Topics for November 21st

Today We Discussed:

We began our discussion of relations and functions today.  We will take several days to cover this first section as it contains a lot of new vocabulary, and symbolism that will take some time to get used to.  We discussed what a relation is (set of ordered pairs), what the domain is (inputs) and what the range is (outputs).  We also talked about functions which are just special relations where there is only a single output (range value) for every input (domain value).  We also talked about function rules (an equation that describes a function), and we introduced function notation.

A quick mnemonic to remember what terms are associated together is DIXI-ROYD.  A summary of terms and how they are related is shown in the graphic below.

Vocabulary:  relation, domain, range, function, vertical-line test, function rule, function notation, mapping diagram, DIXI-ROYD

Sections Covered in Textbook:

5-2: Relations and Functions

Resources & Tutorials:

We will pick this discussion back up when we return from Thanksgiving Break.

Assignments:

NONE!  Have a great Thanksgiving Break!

Topics for November 20th

Today We Discussed:

We began our next unit on functions and graphs.  Today we related graphs to real events, by analyzing graphs that relate to time passing.  The shape of the graph can tell a story of what is happening as time passes.

For graphs in general, we will be talking about independent and dependent variables.  Time is considered an independent variable with other variables dependent upon it.



Projects are due tomorrow.  Check yesterday's blog for a list of all items that should be included.  NO LATE PROJECTS will be accepted.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

5-1: Relating Graphs to Events

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Relating Graphs to Events
2) Relating Graphs to Events - another video

Assignments:

1) Pages 238-240 #'s 1-9 all; 12, 14, 16, 18-22 all
2) Projects due TOMORROW!

Topics for Novemer 19th

Today We Discussed:

We used today's class to finish our discussion about probability, and to work on finishing projects.  All students are encouraged to type their conclusions using Google Docs.  Reminder, the finished project should include the following items:

• Rubric
• Printout of Data from 3 Trials of Rolling Dice
• Summary of Trial Data
• Frequency Tables (4)
• Theoretical Outcomes
• Histogram Containing 3 Trials
• Histogram of Trial Averages vs Theoretical Outcomes
• ThinkSheet
• Written Conclusion (Typed preferred)

Sections Covered in Textbook:

None

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Project Packet (if needed)
2) Discussion Questions (if needed)

Assignments:

1)  All corrections & missing assignments due tomorrow.
2)  Project Due TOMORROW!

Topics for November 18th

Today We Discussed:

We continued our progress with our dice project, and learned how to create new charts from our collected data.  For this project, we only focused on histograms/bar charts/column charts.  The completed project will have two histograms that are outlined in the project packet.

We also reviewed some practical uses of spreadsheets to gain better understanding of how and why they are used.

Finally, we discussed some of the things we learned by completing this project.  Students were given a list of discussion questions that they should use to build their conclusion document to be included with the final project.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

None

Resources & Tutorials:

1)  Class Notes:  How to Create Charts in GSheets.
2)  How to create a column chart in GSheets (Video).
3)  Dice Project Discussion Questions

Assignments:

1) Turn in any missing work, corrections by Wednesday.
2) Work on project charts, ThinkSheet, and Discussion Questions, and written conclusion.  Project due WEDNESDAY!

Topics for November 12th

Today We Discussed:

We continued working on our projects today and discussed how spreadsheets work. We reviewed how to use Google Drive to save our work, and made a copy of the project workbook in which to keep our own data.  We looked at some functions and equations, and got a feel for how GSheets work.

The tutorial below is an excellent beginning video for Google Sheets (GSheets), and it's sourced from YouTube.  If you click on the "SHOW MORE" link, a list of the different topics of the video and links to the exact starting points are displayed for easy reference.

We reviewed our theoretical outcomes that were generated from our sample space and their frequencies that we calculated together during yesterday's class, and worked more with frequency tables.  A frequency table is a good tool to quickly tabulate the number of times an event occurs, and an easy way to classify a large set of data.

