Standards are the floor. Mastery and understanding are the goal.
Explore how each subject becomes a coherent sequence of knowledge, reasoning, practice, and transfer—not a disconnected checklist.
Grade 9 Math
Select a record to inspect its progression
Real Number System · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.N-RN.A.1Explain rational exponents
Component progression
- 1I can use the pattern in integer exponent rules (e.g. (5^(1/3))^3 = 5^1) to explain what a fractional exponent must mean.
- 2I can rewrite expressions between radical form and rational-exponent form (e.g. cube root of 5 = 5^(1/3), x^(2/3) = (cube root of x)^2).
- 3I can explain, using integer exponent properties as evidence, why a^(m/n) must equal the nth root of a^m.
Real Number System · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.N-RN.A.2Rewrite radical and rational-exponent expressions
Component progression
- 1I can simplify radical expressions by factoring out perfect powers matching the index.
- 2I can rewrite expressions fluently between radical notation and rational-exponent notation.
- 3I can use exponent properties (product, quotient, power rules) to simplify expressions containing rational exponents or radicals.
Real Number System · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.N-RN.B.3Classify results of operations on rational and irrational numbers
Component progression
- 1I can determine whether a given number can be written as a ratio of integers, and classify it as rational or irrational.
- 2I can explain, with examples, why rational numbers are closed under addition and multiplication.
- 3I can construct an argument (e.g. by contradiction) for why adding a nonzero rational number to an irrational number, or multiplying a nonzero rational number by an irrational number, produces an irrational result.
Real Number System · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.N-Q.A.1Use units to guide problem solving
Component progression
- 1I can carry units through each step of a multi-step problem, cancelling and combining them the way the arithmetic combines the numbers.
- 2I can verify that every term in a formula has consistent units, and use unit analysis to catch a setup error.
- 3I can choose a scale and origin for a graph or data display that appropriately shows the values and relationships of interest.
Real Number System · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.N-Q.A.2Define appropriate quantities for modeling
Component progression
- 1I can identify the real-world attribute a descriptive model needs to represent, such as overall safety or affordability.
- 2I can propose a specific, measurable quantity (with units) that reasonably captures the attribute of interest.
- 3I can explain why a proposed quantity is an appropriate way to measure the attribute, and note its limitations.
Real Number System · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.N-Q.A.3Choose an appropriate level of accuracy
Component progression
- 1I can identify the level of precision of the measurements used as inputs to a calculation.
- 2I can explain why a calculated result cannot be more precise than the least precise measurement that produced it.
- 3I can report a calculated or measured quantity at a level of accuracy appropriate to the context and its measurement limitations.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-SSE.A.1Interpret parts of an expression
Component progression
- 1I can identify the terms, factors, and coefficients of an expression and name what each represents in a given context.
- 2I can explain what an expression, or a specific part of it, represents about the situation it models (e.g. a coefficient as a rate, a constant term as a starting value).
- 3I can view a repeated or grouped part of a complicated expression as one entity to interpret or manipulate the expression more easily.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-SSE.A.2Use structure to rewrite expressions
Component progression
- 1I can recognize common algebraic structures (difference of squares, perfect square trinomials, common factors) hidden inside more complex expressions.
- 2I can rewrite an expression by treating a part of it as a single entity to reveal a known factoring pattern.
- 3I can confirm an expression's rewritten form is equivalent to the original, such as by expanding it back or testing values.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-SSE.B.3Choose an equivalent form to reveal properties
Component progression
- 1I can factor a quadratic expression to identify the values that make it zero, and explain what those zeros mean for the quantity modeled.
- 2I can complete the square to rewrite a quadratic expression in vertex form, and identify the maximum or minimum value it represents.
- 3I can rewrite an exponential expression using exponent properties to reveal a rate (e.g. rewriting to show an equivalent monthly rate from an annual one).
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-APR.A.1Operate on polynomials
Component progression
- 1I can add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms, including distributing a negative sign correctly during subtraction.
- 2I can multiply polynomials by distributing each term of one polynomial across every term of the other.
- 3I can explain why adding, subtracting, or multiplying two polynomials always produces another polynomial, drawing the parallel to closure of the integers.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-CED.A.1Create equations and inequalities in one variable
Component progression
- 1I can translate a real-world relationship described in words into a linear, quadratic, rational, or exponential equation in one variable.
