4/21/2008 Algebra 2 - Adding & Subtracting Rational Expressions & Complex Fractions

Today we continued our work with rational expressions. We added and subtracted these fractions in class today. We also worked on simplifying complex fractions. To see some video examples click here. Some more interactive work can be done here. Students will be taking notes over some example probelms to help them with their assginment.

Homework:
page 565-6 #'s 12-22 even, 26-46 even

4/17 & 18/2008 Algebra 1 - Special Products of Polynomials and Solving Polynomial Equations in Factored Form

Students will be looking at special cases of polynomial (binomials in particular) multiplication using special patterns.  They will also learn how to find solutions to polynomial equations that are presented in factored form.

Homework:

page 593 16-36 even, 46

4/18/2008 Applied Geometry - Applications of Surface Area & Volume

Today students will be doing a worksheet in class to calculate costs for materials of a roof, painting a water tower, and how much water a water tower can hold, all using their surface area and volume practice from the previous chapter.

4/17/2008 Algebra 2 - Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

We will be starting a mini-unit (3 sections and test) on rational expressions today. We will get three sections of work and a test in before we begin break at the end of next week. Today's lesson is over multiplying and dividing rational expressions. The problems on the assignment will look something like this:


The video at the top of the page will show some examples similar to the ones I showed in class. It is important to remember you cannot cancel anything that is being added or subtracted, the factor or term must be multiplied in order for it to be cancelled. Most of the work in these types of problems will be finding common factors and factoring quadratic expressions. There are yet more examples here. Finally, if you want to quiz yourself, try some here and see if you can do them correctly.

page 558 #'s 16-48 even

4/15/2008 Algebra 1 - Multiplying Polynomials

Today students multiplied polynomials, using one of three methods (a geometric approach, using the distributive property twice or more, and the FOIL method.

Homework:

page 587 #'s 18-36 even, 46

4/15/2008 Algebra 2 - Test

Today will be the exponential and logarithm Test.

4/10/2008 Pre Algebra - Slope

Today students worked with the slope of a line, describing the rise and run of the line when 2 points were plotted.  Students worked through the notes together in class, they were checked and given a score, and the practice problems from class time were turned in.

4/10/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 9 Test

Today we took the Chapter 9 Test

4/10/2008 Applied Geometry - Volume of Cones & Pyramids

We are still focusing on volume for today's lesson. We will be focusing on cones and pyramids. The video above shows how the formula for determining volume of a cone comes about.

To see some video examples of solving these, click here (for cones and pyramids). 

Homework:
p. 710 13-19, 22,23,26

4/7/2008 Algebra 1 - Test Review

Students reviewed for the Test that they will take on Wednesday.

4/7/2008 Algebra 2 - Solving Logarithmic & Exponential Equations

Today we put our new log skills to use and will be solving equations involving exponential and logarithmic equations. The video above shows some examples of these. You can also get some additional instruction by clicking here. Some Power Point presentations of example probelms can be ofund by clicking here. The students took notes over some example problems and then we worked through some more problems on the board together. After practicing, they worked on the assignment.

Homework:
page 505 #'s 20-60 even

4/4/2008 Applied Geometry - Surface Area of Pyramids & Cones

We continued with surface area today, focusing on pyramids and cones. You can see some videos of how to find the surface area by clicking here. After taking notes, we did some example problems together in class beofre the students worked on the practice problems.

Homework:

p.  693 2,3,5,6,8,9,13-22

4/3/2008 Algebra 1 - Fun with Physics

Today we reviewed the general equation for a quadratic function.  We showed how it applies to launched objects or falling objects.  We worked through some examples on the notes together then the students had a few minutes to do their practice problems.

Homework:

p. 537 77-83 & p. 545 25,26

4/3/2008 Algebra 2 - Properties of Logarithms

Today we continued with our study of logarithms. We talked about the properties of exponents: the product property, quotient property and power property. The video above explains these properties. See some more examples here. You can also view some PowerPoint examples here. Students were also introduced to the change of base formula, which will allow them to calculate logarithms that aren't in base 10 or base e. We did some examples on the board (see more examples worked here) and then students worked on the assignment.

Homework:
page 496 #'s 14-21 all, 30-72 all

4/2/2008 Applied Geometry - Surface Area of Solids

We continued with our study of solids today, focusing on surface area. We developed some formulas and looked at the components that make up surface area of cylinders, prisms and cubes together and used them to solve some surface area problems together. The video above shows an example of how to do it.

Homework:

pages 684-685 #'s 2,3,5,6,8,9,13-20

4/1/2008 Algebra 1 - More Graphing Quadratics

Today we backed up a bit to discuss and do examples of graphing quadratic equations. We did 6 examples of graphing to add to the notes form before break.

Homework:

p. 505 66-70 all, p. 514 10-24 even

Sketch and graph y = 2x^2 - 5 and y=x^2 + 4x - 4

4/1/2008 Algebra 2 - Logarithmic Functions

Today's lesson focused on the inverse of exponential functions, logarithmic functions. We defined a logarithm, worked on rewriting exponential expressions as logarithms (and vice versa), familiarized ourselves with using a calculator to find common and natural logarithms, and then found the inverses of some exponential functions, which happen to be logarithmic functions. The video above shows some additional explanation and you will find the links above helpful as well. Click here to get some more insight into logarithms and their graphs.

Homework:
pages 490-491 #'s 16-46 even 48, 49, 52-64 even