Please find a video on systems of equations in three variables below as well as one on systems of inequalities immediately below. I encourage you to take a moment and critically view them, pausing and re-watching when needed.The documents for our first unit are embedded beneath that, including the next two homework assignments.
This is a blog for the students I teach and the families I serve. It holds daily assignments, updates on homework, calendar of exams, commentary on math education and math in the news.
Showing posts with label linear systems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label linear systems. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
The first week and a half we reviewed linear functions as tools to model the relationship between two quantities with an emphasis on distance vs. time relationships. This week we are moving into a brief review systems of linear equations, which will culminate in exploration of linear programming. The picture at left is an example of what we will eventually will be building, interpreting, and using to solve real-world problems.
Please find a video on systems of equations in three variables below as well as one on systems of inequalities immediately below. I encourage you to take a moment and critically view them, pausing and re-watching when needed.The documents for our first unit are embedded beneath that, including the next two homework assignments.
Please find a video on systems of equations in three variables below as well as one on systems of inequalities immediately below. I encourage you to take a moment and critically view them, pausing and re-watching when needed.The documents for our first unit are embedded beneath that, including the next two homework assignments.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
More Transformations and Systems of Inequalities
Transformations will continue in Precalculus with even more difficult problems coming your way! I encourage you to review your notes nightly until you can, without hesitation, describe a single transformation and the order of transformations. These are simple tasks if you take it one transformation at a time. At the end of the week will refocus on our attention on common characteristics of functions such as symmetry, end behavior, etc. The homework is posted with odd solutions to help you navigate this, at times challenging, homework assignment. Beneath the table is a link to a new set of videos/animations you may find more engaging or interesting if you need to review the material.
| Pearson Powerpoints | Text Examplars: | Classwork: | Homework (from University of Houston) | Reference Sheet (from fortress math) |
Precalculus animations/review from Cengage Learning:
Transformations of Graphs and Functions
Nonrigid Transformations of Functions
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Algebra 2 will apply their problem solving abilities to three-variable systems as well as revisit some of the classic simultaneous equation problems. Given that I will be working outside of the building on Wednesday and we have no school on Thursday, this will be a short work with a great deal of perfecting of our basic skills. We will return to systems when we add polynomial functions to the mix so master the skills now!
Please find some relevant resources below:
| Solving by Graphing Powerpoint | Homework |
Reference Sheet 1
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Reference Sheet 2
|
|
Problems for homework with one student's action plan:
Brightstorm Videos:These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you!
Also check out the videos recently posted by LearnZillion. They provide a nice basic overview of the underlying skills.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Transformations of Functions and Applications of Systems of Equations

Algebra 2 will be moving into applications of systems of equations that will range from profit, cost, and revenue, to mixtures, to numerical relationships, to planes, trains, and automobiles. It should be a good solid honing of your equation writing skills as well as your ability to manipulate equations. I look forward to lively debate, self-reflection, and solid revisions of you personal approaches as we go through the problem-solving process together. Please find some relevant resources below:
| Solving by Graphing Powerpoint | Homework (from the University of Houston) |
Reference Sheet 1
|
Reference Sheet 2
|
|
Brightstorm Videos:
These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you! _______________________________________________________________________
Please find the upcoming material for Precalculus the next week or so!
We have also started reading short articles at the beginning of class and hope that connecting math to the everyday newsfeed has been interesting and revealing. Here is what we have been reading and will read!
CBO Blog-Trends in the Distribution of Income
UPI News-7 billion people is a 'serious challenge'
PHYSORG-Fighting violent gang crime with math
Washington Post: Want to earn more money? Study STEM.
Google Blog: The bright side of sitting in traffic: Crowdsourcing road congestion data
Our work on transformations thus far!
Gallery Walk Conclusions:
Our formalizations of our gallery walk:
| Pearson Powerpoints | Text Examplars: | Classwork: | Homework | Reference Material |
Parent function "analysis" files with template (modified from Pete Falzone)
Videos on Transformations:
Brightstorm Videos
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Graphs of Functions and Systems of Equations
| Text Examplars: | Homework | Reference Material | Wolfram Demonstration |
| |
Upcoming Material for the next two weeks.
| Text Examplars: | Homework | Reference Material |
Videos on Transformations:
Brightstorm Videos
______________________________________________________________________________
Algebra 2 will be moving into systems of equations through the lens of coordinate geometry. Below is a student work example of some of the resources I will be using and what we will be exploring. The purpose is for students to have a concrete link between their algebraic worlds and geometric worlds as well as to ground the solving of systems in the graphical world and slowly move to more abstract manipulation.
Check out this 3D Lathe that will help you visualize the creation of 3D geometric figures from the two-dimensions of the coordinate plane.
http://www.fi.uu.nl/toepassingen/00182/toepassing_wisweb.en.html
| Homework (from the University of Houston) |
Reference Material | Reference Sheet 1 | Reference Sheet 2 |
Brightstorm Videos:
These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Moving Toward Linear Programming and Simultaneous Equations
MIT SEED applications are now being accepted! All interested students should come see me. An amazing opportunity and one that should not be passed up!

