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What does a student learn in ?

This is the year math becomes the language of algebra. Students stop solving one-step problems and start writing equations to describe how two things change together, like cost and time or height and distance. They graph lines, work with exponents, and learn what makes a function a function. By spring, students can take a word problem, write an equation for it, graph the result, and explain what the slope and intercept mean.

Illustration of what students learn in Grade 9 Mathematics
  • Linear equations
  • Functions
  • Graphing
  • Exponents
  • Quadratic expressions
  • Systems of equations
  • Scatter plots
Source: North Carolina NC Standard Course of Study
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
  1. 1

    Linear equations and inequalities

    Students start the year solving and graphing equations and inequalities with one variable. They write equations that match real situations like budgets or distance problems and check that each step in their work makes sense.

  2. 2

    Functions and rates of change

    Students learn what a function is and how to read graphs and tables. They find slopes, intercepts, and where a graph rises or falls, and they use function notation to describe how one quantity changes with another.

  3. 3

    Systems and two-variable models

    Students solve pairs of equations using graphs, substitution, and elimination, then shade solution regions for inequalities. They use these tools to compare options in real situations, such as pricing plans or mixtures.

  4. 4

    Exponential growth and sequences

    Students compare situations that grow by a steady amount with ones that grow by a steady percent, like savings with interest. They write and graph exponential functions and connect arithmetic and geometric sequences to linear and exponential patterns.

  5. 5

    Quadratics and polynomial expressions

    Students work with expressions that include squared terms. They factor, find zeros, and graph parabolas to answer questions about things like height over time or maximum area, and they add and subtract polynomial expressions.

  6. 6

    Statistics and data relationships

    Students summarize data sets with center and spread, study how outliers shift the picture, and fit lines or curves to scatter plots. They interpret slope and intercept in context and tell the difference between two variables moving together and one causing the other.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 9.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
  • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

    MP.1

    Students read a math problem carefully, figure out what it's actually asking, and keep trying even when the first approach doesn't work.

  • Reason abstractly and quantitatively

    MP.2

    Students move between a real problem and the math that represents it. They set up equations or expressions to match a situation, then check whether the answer still makes sense in context.

  • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

    MP.3

    Students explain why their math solution works and find the flaws in someone else's reasoning. The focus is on defending a method with logic, not just getting the right answer.

  • Model with mathematics

    MP.4

    Students translate a real-world problem into a math equation, diagram, or graph, then use the result to make a decision or draw a conclusion.

  • Use appropriate tools strategically

    MP.5

    Students learn when to reach for a calculator, a ruler, or a graph and when to work it out by hand. Knowing which tool fits the problem is part of solving it.

  • Attend to precision

    MP.6

    Students choose words, symbols, and units carefully so their math work says exactly what they mean. A calculation isn't finished until the labels and notation are clear enough for someone else to follow.

  • Look for and make use of structure

    MP.7

    Students learn to spot patterns and hidden structure in math problems, like noticing that an equation is really just a familiar form in disguise. Recognizing that structure helps them choose the right approach faster.

  • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

    MP.8

    When the same steps keep appearing in a problem, students notice the pattern and use it as a shortcut. That's how formulas and rules get built.

  • Use strategies and procedures flexibly

    MP.9

    Students choose the method that fits the problem, switching approaches when a simpler path exists. The goal is knowing when to use a formula, when to sketch it out, and when to just reason through it.

  • Reflect on mistakes and misconceptions

    MP.10

    Students look back at wrong answers to figure out where their thinking went off track, then use that to avoid the same mistake next time.

Number and Quantity
  • Apply properties and operations with complex numbers

    NC.M4.N.1

    Students add, subtract, and multiply numbers that include imaginary parts, like the square root of a negative number. This extends the number system beyond what a calculator typically shows.

  • Explain how expressions with rational exponents can be rewritten as radical…

    NC.M2.N-RN.1

    Rational exponents are another way to write roots. Students learn why 8 to the power of 1/3 means the cube root of 8, and practice moving between exponent form and radical form.

  • Rewrite algebraic expressions with integer exponents using the properties of…

    NC.M1.N-RN.2

    Students practice rules like multiplying or dividing powers so they can simplify expressions with whole-number exponents. The goal is rewriting something like x squared times x cubed as x to the fifth without a calculator.

  • Use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra to determine the number and potential…

    NC.M3.N-CN.9

    A polynomial's degree tells students exactly how many solutions to expect. Using the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, students figure out whether those solutions are real numbers, imaginary numbers, or a mix of both.

  • Execute procedures to add and subtract complex numbers

    NC.M4.N.1.1

    Students add and subtract complex numbers, combining the real parts and imaginary parts separately, the way they would collect like terms in any algebra problem.

  • Execute procedures to multiply complex numbers

    NC.M4.N.1.2

    Students multiply complex numbers together, treating them like expressions in algebra and simplifying any i² terms down to -1. The result is always a new complex number with a real part and an imaginary part.

  • Rewrite expressions with radicals and rational exponents into equivalent…

    NC.M2.N-RN.2

    Rewriting a radical like the square root of 5 as an exponent (5 to the one-half power) lets students work with both forms in the same problem. Students practice converting back and forth using exponent rules.

  • Apply properties and operations with matrices and vectors

    NC.M4.N.2

    Students add, subtract, and multiply grids of numbers called matrices, and work with arrows in space called vectors. These tools show up in physics, computer graphics, and data science.

  • Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context

    NC.M3.A-SSE.1

    Reading an expression like 3(x + 5) or 2^t, students figure out what each part means in the real situation it describes, such as a starting value, a growth rate, or a total cost.

  • Identify and interpret parts of a piecewise, absolute value, polynomial…

    NC.M3.A-SSE.1.a

    Students look at an algebraic expression and explain what each part means. A coefficient tells how many, an exponent tells how many times to multiply, and a term or factor shows how the pieces of the expression work together.

  • Execute procedures of addition, subtraction, multiplication

    NC.M4.N.2.1

    Students add, subtract, multiply, and scale matrices, which are grids of numbers used to organize and solve problems. Think of it as arithmetic, but performed on entire tables of values at once instead of single numbers.

  • Use the properties of rational and irrational numbers to explain…

    NC.M2.N-RN.3

    Students explain why adding or multiplying fractions and whole numbers always gives a neat, predictable result, and why mixing one of those with a number like the square root of 2 always gives a messy, non-repeating one.

  • Execute procedures of addition, subtraction

    NC.M4.N.2.2

    Students add, subtract, and scale vectors by working with their components as numbers. This shows up in physics and engineering problems where direction and size both matter.

  • Interpret expressions composed of multiple parts by viewing one or more of…

    NC.M3.A-SSE.1.b

    A long algebraic expression can be read in chunks rather than term by term. Students learn to group parts of an expression together and explain what that chunk means in the context of a real problem.

  • Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to write equivalent…

    NC.M3.A-SSE.2

    Students look at an algebraic expression and rewrite it in an equivalent form by spotting patterns, such as recognizing a difference of squares or factoring out a common term.

  • Know there is a complex number i such that i² = -1

    NC.M2.N-CN.1

    The square root of -1 has no place on the number line, so math gave it a name: i. Students learn that every complex number combines a regular number with a multiple of i, written as a + bi.

  • Write an equivalent form of an exponential expression by using the properties…

    NC.M3.A-SSE.3

    Students rewrite exponential expressions, like a population or interest formula, to show a different growth rate. For example, a yearly rate can be rewritten to reveal the monthly rate hidden inside it.

  • Understand and apply the Remainder Theorem

    NC.M3.A-APR.2

    Students divide a polynomial by a linear factor and use the remainder to figure out whether that factor is a root. If the remainder is zero, the factor divides evenly and that value is a solution to the equation.

  • Understand the relationship among factors of a polynomial expression, the…

    NC.M3.A-APR.3

    Factoring a polynomial reveals where its graph crosses the x-axis. Students connect the factors they find algebraically to the solutions of an equation and the points where a function equals zero.

  • Rewrite simple rational expressions in different forms

    NC.M3.A-APR.6

    Students divide one polynomial expression by another, the way long division works with whole numbers, to rewrite a fraction as a simpler expression with a remainder. The goal is a cleaner form that is easier to work with.

  • Understand the similarities between arithmetic with rational expressions and…

    NC.M3.A-APR.7

    Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions that contain variables works by the same rules as working with ordinary number fractions. Students find common denominators, factor, and simplify the same way they did in earlier math.

  • Add and subtract two rational expressions, a

    NC.M3.A-APR.7.a

    Adding and subtracting fractions that have variables in the bottom, like 1/(x+2) plus 3/(x-5). Students find a common denominator and combine the tops, the same way they would with number fractions.

  • Multiply and divide two rational expressions

    NC.M3.A-APR.7.b

    Students multiply and divide fractions that contain variables, like (x + 2)/(x - 1) times (x - 1)/(x + 3), by canceling common factors and combining what remains.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable that represent absolute…

    NC.M3.A-CED.1

    Students write equations and inequalities with one unknown to model real situations, then solve them using algebra or a graph. The relationships can involve absolute value, polynomials, exponential growth, or rational expressions.

  • Create and graph equations in two variables to represent absolute value…

    NC.M3.A-CED.2

    Students write equations that connect two quantities and graph them, covering shapes like absolute value V-curves, polynomials, exponential growth, and rational curves. The graph shows how one quantity changes as the other does.

