Story Problems Involving Systems of Linear Equations

Story problems involving systems of equations can be very simple if you approach them systematically. First, define your variables, and then try to set up a very simple equation. Use information from the story problem to set up the second equation, which is usually a little more involved. Then solve the system of equations.

Tonight's Homework: 7.4 ( 46 - 51, all ).

P.S. Mac and Annalyce: Get well soon! We miss you!

A Smorgasbord of Options for Solving Systems of Linear Equations

Today's lesson was review in nature, as I was on another field trip with my 7th graders. Students worked on problems that involved all three methods of solving systems of equations, and then did a few problems involving special cases. This lesson should prepare all students for the quiz that will be taken in class on Wednesday afternoon.

Tonight's Homework: Page 803 ( 12 - 16 even, 17 - 23 odd, and 29 - 35 odd).

Special Cases for Systems of Linear Equations

When given two equations for lines, the lines will either be parallel, intersect in one place, or be two equations for the exact same line. Section 7.5 starts out with a real nice review of this information. Today's lesson allows students to practice solving systems of linear equations using each of the methods (graphing, substitution, and linear combinations) to solve special cases involving linear equations.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 7.5 ( 12 - 17 all, and 18 - 28, even ).

Using Graphs to Solve Systems of Linear Equations

We used the handheld computers to graph pairs of linear equations from last night's homework and then used the trace function to determine the coordinates of the point of intersection. This is the basis of today's lesson--graphing intersecting lines and reading the intersection point from the graph.

Tonight's Homework: Read Lesson 7.1, and then do problems 17 - 19, 20 - 32, FCO but not 29, and problem 41. Enjoy the little blue sticky notes!

Solving Systems of Equations Using Linear Combinations

Once again, students would be wise to read lesson 7.3 before beginning tonight's homework. The 5 basic steps to follow when solving these types of problems.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 7.3 ( 8, 12, 19, 22, 31, 34, and 37 ). Be sure to do the check step for each of the problems.

Solving Systems of Equations by Substitution

We began our study of chapter 7 by skipping lesson 7.1 and moving onto lesson 7.2, which uses the substitution method to solve systems of equations. Students should read this lesson, paying special attention to the 5 steps to follow listed on the first page of the lesson. Because these types of problems have many steps to them, fewer homework problems will be assigned.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 7.1 ( 17 - 32, FCO and 36 - 42, FCO ). Be sure to read the lesson, as well.

Chapter 6 Test Given Today

Students turned in any extra credit related to chapter 6, and received their weekly grade slips. The bulk of the class period was spent completing the chapter 6 test.

Tonight's Homework: Page 396, all problems.

Chapter 6 Test is Tuesday

We reviewed types of problems that will be on Tuesday's chapter 6 test. It would be wise for students to read pages over the weekend, even if the choice is to not do the extra credit.

Tonight's Homework: Prepare for the chapter six test in whatever way you deem suitable. No assignment has been made, but if you would like to earn some extra credit, complete all problems on pages 384 - 386.

Note: I will not be in class on Tuesday, as I will be on a field trip with some of my 7th graders. You will be able to use a calculator on any part of the test that asks for the mean of a set of numbers. Good luck, and be good!

Reviewing Inequalities, Absolute Values and Statistics

Students spent most of the class period reviewing the major concepts of chapter 6. We agreed to have the chapter 6 test on Tuesday, February 20th, even though I will be on a field trip with the 7th graders.

Tonight's Homework: Page 387 (all problems).

Extra Credit: Complete all problems on pages 384 - 386 by Tuesday, and get it corrected before turning it in.

Box and Whisker Plots on Valentine's Day???

Using edible math manipulatives (M & M's or Skittles), students collected data that would allow them to make colorful box and whisker plots.

Tonight's Homework: Compute the mean, median, and mode of the data you collected. Then make a series of colorful box and whisker plots to represent your edible data. Happy Valentine's Day!!

