Homework for WED., 9/2

For tonight's homework, I'd like you to kick back, relax, and watch a video that will introduce you to the material we're covering tomorrow. Please visit the following link on Khan Academy:

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/order-of-operations/order_of_operations/v/introduction-to-order-of-operations

After the video, there's an option to try some problems by clicking the "Practice this concept" button at the top right. You are not required to do them, but if you'd like to try them, go for it! Many of you are already familiar with the order of operations, and the acronym we use ("PEMDAS" or "Please Excuse my Dear Aunt Sally"). 

After you've watched the video (and mayyyybe tried some problems? :) jot down what you think "Aunt Sally" may have done that put her in a position in which she needs to be "excused." :) We'll share our theories on Aunt Sally tomorrow after the drill! (The drill will cover today's lesson on variables and variable expressions.)

See you tomorrow!

Welcome BACK!

Helllloooooo my lovely mathlings! Welcome back! Are you ready to get into some Algebra?!

This post will be your lesson for Tuesday if I'm not here.

1) First, please watch the following videos on the Smartboard as a class:

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/introduction-to-algebra/variable-and-expressions/v/what-is-a-variable

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/introduction-to-algebra/variable-and-expressions/v/what-is-a-variable

2) Next, grab a Pre-Algebra book off the shelf (they're the blue ones!). Read through pages 4 and 5 in your textbook individually. Be sure to read through the examples, too! The main points we should take away from this chapter are:

- A variable is a letter that stands for a number.

- A variable expression is a mathematical phrase that uses variables, numbers, and operation symbols (operation symbols are things like the plus sign, minus sign, division sign, etc.)

- You can express a mathematical concept using variable expressions - see the chart on pg. 5. For example:
Let's say I've just returned from the grocery store. I've purchased several packages of brownies. There are four brownies in each pack. I can use a variable expression to display how many brownies I've eaten! If "b" stands for  packs of brownies, I can express the number of brownies I've eaten as b x 4, or 4b. Then all I have to do is plug in the number of packs for "b" and I know how many I've eaten! (If I've eaten 3 packs, I would express this as (3 x 4) and my total brownies eaten would equal 12 :)

Sidenote: I really, really want some brownies now.

(thewakingezine.wordpress.com)

3) Turn to one of the sections in your 3-subject math notebook and record the two key terms above and their definitions. Then, include in your notes an example that will help you - either one from the textbook or the one above. You can write this example out however you'd like to - keep it short and simple, make it long and detailed, or use pictures - whatever works for you!

4) With your group (the people at your table) - work together to complete pg. 6:

#s 4-12 and #s 18-20. Make sure all names are included on your group's page (you need only one) and then turn in your work (gray "PreAlgebra" bin up front). 

See you soon!

Friday's Assignment

Pick 25 questions from the remaining chapter reviews we haven't completed (remember, your final includes chapters 1 through 5).

Answer those questions (be sure to show all work - go step-by-step). Please turn your work in at the end of class.

We will continue to review on Monday.

Final Study Guide 2015

Final Study Guide

Hello all. Here's a quick rundown of the concepts you'll need to review for your final. Remember, we'll be working on review questions in class all week, so you'll know exactly what type of problems to expect on the real final. There are 37 questions. Please look over your notes from this year and make sure you study the assignments from this week. If you’re struggling with a particular concept, now is the time to ask – I’m more than happy to help! Also, don’t forget that your online textbook has some great resources for studying, like the Quick Checks for each chapter section.

Stuff you need to know:

- Remember the order of operations (PEMDAS) for ALL questions you answer

- Integer operations

- The coordinate plane (identifying coordinates of a given point – walk into the building before you        take the elevator!)

- Simplifying expressions (don’t forget – you can only add or subtract when there are like terms)
- Prime Factorization and GCF
- Exponent rules

 - Scientific and standard notation
- Comparing and ordering fractions/decimals

- Changing decimals to fractions and fractions to decimals
- Fractions operations

- Solving one-step equations

Take a breath and don’t stress – it’s the home stretch! Do your best. J

Practice for tomorrow's quiz

http://www.mathplayground.com/fractions_mult.html

http://www.mathplayground.com/fractions_div.html

Chp. 4 Assessment FRI

Hello Pre-Algebra folks. I just wanted to give you a quick run-down of the major concepts that will be on your assessment Friday. (We will continue reviewing tomorrow.)

The first part of the test will cover exponents, greatest common factor (GCF), and simplifying fractions. Here are a few helpful links to previous posts. Please look through these and refresh your memory on these concepts:

Exponents (here's a helpful post from the Transitional Math blog - ignore the questions and just check out the summary of exponents): http://tlsmath6.blogspot.com/2014/09/thursday-94.html

GCF: http://tlsprealgebra6.blogspot.com/2013/12/finding-gcf-through-prime-factorization.html

Simplifying Fractions: Just remember to keep "dividing down" until your fraction is simplified. You can also find the GCF of the numerator and denominator, and then divide the top and bottom by the GCF.

The second part of the test will cover simplifying expressions with exponents (please review your exponent rules - I've posted a helpful chart below from math-play.com) and scientific notation. For your questions on scientific notation, you will be asked to express a given number in scientific notation and then asked to express a number which is already in scientific notation in standard form.



Happy studying!

Study Guide - Chp. 3 Assessment

Hello mathlings. Be sure to study for our Chapter 3 assessment on Wednesday! :) Calculators will be allowed for most of the test. Bring one to class. The only section on which you will not be able to use a calculator is adding and subtracting decimals.
Please read the following very carefully:
Each answer will be worth TWO points. 
1 point will be given for the correct answer.
1 point will be given for showing your work IF your work is labeled with the corresponding number and if I can read your work.

What's going to be on the test?

There will not be any questions from sections 1 or 2; however, please keep the principles of rounding and estimating in mind as you may need to round an answer to the nearest place-value. It's always, always, always a good idea to estimate your answer before doing the actual math - that way you have a benchmark to look back on and compare your answer. If it's way different than your estimate, you may want to redo the problem.


Questions on the test will be based on what we covered in sections 3 through 6:

3-3: Measures of Central Tendency 
- Mean: Add 'em up and divide by how many pieces of data you have (also known as the average)
- Median: First, order the data from least to greatest; then, find the middle number (or the mean of the two middle numbers if there are two)
- Mode: The number(s) which appear most often
- Range: Highest value - lowest value
- Outliers: Any number that's much, much lower or higher than the rest of the data

3-4: Solving Forumlas
- You will be given the formula in order to solve; you don't need to memorize any formulas.
- Plug in the values that you have for the corresponding variables
- Solve for the unknown
-Remember to include your units

3-5 and 3-6: Solving Equations with Decimals
The rules for solving equations with decimals are the same for solving equations with whole numbers. The goal is still to get the variable by itself.
1. Figure out "what's happening" to the variable.
2. Do the opposite of that to both sides of the equation.
3. Remember your integer rules, especially if you aren't using a calculator.

Adding and Subtracting Decimals:
If you still have the worksheet on which we practiced adding and subtracting decimals, look over that to study. Otherwise make sure you take notes tomorrow in class while we review. Remember when you add/subtract decimals that you:
1. Line up the decimals
2. Carry the decimal down before you solve
3. Solve the problem as though there are no decimals. Your decimal will already be correctly placed in your answer.

See you tomorrow! Bring your smarticles!