  • Create systems of equations and/or inequalities to model situations in context

    NC.M3.A-CED.3

    Students write a set of two or more equations or inequalities to describe a real situation, like finding how many hours of work it takes to cover rent and groceries at the same time.

  • Justify a solution method for equations and explain each step of the solving…

    NC.M3.A-REI.1

    Students solve an equation and explain why each step works, not just what they did. The focus is on the reasoning behind the math, not just the answer.

  • Solve and interpret one variable rational equations arising from a context

    NC.M3.A-REI.2

    Students solve real-world equations where variables appear in denominators, then check whether each answer actually works. Some solutions look valid until substituted back in and cause a zero in the denominator, making them invalid.

  • Extend an understanding that the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs…

    NC.M3.A-REI.11

    Students find where two graphed lines or curves cross and read the x-value at that crossing point as the solution. They use graphing tools or a table of values to get close when an exact answer is hard to find.

Algebra
  • Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context

    NC.M1.A-SSE.1

    Reading an algebraic expression, students explain what each part means in a real situation. If a term represents a starting balance or a growth rate, they can say so in plain language.

  • Identify and interpret parts of a linear, exponential

    NC.M1.A-SSE.1.a

    An expression like 3x + 5 is made of parts, each with a job. Students learn to name those parts (a coefficient, a term, an exponent) and explain what each one means in context.

  • Interpret a linear, exponential

    NC.M1.A-SSE.1.b

    Reading an expression like 3(x + 5) or 2^t, students explain what each piece means in the situation, not just what the symbols say.

  • Write an equivalent form of a quadratic expression-ax² + bx + c, where a is an…

    NC.M1.A-SSE.3

    Students rewrite a quadratic expression by factoring it into two simpler parts. That process shows where the graph crosses the x-axis and what values make the equation equal zero.

  • Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context

    NC.M2.A-SSE.1

    Students read an algebraic expression and explain what each part means in the real situation it describes, like identifying what a number, variable, or grouped term actually represents.

  • Build an understanding that operations with polynomials are comparable to…

    NC.M1.A-APR.1

    Adding and subtracting expressions with squared terms works the same way as adding and subtracting whole numbers. Students combine like terms and multiply simple expressions to see that the same rules that govern arithmetic also govern algebra.

  • Understand the relationships among the factors of a quadratic expression, the…

    NC.M1.A-APR.3

    Students connect the factored form of a quadratic expression to where its graph crosses the x-axis. Finding those crossing points means solving the equation and identifying the zeros, all three pointing to the same answer.

  • Identify and interpret parts of a quadratic, square root, inverse variation

    NC.M2.A-SSE.1.a

    Students look at an expression like 3x² or √(x+5) and explain what each piece means: what the number out front controls, what's under the square root, and what the exponent tells you about the shape of a graph or the size of a value.

  • Interpret quadratic and square root expressions made of multiple parts as a…

    NC.M2.A-SSE.1.b

    Students read a quadratic or square root expression in pieces, treating each chunk as one unit, and explain what that piece means in the real situation the problem describes.

  • Write an equivalent form of a quadratic expression by completing the square…

    NC.M2.A-SSE.3

    Students rewrite a quadratic expression by completing the square to find the highest or lowest point on its graph. That peak or valley is hidden in the original form but becomes readable once the expression is rewritten.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable that represent linear…

    NC.M1.A-CED.1

    Students write an equation or inequality with one unknown to model a real situation, then solve it. The relationship might grow steadily, accelerate, or level off.

  • Create and graph equations in two variables to represent linear, exponential

    NC.M1.A-CED.2

    Students write an equation that connects two changing quantities, like time and distance or weeks and savings, then plot it as a line or curve on a graph.

  • Create systems of linear equations and inequalities to model situations in…

    NC.M1.A-CED.3

    Students write pairs of equations or inequalities to describe real situations, like comparing phone plans or budget limits, then find the values that satisfy both at once.

  • Extend the understanding that operations with polynomials are comparable to…

    NC.M2.A-APR.1

    Adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials works the same way as adding, subtracting, and multiplying whole numbers. Students apply those same arithmetic rules to expressions with variables and exponents.

  • Solve for a quantity of interest in formulas used in science and mathematics…

    NC.M1.A-CED.4

    Students rearrange familiar formulas, like distance equals rate times time, to solve for any variable inside them. The steps follow the same logic as solving a regular equation.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable that represent quadratic…

    NC.M2.A-CED.1

    Students write and solve equations or inequalities with one unknown to answer real problems involving curved relationships, right triangles, or values that grow and shrink together. The equation is the tool; solving the problem is the point.

  • Create and graph equations in two variables to represent quadratic, square root…

    NC.M2.A-CED.2

    Students write equations that model real relationships, like how area grows as a side length changes, then graph those curves on a coordinate plane to see the pattern visually.

  • Justify a chosen solution method and each step of the solving process for…

    NC.M1.A-REI.1

    Students solve linear and quadratic equations and explain why each step works, not just what the answer is. The focus is on the reasoning behind the math, not just getting to a solution.

  • Create systems of linear, quadratic, square root

    NC.M2.A-CED.3

    Students write pairs of equations together to describe a real situation, like how price and demand might interact, then use both equations at once to find an answer that fits the whole picture.

  • Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable

    NC.M1.A-REI.3

    Students solve equations and inequalities with one unknown, finding which number makes the equation true or which range of numbers satisfies the inequality.

  • Solve for the real solutions of quadratic equations in one variable by taking…

    NC.M1.A-REI.4

    Solving quadratic equations means finding the value of x that makes an equation like x² + 5x + 6 = 0 true. Students do this by factoring the expression or by taking a square root.

  • Explain why replacing one equation in a system of linear equations by the sum…

    NC.M1.A-REI.5

    Students learn why adding a multiple of one equation to another in a system doesn't change the answer. It's the logic behind why elimination works as a solving method.

  • Justify a chosen solution method and each step of the solving process for…

    NC.M2.A-REI.1

    Students show their work on quadratic and square root equations and explain why each step makes sense, not just what the answer is.

  • Use tables, graphs, or algebraic methods

    NC.M1.A-REI.6

    Two linear equations together can have one solution that satisfies both. Students find that solution using a graph, a table, or algebra, then explain what the answer means in the real situation the equations describe.

  • Solve and interpret one variable inverse variation and square root equations…

    NC.M2.A-REI.2

    Students solve equations where a variable sits under a square root or in a denominator, then check whether the answers actually make sense in the original problem. Some solutions that look correct on paper turn out to be invalid once you plug them back in.

  • Understand that the graph of a two variable equation represents the set of all…

    NC.M1.A-REI.10

    Every point on a line or curve is a solution to the equation that created it. Students learn to read a graph as a picture of every x-and-y pair that makes the equation true.

  • Solve for all solutions of quadratic equations in one variable

    NC.M2.A-REI.4

    Students solve equations where a variable is squared, finding every value that makes the equation true. This includes recognizing when there are two answers, one answer, or none at all.

  • Build an understanding of why the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs…

    NC.M1.A-REI.11

    Students learn why the point where two graphed equations cross gives the solution to both at once. They find that crossing point by reading a graph or building a table and narrowing in on the answer.

  • Understand that the quadratic formula is the generalization of solving ax² + bx…

    NC.M2.A-REI.4.a

    Completing the square is a step-by-step method for solving any quadratic equation. The quadratic formula is what you get when you apply that same process to every possible quadratic at once, turning it into a single shortcut.

  • Explain when quadratic equations will have non-real solutions and express…

    NC.M2.A-REI.4.b

    Quadratic equations don't always have real-number solutions. Students identify when that happens and write the answer in the form a ± bi, using real numbers for both a and b.

  • Represent the solutions of a linear inequality or a system of linear…

    NC.M1.A-REI.12

    Students graph a linear inequality by shading the region of a coordinate plane that makes the inequality true. With two inequalities together, they find and shade the overlapping region where both conditions are satisfied.

  • Use tables, graphs, and algebraic methods to approximate or find exact…

    NC.M2.A-REI.7

    Students solve problems where a line and a curve intersect, using graphs, tables, or algebra to find where both equations are true at the same time. They explain what those intersection points mean in the real situation.

  • Extend the understanding that the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs…

    NC.M2.A-REI.11

    Where two curves cross on a graph, the x-value at that crossing point is the solution to the equation. Students find those crossing points for square root and inverse variation curves by graphing or by working through a table of values.

Algebra and Functions
  • Apply properties of function composition to build new functions from existing…

    NC.M4.AF.1

    Students combine two functions by feeding the output of one into the input of another, then study how the new combined function behaves compared to the originals.

  • Execute algebraic procedures to compose two functions

    NC.M4.AF.1.1

    Students combine two functions into one by plugging the output of the first function into the second. The result is a single new function that chains both rules together.

  • Execute a procedure to determine the value of a composite function at a given…

    NC.M4.AF.1.2

    Given two functions, students find the output of one and feed it as the input into the other. They practice this with equations, graphs, and tables.

  • Apply properties of trigonometry to solve problems

    NC.M4.AF.2

    Students use sine, cosine, and tangent to find missing side lengths and angles in triangles. This standard covers the relationships between angles and sides that show up in geometry, physics, and real-world measurement problems.