Box and Whisker Plots, Part 1

Students were given packets of mini M & M's and instructed to sort the candy by color. Data was shared with the class, and this data was then used to help us learn about box and whisker plots. To make a box and whisker plot, follow these simple steps:

1. Order the data set from largest to smallest.
2. Find the median of the data set. This number is the middle quartile.
3. Find the median of the upper half of the data. This number is the upper quartile value.
4. Find the median of the lower half of the data. This number is the lower quartile value.
5. Draw a box from the lower quartile value to the upper quartile value. Draw a line to show the true median of the data set.
6. To draw the left whisker, draw a line from the lower quartile line to the low extreme value. To draw the right whisker, draw a line from the upper quartile line to the high extreme value.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the two worksheets we started in class. Be sure to include color!

Measures of Central Tendency and Stem/Leaf Plots

Several students presented their extra credit projects this afternoon. Skits, songs, and videos were shared, and all were well done. Thanks to all who accepted the challenge.

As we begin a short unit on statistics, we reviewed the meaning of the words mean, median, mode and range. We next measured indivdual heights and arm spans, and recorded the data from the entire class in a stem and leaf plot. Students will use the data in their homework.

Tonight's Homework: Read Lessons 6.6 (about stem and leaf plots) and 6.7 (about box and whisker plots). Determine the mean, median, mode and range for the two sets of data collected in class today.

In-Class Problem Solving Activity

Classes were shortened today so we could attend the all-school awards assembly. Congratulations to all who were recognized for their academic and citizenship accomplishments.

During class, students completed an on-demand problem-solving task.

Tonight's Homework: Complete your absolute value poster and bring it to class on Monday. If you plan to take advantage of the extra credit presentation, please come to class on Monday ready to share.

Open-Ended Problem Continues

We reviewed the problems from yesterday's quiz over inequalities during class today. We continued to work on the lesson about how different variables influence the graph of absolute value functions. Students will need to have all three variables (a, c and d) figured out by tomorrow. In addition, students will create a colorful poster that illustrates one of the variables and its influences on the absolute value equation. This is due by Monday, February 12th.

Tonight's Homework: Continue working on Absolute Value WS 4, focussing on the following variables: a, c or d. Begin working on your poster. The worksheet is due tomorrow, and the poster, by Monday.

Discovering How Variables Influence the Graph of Absolute Value Functions

Students took a quiz over inequalities during class today, and then began working on an open-ended discovery lesson about how different variables influence the graph of absolute value functions. This investigation will continue on Thursday, and the final product will be due on Monday, February 12th.

Tonight's Homework: Begin working on Absolute Value WS 4, focussing on one of the following variables: a, c or d. You will have to have all three figured out by the beginning of class on Friday, February 9th.

Looking for Patterns with Absolute Value Equations

Students used the handheld computers to help them discover patterns that exist with a variety of absolute value equations. Specifically, they looked for patterns that would help them identify graphs with minimum values rather than maximum values, and patterns that would help them determine the line of symmetry for the graph.

Tonight's Homework: Complete Absolute Value worksheets 2 and 3. (You don't have to complete the backside of worksheet 2, as this was misprinted.) In addition, you will have a short quiz over lessons 6.1 - 6.5 (but not 6.4) on Wednesday, so you might want to prepare for it.

Graphing Absolute Value Functions

Students spent a little time reflecting on their accomplishments during the first semester and then set at least one goal for algebra for the next two months.

Students worked on a worksheet dealing with graphing absolute value functions.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the graphing worksheet and goal sheet for tomorrow. In addition, complete all of the problems on page 366 (top and bottom sections).

Evaluating Sentences That Include Absolute Value

We reviewed the meaning of absolute value, and how it often suggest that there will be 2 answers to the problem asked. To this end, expressions including absolute value can be considered problems of the second degree.

Using knowledge from earlier lessons in this lesson, students learned how to rewrite sentences (equations and inequalities) with absolute value components embedded in them as two simpler sentences.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 6.4 ( 19 - 58, FCO and 65 - 68. Show check steps for the odd problems in the first column. ) Oh, and enjoy the three day weekend!