Uniform Motion - Problem Solving Part 2 - Sept 29

Topics for Today:

We continued our discussion about problem solving by investigating uniform motion problems.   Most students are familiar with the basic formula for motion: 
distance = rate * time, or in algebraic terms, d = rt.

Uniform motion problems fall into three main categories: same-direction travel, round-trip travel, or opposite-direction travel.  Depending upon what the problem is asking, we'll combine our problem data in different ways to find our answer, but in each case, we will still apply the general formula (d=rt) to set up our problem.

Drawing diagrams to help picture what is going on in the problem is another helpful strategy.  Using a table to solve problems helps organize all the supporting data, and provides a systematic way to solve more complex problems.  Students are encouraged to use a table and to draw a picture of what is going on in the question to help better understand what is being asked.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-5: Equations and Problem-Solving Part 2 (pages 103-110)

Resources & Tutorials:

1)  How to Solve Opposite-Directions problem.
2)  How to Solve Same-Directions problem.
3)  How to Solve Round-Trip Travel Problems.
4)  Problems Solving Notes Part 2 - Uniform Motion

Assignments:

1) Worksheet on Uniform Motion

2) Quiz Tomorrow (7th) or Thursday (8th) on Solving Equations (all types)

Equations and Problem Solving Part 1 - Sept 28

Topics for Today:

Now that we know how to solve all types of equations, we will use that knowledge to solve story problems.  There are many different types of story problems, but most of them can be categorized into one of several categories.  Today's lesson will focus on problem solving involving defining variables in terms of each other,  consecutive integers (which also involves defining variables in terms of another), and break-even problems.

Vocabulary: consecutive, break-even

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-5: Equations and Problem Solving (pages 103 - 110)
We will continue working on this topic tomorrow with more examples.

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Solving Break-Even Problems
2) How to find the Break-Even Point
3) Solving Word Problems with Consecutive Integers
4) Problem Solving Notes Part 1

Assignments:

1) Worksheet on Problem-Solving Part 1
2) Quiz Wednesday (7th) or Thursday (8th) on Solving Equations (all types).

Equations with Variables on Both Sides - Sept 24/25

Topics for Today:

Our discussion about solving equations moved on to situations where there are variables on both sides of an equation.  The basic properties of equality still apply when dealing with variable terms.  We used the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division properties of equality to get variables on one side, and constants on the other side of the equation.  For equations with variables on both sides, it is possible for the equation to have infinitely many solutions (identity) or no solution at all.  Students will need to be on the lookout for these special cases, which show themselves is interesting mathematical ways.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-4: Equations with Variables on Both Sides (pages 96-100)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
2) Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides and Grouping Symbols

3) Equations with Variables on Both Sides Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides Worksheet

**Planning ahead - Quiz next Wednesday on solving all types of equations.

Solving Multi-Step Equations -Sept 23/24

Topics for Today:

We moved on from two-step to multi-step equation solving.  Today's lesson focused on simplifying with grouping symbols, and multiplying through to eliminate fractions and decimals to make the equation easier to solve.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-3: Solving Multi-Step Equations (pages 88 - 93)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Solving Multi-Step Equations using Distributive Property
2) Solving Multi-Step Equations by Clearing Fractions

3) Solving Multi-Step Equations Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Solving Multi-Step Equations Worksheet

Solving 2-Step Equations- Sept 22

Topics for Today:

Our discussion about solving equations moved on to solving 2-step equations.  The order of operations still figures in to this process, although since we are undoing operations, we go in reverse.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-2: Solving Two-Step Equations (pages 81- 86)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) How do you solve a 2-step equation?
2) Math Antics - How to solve 2-step equations.

3) Two-Step Equations Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Solving Two-Step Equations

2) Test Corrections due tomorrow (7th) or Thursday (8th)

Solving 1-Step Equations - Sept 21

Topics for Today:

Today we reviewed solving one-step algebraic equations.  We discussed what inverse operations are, and also defined the term solution.  Students are reminded that all they are accountable for all the mathematics that came before this class, as well as any new learned material.  Mathematics is a cumulative subject, and the skills built in the past will continue to be used to solve new problems.  That means that we will continue to integrate fraction and decimal operations into our problem solving.  Equation operations will include all types of real numbers.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-1: Solving One-Step Equations (pages 74-79)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Math Antics - How to Solve a 1-step Equation.
2) How to solve an equation using addition.
3) How to solve an equation using subtraction.
4) How to solve an equation using multiplication.
5) How to solve an equation using division.
6) How to solve a decimal equation using subtraction.
7) How to solve an equation when multiplying fractions. 

8) Solving One-Step Equations class notes

Assignments:

1) Solving One-Step Equations Worksheet

2) Chapter 1 Test Corrections due Wednesday (7th grade) or Thurs (8th grade)

Chapter 1 Review - Sept 16/17

Topics for Today:

Today we reviewed for our Chapter 1 Test by playing a game of Jeopardy.  Students are reminded that their Chapter 1 Notebooks will be due prior to taking the test.  The Table of Contents for this Chapter can be found on the Table of Contents page of this blog.  

Topics covered in Chapter 1:  Using variables, order of operations, classifications of real numbers, real number operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing), as well as the properties of equality.  

Sections Covered in Textbook:

Chapter 1:  Tools of Algebra (pages 4-58) - Omit section 1-9

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Review Jeopardy Questions

2) Review Jeopardy Answers

**See blog entries from August 31st through September 15th

Assignments:

1) Study for Chapter 1 Test on Thursday (7th) or Friday (8th)

2) Notebooks are due on test day.

