California system.

As you've hopped, skipped, and jumped along the Integrated Math pathway, you might have felt that something was missing. It was like an itch you couldn't scratch (except less likely to give you a rash), or a hole in your heart that you just couldn't fill (but without the trip to the hospital).

Well, don't worry—we found the quadratics. Somebody dropped them behind the couch. (Sorry.)

In Semester B of Mathematics II, you'll meet a lot of long-lost friends you didn't know you were missing. With our readings, problem sets, activities, and more, you'll get to know them inside and out. Just like your real friends.

Uh, maybe not.

  • Are these numbers real, or are they just fantasy? The opening unit on real and imaginary numbers will help you tell the difference—and hopefully avoid all that thunderbolt and lightning (very very frightening).
  • Poly want a polynomial? Or how about a quadratic? It's Poly's lucky day, because we'll be covering equations with both of them.
  • And not just equations—we've got the low-down on quadratic functions, too. Good thing we learned about imaginary numbers first, or else we'd be having an awkward conversation somewhere down the road.
  • Hope you haven't had enough functions yet, since we've got a whole unit devoted to them (and their fraternal twins, inverse functions).
  • We'll probably round out the semester by talking about probability. We'd put the chances of that at around 100%.

Bee-Tee-Dubs: Mathematics II is a two-semester course, and you're looking Semester B in the eye. You can back down and go check out Semester A here.

Looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Get your after dark learn on with Shmoop videos, like this one:

Technology Requirements

A computer with internet access is your gateway to this online course; if you can read this sign, we think you're covered. A scientific or graphing calculator would be handy, but it's not essential.

Unit Breakdown

8 Mathematics II—Semester A - Quadrilaterals

Quadrilaterals are shapes that have four sides. Seems simple enough, right? Well, not exactly. Square and rectangles are familiar territory, but there are some real wildcards out there. Ever heard of trapezoids or rhombii? Yeah, they're pretty weird.  We'll learn about all the different properties and proofs concerning quadrilaterals, and a few other polygons might sneak their way into the quadrilateral party. We can't blame them. It really is hip to be square.

9 Mathematics II—Semester A - Circles

There's a lot more depth to circles than you might think. (Did you know that most of them have an extensive collection of leather bound philosophical works, and live in townhouses redolent of rich mahogany?). After a little bit about central angles, arc measures, and arc lengths, we'll learn about the equations of circles on the coordinate plane and go through a few constructions with them.

10 Mathematics II—Semester B - Polynomials and Quadratics

Polynomials are one of the most important objects in math, and that's why we've got a whole unit chock full of 'em. We'll focus most on quadratics, though, going over the various ways to trick them into revealing their roots. They're pretty beguiling creatures.

11 Mathematics II—Semester B - Functions and Inverses

We've been working with functions for a while now, but here we'll see them like never before. After introducing some new function types, we'll throw them all together to create some mutant Franken-functions. There's even time for comparing functions, and discussing how to represent them in multiple ways.

12 Mathematics II—Semester B - Probability

Here's where we wrap the course up by taking a bit of a detour into probability. There's no shortage of math to learn here, as we run you through the gauntlet of rules everyone needs to know to calculate accurate probabilities. What's the probability that you'll love this unit? Strictly speaking, somewhere between 0 and 1, but we'll assume it's closer to 1.

Recommended prerequisites:

  • Mathematics I—Semester A
  • Mathematics I—Semester B
  • Mathematics II—Semester A