Congratulations!

Today is the last official day of algebra, as students will receive yearbooks during fifth period on Thursday, and will likely forgo coming to sixth period. It's been such a great year having each of you in my sixth period class. I hope you learned enough algebra to serve you well in future math classes and in life in general.

Good bye, good luck, and do drop by every now and then to say hello! I'd love to know how you are doing!

Chapter 11 Test Taken Today

Students spent the period completing their last test of the school year, which was over computing with rational expressions.

Tonight's Homework: None!

Reviewing for Tomorrow's Test

Since there are only 3 days of algebra left for our class, we spent today reviewing for the chapter 11 test, which will be completed in class tomorrow.

Tonight's Homework: Go over your homework problems from the last 2 weeks and be sure you can multiply, divide, add and subtract rational expressions that contain polynomials. Be sure to simplify your answers and state any extraneous answers.

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

The key to adding and subtracting fractions is to find a common denominator before combining the two fractions. This is also true when adding fractions that contain polynomials.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the center column of problems on Worksheet 11.6, as well as all of the story problems.

More Practice on Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

To be sure we understand how to multiply and divide rational expressions, we spent today reviewing how to set up story problems that require one of these operations.

Tonight's Homework: All problems on Worksheet 11.5 C

Lock Down Interrupts Instruction

As hard as we tried, the constant interruption of the intercom (beeps and messages) really made instruction during sixth period difficult today. We managed to survive our security drill, and everyone was able to get home safely, but I am not so sure we all understood today's lesson. We will revisit this again on Thursday, but hopefully without the interruptions!

Tonight's Homework: Complete the rest of the problems on Worksheet 11.5B (19 - 29).

Multiplying Rationale Expressions, part 1

After reviewing basic rules for multiplying and dividing ratios (fractions), we began applying the rules to polynomial expressions written as ratios. We applied rules about factoring, exponents, fractions and nonsensical values for x to our work.

Tonight's Homework: Worksheet 11.5B, problems 1 - 18.

Hi, Adrienne! I got your envelope of work yesterday, but didn't see a note telling me how you are. Hope all is well with you.

Simplifying Rational Expressions Involving Polynomials

Today, we used our knowledge of factoring and fractions to help us simplify many types of rational expressions containing polynomials. The keys are to: 1.) Look for ways to eliminate common factors 2.) Factor polynomials as completely as you can 3.) List extraneous values for the variable (those that would make the denominator equal to zero).

Tonight's Homework: Worksheet 11.4B, 3 - 30, divisible by 3

Watch out for stray spiders, especially if you sit near Grace J.!