Mexico High School - Mascot Yearbook (Mexico, MO)

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Mr. Gardner tabovej explains to Lee Ann Dennison, an Algebra Il student, the method of finding the area of a parrellogram. fright! In this case, Cindy Funk, with the help of Mrs. DesCombes, comes to the conclusion that x : 10. ttopj Geometry classes include in their study problems dealing with the construction of circles. 72 Academics

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4 Academics 7'I M n- Using a plastic model, physical science teacher Ron Whittabker and freshman Chuck Rentschler carefully examine the structure of the inner ear, llefti Teresa jones, Cindy Harrison, Kathy Crag- head watch with a variety of facial expressions as instructor Art Rinderknecht demonstrates the first step in dissecting a worm in Biology I.

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. ifgtiteggg. 'W -z7:'msZ'1i'ii+?f T -f -.,fw.t5-- ii I 1' Academics 73 Top Math Honors Cro to Karla Baker Karla Baker became the year's top math student when she received the highest score on the annual high school mathematical examination. This year also marked a new high for the college boards with the scores achieved by jim Covington and Lewis Melahn. Mathematics courses at MHS concentrated on preparing students for the ever increasing math- minded world, while offering several degrees of specialization. Functional Math is designed to acquaint students with the basic mathematic principles needed in everyday life. The centuries-old abacus was used to demonstrate the ideas introduced in this course, which included a study of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents. Algebra I continued with the concepts which were introduced in seventh and eighth grade math. Open to freshman students who had an M average in eighth grade and who passed a placement examina- tion, this course accented the number line, sets of numbers, and graphing. With the basis of proving theorems and hypotheses on previously accepted data, geometry provided interested students with the chance to tackle thought-provoking problems. Geometry progressed from lines and planes to three dimensional solids. Algebra ll examined in greater detail the principles of Algebra I, as well as introduced the students to the individual properties of four symmetrical curves -the circle, parabola, hyperbola, and ellipse. Logarithms, functions, and graphing were also studied. Helping students to gain an understanding of more complex mathematics, College Algebra and Trig- onometry is the most advanced math course offered at MHS. This course provided a basis for future study in engineering, while also giving advance college hours in some cases. Trigometric functions, data organization, and beginning calculus were all a part of the course content. Itopj Tim Baker, senior, seems to find something to chuckle about in his College Algebra book. john Reaves studies intently for to- morrow's Algebra test.