- 2I can translate a real-world constraint (a limit, minimum, or requirement) into an inequality in one variable.
- 3I can solve the equation or inequality and interpret the solution in terms of the original situation, checking that it makes sense.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-CED.A.2Create equations in two or more variables
Component progression
- 1I can write an equation in two variables that represents how one quantity in a situation depends on another.
- 2I can set up coordinate axes with variable labels and a scale appropriate to the situation being graphed.
- 3I can graph the two-variable equation and explain what the resulting graph shows about the relationship.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-CED.A.3Represent and interpret constraints
Component progression
- 1I can write a system of equations and/or inequalities that represents every constraint described in a situation.
- 2I can identify the solution set of a system of constraints, such as a feasible region for a system of inequalities.
- 3I can evaluate whether a mathematical solution to the system is actually viable given real-world limits on the quantities involved.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-CED.A.4Rearrange formulas for a quantity of interest
Component progression
- 1I can apply the same inverse-operation steps used to solve a numeric equation to isolate a specified variable in a formula.
- 2I can rearrange a given formula (e.g. a geometry or science formula) to solve explicitly for a specified quantity.
- 3I can check a rearranged formula by substituting known values and confirming it produces the same result as the original formula.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.A.1Justify a solution method
Component progression
- 1I can state the property of equality (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division property) that justifies each step of solving a specific equation.
- 2I can solve an equation while explicitly justifying every step as following from equality of the previous step.
- 3I can identify solving steps (such as squaring both sides) that can introduce extraneous solutions, and explain why checking the original equation matters.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.B.3Solve linear equations and inequalities
Component progression
- 1I can solve linear equations in one variable that require multiple steps, including equations with variables on both sides.
- 2I can solve linear inequalities in one variable, correctly reversing the inequality symbol when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.
- 3I can solve a linear equation in one variable when some of the coefficients are represented by other letters instead of numbers.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.C.5Prove the elimination method preserves solutions
Component progression
- 1I can show, for a specific system, that a solution to the original system still satisfies the equation produced by adding a multiple of one equation to another.
- 2I can construct a general argument (algebraically) for why replacing one equation with a linear combination of both equations does not change the system's solution set.
- 3I can explain how this result justifies solving systems of linear equations by the elimination method.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.C.6Solve systems of linear equations
Component progression
- 1I can explain that a solution to a system of two linear equations is an ordered pair satisfying both equations, corresponding to the point where their graphs intersect.
- 2I can solve a system of two linear equations by graphing both lines and identifying their point of intersection.
- 3I can solve a system of two linear equations using substitution and using elimination.
- 4I can choose an efficient method for a given system, solve it independently, and verify the solution satisfies both original equations.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.D.10Understand the graph of an equation
Component progression
- 1I can determine whether a given point satisfies an equation in two variables by substitution.
- 2I can generate multiple solutions to an equation in two variables and plot them to form its graph.
- 3I can explain that every point on the graph is a solution to the equation, and every solution appears on the graph.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.D.11Find intersections as solutions to f(x) = g(x)
Component progression
- 1I can explain why a point where two graphs intersect represents an input where the two functions produce the same output.
- 2I can identify the approximate coordinates where two graphed functions intersect, using technology or careful reading of the graph.
- 3I can state the approximate solution(s) to f(x) = g(x) using the x-coordinates of the intersection points found.
Algebra · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.A-REI.D.12Graph solutions to linear inequalities and systems
Component progression
- 1I can graph the boundary line of a linear inequality, using a solid line for ≤/≥ and a dashed line for < or >.
- 2I can use a test point to determine and shade the correct half-plane representing the solution set of a linear inequality.
- 3I can graph a system of linear inequalities and identify the region where all shaded half-planes overlap as the system's solution set.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.A.1Understand the definition of a function
Component progression
- 1I can determine whether a relation (given as a table, graph, mapping, or set of ordered pairs) assigns exactly one output to every input.
- 2I can identify the domain and range of a function from its representation.
- 3I can explain that f(x) represents the specific output value the function produces for the input x, not multiplication.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.A.2Use function notation
Component progression
- 1I can evaluate a function for a specific numeric input, including expressions like f(a+2), by substituting correctly into the function's rule.