  • Translate trigonometric expressions using the reciprocal and Pythagorean…

    NC.M4.AF.2.1

    Students rewrite trig expressions by swapping in equivalent forms, like turning a sine-and-cosine fraction into a single ratio or using the Pythagorean identity to simplify. The goal is to recognize when two expressions mean the same thing.

  • Implement the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to solve problems

    NC.M4.AF.2.2

    Students use two formulas to find missing side lengths and angles in any triangle, not just right triangles. Real problems might involve distances across a lake or angles between two paths.

  • Interpret key features

    NC.M4.AF.2.3

    Students read a graph of a wave-shaped curve and explain what each feature means in context: how tall the wave is, how long each cycle takes, and where the pattern starts or shifts up or down.

  • Apply the properties and key features of logarithmic functions

    NC.M4.AF.3

    Students read and interpret logarithmic functions, identifying key features like intercepts and end behavior, and apply properties such as the inverse relationship between logs and exponents to solve problems.

  • Execute properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions and solve equations…

    NC.M4.AF.3.1

    Students use rules about how logarithms work to rewrite log expressions in simpler forms and solve equations that contain them. This is the algebra behind calculating things like earthquake intensity or sound levels.

  • Implement properties of logarithms to solve equations in contextual situations

    NC.M4.AF.3.2

    Students use log rules to solve real-world equations where the unknown is an exponent, such as figuring out how long it takes money to double or a population to reach a certain size.

  • Interpret key features of a logarithmic function using multiple representations

    NC.M4.AF.3.3

    Students read a logarithmic function from its graph, table, and equation to identify where it starts, where it levels off, and how quickly it grows. The goal is connecting what the numbers say to what the shape shows.

  • Understand the properties and key features of piecewise functions

    NC.M4.AF.4

    Piecewise functions are graphs or equations that use different rules for different parts of the input. Students identify where each rule applies, read the breakpoints, and describe what the function does in each section.

  • Translate between algebraic and graphical representations of piecewise functions

    NC.M4.AF.4.1

    Reading a piecewise function means switching between its equation and its graph. Students learn to sketch a graph from a formula that uses different rules over different intervals, and work back from a graph to write those rules as an equation.

  • Construct piecewise functions to model a contextual situation

    NC.M4.AF.4.2

    Students write a function that uses different rules for different parts of a situation, like one pricing rule for the first 10 items and a different rule beyond that. The goal is matching the math to how the real situation actually changes.

  • Understand how to model functions with regression

    NC.M4.AF.5

    Students use data points to find an equation that best fits a pattern or trend. This is the foundation of predictions in science, business, and everyday life.

  • Construct regression models of linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, &…

    NC.M4.AF.5.1

    Students use a graphing calculator or software to find the equation that best fits a set of real-world data points. They then use that equation to answer questions or make predictions.

  • Compare residuals and residual plots of non-linear models to assess the…

    NC.M4.AF.5.2

    Students check how well a curved line fits a set of data points by examining the leftover gaps between the line and the actual values. Smaller, scattered gaps mean a better fit; a pattern in the gaps means the model needs work.

Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
  • Apply operations with matrices and vectors

    DCS.N.1

    Students add, subtract, and multiply grids of numbers (matrices) and arrows in space (vectors). These operations are the building blocks of graphics, physics simulations, and most computer algorithms.

  • Implement procedures of addition, subtraction, multiplication

    DCS.N.1.1

    Students add, subtract, multiply, and scale matrices, which are grids of numbers used in computer science and data work. Think of it as arithmetic, but applied to a whole table of values at once instead of a single number.

  • Implement procedures of addition, subtraction

    DCS.N.1.2

    Students add, subtract, and scale vectors by combining or adjusting their components. Think of each vector as a set of directions; these operations let students shift, shrink, or stretch those directions using arithmetic.

  • Implement procedures to find the inverse of a matrix

    DCS.N.1.3

    Students learn to reverse a matrix, undoing its math the way division undoes multiplication. They follow a step-by-step procedure to find the inverse, which is used later in solving equations and writing computer algorithms.

  • Understand matrices to solve problems

    DCS.N.2

    Matrices are grids of numbers students use to organize data and solve problems. Students learn to read, build, and calculate with these grids, a skill that shows up in computer graphics, scheduling, and data analysis.

  • Organize data into matrices to solve problems

    DCS.N.2.1

    Students arrange numbers into grids called matrices, then use those grids to solve problems. Think of a matrix as a spreadsheet where the position of each number carries meaning.

  • Interpret solutions found using matrix operations including Leslie Models and…

    DCS.N.2.2

    Students use matrix math to answer real-world questions, like predicting how a population will grow over time or how likely something is to change from one state to another. They explain what the numbers actually mean, not just how to calculate them.

  • Represent a system of equations as a matrix equation

    DCS.N.2.3

    Students take a group of related equations and rewrite them as a single grid of numbers, called a matrix. This format makes it easier to solve the system using a computer or calculator.

  • Use inverse matrices to solve a system of equations with technology

    DCS.N.2.4

    Students use a calculator or software to solve a set of equations at once by applying inverse matrices. It's the same idea as dividing both sides of an equation to isolate a variable, but for systems with multiple unknowns.

  • Understand set theory to solve problems

    DCS.N.3

    Sets are groups of items that follow a rule, like "all even numbers" or "students who play soccer." Students learn to combine sets, find what they share, and use that logic to solve problems.

  • Recognize sets, subsets

    DCS.N.3.1

    Students learn what a set is (a collection of items, like {1, 2, 3}), then practice identifying when one group of items fits entirely inside another. They also learn the difference between a subset and a proper subset.

  • Implement set operations to find unions, intersections, complements and set…

    DCS.N.3.2

    Students use union, intersection, and complement rules to combine or compare groups of data, such as finding what two lists share, what one list has that another doesn't, or what falls outside a group entirely.

  • Represent properties and relationships among sets using Venn diagrams

    DCS.N.3.3

    Students draw overlapping circles to show how groups of things relate. A Venn diagram makes it easy to see what two sets share, what they don't, and where one ends and the other begins.

  • Interpret Venn diagrams to solve problems

    DCS.N.3.4

    Venn diagrams use overlapping circles to sort things into groups. Students read those diagrams to answer questions about what items share a trait, belong to one group only, or fall outside both.

  • Understand statements related to number theory and set theory

    DCS.N.4

    Number theory and set theory are the building blocks of how computers sort, store, and compare data. Students learn rules about whole numbers and groups of items that show up constantly in programming and logic.

  • Use the Euclidean Algorithm to determine greatest common factor and least…

    DCS.N.4.1

    Students use a step-by-step division method called the Euclidean Algorithm to find the largest number that divides evenly into two numbers and the smallest number both divide into evenly.

  • Use the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic to solve problems

    DCS.N.4.2

    Students use the fact that every whole number greater than 1 breaks down into a unique set of prime factors. They apply that idea to solve problems involving divisibility, factoring, and number relationships.

  • Conclude that sets are equal using the properties of set operations

    DCS.N.4.3

    Students prove two sets contain exactly the same elements by applying rules like union, intersection, and complement. If two sets simplify to the same result under those operations, they are equal.

  • Explain theorems related to greatest common factor, least common multiple, even…

    DCS.N.4.4

    Students explain the math rules behind greatest common factors, least common multiples, and number types like prime, composite, even, and odd. They show why those rules hold up, not just how to use them.

  • Apply recursively-defined relationships to solve problems

    DCS.F.1

    Students use a rule that feeds its own output back in as the next input, like calculating interest that compounds on itself, to solve problems step by step.

  • Implement procedures to find the nth term in an arithmetic or geometric…

    DCS.F.1.1

    Students use a spreadsheet to write a formula that calculates any term in a number pattern, like finding the 50th value in a sequence that grows by adding or multiplying the same amount each time.

  • Represent the sum of a sequence using sigma notation

    DCS.F.1.2

    Students learn to write the sum of a number sequence in shorthand using the Greek letter sigma, the way a formula collapses a long addition problem into one compact expression.

  • Implement procedures to find the sum of a finite sequence

    DCS.F.1.3

    Students write a program or set of steps that adds up all the numbers in a list and returns the total. The list has a definite end, so the process stops when every number has been counted.

  • Implement procedures to find the sum of an infinite sequence and determine if…

    DCS.F.1.4

    Students write code or step-by-step procedures to add up the terms of an infinite sequence and decide whether that running total settles at a fixed number or grows without bound.

  • Interpret the solutions to arithmetic and geometric sequences and series…

    DCS.F.1.5

    Students read a pattern of numbers (like a savings account growing by the same amount each month, or doubling each week) and explain what the answer actually means in the real situation, not just on paper.

  • Apply combinatorics concepts to solve problems

    DCS.SP.1

    Students use counting methods like permutations and combinations to figure out how many ways something can happen. Think of it as organized counting for situations where order or selection matters.

  • Implement the Fundamental Counting Principle to solve problems

    DCS.SP.1.1

    Students use the Fundamental Counting Principle to figure out how many total outcomes are possible in a situation, like counting every possible outfit from a set of shirts and pants by multiplying the number of choices at each step.

  • Implement procedures to calculate a permutation or combination

    DCS.SP.1.2

    Students calculate how many ways items can be arranged or chosen from a group. Permutations count arrangements where order matters; combinations count selections where it does not.

