Concepts learned in 8th grade include: formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling with equations, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; identifying and approximating irrational numbers; working with exponents in equations; grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; analyzing 2- and 3- dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity and congruence; and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem; and investigating patterns of association in bivariate data. Students will be required to communicate their mathematical knowledge through problem solving, reasoning, writing and class discussions.