Vocabulary:  spreadsheet, frequency table

Sections Covered in Textbook:

Chapter 4 (Omit section 4-2) - pages 181-230

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Yesterday's Blog with Links to All Lessons
2)  Introduction to Google Sheets

Assignments:

1) Chapter 4 Review
2) Continue working on Project
3) Chapter 4 Test Thursday

Topics for November 11th

Today We Discussed:

Today we wrapped up concepts in Chapter 4, and began review for our test which is on Thursday.  In addition, students were given their $1,000,000 Guess Project packet.  We will investigate both theoretical and experimental probability with two dice.  All students will need a Google account for this project.  We'll also learn about spreadsheets and create some charts from our own data.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

Chapter 4 (Omit section 4-2) - pages 181-230

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Blog Entry for Ratio and Proportion
2) Blog Entry for Proportion and Percent Equations
3) Blog Entry for Percent of Change
4) Blog Entry for Applying Ratios to Probability
5) Blog Entry for Probability of Compound Events

Assignments:

1) Get Project Packet signed - setup Google account if needed
2) Complete project data collection (3 trials)
3) **Planning Ahead** Chapter 4 Test Thursday

Topics for November 7th

Today We Discussed:

Today we discussed probability of compound events.  We reviewed what the word "compound" means (and in this case, it simply means more than one), and discussed the different types of compound events.  There are two types:  independent events and dependent events.  Independent events occur when the outcome of one event has no effect on the other (ex:  flipping a coin twice).  Dependent events occur when the outcome of the first event does have an effect on the event that comes after (ex:  taking a card from a deck of cards and keeping it, then taking another card).

The numeric probability of dependent events can be found by multiplying the theoretical probability of each event together.

For two independent events, P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B)
For two dependent events, P(A then B) = P(A) * P(B after A)

Vocabulary: independent events, dependent events

Sections Covered in Textbook:

4-6: Probability of Compound Events

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What are compound events?
2) How to determine if your events are independent or dependent.
3) How to find probability of independent events.
4) How to find probability of dependent events.

Assignments:

1) Compound Events worksheet
2) Chapter 3 Test Corrections due Monday

Topics for November 6th

Today We Discussed:

Ratios can be used to express everyday activities, and we will be using them in the context of probability.  Probability simply is the chance that an event can occur.  We defined all of the terms associated with both theoretical and experimental probability, and talked about how to find a sample space and how that relates to probability.  Exploring experimental probability is a good way to demonstrate that what we expect to happen, does not always occur, and probability is just based upon how likely something is to occur, not a guarantee it will occur.

We will be investigating experimental probability more thoroughly in the next week.


Graphic Credit:  Online Math Learning

Vocabulary: probability, outcome, event, sample space, theoretical probability, experimental probability 

Sections Covered in Textbook:

4-5: Applying Ratios to Probability (pages 211-217)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is probability?
2) What is an outcome?
3) What is a sample space? 
4) How do you find the probability of a simple event?
5) What is experimental probability?
6) Math is Fun - Probability (not a video)
7) Probability Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Probability Assignment
2) Chapter 3 Test Corrections due Monday

Topics for November 5th

Today We Discussed:

We continued the topic of percents in the context of percent of change.  We can have a positive percent of change (representing an increase) or a negative rate of change (representing a decrease).  To determine the percent of change, we have to compare how much something changed to its original quantity.  Percent of change is relative to the original value.

Vocabulary: percent of change, percent of increase, percent of decrease

Sections Covered in Textbook:

4-4: Percent of Change (pages 204-209)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is the percent of change?
2) How do you find percent of change?
3) How do you determine percent of increase or decrease?

Assignments:

1) Percent of Change Worksheet

Topics for November 4th

Today We Discussed:

We expanded our discussion of proportions to include the percent proportion.  We deconstructed the word per-cent to mean "out of 100".  We can solve percent problems using a proportion or using a percent equation with the percent expressed as a decimal.

This unit will continue to explore proportions and percents, and we'll take some time to review the conversions of fractions to decimals to percents and vice-versa.  Students will be encouraged to memorize the decimal equivalents of common fractions as a time-saver.  Normally I am not a big fan of memorization, unless it serves a useful purpose - memorizing common concepts (like divisibility rules, the quadratic formula, and common numbers) can be a big time-saver leaving more time for higher order problem solving.

As we continue to explore the relationships among decimals, fractions, and percents, I plan to expand our discussion to other proportions, like circles.  We will investigate some probability in this unit, and will use our knowledge of proportions to convert fractions to degrees in preparation for making circle graphs.

Vocabulary: percent proportion, percent equation

Sections Covered in Textbook:

4-3: Proportions and Percent Equations

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is a percent proportion?
2) How do you use a proportion to find a whole?
3) How do you use a proportion to find what percent a part is of a whole?
4) How do you use a proportion to find part of a whole?
5) What is a percent equation?
6) More Percent Equation Links

Assignments:

1) Proportions and Percent Equations Worksheet