Barbie Bungee Jumping (and Ken, Too)

We spent most of the class collecting data when our Barbies bungee jumped with different lengths of cord. To alter the length of the cord, we added rubber bands to her shackled feet. Students will finish this activity when we return from our spring vacaton on Tuesday, April 4th.

Tonight's homework: I actually don't want you to do this until the end of spring break, so you can refresh your memory on how to do these problems. Sometime around April 2nd or 3rd, please do problems 1-33 on pages 494 and 495. Until then, enjoy your week away from school and do something fun!

Today Didn't Go as Planned

Well, there are days when things go as planned, and today was one of them. Good thing for students, though, for because of the computer glitches, there was no homework assigned.

Thanks to all who helped score the first part of my science tests. I appreciate you all!

TESA Testing is Almost Over!

We returned to the computer lab and continued taking the state math assessment test. Most students were able to complete the test today, and still had time to complete the quiz over exponents.

Because we have been working so hard, there was no homework assigned today. Enjoy the night off!

Please remember to come in to take the retest over chapter 7--Friday is the deadline for retaking it!

TESA Long Form

Today, we spent the class period taking the long (Kansas) form of the state assessment math test. We will continue taking the test tomorrow, so rest up.

Tonight's Homework: Study for tomorrow's quiz over Lessons 8.1-8.3 by completing problems 1-16 and 22-29 on page 804. Good luck!

Discrete Data and Plotting It

Now that we are pros at graphing linear equations and determining the slope of lines, we looked at real life problems that are similar to linear equations but produce answer sets that involve discrete, or specific, non-continuous, data points. Examples include the number of nickels you can have (you can only have a whole number of nickels, not 1.5 or 3.82 nickels). When plotting these discrete data points, the graph looks like a group of dots that describe a line. The term "domain" refers to the values along the x axis, while the term "range" refers to the values along the y axis.

Tonight's homework: Complete the two worksheets: "Nickels and Dimes" and "Candy Combinations".

Inequality Work Sample Completed In Class Today

After reviewing the homework and working through several problems, students completed a work sample problem in class. It took most students about 15 minutes to complete this, and the rest of the period was spent working on the homework.

Tonight's homework: Page 469 ( 1 - 24 all)

Good Luck, Sylvie! Swim fast and do well. Travel safely, Jenness! And Liz, will you just get well, please?

Division Involving Exponents

Those who took the chapter 7 test earlier this week were able to see their scores. The tests were not distributed for keeping as 2 students have not taken the test yet.

When dividing expressions involving expornents, there are two basic rules to remember. The first is the Quotient of Powers Property, which involves subtracting exponents when the bases are the same. The second is the Power of Quotients Property, which requires you to apply the exponent to both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction. See the narrative in Lesson 8.3 for further explanation and examples.

Tonight's homework: Lesson 8.3 ( 11 - 47, odd)

What to Do When Exponents are Negative or Zero

Students turned in the take home portion of the Chapter 7 test today.

Two more rules about exponents were shared today. They are:

Anything to the zero power is 1. The only exception is 0 to the zero power, and that is undefined.

Any number to a negative power can be rewritten as the reciprocal to the positive power.

Be sure to read Lesson 8.2 before completing tonight's homework.

Tonight's homework: Lesson 8.1 (63 - 68, all) and Lesson 8.2 (15 - 45, odd)

Chapter 7 Test Taken Today

After correcting last night's homework, students took the chapter 7 test.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the take-home portion of the test. Remember, I am trusting you to use only your brain. This means you are to refrain from asking for help from anyone or anything (parents, friends, on-line buddies, books, etc.)

This portion of the test is due tomorrow and will not be taken late. Good luck!

Chapter 7 Test is Tomorrow

Because of the unexpected, yet much needed, day off on Friday, the chapter 7 test will be given to all students on Tuesday, March 14th. Be sure to study for it.

Today we reviewed properties related to multiplying exponents. Refer to lesson 8.1 for a review of the three properties in this lesson.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 8.1 (10 - 52, first column only)

No School Today!

We were surprised this morning with snow and an unexpected day off.

This means last night's homework will be due on Monday, and the chapter test will be given to all students on Tuesday, March 14th. Be sure to study!

Welcome home, Albro. I hope your trip was a fun, yet safe, one. See you soon!

Reviewing for the Test

Today, we spent time reviewing for the upcoming chapter test. You must be able to do each of the following:
•Solve a system of equations by graphing
•Solve a system of equations using substitution
•Solve a system of equations using linear combinations
•Recognize systems of equations that identify parallel lines
•Recognize systems of equations that identify coincidental lines
•Graph systems of inequalities, and shade the area that meets all conditions stated in the inequalities
•Solve story problems that relate to systems of linear equations

The test may be taken on either Friday, March 10th, or Tuesday, March 14th.

Tonight's Homework: Page 443 (Odd problems)
If you would like to do some extra credit, you may do all of the problems in the chapter review, pages 440-442. This will be due by Monday, March 13th.

Real Life Applications Using Systems of Inequalities

We spent more time translating story problems into inequalities that can be coupled together to form systems of inequalities. The key to solving these real life problems is being able to pick out the important information from the problems and turn them into inequalities.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 7.6 (34 - 38 all, and 45 - 58, all)

For Your Information: The test over chapter 7 will be given on two different days, depending on what best fits your schedule. The test will be taken in class on both Friday, March 10th and on Tuesday, March 14th. Be sure to study for this test.

Systems of Inequalities, Part 1

After reviewing the important points related to working with inequalities, we tried to graph a system of inequalities. We noted that the resulting graph had a shaded area that was defined by all of the inequalities in the system. To get a better idea of what we talked about, be sure to read Lesson 7.6 before beginning the homework.

Tonight's homework: Lesson 7.6 (15 - 25 odd)

P.S. Albro, you are missing another gorgeous and mainly sunny day here in Oregon. Hope you are enjoying yourself in Lake Tahoe!

Special Cases for Systems of Linear Equations

So far in this chapter, we have been dealing with systems of equations that intersect at exactly one point. There are situations, however, that do not result in one intersection point. Sometimes, the lines are parallel, meaning there are no points of intersection. These equations result in a false statement when you try to solve them (like 4 = 0 ). Sometimes, you will get a true statement (like 0 = 0), and this indicates that the lines are coincidental, or lie on top of each other. These lines have an infinite number of common points.

Tonight's homework: Lesson 7.5 ( 13 - 33, odd)

P.S. Hi, Albro! Hope you made it to Lake Tahoe safely!

Guess What? No Homework Tonight!

Today, we took a quiz in class, and because the class period was shortened, there was not time for another lesson. Consequently, there will be no homework tonight--Enjoy a free weekend!

Quiz Will Be Given on Friday

Today, we spent the class period solving a problem that involves the use of systems of linear equations.

Tonight's Homework: Study for the quiz tomorrow over Lessons 7.1 - 7.4. Good Luck!

Using Systems of Equations in Real World Situations

Today, we asked the question, "When will we ever use this type of math?" and found several types of problems that could be solved by using a system of equations. We talked about chemists mixing solutions of different strengths, stores making a granola mixture, and feeding hungry kids at a baseball game. The key to these types of problems is translating the problem into two equations.

Tonight's homework: Lesson 7.4 ( 46-51, all)