New York Β· NYSEDSyllabus
Maths syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the New York Mathssyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Algebra I: Expressions and Equations
Module overview β- How do you read the structure of an algebraic expression and rewrite it to reveal what it means?Interpret the parts of an expression (terms, factors, coefficients) in context, and rewrite expressions using structure, including factoring and the properties of exponents, to reveal meaning such as a zero, a rate, or a percent change.9 min answer β
- How do you create and solve linear equations and inequalities, including literal equations and contextual models?Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems; solve linear equations and inequalities including those with variables on both sides; rearrange literal equations (formulas) to isolate a chosen variable; and graph the solution set of an inequality on a number line.9 min answer β
- How do you add, subtract, and multiply polynomials, and how do you factor them?Add, subtract, and multiply polynomials (closure), and factor quadratic and higher expressions using common factors, the difference of two squares, and trinomial factoring, including a leading coefficient other than 1.9 min answer β
- How do you solve a quadratic equation, and how do you choose between factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula?Solve quadratic equations in one variable by factoring (zero-product property), completing the square, and the quadratic formula; recognize when a method is required by the problem; and interpret the solutions in a real-world context.10 min answer β
- How do you solve a system of equations or inequalities, and how do you build one from a word problem?Solve systems of linear equations algebraically (substitution and elimination) and graphically; solve a linear-quadratic system; create and solve systems from contexts; and graph the solution region of a system of linear inequalities.9 min answer β
Algebra I: Functions and Statistics
Module overview β- What does it mean for a relation to be a function, and how do you read the key features of its graph?Understand the definition of a function and function notation; evaluate functions; identify domain and range; and interpret the key features of a graph (intercepts, intervals of increase and decrease, relative maxima and minima, and average rate of change) in context.9 min answer β
- How do you tell a linear model from an exponential one, and how do you build each from a context?Distinguish linear from exponential growth (constant difference versus constant ratio), construct linear and exponential functions from descriptions, tables, or two points, and interpret their parameters (initial value, rate of change, growth factor) in context.9 min answer β
- How do you summarize and compare one-variable data using center, spread, and the right display?Represent and interpret one-variable data with dot plots, histograms, and box plots; compute and interpret measures of center (mean, median) and spread (range, interquartile range, standard deviation informally); identify outliers; and compare two distributions.9 min answer β
- How do you graph a quadratic function and read its vertex, axis of symmetry, intercepts, and transformations?Graph quadratic functions and identify key features (vertex, axis of symmetry, zeros, y-intercept, maximum or minimum); relate the three forms; and describe the effect of transformations on the parent function.9 min answer β
- How do you fit a line to two-variable data, interpret its slope and intercept, and read the correlation and residuals?Construct and interpret scatter plots; fit a linear (or exponential) model to bivariate data; interpret the slope and intercept in context; compute and interpret residuals; and distinguish the correlation coefficient from causation.9 min answer β
Algebra II: Exponential, Logarithmic, and Trigonometric Functions
Module overview β- How are exponential and logarithmic functions related, and how do you use the properties of logarithms?Understand the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions; convert between exponential and logarithmic form; apply the product, quotient, and power properties of logarithms; and use the natural base e and natural logarithm.9 min answer β
- How do amplitude, period, midline, and phase shift shape the graph of a sine or cosine function?Identify the amplitude, period, midline, and phase shift of a sinusoidal function from its equation; graph sine and cosine functions; and build a sinusoidal model of a periodic real-world situation.9 min answer β
- How does radian measure work, and how does the unit circle extend the trig functions to any angle?Convert between degrees and radians; use the unit circle to define the sine and cosine of any angle as coordinates of a point; evaluate the trig functions at special angles; and apply the Pythagorean identity.9 min answer β
- How do arithmetic and geometric sequences work, and how do you sum a series?Write explicit and recursive formulas for arithmetic and geometric sequences; find a specified term; use sigma notation; and apply the arithmetic and finite geometric series sum formulas.9 min answer β
- How do you solve exponential and logarithmic equations, and how do you model growth and decay?Solve exponential equations (matching bases or taking logarithms) and logarithmic equations (condensing then rewriting in exponential form), check for extraneous solutions, and model exponential growth, decay, and compound interest.10 min answer β
Algebra II: Polynomials and Rationals
Module overview β- How do complex numbers arise from quadratics with negative discriminants, and how do you operate with them?Define the imaginary unit i and operate with complex numbers (add, subtract, multiply); use the discriminant to determine the nature of a quadratic's roots; and solve quadratics with complex roots using the quadratic formula or completing the square.9 min answer β
- How do you divide polynomials, and what does the Remainder Theorem tell you about factors and values?Divide polynomials using long division and synthetic division; apply the Remainder Theorem (the remainder when dividing by x minus a equals the value of the polynomial at a) and the Factor Theorem to test for factors and find zeros.9 min answer β