  • Understand graph theory to model relationships and solve problems

    DCS.GT.1

    Graph theory is the math of connections. Students learn to draw and analyze diagrams where dots represent objects and lines represent relationships between them, then use those diagrams to solve real problems like finding the shortest route or detecting patterns in a network.

  • Represent real world situations with a vertex-edge graph, adjacency matrix

    DCS.GT.1.1

    Students learn to map real-world situations, like roads connecting towns or links between websites, using three formats: a dot-and-line diagram, a grid of numbers, and a table listing each connection.

  • Test graphs and digraphs for Euler paths, Euler circuits, Hamiltonian paths

    DCS.GT.1.2

    Students learn two ways to trace through a network of connected points: one that crosses every connection exactly once, and one that visits every point exactly once. They test real diagrams to figure out which kind of path or loop is possible.

  • Interpret a complete digraph to determine rank

    DCS.GT.1.3

    A complete digraph is an arrow diagram where every node points to every other node. Students use the arrows to count wins and losses and rank each node from strongest to weakest.

  • Apply graph theory to solve problems

    DCS.GT.2

    Graph theory uses dots (called nodes) and lines (called edges) to map connections, like roads between cities or links between web pages. Students use these diagrams to find shortest paths, spot patterns, and solve real problems.

  • Implement critical path analysis algorithms to determine the minimum project…

    DCS.GT.2.1

    Students find the fastest possible timeline for completing a project by mapping out which tasks must finish before others can start. This is the core idea behind scheduling software used in engineering and construction.

  • Implement the brute force method, the nearest-neighbor algorithm

    DCS.GT.2.2

    Students practice three methods for solving the classic "shortest route" puzzle: visit every stop exactly once and return home using the least total distance. They compare a try-every-path approach, a "pick the closest next stop" shortcut, and a "add the cheapest available road" shortcut to see which gives the best result.

  • Implement vertex-coloring techniques to solve problems

    DCS.GT.2.3

    Students assign colors to points on a map or network so that no two connected points share the same color. This is the logic behind scheduling, map coloring, and conflict-free planning problems.

  • Implement Kruskal and Prim's algorithms to determine the weight of the minimum…

    DCS.GT.2.4

    Students run two classic algorithms (Kruskal's and Prim's) on a connected graph to find the lowest-cost set of edges that links every node. The goal is calculating the total weight of that minimum spanning tree.

  • Evaluate mathematical logic to model and solve problems

    DCS.L.1

    Students use true/false rules to build logical arguments and test whether a conclusion holds up. This is the foundation of how computer programs make decisions.

  • Construct truth tables that encode the truth and falsity of two or more…

    DCS.L.1.1

    Students build a small grid that maps out every possible true-or-false combination for two or more statements, then records what the combined result is in each case.

  • Critique logic arguments

    DCS.L.1.2

    Students read a logical argument and decide whether its conclusion actually follows from its premises. They spot statements that are always true, always false, or only true under certain conditions.

  • Check 1s and 0s to determine whether a statement is true or false using Boolean…

    DCS.L.1.3

    Students read a simple circuit diagram made of AND, OR, and NOT gates, then trace which combinations of 1s and 0s make the circuit output true or false.

  • Judge whether two statements are logically equivalent using truth tables

    DCS.L.1.4

    Students build a truth table to test whether two logical statements always produce the same true-or-false result. If every row matches, the statements are equivalent.

Statistics and Probability
  • Create statistical investigations to make sense of real-world phenomena

    NC.M4.SP.1

    Students design their own data investigations around real questions, choosing what to measure, how to collect results, and what the numbers mean.

  • Construct statistical questions to guide explorations of data in context

    NC.M4.SP.1.1

    Students learn to write questions that can actually be answered with data. Instead of asking "Is soccer popular?" they ask "How many students at this school play soccer each week?" turning a vague curiosity into something measurable.

  • Design sample surveys and comparative experiments using sampling methods to…

    NC.M4.SP.1.2

    Students design a real survey or experiment, choose how to select a fair sample, collect the data, and analyze results to answer a question they actually care about.

  • Organize large datasets of real-world contexts

    NC.M4.SP1.3

    Students load a large, real-world dataset into a spreadsheet or data tool, then sort out what each column measures, what questions the data could answer, and which graphs or summaries would make the patterns visible.

  • Interpret non-standard data visualizations from the media or scientific papers…

    NC.M4.SP.1.4

    Students read graphs and charts from news articles or research papers that don't follow the usual formats. They figure out what the data shows and what it means in the real world.

  • Apply informal and formal statistical inference to make sense of

    NC.M4.SP.2

    Students look at data from a sample and decide what it likely means for a larger group. They explain their reasoning and use it to make a real-world call, like whether a new policy or product actually works.

  • Design a simulation to make a sampling distribution that can be used in making…

    NC.M4.SP.2.1

    Students design a simulation, like flipping a coin many times or drawing names from a hat, to build a picture of how sample results tend to spread out. That picture helps them decide whether a real-world result is surprising or expected.

  • Construct confidence intervals of population proportions in the context of the…

    NC.M4.SP.2.2

    Students calculate a range of likely values for a population proportion using sample data, then explain what that range means in context. For example, if 40% of a sample prefers one option, the confidence interval shows how close the true population percentage probably falls.

  • Implement a one proportion z-test to determine if an observed proportion is…

    NC.M4.SP.2.3

    Students run a formal math test to decide whether a survey result (like "42% of students walk to school") is a real difference from an expected number or just random chance.

  • Apply probability distributions in making decisions in uncertainty

    NC.M4.SP.3

    Students use probability to make real decisions when the outcome isn't certain. Given data or a known distribution, they calculate the likelihood of different results and use that to choose the best course of action.

  • Implement discrete probability distributions to model random phenomena and make…

    NC.M4.SP.3.1

    Students use probability to predict what's likely to happen over time, like figuring out whether a game is worth playing or how much a random outcome is expected to pay off on average.

  • Implement the binomial distribution to model situations and make decisions

    NC.M4.SP.3.2

    Students use a formula to predict how often something is likely to happen over a set number of tries, like how many times a flipped coin lands heads in 20 flips. They apply that pattern to real problems where the answer isn't certain.

  • Recognize from simulations of sampling distributions of sample means and…

    NC.M4.SP.3.3

    Simulations of repeated samples often produce a bell-shaped curve. Students learn to recognize when that normal distribution is a reasonable model for predicting what a sample mean or proportion will look like.

  • Implement the normal distribution as a probability distribution to determine…

    NC.M4.SP.3.4

    Students use the bell-curve shape of a normal distribution to figure out how likely a given outcome is. They calculate the probability that a real-world measurement, like a test score or height, falls within a certain range.

  • Use technology to represent data with plots on the real number line

    NC.M1.S-ID.1

    Students use a calculator or computer to build histograms and box plots that show how a set of numbers is spread out along a number line.

  • Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare…

    NC.M1.S-ID.2

    Students compare two data sets by looking at where values tend to cluster and how spread out they are, then explain what those differences mean in context. For example, two classes might have the same average test score but very different ranges of scores.

  • Examine the effects of extreme data points

    NC.M1.S-ID.3

    Outliers are data points that sit far outside the rest of a group. Students learn to spot them in a data set and explain how one unusual value can shift the average, widen the spread, or change the shape of a graph.

  • Represent data on two quantitative variables on a scatter plot

    NC.M1.S-ID.6

    Students plot two sets of numbers on a scatter plot and explain the pattern they see. They describe whether the data points trend up, trend down, or show no clear relationship.

  • Fit a least squares regression line to linear data using technology

    NC.M1.S-ID.6.a

    Students use a calculator or software to draw a best-fit line through a scatter plot, then use that line to predict values and answer questions about real data.

  • Assess the fit of a linear function by analyzing residuals

    NC.M1.S-ID.6.b

    Students check how well a line fits a scatterplot by looking at residuals, the gaps between the line's prediction and each actual data point. Smaller, scattered gaps mean a better fit.

  • Fit a function to exponential data using technology

    NC.M1.S-ID.6.c

    Students use a calculator or software to find an exponential curve that fits a set of data points, then use that curve to make predictions or answer questions about the data.

  • Interpret in context the rate of change and the intercept of a linear model

    NC.M1.S-ID.7

    The slope of a line on a graph tells you how fast one thing changes compared to another. Students read that rate, interpret what the starting point means in real life, and then use the line to predict values inside and outside the data range.

  • Analyze patterns and describe relationships between two variables in context

    NC.M1.S-ID.8

    Students plot two real-world variables on a graph, calculate a number that measures how closely they move together, and then check whether a straight line actually fits the data well enough to be useful.

  • Distinguish between association and causation

    NC.M1.S-ID.9

    Correlation shows two things move together; it does not prove one causes the other. Students learn to tell the difference between a pattern in data and an actual cause-and-effect relationship.

  • Use simulation to determine whether the experimental probability generated by…

    NC.M2.S-IC.2

    Students run a simulation, like flipping a coin or using a random number generator, to see if the results match what the math predicts should happen. If the numbers line up, the theoretical probability holds up against real data.

  • Understand the process of making inferences about a population based on a…

    NC.M3.S-IC.1

    Students learn to draw conclusions about a large group by studying a smaller random sample. They practice recognizing when a sample is trustworthy and what it can (and cannot) tell you about the full population.

