Important high school math standards?

Math isn't really my strong suit, but I get the feeling that there are some math skills that might be important no matter what field I go into. Does anyone have an idea of the most important high school math standards I should make sure to master?

Sure, regardless of your major or field, there is a certain level of math proficiency that is beneficial. Here are a few locales in high school mathematics which are often seen as foundational:

1. Algebra: This is the backbone of advanced math topics. Mastering the basic concepts such as variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, polynomials, and factoring can be very beneficial.

2. Geometry: Understanding shapes, their properties, and the relationship between them plays a key role not only in mathematics but also in other disciplines like computer programming, architecture, and engineering. Key topics could include angles, parallel lines, triangles, circle, polygons, and 3D shapes.

3. Trigonometry: This includes understanding ratios in triangles, the unit circle, sin, cos, tan and their reciprocals, and graphs of these functions. Especially if you're considering areas like physics, engineering, or computer science, this will be very important.

4. Statistics and Probability: This helps to understand data and predictions, which are applicable in many fields. Key topics are measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), dispersion (range, quartiles, variance, standard deviation), probability calculations, and understanding of distributions.

5. Pre-Calculus: If you're looking towards any form of advanced mathematics or STEM fields, a basic grounding in calculus ideas is vital. Topics here include limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals.

Of course, the level to which you need to be proficient varies depending on future career paths. If you're going into a math-heavy field, you'll want a deeper understanding, while a more basic comprehension may serve you well for most other careers. However, irrespective of the field, these basic concepts help to establish critical thinking and problem-solving skills.