Is there more to math?

You take a variety of classes while in high school..... math, science, language arts, social studies....
The connection between math and science is pretty obvious, but is there a connections to the other core classes? Does math have anything to do with literature or history? What are your thoughts on the connections?

How do you graph using the slope-intercept method?

Pretend that you are teaching someone to graph a line using the slope-intercept method (that is what we have been doing in class). What would you tell them? Try to explain the process so that anyone could do it.

Use the equation: x - 2y = 6

Equations to Graph

Here are the equations to graph.
1.Identify the slope and y-intercept point
2. Determine if it goes up or down, steep or flat
3. Graph
4. Check - does your graph match your predictions?

(2) y = 4x - 5
(4) y = -1/3 x + 2
(6) y = 5x + 5
(8) y = 3/4 x + 3
(20) y = -3x - 5
(22) y = -5/4 x + 3
(28) y = 2x + 3
(30) y = -x + 7
(32) y = 3/4 x - 3
(34) y = -1/3 x + 2
(36) y = -3/5 x - 3
(40) y = 3x - 4

Is there any help out there?

What do you do if you are stuck on your homework assignment? Call a friend? Ask your parents? Wait until the next day and tell the teacher you have no clue?
There are many sites on the internet that can reinforce the concepts we are working on in class. For instance, I found http://www.purplemath.com/modules/slopgrph.htm
This site is for graphing using the slope-intercept method, something we will be learning to do.

What good math help sites have you found (or can you find)?

A word of caution, there are sites out there that will do the work for you. This may seem like a great idea, but what I have found is that students who use those sites usually do not do well on the test as they really have not practiced the concepts. Homework only counts 20% of your grade..... Tests are 80%. I would encourage you to work through your homework and only use the sites for "help" when you are stuck.

Is there only 1 answer to a problem?

We have been working on solving inequalities this unit. Do you think they have the same importance in the "real world" as equations? Is an exact answer more important than a range of answers? Can you think of a situation in which a business would need to use inequalities?

Algebra for Entertainment?

Have you ever come across a math trick where you are asked to pick a number, then add, subtract, multiply or divide it depending on the situation, and when you were all finished the number represented something specific?
For example:
1. Pick the number of times per week you would like sleep in (more than 1, less than 8)
2. Multiply this number by 2.
3. Add 5.
4. Multiply it by 50 (do you need a calculator?)
5. If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1757... If you haven't, add 1756.
6. Now subtract the year you were born.

You should have a three digit number......... the first digit is the number of days you want to sleep in and the next 2 numbers are (do you recognize it?)... your age!

All of these problems can be represented using algebra (yes, there is a use for it!).
Can you prove this one? If so, write it down and turn it in before the test next week; it is worth an extra credit point!
I challenge you to try to write your own problem (at least 5 steps) and post it on the blog. Other students can then either prove (or disprove) your problem. Be creative - have fun!

How do you study for a math test?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Work through problems!! The answers to all the odd numbered problems are in the back of the book. Do those and check your answer.

2. Don't spend a lot of time on the problems you know how to do, work on the ones that look difficult or confusing to you.

3. Check over your notes and the examples from class.

4. Stop by your math teacher's room before school or have the math resource teacher check your answers. That way you will have time to ask questions before the test.

5. Work with a friend on the assignment and compare your answers. Hopefully one of you knows how to do it correctly!!

What is "math" anyway?

I find it very interesting that many of you do not think that logic is "math." What then is your definition? How would you explain what it is to someone from another planet? (okay, work with me on this!) In your comments, try to give your definition of "math." Be as complete as possible. Remember, if you use other sources for your information, please document them!

Is playing games really just math?

Have you tried Sudoku yet? It is a wonderful "brain - game." Using the numbers 1 - 9, you have to place each digit so that you have one of every number in every row and in every square (3 blocks by 3 blocks). Here is my question .... could you make a game similar to Sudoku using any other numbers ( Would 1 - 5 work?) Are there specific rules or guidelines? Is there a limit to the number of puzzles that can be created?
Some of the answers to these questions may be obvious to you, but not to others. What are your thoughts on this?

"Have you used your brain lately?"

Shannon contributed a logic problem to the blog as a comment to the first post. Though it was not an answer to the question posed, I love it that she wants to exchange problems. Did anyone read her post?? Does anyone have an answer for her or a problem of your own? Would a "bribe" of extra credit help? Do you want to submit answers on the blog (the first to answer correctly would earn the points in addition to the one that posed it), or would you like to submit your answers on paper in class so more people could earn the points? Does anyone have any other suggestions for discussion? I would like the focus of the blog to remain on mathematics, specifically the ideas we learn about in class, but I think there are a multitude of directions that can take. I am open to your ideas.

Thoughts on Algebra Class

To me, Algebra is similar to learning to read. If you have an excellent understanding of the basics, you can then move on to any type of problem! At times (in fact I predict often) you will ask "WHY DO I HAVE TO LEARN THIS"? That is the question I would like you to discuss. You can search the internet for ideas (there are LOTS of sites on this question), but make sure you document (URL address) where the information came from if it is not your original idea.

Contributing to this blog is an assignment! Any constructive comments will earn you the credit, it can be your idea or a response to another post. As the author of this blog, I receive the documentation on where the comments came from so please take this seriously. I am looking forward to our discussions this year.