October 27, 2008 at 11:26 am · Filed under slope ·Tagged Add new tag, change in x, change in y, horizontal, m, negative slope, no slope, positive slope, rise, run, slope, vertical, zero slope
Slope is just the rate of change of a line. There are 4 slopes for a line: positive, negative, zero, and no slope. Slope can be calculated on a graph by looking at the change in y (rise) over the change in x (run) and by the equation: m = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1), where m = slope and (x1, y1) is one coordinate point and (y1, y2) is another coordinate point.
SLOPE
Permalink
September 20, 2008 at 4:24 pm · Filed under Properties, Variable Expressions ·Tagged Add new tag, Equations, inequaities, Properties, property, Variable Expressions
Math uses logic. Solving for the “unknown” requires logic. In order to find the value of the variable, you need to use math reasoning, which uses the properties. It is also important to know how to write a variable expression so you can start to solve equations and inequalities.
PROPERTIES OF REAL NUMBERS
VARIABLE EXPRESSIONS
- Matching Game – Five sentences and expressions to match up
- Video Tutor – From PrenticeHall, two videos on solving algebraic expressions
- Practice Quiz – Five questions on algebraic expressions
- Videos on HippoCampus – Go to the HippoCampus link, click on Algebra 1A, and view the INTERACTIVE videos on the site. These are EXCELLENT!!! (same link as above)
Permalink
September 8, 2008 at 11:55 am · Filed under Algebra Basics ·Tagged integer operations, integers, order of operations
It is IMPERATIVE that you have a solid understanding of integers and order of operations. And – using a calculator to find the answer does not show a solid understanding. In addition to reviewing integers and order of operations, you will need to go over data analysis – especially matrices, box and whisker plots, and measures of variation. These are concepts you learned about in grade school and middle school/jr. high, so this should just be a review.
***These links open in a new window. Please let me know if this is obnoxious or not. I am open to making this better, so instead of saying “obnoxious” (which can be construed as rude), you can just say, “Thanks for the links, but instead of opening in a new window each time, it’d be better to have them open in the same window.” OR, “Thanks for the links and having them open in a separate window. This really does help.”
INTEGERS
- Quia game – A game on integers, absolute value, and the order of operations. Nothing to download – just play to test yourself.
- Find the picture - Practice on integer operations by matching the correct answer to the expression and get a picture
- Integer game – Choose the difficulty level and the problem type and the duration
ORDER OF OPERATIONS
Permalink
December 9, 2008 at 6:29 pm · Filed under Quadratics ·Tagged algebra, algebra I, graphing quadratics, Quadratics, simplifying quadratics, simplifying square roots, square roots
Quadratics is an extension of polynomials, and in a way, they are similar to equations of lines. Quadratics are polynomials where the highest power is two, they open up or down, can be put in order of width based on the equation, and are used to solve a variety of real-world applications.
SIMPLIFYING SQUARE ROOTS
Permalink
November 24, 2008 at 12:07 am · Filed under Polynomials ·Tagged adding polynomials, algebr, algebra, dividing polynomials, factoring, factoring special cases, multiplying polynomials, Polynomials, practice quiz, subtracting polynomials
Overall, polynomials really aren’t that hard. In fact, adding and subtracting them simply requires lining up like terms and then using the rules for adding and subtracting with negatives and positives.
Multiplying isn’t too bad, and you’ll get into dividing later on in other math classes, but I’ll add some links here just to do it.
Factoring polynomials takes a little bit of practice, but after you see the patterns that becomes second nature. Well, hopefully it does! 
Adding and Subtracting
Multiplying, Factoring, and Dividing Polynomials
Permalink
October 21, 2008 at 12:07 pm · Filed under Functions ·Tagged domain, Functions, mapping, mapping diagrams, range, relations
Relations are a set of coordinate points, where as functions are more restrictive. A lot of what you deal with in life is related to functions, even if you don’t realize it. Ever take a taxi ride? That’s a function. Your parents deal with it when they pay the electric bill or calculate how much the rent or mortgage is going to cost them each year.
BASICS OF RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
- Basics with examples – Examples with graphs and mapping diagrams
- Movies – Watch movies on roller coasters, music, etc. All are short, and all relate to math! Find the topic, click on “Get the Activity”, and then “Watch the movie”
- Examples and definitions – Describes the terms and gives examples
EQUATIONS OF LINES
Permalink
September 30, 2008 at 8:52 pm · Filed under Equations, Inequalities ·Tagged combining like terms, distributive property, Equations, Inequalities, inequality, negative coefficients, one-step equations, proportions, two-step equations, variables on both sides
Many people think of “letters and numbers together” when they think of algebra. The “letters” are variables that are used to find “the unknown”. This is actually useful in everyday life in many fields, such as (but not limited to): business (how many products need to be sold?), construction (what is the weight limit that a bridge can hold?), education (how many students can the building support?), etc.
Here are some links that can help you learn how to solve equations.
SOLVING ONE AND TWO-STEP EQUATIONS
SOLVING MULTI-STEP EQUATIONS
SOLVING PROPORTIONS
SOLVING INEQUALITIES
Ever hear, “I need at least $40 to pay for the tickets…” or “In order to ride the roller coaster, you must be at least x ft tall.”? Well, these are inequalities.
In order to solve inequalities, use the same process as solving equations - EXCEPT when you divide or multiply through by a negative in order to solve. HUH? See these websites for more help.
Permalink
September 8, 2008 at 11:11 am · Filed under Algebra Basics ·Tagged box and whisker, matrices, mean, median, mode, range, scalar multiplication, stem and leaf, subtracting matrices, Venn diagram
This post has links to help you review data analysis – specifically matrices, box and whisker plots, and stem and leaf plots. You’ll also see two links on mean, median, mode, and range.
MATRICES
- Adding and subtracting – A lesson with examples on adding and subtracting matrices, with some practice embedded as well.
- Lesson and examples – Gives some basic definitions, examples, as well as a link to some more practice problems on adding and subtracting matrices
- Scalar multiplication – You can ignore the part about mulitplying matrices (although, it’s not really hard after you look at it), but look at the first part with scalar multiplication
DATA ANALYSIS
- Lesson on box and whisker plots – This is a Purplemath.com site that goes over the components of a box and whisker plot – LOOK AT THIS!
- 17 practice problems on box and whisker plots – Really cool! There are problems with the answers, HOWEVER, instead of just getting the answers, you get hints to help teach you. Awesome
- Practice on data – Some good information here with some good practice problems.
- More practice on data – If nothing else, go to the bottom of the page for the practice problems.
- Venn diagrams – How to use and create Venn diagrams on Purplemath.com.
- Stem and leaf plots – Shows how to create stem and leaf plots from a set of data
- Quia game on mean, median, mode, and range – You have to get the right answer to move on
- Short practice quizzes – Data analysis, probablity, and mean, median, and mode.
- Interactive practice – A Shodor.com site that allows you to manipulate the data
Permalink
