Math 1 (CPM - College Preparatory Mathematics/Common Core) and Algebra 1 both cover foundational algebraic concepts, but Math 1 in the CPM curriculum takes a more integrated, problem-based approach. In Math 1 CPM, students explore linear functions, systems of equations, and basic transformations, often through collaborative activities and real-world applications. The course emphasizes multiple representations of functions—graphical, numerical, algebraic, and verbal—and encourages students to make connections between them. Students also review and deepen their understanding of proportional reasoning, slope, and equations of lines, while being introduced to sequences and exponential functions. Geometry is woven throughout, particularly in the context of transformations and coordinate geometry.
Algebra 1, typically more traditional in structure, focuses on mastering the core principles of algebra: solving linear and quadratic equations, graphing functions, factoring polynomials, and working with inequalities. Students learn to analyze and interpret functions, including linear, quadratic, and exponential models, and they begin to understand the concept of a function as a rule that assigns inputs to outputs. The course includes solving systems of equations and applying algebraic reasoning to word problems. While both Math 1 and Algebra 1 cover similar topics, CPM emphasizes reasoning, collaboration, and multiple strategies, whereas traditional Algebra 1 focuses more on procedural fluency and symbolic manipulation.