Eighth Grade Mathematics

Working towards the goals in the Essential Learnings in mathematics, each eighth grader will understand concepts and apply procedures in the following areas:

Number Sense:

• Understands properties and symbolic representations of numbers.
• Computes using the basic operations of +,-, x, and -, powers, square roots, factorials, percents, scientific notation, and order of operations.
• Uses mental arithmetic, paper and pencil, calculator or computer as appropriate to the task.
• Uses estimation to predict results of computation.
• Finds and uses estimates to determine reasonableness of answers.
• Compares, sequences, and orders numbers.
• Uses number theory properties ( primes, composites, divisibility rules, factors.
• Understands the concepts of ratio and proportion.

Measurement:

• Measures objects and calculates perimeter, area, volume, and rates.
• Understands the concepts of and relationships among linear dimensions, area, and volume.
• Understands how changes in dimension affect perimeter, area and volume.
• Understands how to select tools which will provide precise measurement.
• Understands and uses the US and metric systems of measurement.
• Understands how and when to use estimates.

Spatial Sense:

• Compares, describes and classifies 2-and 3-dimensional geometric figures.
• Constructs geometric models and scale drawings using tools as appropriate.
• Translates between 3-dimensional objects and 2-dimensional drawings.
• Explores properties of a plane and a sphere.
• Understands and uses coordinate grids.
• Understands and constructs symmetric, congruent, and similar figures.
• Understands and uses compass and straightedge and/or computer software to construct geometric figures.

Probability and Statistics:

• Uses data to determine probabilities.
• Understands dependent and independent events. experiments.
• Understands how statistics can be used to support different points of view.
• Uses technology to for collecting and displaying data.
• Organizes and displays data in tables, charts, and graphs as appropriate.
• Calculates and uses mean, median and mode, and variability to describe data.
• Understands, calculates, and uses mean, median, range and mode as appropriate for describing data.
• Understands and conducts experiments to verify or disprove predictions.
• Understands and makes inferences based on results of experiments.

Functions and Relationships:

• Recognizes, creates, extends, and generalizes patterns and sequences.
• Understands, develops and expresses rules to describe patterns.
• Represents number patterns with tables and graphs.
• Understands and uses variables in expressions, simple equations, inequalities and formulas.
• Evaluates and simplifies expressions.