  • Recognize the purposes of and differences between sample surveys, experiments

    NC.M3.S-IC.3

    Sample surveys ask people questions, experiments test what happens when you change something, and observational studies watch without interfering. Students learn when each method fits and why random selection matters for getting trustworthy results.

  • Describe events as subsets of the outcomes in a sample space using…

    NC.M2.S-CP.1

    A sample space lists every possible outcome in a situation, like all results from rolling a die. Students sort those outcomes into groups, then describe how groups overlap, combine, or exclude each other.

  • Use simulation to understand how samples can be used to estimate a population…

    NC.M3.S-IC.4

    Students run simulations to estimate facts about a large group from a small sample, like guessing the average height of every student in a school by measuring one classroom. They also learn how far off that estimate might be.

  • Develop and understand independence and conditional probability

    NC.M2.S-CP.3

    Students learn when two events truly have nothing to do with each other, and when knowing one thing changes the odds of something else happening. They use those ideas to calculate real probabilities from tables or diagrams.

  • Use simulation to determine whether observed differences between samples from…

    NC.M3.S-IC.5

    Students run simulations to test whether a difference spotted between two groups is real or just chance. If the simulated results rarely produce that difference on their own, students can conclude the two groups are genuinely different.

  • Use a 2-way table to develop understanding of the conditional probability of A…

    NC.M2.S-CP.3.a

    Students read a two-column table to find how likely one event is once another has already happened. If 30 out of 80 students who play sports also eat breakfast, that ratio is the conditional probability.

  • Evaluate articles and websites that report data by identifying the source of…

    NC.M3.S-IC.6

    Students look at a news article or website that shares data and check where the numbers came from, how the study was set up, and whether the charts show the information fairly.

  • Understand that event A is independent from event B if the probability of event…

    NC.M2.S-CP.3.b

    Two events are independent when knowing one happened tells you nothing about whether the other will happen. Students check this by confirming that the probability of event A stays the same whether or not event B has already occurred.

  • Represent data on two categorical variables by constructing a two-way frequency…

    NC.M2.S-CP.4

    Students sort survey data into a two-way table, then read the table to find the probability of one event given another. From those numbers, students decide whether two events actually affect each other or have nothing to do with each other.

  • Recognize and explain the concepts of conditional probability and independence…

    NC.M2.S-CP.5

    Conditional probability asks: does knowing one thing change the odds of something else happening? Students learn to spot when two events are connected (like weather and cancellations) and when they have nothing to do with each other.

  • Find the conditional probability of A given B as the fraction of B's outcomes…

    NC.M2.S-CP.6

    Students find the chance that event A happens given that event B has already happened. They calculate it as a fraction: how many outcomes belong to both A and B, divided by how many outcomes belong to B, then explain what that number means in a real situation.

  • Apply the Addition Rule, P

    NC.M2.S-CP.7

    Students use a formula to find the chance that at least one of two events happens. They add the two separate probabilities, then subtract any overlap so it isn't counted twice.

  • Apply the general Multiplication Rule P

    NC.M2.S-CP.8

    Students find the chance that two events both happen by multiplying probabilities, accounting for whether the first event changes the odds of the second. When the two events don't affect each other at all, the math gets simpler.

Functions
  • Extend the concept of a function by recognizing that trigonometric ratios are…

    NC.M3.F-IF.1

    Trigonometric ratios like sine and cosine are functions: plug in an angle, get one specific number out. Students learn to treat sin(x) and cos(x) the same way they treat any other function they've worked with before.

  • Use function notation to evaluate piecewise defined functions for inputs in…

    NC.M3.F-IF.2

    Students read and evaluate piecewise functions, which use different rules depending on the input value. They also explain what function notation like f(3) = 7 means in the context of a real situation.

  • Interpret key features of graphs, tables

    NC.M3.F-IF.4

    Reading a graph or table, students identify the key features of a function: where it rises or falls, where it breaks or repeats, and what those patterns mean for the real situation the function describes.

  • Build an understanding that a function from one set

    NC.M1.F-IF.1

    A function is a rule where each input has exactly one output. Students learn to read f(x) as "the output when x goes in" and connect that rule to what the graph actually shows.

  • Use function notation to evaluate linear, quadratic

    NC.M1.F-IF.2

    Students read and use function notation like f(3) = 7 to find an output value for a given input, then explain what that result means in a real situation. This applies to linear, quadratic, and exponential functions.

  • Analyze piecewise, absolute value, polynomials, exponential, rational

    NC.M3.F-IF.7

    Students read graphs of several function types, identifying where the graph rises or falls, where it crosses the axes, its highest and lowest points, and how it behaves at the edges. Some graphs are sketched by hand; others are explored with a graphing tool.

  • Extend the concept of a function to include geometric transformations in the…

    NC.M2.F-IF.1

    Geometric transformations, like reflections and rotations, follow the same rules as functions. Students learn that each original point maps to exactly one new point, making the transformation predictable and reversible.

  • Recognize that recursively and explicitly defined sequences are functions whose…

    NC.M1.F-IF.3

    Students learn that number patterns like 2, 4, 6, 8 or 3, 6, 12, 24 are actually functions in disguise. Counting patterns that grow by addition connect to linear functions, and patterns that grow by multiplication connect to exponential functions.

  • Compare key features of two functions using different representations by…

    NC.M3.F-IF.9

    Students compare two functions shown in different formats, such as a graph and an equation, to decide which grows faster, peaks higher, or changes in a different pattern.

  • Interpret key features of graphs, tables

    NC.M1.F-IF.4

    Reading a graph or table, students identify where a line crosses an axis, where values rise or fall, and where a function hits its highest or lowest point. They explain what each of those features means in the real situation the graph describes.

  • Extend the use of function notation to express the image of a geometric figure…

    NC.M2.F-IF.2

    Function notation like f(x) gets applied to geometry. Students use it to describe what happens to a shape's points after a slide, turn, flip, or resize, writing the new position as a function of where each point started.

  • Interpret a function in terms of the context by relating its domain and range…

    NC.M1.F-IF.5

    Reading a function's graph, students identify which input values make sense for the situation and what output values are possible. A graph of ticket sales over weeks, for example, shouldn't include negative weeks or fractional tickets.

  • Interpret key features of graphs, tables

    NC.M2.F-IF.4

    Reading a graph or table, students identify what the inputs and outputs can be, how fast the output changes, whether the shape has symmetry, and what happens at the far ends of the graph, then explain what all of it means for the real situation being modeled.

  • Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities

    NC.M3.F-BF.1

    Students write an equation that shows how one quantity depends on another, like how total cost changes as the number of items increases. They build the rule from a table, a graph, or a real situation.

  • Calculate and interpret the average rate of change over a specified interval…

    NC.M1.F-IF.6

    Students find how fast something changes between two points on a graph, a table, or an equation. That means picking two points, finding the rise and run, and explaining what the result tells you about the real situation.

  • Analyze quadratic, square root

    NC.M2.F-IF.7

    Students graph and analyze quadratic, square root, and inverse variation functions to identify key features like intercepts, highest or lowest points, symmetry, and where the function rises or falls.

  • Build polynomial and exponential functions with real solution

    NC.M3.F-BF.1.a

    Students read a graph, a table, or a written description and write the polynomial or exponential equation that fits it. The focus is on building the function from evidence, not just recognizing its shape.

  • Analyze linear, exponential

    NC.M1.F-IF.7

    Students read graphs, tables, and equations for linear, exponential, and quadratic functions to identify key details: where the graph crosses the axes, where it rises or falls, and what happens to the values at the far edges.

  • Use equivalent expressions to reveal and explain different properties of a…

    NC.M2.F-IF.8

    Students rewrite a quadratic equation by completing the square to find where the graph crosses zero, where it peaks or bottoms out, and where the line of symmetry falls. Then they explain what those points mean in a real situation.

  • Build a new function, in terms of a context, by combining standard function…

    NC.M3.F-BF.1.b

    Students take two functions they already know (like a line and a curve) and add, subtract, or multiply them together to build a new one that models a real situation.

  • Compare key features of two functions

    NC.M2.F-IF.9

    Two functions can show the same idea in different forms: one as an equation, another as a graph or table. Students compare those two versions to spot how each one grows, where it peaks, and where it crosses zero.

  • Use equivalent expressions to reveal and explain different properties of a…

    NC.M1.F-IF.8

    Students rewrite a function in a different but equal form to spotlight something hidden in the original, like where the graph crosses zero or whether the output grows or shrinks.

  • Extend an understanding of the effects on the graphical and tabular…

    NC.M3.F-BF.3

    Students learn how stretching, flipping, or shifting a graph changes when you multiply or add a number to a function. They practice spotting those changes in a graph and a table of values.

  • Rewrite a quadratic function to reveal and explain different key features of…

    NC.M1.F-IF.8.a

    Students rewrite a quadratic equation into a different form, such as factored or vertex form, to read off key details like the highest or lowest point and where the graph crosses the x-axis.

  • Find an inverse function

    NC.M3.F-BF.4

    Students find the reverse of a function: given an output, they work backward to find the input. They learn when that reverse relationship is itself a function and how to write it.

  • Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities by…

    NC.M2.F-BF.1

    Students write an equation that shows how two quantities are related, using a graph, a table, or a written description as their starting point. The focus is on U-shaped curves and relationships where one quantity grows as the other shrinks.