- 2I can explain what a statement like f(3) = 12 means in terms of the real-world quantities the function models.
- 3I can given a function and a target output value, find the corresponding input(s).
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.A.3Recognize sequences as functions
Component progression
- 1I can identify the domain of a sequence as a subset of the integers, and connect each term number to a function input.
- 2I can generate terms of a sequence given a recursive definition (each term based on the previous term).
- 3I can explain why a sequence can be treated as a function, identifying the input (term number) and output (term value).
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.B.4Interpret key features of functions
Component progression
- 1I can identify intercepts, intervals where a function is increasing, decreasing, positive, or negative, relative maxima/minima, symmetries, and end behavior from a graph or table.
- 2I can explain what each key feature of a graph or table means in terms of the situation the function models.
- 3I can sketch a graph showing key features (intercepts, increasing/decreasing behavior, extrema) described verbally, without needing an exact equation.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.B.5Relate domain to a function's graph and context
Component progression
- 1I can identify the domain of a function directly from its graph, including any breaks or endpoints.
- 2I can determine a realistic domain for a function modeling a real-world situation, based on what input values actually make sense.
- 3I can explain how a function's domain, whether restricted by its rule or by context, is reflected in its graph.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.B.6Calculate and interpret average rate of change
Component progression
- 1I can compute the average rate of change of a function over a specified interval, given a table, graph, or equation, as the change in output divided by the change in input.
- 2I can interpret an average rate of change as the meaning of a rate in the situation the function models.
- 3I can estimate the average rate of change of a function over an interval directly from reading its graph.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.C.7Graph functions and show key features
Component progression
- 1I can graph linear and quadratic functions from their equations, showing intercepts and, for quadratics, the vertex.
- 2I can graph piecewise-defined functions, including step and absolute value functions, correctly restricting each piece to its domain.
- 3I can graph exponential functions from their equations, showing intercepts and end behavior including the horizontal asymptote.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.C.8Rewrite a function to reveal properties
Component progression
- 1I can factor the expression defining a quadratic function to identify its zeros, and explain what the zeros represent on the graph.
- 2I can use exponent properties to rewrite an exponential function's expression in a form that reveals a percent growth or decay rate.
- 3I can explain how a specific equivalent form of a function's expression makes a particular property (zeros, rate, extremum) easier to see.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-IF.C.9Compare functions in different representations
Component progression
- 1I can determine a specific property (such as rate of change, intercept, or maximum) of a function regardless of whether it's given algebraically, graphically, numerically, or verbally.
- 2I can compare a specific property between two functions given in different representations.
- 3I can draw and justify a conclusion (e.g. which function grows faster, which has a greater maximum) based on the comparison.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-BF.A.1Write a function describing a relationship
Component progression
- 1I can write an explicit function rule that models a relationship described in a real-world context.
- 2I can describe a relationship in a context as a recursive process (each output built from the previous one).
- 3I can build a new function by combining two given functions with addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division to model a combined situation.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-BF.A.2Write and translate sequences
Component progression
- 1I can write a recursive formula for an arithmetic or geometric sequence given its pattern or context.
- 2I can write an explicit formula for an arithmetic or geometric sequence given its pattern or context.
- 3I can convert a sequence between its recursive and explicit formula forms.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-BF.B.3Identify the effect of function transformations
Component progression
- 1I can identify the vertical shift and vertical stretch/compression caused by f(x)+k and k·f(x) for specific values of k.
- 2I can identify the horizontal shift and horizontal stretch/compression caused by f(x+k) and f(kx) for specific values of k, including the reversed direction of horizontal shifts.
- 3I can given the graphs of f(x) and a transformed version, determine the value of k and which transformation was applied.
- 4I can determine whether a function is even, odd, or neither from its graph (symmetry about the y-axis or the origin) or its algebraic expression (testing f(-x)).
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-LE.A.1Distinguish linear from exponential growth
Component progression
- 1I can examine a table of values to determine whether consecutive outputs differ by a constant amount, indicating linear growth.
- 2I can examine a table of values to determine whether consecutive outputs share a constant ratio, indicating exponential growth.
