More Multiplying and Dividing of Rational Expressions

Students reviewed last night's homework and discovered they had several misconceptions and/or problems that prevented them from doing the problems correctly. We discussed these misconceptions and practiced completing more problems that allowed students to correctly solve the problems.

We previewed how to add rational expressions, as this will be the topic of Monday's lesson.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 11.5 (14 - 34, last column only and 44, 45)

Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

We reviewed the basic rules for multiplying and dividing simple fractions, and then applied these rules to expressions with polynomials. The basic rules for multiplying and dividing fractions are stated on page 670 of the textbook, in case you need to review them.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 11.5 ( 12 - 33, First Column Only). Be sure to include excluded values!

Simplifying Radical Expressions, Including Fractions

We went over the information in lesson 11.4 today. We started by reviewing how to add fractions, and how getting a common denominator is an important part of the process. We then reviewed how to factor expressions, and cancel out common factors found in both the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) of the fraction. Lastly, we learned how to determine values that would not work in a fraction. Any value for the variable that causes the denominator to become zero is not to be included in the answer. This is known as the excluded value (or values).

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 11.4 (11-30). Don't forget to show your work if you wish to receive credit!

Percents are a Special Form of Proportions

We worked through about five of the weekend homework problems, and then played a round of "jeopardy", proportion style. Many students did pretty well, but others really need to practice.

We did a review lesson on percents, and figured out how to convert English into math symbols.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 11.2 ( 13 - 29 odd, 33 37, and 48 - 50). Remember, no work shown = no credit.

Ratios and Proportions

We reviewed vocabulary related to ratios and proportions, and then did several examples of problems that use means and extremes (cross-products) to solve for a given variable. We measured our heights and the heights of our shadows to build ratios. After measuring the lengths of shadows of different objects in front of the school, students used proportions to help determine the approximate height of the objects.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 11.1 (17-39, odd). Please remember to show your work if you wish to receive any credit for your efforts. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Concept Tests Are History for the School Year!

Yippee! The last of the concept tests was taken today in class. Students should be proud of themselves for completing the 19 concept-based tests the school district required to be taken while in algebra this year. All students who have passed all 19 of these tests (with a minimum score of 70%) will be eligible to receive high school credit for this class. Congratulations! (If you haven't passed all of the concept tests yet, you have until June 10th to do so. Don't delay--start today!)

As a way to celebrate all of our efforts, there was no homework assigned for tonight.

Tonight's Homework: None--do a happy dance instead!

Review Day for the Concept Test

Today, we went over the word problems from last night's homework in detailed fashion. Students used the remainder of the period to complete more practice problems, allowing them to prepare for the concept 19 test, which will be given on Thursday.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the two worksheets (a total of three sides of paper).

Multiplying Polynomials in Real World Situations

Students received two days of homework today, as about 9 students may not be in class tomorrow due to WEB training. Students were reminded that the 19th (and final) concept test will be given in class on Thursday, May 21st.

Tonight's Homework: Page 824 ( 1 - 11 ). Start preparing for Thursday's test.

Problem Solving Activity

Our class was much smaller today, due to the district track meet taking place at Hayward Field. As a result, students in attendance were given the class period to complete two probability and statistics problems.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the practice test for concept test 19. The test will be given in class on Thursday, May 21st.

One More Concept Test is History!

Students reviewed problems from last night's homework, and then took the Concept 18 test. Track students who will miss class on Monday were given work to complete over the weekend. This work needs to turned in Monday, and when it is turned in, students will receive the practice test for concept test 19.

Tonight's Homework: None if you are not in track. Complete the two blue worksheets if you are in track and get them to me on Monday.

Factoring Using the Distributive Property, Day 2

Students corrected their homework from last night and determined that most problems could have been factored a bit more. Several problems were done on the board, where students could discover errors in their thinking and see how to complete the factoring process.

We also talked about how our testing schedule will be changed, due to Monday's district track meet and Wednesday's WEB training. We agreed that we could be ready to take concept test 18 on this Friday, May 15th.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the practice test for concept 18, and do Lesson 10.8 ( 15 - 35, odd ).

Factoring Using the Distributive Property

Students learned how to factor out the greatest common factor from polynomials. Doing this can make factoring much simpler. We then turned our attention to polynomials that, at first glance, seem to have a GCF of 1. When this is the case, try grouping the terms of the polynomial and look for a GCF for the group. Often times, the GCF of each of the subgroups will be the same, and that factor can then be used to further factor the expression.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.8 ( 16 - 36, even )

Picturing Trinomials

Students turned in homework, and then received grade slips. All students need to get their grade slips signed and turned in by Tuesday. This is not an optional assignment.

We reviewed how to use drawings to model the factors of a trinomial.

Tonight's Homework: Page 635 and 636 ( 11 - 28 all; draw pictures for 22 - 25 as a part of the solution).

Work Period and Review

Students spent the period working on two things today:

A worksheet with a Foxtrot comic on it, and
Some problems from the board.

It was evident while correcting homework with those in attendance that my homework assignment on Wednesday was not clearly stated, so many people did a different set of problems than I had intended. This was my fault, and so I will need to check individually with track members as to what each will need to do to make up the other half of the assignment. If you missed class on Thursday, please feel free to e-mail me so I can help you be prepared for Monday's class.

Tonight's Homework: Comic worksheet and problems 10 - 23 on Quiz 2 in Chapter 10 (page 617). If you already did this Wednesday night, please contact me ASAP. Oh, and hug your mother this weekend!

Another Concept Test is History!

Students who came to class today took the 17th concept test. Only two more required concept tests remain--hooray! If you didn't come to class (due to student council or illness), please plan to take the test during resource on Wednesday morning.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.6 ( 18 - 32, even and 48 - 54, even). Be aware that at least one of the assigned problems is not factorable, so don't spend too much time on your homework. You might want to check the discriminant value to help you reduce time (and stress) as you complete your homework.

More on Factoring Trinomials

Students reviewed for the 17th concept test, which will be given in class on Tuesday. Students did not turn in their homework today, thus allowing them to use the homework as a study guide for tomorrow's test.

We worked with algebra blocs once again to model the notion of factoring trinomials with at least one negative sign. Most students understood how the pictures could be useful.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.5 ( 16 - 40, even) and page 603, any two problems from 3 - 8. You can do extra problems for extra credit.

Factoring Trinomials

After correcting the class and homework from yesterday, we spent some time reviewing how to list the factors of a number. This is important for when we attempt to factor trinomials. We came up with factors for a variety of numbers, including composite, prime, square and negative numbers. We then applied the "product and sum" conditions to the factor pairs as we began factoring simple trinomials.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the hot pink practice test for concept 17. Read sections 10.4 - 10.6 in your books so you'll be prepared for Monday's class.