  • Interpret and explain growth and decay rates for an exponential function

    NC.M1.F-IF.8.b

    Students read an exponential equation and explain what the growth or decay rate means in context. For example, they identify that a 1.06 multiplier means a 6% annual increase, not just a number in a formula.

  • Understand the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic…

    NC.M3.F-BF.4.a

    Students learn that some functions can be "undone." They practice reversing exponential, quadratic, and linear functions to find their inverses, then use tables, graphs, and equations to solve problems with those pairs.

  • Understand the effects of the graphical and tabular representations of a…

    NC.M2.F-BF.3

    Adding or multiplying a number to a function shifts or stretches its graph. Students explore how those changes move a curve up, down, or sideways on a table and a graph.

  • Determine if an inverse function exists by analyzing tables, graphs

    NC.M3.F-BF.4.b

    Students look at a table, graph, or equation and decide whether a function can be reversed into a new one. That means checking if every output came from exactly one input.

  • Compare key features of two functions

    NC.M1.F-IF.9

    Two functions can show up in different forms: one as a graph, another as an equation or table. Students compare key features like slope, starting value, or where the function peaks across both representations.

  • If an inverse function exists for a linear, quadratic and/or exponential…

    NC.M3.F-BF.4.c

    Students find the reverse of a function, such as working backward from an output to its input, then show that reverse relationship as a table, graph, or equation to answer real-world questions.

  • Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities

    NC.M1.F-BF.1

    Students write an equation that shows how one number depends on another, like how total cost changes as more items are added. They build the rule themselves from a table, graph, or real situation.

  • Build linear and exponential functions, including arithmetic and geometric…

    NC.M1.F-BF.1.a

    Students build linear and exponential equations from a graph, a table, or a written description. They figure out the pattern in the numbers and write a function that matches it.

  • Compare the end behavior of functions using their rates of change over…

    NC.M3.F-LE.3

    Given two growing patterns, students show that exponential growth (like doubling repeatedly) will always outpace polynomial growth (like squaring a number) if you wait long enough. They compare how fast each one grows across equal intervals to prove it.

  • Use logarithms to express the solution to ab<sup>ct</sup> = d where a, c

    NC.M3.F-LE.4

    Students solve equations where a number is raised to an unknown power by rewriting them with a logarithm, then use a calculator to find the actual value.

  • Build a function that models a relationship between two quantities by combining…

    NC.M1.F-BF.1.b

    Students write new functions by adding, subtracting, or multiplying simpler ones, like combining a flat fee plus a per-day charge into a single cost formula.

  • Translate between explicit and recursive forms of arithmetic and geometric…

    NC.M1.F-BF.2

    Students learn two ways to write a rule for a number pattern: one that jumps straight to any term, and one that builds each term from the one before it. They practice switching between the two forms and use both to model real situations.

  • Understand radian measure of an angle as:<ul><li>The ratio of the length of an…

    NC.M3.F-TF.1

    Radians are a way to measure angles using the circle itself. Students learn that one radian equals the angle formed when the arc it cuts equals the radius, and they use radian values as inputs for sine and cosine.

  • Build an understanding of trigonometric functions by using tables, graphs and…

    NC.M3.F-TF.2

    Students use tables and graphs to explore how the sine and cosine functions behave as angles change. The goal is recognizing the wave-like pattern those functions make before working with them algebraically.

  • Identify situations that can be modeled with linear and exponential functions

    NC.M1.F-LE.1

    Students look at real data and decide whether it grows by adding the same amount each time (linear) or by multiplying by the same amount each time (exponential). They explain why one model fits better than the other.

  • Compare the end behavior of linear, exponential

    NC.M1.F-LE.3

    Students use graphs and tables to compare how linear, quadratic, and exponential patterns grow over time. No matter how fast a line or curve climbs, an exponential pattern will eventually pull ahead and keep pulling away.

  • Interpret the sine function as the relationship between the radian measure of…

    NC.M3.F-TF.2.a

    Students learn what the sine of an angle actually means: on a circle with radius 1, sine is just the height of the point where the angle's ray meets the circle.

  • Interpret the cosine function as the relationship between the radian measure of…

    NC.M3.F-TF.2.b

    Students learn that cosine is just the x-coordinate of a point on the unit circle. Given an angle measured in radians, they find where a ray from the center hits the circle and read off how far left or right that point sits.

  • Interpret the parameters a and b in a linear function f

    NC.M1.F-LE.5

    Given a formula like f(x) = 3x + 5 or g(x) = 2(1.5)^x, students explain what each number means in the real situation, such as a starting value, a rate of change, or a growth factor.

  • Use technology to investigate the parameters, a, b

    NC.M3.F-TF.5

    Students use graphing tools to adjust the height, stretch, and shift of a sine wave and match it to real repeating patterns, like tides or sound. They explain what each change to the equation means in context.

Geometry
  • Experiment with transformations in the plane.<ul><li>Represent transformations…

    NC.M2.G-CO.2

    Students slide, flip, and rotate shapes on a coordinate plane, then compare those moves to stretches that change a shape's size. Moves that preserve size and angles create congruent figures; stretches create similar ones.

  • Given a triangle, quadrilateral

    NC.M2.G-CO.3

    Students look at triangles, rectangles, and regular polygons to find lines of reflection and angles of rotation that flip or spin the shape onto itself. They identify exactly where those lines fall and how far the shape must turn to land back in the same position.

  • Verify experimentally properties of rotations, reflections

    NC.M2.G-CO.4

    Rotations, reflections, and translations each follow predictable rules. Students test those rules by measuring angles, distances, and lines to confirm what stays the same and what changes when a shape is moved or flipped.

  • Given a geometric figure and a rigid motion, find the image of the figure

    NC.M2.G-CO.5

    Students slide, flip, or rotate a shape to match a new position, then work the problem in reverse: given two matching shapes, name the move (or moves) that gets from one to the other.

  • Determine whether two figures are congruent by specifying a rigid motion or…

    NC.M2.G-CO.6

    Two shapes are congruent if one can be moved exactly onto the other by sliding, flipping, or rotating it. Students identify which of those moves, or which combination, lines the shapes up perfectly.

  • Use the properties of rigid motions to show that two triangles are congruent if…

    NC.M2.G-CO.7

    Two triangles are congruent when all their matching sides and angles are equal in size. Students use flips, slides, and turns to show that one triangle maps exactly onto the other.

  • Use congruence in terms of rigid motion

    NC.M2.G-CO.8

    Students learn why two triangles must be identical in size and shape when certain sides and angles match. They use those rules to decide whether two triangles are congruent.

  • Prove theorems about lines and angles and use them to prove relationships in…

    NC.M2.G-CO.9

    Students prove why certain angle pairs must be equal and use those results to explain relationships in geometric figures. The work includes parallel lines cut by a transversal, perpendicular bisectors, and angle bisectors.

  • Prove theorems about triangles and use them to prove relationships in geometric…

    NC.M2.G-CO.10

    Students prove key rules about triangles, such as why the three interior angles always add up to 180 degrees and why the two base angles of an equal-sided triangle match. Then they use those rules to explain relationships in larger geometric figures.

  • Use coordinates to solve geometric problems involving polygons…

    NC.M1.G-GPE.4

    Students use x-y coordinates to calculate the perimeter or area of a shape, and to prove that a set of points forms a specific triangle or rectangle. The math replaces the ruler.

  • Verify experimentally properties of the centers of triangles

    NC.M3.G-CO.10

    Students find the three main "balance points" of a triangle by drawing lines inside it. Each center (the centroid, incenter, and circumcenter) lands in a predictable spot, and students test whether those patterns actually hold.

  • Use coordinates to prove the slope criteria for parallel and perpendicular…

    NC.M1.G-GPE.5

    Students use the steepness of two lines to decide if they run in the same direction, cross at a right angle, or neither. From there, students write the equation of a new line that runs parallel or perpendicular to a given one through a specific point.

  • Verify experimentally the properties of dilations with given center and scale…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.1

    A dilation resizes a shape while keeping its proportions intact. Students stretch or shrink figures on a coordinate plane, then check that angles stay the same and side lengths all change by the same scale factor.

  • When a line segment passes through the center of dilation, the line segment and…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.1.a

    Students learn what happens to a line segment when it's scaled up or down from a fixed point. If the segment passes through that point, it stays on the same line. If it doesn't, the original and its scaled copy run parallel to each other.

  • Use coordinates to find the midpoint or endpoint of a line segment

    NC.M1.G-GPE.6

    Students find the exact middle point of a line segment on a graph, or work backward to find a missing endpoint when the midpoint is known. The math uses the x and y coordinates of each endpoint.

  • Prove theorems about parallelograms.<ul><li>Opposite sides of a parallelogram…

    NC.M3.G-CO.11

    Students prove why parallelograms work the way they do: opposite sides match in length, opposite angles match in size, and the two diagonals cut each other exactly in half.

  • The length of the image of a line segment is equal to the length of the line…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.1.b

    When a shape is enlarged or shrunk, each side stretches or shrinks by the same amount. That multiplier is called the scale factor, and it tells students exactly how much longer or shorter each measurement becomes.