- 3I can determine, from a verbal description, table, or graph, whether a situation is better modeled linearly or exponentially, and justify the choice.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-LE.A.2Construct linear and exponential functions
Component progression
- 1I can construct a linear function from a graph, verbal description, or two points.
- 2I can construct an exponential function from a graph, verbal description, or two points, by finding the common ratio and initial value.
- 3I can check a constructed linear or exponential function by confirming it reproduces the original graph, description, or points.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-LE.A.3Compare exponential growth to linear and quadratic growth
Component progression
- 1I can generate tables comparing an exponential function to a linear or quadratic function over an extended domain.
- 2I can identify, from a graph or table, the approximate point after which the exponential function's values permanently exceed the other function's values.
- 3I can explain, in terms of equal factors versus equal differences, why exponential growth eventually overtakes linear or polynomial growth no matter the starting values.
Functions · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.F-LE.B.5Interpret parameters in a linear or exponential function
Component progression
- 1I can interpret the slope and y-intercept of a linear function in terms of the rate and starting value of the situation it models.
- 2I can interpret the initial value and growth/decay factor of an exponential function in terms of the situation it models, converting a factor to a percent rate correctly.
- 3I can explain how a change in a specific parameter would change the situation being modeled.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.A.1Represent data with plots
Component progression
- 1I can construct a dot plot to represent a small data set on the real number line.
- 2I can construct a histogram from a data set using consistent bin widths.
- 3I can construct a box plot from a data set, correctly identifying the minimum, quartiles, median, and maximum.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.A.2Compare data sets using center and spread
Component progression
- 1I can choose median and interquartile range for skewed distributions, and mean and standard deviation for roughly symmetric distributions.
- 2I can calculate the median, mean, interquartile range, and standard deviation of a data set.
- 3I can compare the center and spread of two or more data sets and describe what the comparison reveals.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.A.3Interpret shape, center, and spread; account for outliers
Component progression
- 1I can identify outliers in a data set and determine how they affect the mean versus the median.
- 2I can explain what differences in shape, center, and spread between two data sets mean in the real-world context.
- 3I can justify a decision about whether an outlier should be included, investigated, or excluded when summarizing a data set.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.A.4Fit and use the normal distribution
Component progression
- 1I can examine a data set's shape to judge whether modeling it with a normal distribution is reasonable.
- 2I can use the mean, standard deviation, and the 68-95-99.7 empirical rule to estimate what percentage of data falls within given ranges.
- 3I can use a calculator, spreadsheet, or table to estimate population percentages for a normally distributed data set.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.B.5Summarize categorical data in two-way tables
Component progression
- 1I can construct a two-way frequency table summarizing categorical data across two categories.
- 2I can calculate joint, marginal, and conditional relative frequencies from a two-way table.
- 3I can use relative frequencies from a two-way table to describe possible association or trends between the two categories.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.B.6Represent and describe bivariate quantitative data
Component progression
- 1I can construct a scatter plot to display the relationship between two quantitative variables.
- 2I can describe the form, direction, and strength of the association shown in a scatter plot.
- 3I can fit a linear function to data that shows a linear association, and informally assess how well the line fits the data.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.C.7Interpret slope and intercept of a linear model
Component progression
- 1I can interpret the slope of a linear model as the rate of change of the response variable with respect to the explanatory variable, stated in context.
- 2I can interpret the y-intercept of a linear model in context, and judge whether the interpretation is meaningful for the data.
- 3I can use a linear model's equation to predict a value, and explain the prediction in terms of the slope and intercept.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.C.8Compute and interpret the correlation coefficient
Component progression
- 1I can use technology to compute the correlation coefficient for a linear fit to bivariate data.
- 2I can interpret the value of a correlation coefficient in terms of the strength and direction of the linear relationship.
- 3I can explain why a correlation coefficient near zero does not necessarily mean there is no relationship between the variables.
Statistics Data · CCSS.Math.Content.HS.S-ID.C.9Distinguish correlation from causation
Component progression
- 1I can identify when two variables are correlated without concluding that one causes the other.
- 2I can propose a confounding variable or alternative explanation that could account for an observed correlation.
- 3I can evaluate a real or realistic claim that treats a correlation as proof of causation, explaining what additional evidence would be needed to support causation.