FINANCIAL ALGEBRA #0309
Financial Algebra is a mathematics course which explores the studies of Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics concepts in the context of personal finance management. The course includes the studies of mathematics concepts and skills based on Common Core State Standards in Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 that are applicable to the modeling, calculations, and analysis of financial situations. The mathematics concepts and skills needed to study the financial situations are introduced, developed, and applied within these six financial topics: Employment, Taxes, and Benefits, Banking and Purchases, Business Basic, Loans, Automobile and Home Ownership, and Retirement and Personal Budgeting. In addition to the content standards, this course also allows students to build proficiency in Mathematical Practice Standards as they engage with mathematics through the financial lens, finding and generalizing patterns, thinking abstractly and quantitatively, making and testing conjectures or predictions, using technology (graphing calculator and spreadsheet), and using multiple representations (tables, graphs, equations, and verbal descriptions) of functions to model a number of financial situations. The relatability of the financial context in this course to our young-adult students will motivate them to learn these mathematical concepts and skills in depth, and equipped with these mathematics skills, students will be empowered to plan and better manage their personal finances in their lives and their future.
Financial Algebra builds upon and applies key concepts from Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Although Algebra 2 is listed as a corequisite, this course actively reinforces and extends Algebra 2-level topics through real-world financial applications. Students are expected to engage in mathematical modeling, critical analysis, and problem-solving using advanced algebraic concepts such as functions, systems of equations, exponential growth, and statistical reasoning. The content integrates Mathematical Practice Standards such as reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, using appropriate tools strategically (e.g., spreadsheets, graphing calculators), and modeling with mathematics. These components show that the course requires the same depth of knowledge and skill development as other advanced math classes.