  • Apply properties, definitions

    NC.M3.G-CO.14

    Students use rules about angles, sides, and shapes to write logical proofs and solve geometry problems. This is where the "why" behind geometry gets explained in writing, not just calculated.

  • The distance between the center of a dilation and any point on the image is…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.1.c

    When a shape is enlarged or shrunk, the distance from the center point to any spot on the new shape equals the scale factor times the distance from that same center point to the original shape.

  • Dilations preserve angle measure

    NC.M2.G-SRT.1.d

    Dilations resize a shape by stretching or shrinking it, but every angle stays exactly the same size. A triangle scaled up or down still has the same corners as the original.

  • Understand and apply theorems about circles.<ul><li>Understand and apply…

    NC.M3.G-C.2

    Students use rules about angles and line segments formed inside and around circles to solve problems. This includes angles at the center, angles formed on the edge, and lines that cross or touch a circle.

  • Using similarity, demonstrate that the length of an arc, s, for a given central…

    NC.M3.G-C.5

    Students learn why a bigger circle stretches an arc but keeps the angle the same, then use that relationship to calculate arc lengths and the area of pie-slice sections of a circle.

  • Understand similarity in terms of transformations

    NC.M2.G-SRT.2

    Two shapes are similar if one can be resized, flipped, or rotated to match the other. Students identify which moves connect two figures and explain how those moves prove the shapes have the same angles and proportional sides.

  • Determine whether two figures are similar by specifying a sequence of…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.2.a

    Two shapes are similar if one can be turned into the other by resizing, sliding, rotating, or flipping. Students identify the exact steps that connect the two shapes to prove the similarity.

  • Derive the equation of a circle of given center and radius using the…

    NC.M3.G-GPE.1

    Students use the Pythagorean Theorem to build the equation that describes a circle, then work backward from a given equation to find where the circle is centered and how wide it is.

  • Use the properties of dilations to show that two triangles are similar when all…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.2.b

    Two triangles are similar when their angles match and their sides grow or shrink by the same factor. Students use that relationship to prove similarity without measuring every part from scratch.

  • Use transformations

    NC.M2.G-SRT.3

    Two triangles are similar when two pairs of their angles match. Students use movements and scaling on the coordinate plane to show why matching two angles is enough to guarantee the triangles have the same shape.

  • Use the volume formulas for prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones

    NC.M3.G-GMD.3

    Students apply volume formulas to find how much space fits inside 3D shapes like cylinders, cones, and spheres. The problems go beyond plugging in numbers and ask students to work backward or compare shapes.

  • Use similarity to solve problems and to prove theorems about triangles

    NC.M2.G-SRT.4

    When a line cuts across two sides of a triangle without hitting the third side, it splits those two sides in equal proportions. Students use that relationship, along with the Pythagorean Theorem, to find missing side lengths and prove why triangles behave the way they do.

  • Identify the shapes of two-dimensional cross-sections of three-dimensional…

    NC.M3.G-GMD.4

    Slice a cone or cylinder with an imaginary plane and name the flat shape you see. Students also figure out what 3-D solid spins into existence when a flat shape, like a rectangle or triangle, rotates around an axis.

  • Verify experimentally that the side ratios in similar right triangles are…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.6

    Students measure the sides of similar right triangles to discover that the ratio of two sides always stays the same for a given angle. That pattern is what sine, cosine, and tangent are built from.

  • Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems…

    NC.M2.G-SRT.8

    Students use the Pythagorean Theorem and sine, cosine, or tangent ratios to find a missing side length or angle in a right triangle. The problem is always grounded in a real situation, like finding the height of a ramp or the distance across a field.

  • Develop properties of special right triangles

    NC.M2.G-SRT.12

    In 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangles, the side lengths follow a fixed pattern. Students learn that pattern and use it to find missing side lengths without measuring.

  • Apply geometric concepts in modeling situations <ul><li>Use geometric and…

    NC.M3.G-MG.1

    Students use shapes, measurements, and formulas to solve real-world problems, like figuring out how much material a design needs or how many objects fit in a given space.

North Carolina Math 4
  • Organize large datasets of real world contexts

    NC.M4.SP.1.3

    Students take a large, real-world dataset and use spreadsheet or analysis software to sort out what each column measures, what values it can take, and which graphs or summary numbers would help make sense of it all.

Precalculus
  • Apply properties of complex numbers and the complex number system

    PC.N.1

    Students work with imaginary numbers, combining them with real numbers to form complex numbers. They use properties like addition and multiplication to solve problems that real numbers alone can't handle.

  • Execute the sum and difference algorithms to combine complex numbers

    PC.N.1.1

    Students add and subtract complex numbers by combining the real parts and the imaginary parts separately, the same way they would combine like terms in algebra.

  • Execute the multiplication algorithm with complex numbers

    PC.N.1.2

    Students multiply complex numbers together, combining the real and imaginary parts of each number using the same distribution steps they already know from algebra.

  • Apply properties and operations with matrices

    PC.N.2

    Students add, subtract, and multiply matrices by following rules about rows and columns. This builds the foundation for solving real-world systems and transformations later in the course.

  • Execute the sum and difference algorithms to combine matrices of appropriate…

    PC.N.2.1

    Students add and subtract matrices by combining matching positions in each grid. Both matrices must be the same size for the operation to work.

  • Execute associative and distributive properties to matrices

    PC.N.2.2

    Students apply the same arithmetic rules they know from regular numbers to matrices. They show that grouping or distributing across matrices works the same way it does with simple expressions.

  • Execute commutative property to add matrices

    PC.N.2.3

    Adding matrices works like adding regular numbers: the order doesn't matter. Students swap the position of two matrices and confirm the sum stays the same.

  • Execute properties of matrices to multiply a matrix by a scalar

    PC.N.2.4

    Students learn to scale a matrix by multiplying every number inside it by a single value. It works the same way multiplying a price list by 1.5 would raise every price at once.

  • Execute the multiplication algorithm with matrices

    PC.N.2.5

    Students multiply matrices by combining rows and columns through a specific process of repeated multiplication and addition. This is the arithmetic of matrices, used later in computer graphics, economics, and data analysis.

  • Understand properties and operations with vectors

    PC.N.3

    Students work with vectors, which are arrows that show both a direction and a distance. They learn how to add, subtract, and scale vectors and explore how those operations behave.

  • Represent a vector indicating magnitude and direction

    PC.N.3.1

    Students draw or label an arrow that shows how far something moves and which way it points. The arrow's length represents the distance, and the arrowhead shows the direction.

  • Execute sum and difference algorithms to combine vectors

    PC.N.3.2

    Students add and subtract vectors by combining their components, finding a single new vector that represents the total effect of two separate directions and distances.

  • Apply properties of solving inequalities that include rational and polynomial…

    PC.A.1

    Students solve inequalities that include fractions and expressions with exponents, like finding all the values of x that make a fraction or a curved equation stay above or below zero.

  • Implement algebraic

    PC.A.1.1

    Students solve inequalities that include fractions or exponents by testing sections of a number line to find where the expression is positive or negative. The answer is a range of values, not a single number.

  • Implement graphical methods to solve rational and polynomial inequalities

    PC.A.1.2

    Students solve inequalities like x² > 5 or (x+1)/(x-2) < 0 by reading a graph instead of solving algebraically. They find where the curve sits above or below the x-axis and write the answer as a range of values.

  • Apply properties of solving equations involving exponential, logarithmic

    PC.A.2

    Students solve equations that include exponents, logarithms, and angles by applying specific rules that make those equations solvable. This is the algebraic toolkit for working with growth patterns, sound levels, and cycles.

  • Use properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions

    PC.A.2.1

    Students rewrite logarithm expressions by applying rules like the product, quotient, and power properties. The goal is to simplify a single complex log or expand it into smaller, workable parts.

  • Implement properties of exponentials and logarithms to solve equations

    PC.A.2.2

    Students use rules about exponents and logarithms to solve equations where the unknown is in a power or inside a log. This is the algebra behind calculating compound interest, population growth, and similar real-world problems.

  • Implement properties of trigonometric functions to solve equations…

    PC.A.2.3

    Students solve equations that involve sine, cosine, and tangent by applying rules like the Pythagorean identity and double angle formulas. They also work backward using inverse trig functions to find missing angles.

  • Implement algebraic techniques to rewrite parametric equations in cartesian…

    PC.A.2.4

    Students rewrite a pair of equations that share a hidden variable into a single equation with just x and y. The goal is to remove that shared variable so the relationship can be graphed or analyzed in a familiar form.

  • Understand key features of sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant and…

    PC.F.1

    Reading a sine or cosine wave means spotting where it peaks, where it crosses zero, and how long it takes to repeat. Students learn those same key features for all six trig functions on a graph.

  • Interpret algebraic and graphical representations to determine key features of…

    PC.F.1.1

    Students read a graph or equation of a shifted or stretched sine or cosine wave and identify its key features: how tall the wave is, how wide each cycle is, where it sits on the graph, and where it rises or falls.

  • Interpret algebraic and graphical representations to determine key features of…

    PC.F.1.2

    Students read graphs and equations for the four less-common trig functions (tangent, cotangent, secant, cosecant) and identify key details: where the graph rises or falls, where it repeats, where it has gaps, and where it hits its highest or lowest points.

  • Integrate information to build trigonometric functions with specified…

    PC.F.1.3

    Students build sine and cosine equations from scratch, adjusting how tall, how wide, and how shifted the wave is to match a given description or real-world situation.