- How do the zeros, their multiplicities, and the leading term shape the graph of a polynomial?Find the zeros of a polynomial from its factored form; use multiplicity to decide whether the graph crosses or touches the x-axis; and use the degree and leading coefficient to determine end behavior, then sketch the graph.9 min answer β
- How do you rewrite radicals as rational exponents, simplify them, and solve radical equations?Convert between radical and rational-exponent form; simplify radical and rational-exponent expressions using the exponent laws; and solve radical equations, checking for extraneous solutions introduced by squaring.9 min answer β
- How do you simplify and combine rational expressions, and how do you solve a rational equation while avoiding extraneous solutions?Simplify rational expressions by factoring and cancelling (noting domain restrictions); add, subtract, multiply, and divide them; and solve rational equations, checking for extraneous solutions introduced by the denominators.9 min answer β
Algebra II: Statistics and Probability
Module overview β- How do you compute conditional probability and apply the addition and multiplication rules, including independence?Compute conditional probability from two-way tables; apply the addition rule for the probability of A or B; apply the multiplication rule for A and B; and test for independence of two events.9 min answer β
- How does the normal distribution work, and how do you use z-scores to find probabilities?Recognize the properties of a normal distribution; use the empirical (68-95-99.7) rule; compute a z-score; and use z-scores (with a calculator or table) to find the proportion of data in an interval.9 min answer β
- How do you fit and interpret a regression model, and how do residual plots help you choose the right one?Fit linear, exponential, and other regression models to data; interpret the parameters and the correlation coefficient in context; use a residual plot to judge whether a model is appropriate; and use a model to make predictions.9 min answer β
- How do you distinguish surveys, experiments, and observational studies, and what makes a sample trustworthy?Distinguish sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies; recognize random sampling and sources of bias; understand the role of randomization and a control group; and use simulation to model a sampling distribution and estimate a margin of error.9 min answer β
Geometry: Congruence and Proof
Module overview β- How do you carry out the classic compass-and-straightedge constructions, and why do they work?Perform compass-and-straightedge constructions: copy a segment and an angle; bisect a segment (perpendicular bisector) and an angle; construct a perpendicular and a parallel line; construct an equilateral triangle; and explain why each construction produces the intended figure.9 min answer β
- How do you prove a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, or square?Prove theorems about parallelograms (opposite sides and angles congruent, diagonals bisect each other) and prove that a given quadrilateral is a parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, or square using side, angle, and diagonal properties.9 min answer β
- How do you prove theorems about angles formed by lines and about the angles and segments of triangles?Prove theorems about lines and angles (vertical angles, the angle relationships from parallel lines cut by a transversal) and about triangles (the angle sum is 180 degrees, the exterior angle theorem, the isosceles triangle base angles, and the midsegment theorem).9 min answer β
- How do rigid motions move a figure without changing its size or shape, and how do they define congruence?Represent and perform reflections, rotations, and translations using rules and the coordinate plane; recognize that rigid motions preserve distance and angle; and define congruence of two figures as the existence of a sequence of rigid motions mapping one onto the other.9 min answer β
- Which combinations of sides and angles prove two triangles congruent, and what can you conclude afterward?Use the triangle congruence criteria (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, HL) to prove two triangles congruent, and use CPCTC (corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent) to justify further equal sides or angles.9 min answer β
Geometry: Similarity, Trigonometry, and Circles
Module overview β- How do central and inscribed angles relate to arcs, and how do you work with arc length, sectors, and the equation of a circle?Apply central angle, inscribed angle, chord, tangent, and secant relationships in a circle; compute arc length and sector area; and write and use the equation of a circle in the coordinate plane.9 min answer β
- How do you use distance, midpoint, slope, and partitioning to analyze figures on the coordinate plane?Use the distance, midpoint, and slope formulas to analyze figures; determine parallel and perpendicular lines from slope; partition a directed segment into a given ratio; and write equations of lines satisfying given conditions.9 min answer β
- How does a dilation change a figure, and how do you prove two figures similar?Perform dilations on the coordinate plane and describe their effect on lengths and angles; define similarity through a sequence of rigid motions and a dilation; and prove triangles similar using AA (and SAS, SSS similarity), then use proportions to find missing lengths.9 min answer β
- How do the sine, cosine, and tangent ratios let you find missing sides and angles in a right triangle?Define the sine, cosine, and tangent ratios in a right triangle (SOHCAHTOA), use them with inverse trig functions to find missing sides and angles, apply the relationship between the sine and cosine of complementary angles, and solve angle-of-elevation and depression problems.9 min answer β
- How do you find the volume of solids, identify cross sections and solids of revolution, and apply density?Use volume formulas for prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres; identify the two-dimensional cross sections of three-dimensional solids and the solids formed by rotating a region; and solve density problems combining volume with mass or population.9 min answer β