The Properties of Equality - Sept 15

Topics for Today:

Today we laid the groundwork for all the properties of equality.  The properties are a set of truths that act as rules to allow us to rewrite numbers and equations to make them easier to solve.  We also use the properties to justify the different steps we take to simplify expressions and solve equations.  Students also made a set of notecards that can be used during any quiz or test this year.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-8: Properties of Real Numbers (pages 54 - 57)

Resources & Tutorials:

1)  Video page for the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division properties.
2)  What is the substitution property of equality?
3)  Summary sheet of Properties from Math-Aids.

4) Properties of Equality Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Properties of Equality HW

2) Quiz Corrections due Wed (7th Grade) or Thurs (8th Grade)

3) Finish Property Cards

***Planning Ahead***

Chapter 1 Test Thursday (7th) or Friday (8th)

NOTEBOOK DUE ON TEST DAY

Distributive Property - Sept 14

Topics for Today:

Today we discussed the distributive property  of multiplication over addition and subtraction.  We also used the distributive property to multiply large numbers using mental math.  We also discussed how to combine algebraic like terms, and expanded our algebra vocabulary.  We revisited translating phrases into algebraic expressions with the addition of the distributive property.

Vocabulary: constant, like terms, distributive property, coefficient, term

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-7: The Distributive Property (pages 47 - 52)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is the distributive property?

2) Distributive Property Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Distributive Property Worksheet

2) Quiz Corrections due Wed (7th Grade) or Thurs (8th Grade)

***Planning Ahead***

Chapter 1 Test Thursday (7th) or Friday (8th)

Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers - Sept 10/11

Topics for Today:

Yesterday we took our first quiz of the year.  How did it go?  Did you properly prepare?  If not, what improvements can you make for the future?  Students will be allowed and expected to complete quiz corrections for partial credit.  Quizzes are meant as assessment and learning tools.  Students should always be asking, "How can I do better?".

We moved on to multiplying and dividing real numbers today.

Some basic sign rules for multiplication and division:

+ · + = +      + / + = +
+ · - = -      + / - = -
- · + = -      - / + = -
- · - = +      - / - = +

Vocabulary: Identity property of Multiplication, Multiplication Property of Zero, Multiplication Property of -1, Inverse Property of Multiplication, multiplicative inverse, reciprocal

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-6: Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers (pages 37 - 44)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) How do you multiply and divide numbers with different signs?
2) What are Multiplicative Inverses?
3) What is a reciprocal?

Assignments:

Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers Worksheet

Subtracting Real Numbers - Sept 8th

Topics for Today:

We continued our discussion of adding real numbers (both positive and negative) using a number line and integer chips.  Our rules for addition are:

• If the signs are the same, add and keep the sign.
• If the signs are different, subtract and keep the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.  

Stated another way...

Subtraction is actually the addition of opposites!  

For subtraction problems, first change to addition by adding the opposite, then follow your addition rules!  

                  6 – 10 =

              6 + (-10) =  

Subtract 6 from 10 and keep the negative sign because |-10| > |6|

Therefore, the answer is – 4. 

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-4: Adding Real Numbers (pages 24-31)
1-5: Subtracting Real Numbers (pages 32-36)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) How do you add two negative numbers?
2) Rules for Adding Integers
3)  How to rewrite a subtraction problem as addition
4) Subtracting Real Numbers Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Subtracting Real Numbers Worksheet
2) Quiz Tomorrow (7th Grade) or Thursday (8th Grade) over Sections 1-1 through 1-3.

Adding Real Numbers - September 3rd/4th

Topics for Today:

We used models (number line and integer chips) and rules to add real numbers today.  We talked about the identity property of addition and also talked about inverses.  We also discussed how to use a number line to represent addition problems of both positive and negative integers.  Today's class was capped off with a game of Nim.  So far Mrs. Riccabona is still undefeated...

Vocabulary: identity property of equality, additive inverse, inverse property of addition

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-4: Adding Real Numbers (pages 24-31)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) How do you add two negative numbers?
2) Rules for Adding Integers
3) What is the opposite of a number?
4) What are identities?

5) Adding Real Numbers Class Notes

Assignments:

1) Adding Real Numbers Worksheet

Exploring Real Numbers - September 2nd

Topics for Today:

We are still working on the language of Algebra and using precise words.  Today we discussed the different classifications for numbers and what sets various types of numbers belong to (Natural, Whole, Integers, Rational, Irrational, and Real).  We also reviewed the meaning of absolute value.

Vocabulary: natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational number, irrational number, real numbers, inequality, opposites, absolute value

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-3: Exploring Real Numbers (Pages 17-23)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is a real number?
2) What is a rational number?
3) What are natural and whole numbers?

4) Class Notes on Exploring Real Numbers

Assignments:

1) Classifying Real Numbers Worksheet
2) Get course syllabus signed by Thursday

Exponents and Order of Operations - Sept 1st

Topics for Today:

As with any language, algebra has some basic rules that must be followed to arrive at a correct answer.  Sometimes there are multiple ways to express an answer or number so we need a set of rules to follow so we always arrive at the same answer for any one particular problem.  The order of operations is a set of rules that tells problem solvers which operations to perform and in what order.

Vocabulary: simplify, exponent, base, power, order of operations (PEMDAS), evaluate

Sections Covered in Textbook:

1-2: Exponents and Order of Operations (pages 9 - 16)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is the order of operations?
2) How do you use the order of operations?
3) Class Notes - Exponents and Order of Operations

Assignments:

1) Exponents and Order of Operations Worksheet
2) Have course syllabus signed by Thursday.