  • Implement graphical and algebraic methods to solve trigonometric equations and…

    PC.F.1.4

    Students solve equations that use sine, cosine, and tangent by reading graphs and working through the algebra, then check their answers with a graphing tool. The focus is on problems drawn from real situations.

  • Apply properties of a unit circle with center

    PC.F.2

    Students use a circle with radius 1 centered at the origin to find the exact values of sine, cosine, tangent, and the three related trig ratios at any angle. It connects geometry and algebra to build the foundation for all trigonometry.

  • Use a unit circle to find values of sine, cosine

    PC.F.2.1

    Students use a circle with radius 1 to find the sine, cosine, and tangent of an angle by locating its reference angle. This connects angle measures to the coordinates on the circle.

  • Explain the relationship between the symmetry of a unit circle and the…

    PC.F.2.2

    Students learn why sine and cosine repeat the same values every full trip around the unit circle. The circle's symmetry is the reason those patterns cycle forever.

  • Apply properties of trigonometry to solve problems involving all types of…

    PC.F.3

    Students use sine, cosine, and tangent to find missing side lengths and angles in any triangle, not just right triangles. This shows up in real problems like finding distances or heights that can't be measured directly.

  • Implement a strategy to solve equations using inverse trigonometric functions

    PC.F.3.1

    Students solve equations where an angle is unknown by working backward through sine, cosine, or tangent. They use inverse trig functions to find the angle that produces a given ratio.

  • Implement the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to solve problems

    PC.F.3.2

    Students use two formulas to find missing side lengths and angles in triangles that don't have a right angle. This shows up in problems involving distances, navigation, and real-world shapes that can't be solved with basic right-triangle rules.

  • Implement the Pythagorean identity to find sin

    PC.F.3.3

    Given one trig ratio and the angle's location on the unit circle, students find the other two. They use the relationship sin²(θ) + cos²(θ) = 1 to work out the missing values and assign the right sign based on the quadrant.

  • Understand the relationship of algebraic and graphical representations of…

    PC.F.4

    Students read graphs and equations of curves like exponentials, logarithms, and parabolas, then connect the numbers in the formula to what the graph actually does: where it peaks, where it crosses zero, how fast it grows.

  • Interpret algebraic and graphical representations to determine key features of…

    PC.F.4.1

    Students read an exponential graph and its equation to find key facts: where the curve crosses the axes, whether it rises or falls, where it levels off, and what happens to the values as the graph stretches left or right toward infinity.

  • Integrate information to build exponential functions to model phenomena…

    PC.F.4.2

    Students build exponential equations to model real situations like population growth, radioactive decay, or compound interest. They pull together given information to write a function that captures how a quantity speeds up or shrinks over time.

  • Interpret algebraic and graphical representations to determine key features of…

    PC.F.4.3

    Students read a logarithmic graph and its equation to find where the curve starts, where it crosses the axes, whether it rises or falls, and where it flattens out or levels off toward a boundary line it never quite reaches.

  • Implement graphical and algebraic methods to solve exponential and logarithmic…

    PC.F.4.4

    Students solve real-world problems where the unknown is in an exponent or a logarithm, using graphs, algebra, and calculators to find the answer.

  • Interpret algebraic and graphical representations to determine key features of…

    PC.F.4.5

    Students read a rational function's equation and its graph to find what it does: where it's defined, where it crosses the axes, where it rises or falls, and what happens to the curve near a gap or at the far ends.

  • Implement graphical and algebraic methods to solve optimization problems given…

    PC.F.4.6

    Students use graphs and algebra to find the highest or lowest value in a real-world problem, like the dimensions that give the most area or the least cost, using rational or polynomial functions.

  • Construct graphs of transformations of power, exponential

    PC.F.4.7

    Students graph shifted, stretched, or flipped versions of power, exponential, and logarithmic functions, then label the key features that changed. The focus is on seeing how each transformation moves or reshapes the original curve.

  • Identify the conic section

    PC.F.4.8

    Looking at an equation written in a specific form, students identify whether it describes an ellipse, a hyperbola, or a parabola. The shape of the equation, not a graph, is the only clue they get.

  • Interpret algebraic and graphical representations to determine key features of…

    PC.F.4.9

    Students read equations and graphs to identify key measurements of curves like ellipses, hyperbolas, and parabolas. For each shape, they locate the center or vertex and measure the axes that define how the curve stretches or opens.

  • Apply properties of function composition to build new functions from existing…

    PC.F.5

    Students combine two functions by feeding the output of one into the other as its input. The result is a brand-new function built from two simpler ones working in sequence.

  • Implement algebraic procedures to compose functions

    PC.F.5.1

    Students combine two functions into one by plugging the output of the first function into the second. For example, if f turns x into x², and g adds 3, then g(f(x)) adds 3 to x².

  • Execute a procedure to determine the value of a composite function at a given…

    PC.F.5.2

    Composite functions plug the output of one function into a second function. Students find the result using an equation, a graph, or a table of values.

  • Implement algebraic methods to find the domain of a composite function

    PC.F.5.3

    Students figure out which input values are allowed when two functions are chained together. They check both functions, not just the outer one, to find where the combined rule actually works.

  • Organize information to build models involving function composition

    PC.F.5.4

    Students combine two functions by feeding the output of one into the input of another, then use that linked process to model a real situation, like converting temperature and then calculating cost.

  • Deconstruct a composite function into two functions

    PC.F.5.5

    Given a composite function like f(g(x)), students identify the two separate functions inside it and write each one out on its own.

  • Implement algebraic and graphical methods to find an inverse function of an…

    PC.F.5.6

    Students find the reverse of a function, working backward from outputs to inputs. They use algebra and graphs to do it, and sometimes limit the function's range of values so the reverse version still works.

  • Use composition to determine if one function is the inverse of another function

    PC.F.5.7

    Students check whether two functions undo each other by plugging one into the other. If the result is just x both ways, the functions are inverses.

  • Apply mathematical reasoning to build recursive functions to model and solve…

    PC.F.6

    Students write rules where each new value depends on the one before it, then use those rules to model real patterns like loan balances or population growth.

  • Use algebraic representations to build recursive functions

    PC.F.6.1

    Students write rules that define each term of a sequence by referring back to the previous term, using equations rather than words to describe the pattern.

  • Construct a recursive function for a sequence represented numerically

    PC.F.6.2

    Given a list of numbers that follow a pattern, students write a rule that uses each term to calculate the next one, like describing how a savings account grows by adding the same amount each month.

  • Apply mathematical reasoning to build parametric functions and solve problems

    PC.F.7

    Students write equations that track two changing quantities at once, like the position of a moving object over time, then use those equations to solve real problems.

  • Implement algebraic methods to write parametric equations in context

    PC.F.7.1

    Students translate a real-world situation, like a ball in flight or a car moving along a road, into a pair of equations that track position using a shared time variable. Both equations work together to describe where something is at any given moment.

  • Implement technology to solve contextual problems involving parametric…

    PC.F.7.2

    Students use graphing tools or software to solve real-world problems set up with parametric equations, where both x and y values depend on a third variable like time.

Assessments
The state tests students at this grade and subject take.
State Summative

North Carolina EOC: NC Math 1

End-of-course assessment for NC Math 1, administered when students complete the course.

When given:
end-of-course
Frequency:
by course completion
Official source
Common Questions
  • What math will students work on this year?

    Students stretch algebra past the basics. They work with complex numbers, logarithms, trigonometry, matrices, piecewise functions, and statistical models. Most problems ask students to choose a function that fits a real situation and then solve it.

  • How can families help with homework when the math looks unfamiliar?

    Ask the student to explain the problem out loud before touching a pencil. If they get stuck, have them show where the textbook or notes covered a similar example. Talking through the setup catches most mistakes faster than redoing the work.

  • What does it mean when a problem has an answer like 3 + 2i?

    That is a complex number. It shows up when a quadratic equation has no real solution, like when a graph never crosses the x-axis. Students learn to add, subtract, and multiply these numbers using the same rules as regular algebra, with i squared equal to negative one.

  • Why is so much of the year spent on different kinds of functions?

    Most real situations are modeled with a function: growth, decay, periodic motion, profit, distance. Students need to recognize which family of function fits the situation, write the equation, and read the graph. That skill carries them through every later math and science course.

  • How should the year be sequenced across so many topic strands?

    A common path is functions and their inverses first (logarithmic, exponential, piecewise), then trigonometry with identities and the laws of sines and cosines, then matrices and vectors, and statistics last. Complex numbers and polynomial review fit naturally into the function units.

  • Which topics usually need the most reteaching?

    Logarithm properties, the unit circle, and function composition are the three that most often need a second pass. Students also struggle to read residual plots and to decide which regression model fits a data set. Build in short retrieval practice for these every few weeks.

  • What can a student practice at home in ten minutes?

    Pick one problem from the day's notes and rework it from scratch on a blank page. Then write one sentence explaining what each step did. That kind of short, focused practice builds more memory than redoing a full worksheet.

  • How do teachers know students are ready for the next course?

    By spring, students should pick the right function for a situation without prompting, solve equations involving logs and trig, and explain the meaning of a slope, an asymptote, or a residual in plain words. Students who can do those three things are ready for precalculus or AP statistics.