Precalculus will be completing their application of inverse matrices to solve "traditional" and "non-traditional" three variable system word problems and then move onto an eight day exploration of linear programming. The image to the left shows a system of inequalities that represents the constraints on two variables. The region that is darkest represents all the possible, feasible, values that "work" given the five different constraints. The vertices of the polygon of the "feasible region" give the maximum and minimum values given the constraints. We will primarily use these maximum and minimum values to solve business related problems that require us to determine what will maximize profit and/or minimize cost.
Here is an example problem from the Transition Mathematics Project:
Homework is due in two weeks! A great deal of graphing and interpreting is involved so work steady and check-in with me regularly.Here is the link to the chapter from which the problem set came.
Please find the slides related linear programming here as well and some exemplar problems to help guide you on your way.
Video resources:
Brightstorm Videos on solving and graphing inequalities
Khan Academy on graphing inequalities
Youtube Video 1 on Linear Programming
Youtube Video 2 on Linear Programming
_______________________________________________________________________
Algebra II will quickly cover lines and move directly into classic system of equations problems. The aim here will be twofold: review of all things linear and translation of word problems. We will continue to keep midpoint and distance formulas as well as exponents and radicals in play as much as possible by reviewing with Tarsia triangles, hexagons, and dominoes (see image of completed Tarsia triangle at left).
Brightstorm Videos:
These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you!

Precalculus will be completing their application of inverse matrices to solve "traditional" and "non-traditional" three variable system word problems and then move onto an eight day exploration of linear programming. The image to the left shows a system of inequalities that represents the constraints on two variables. The region that is darkest represents all the possible, feasible, values that "work" given the five different constraints. The vertices of the polygon of the "feasible region" give the maximum and minimum values given the constraints. We will primarily use these maximum and minimum values to solve business related problems that require us to determine what will maximize profit and/or minimize cost.
Here is an example problem from the Transition Mathematics Project:
Your great aunt left you a trust fund of $18,000 that you may now have to invest with some restrictions. You have three different funds from which to choose. The municipal bond fund has a 5.26% return, U.S. Bank has certificate of deposits (CDs) with a 2.25% return and the high-risk fund has an expected (but not guaranteed) return of 9%. To minimize risk, you decide to invest a maximum of $3,000 in the high-risk account. A stipulation of the trust indicates that you must invest at least three times as much in the bank CDs as in the municipal bonds. Assuming the year-end returns are as expected, what are your best investment choices to maximize your return? Be sure to state how much you will invest in each fund.You will be able to solve this!
Homework is due in two weeks! A great deal of graphing and interpreting is involved so work steady and check-in with me regularly.Here is the link to the chapter from which the problem set came.
Please find the slides related linear programming here as well and some exemplar problems to help guide you on your way.
| Slides: | Text Examplars: | Homework |
Video resources:
Brightstorm Videos on solving and graphing inequalities
Khan Academy on graphing inequalities
Youtube Video 1 on Linear Programming
Youtube Video 2 on Linear Programming
_______________________________________________________________________
Algebra II will quickly cover lines and move directly into classic system of equations problems. The aim here will be twofold: review of all things linear and translation of word problems. We will continue to keep midpoint and distance formulas as well as exponents and radicals in play as much as possible by reviewing with Tarsia triangles, hexagons, and dominoes (see image of completed Tarsia triangle at left).
| Slides: | Homework (from University of Houston): | Linear Equations Reference Sheet |
Brightstorm Videos:
These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Solving Systems with Matrices and All Things Linear
| Slides: | Homework (from University of Houston): | Linear Equations Reference Sheet |
Brightstorm Videos:
These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you!
_______________________________________________________________________________ Precalculus will continue to develop the properties of matrices and apply them to solving systems of equations. We will complete the final investigation of this unit on mixtures and solidify our ability to organize and manipulate information using matrices and apply them in problem-solving contexts.
| Slides: | Text Examplars: | TI-83 Guide (see ch. 10-pp.167-182) |
Homework: Handout from Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications Khan Academy Video:
Matrices to solve a system of equations
Brightstorm Video:
Solving linear systems using matrices (this is a link to four videos that start with previous topics and build to the final topic of solving systems with matrices)
Friday, September 16, 2011
Solving Systems with Matrices and Factoring Expressions

Factoring Flowchart Image Link
Precalculus will begin applying matrices to the solution of systems of equations. It is an exciting week! Please find the slides for the upcoming week below (starting with ppt5), a keystroke guide for matrices, as well as the homework. We will have another investigation from the College Board's Springboard materials. We completed "Gems in the Matrix" and "How Much Wood Do You Need," and will end with an investigation of mixtures. Continue to focus on argument and explaining how matrices can help us manage and manipulate large sets of information.
| Slides: | Text Examplars: | TI-83 Guide (see ch. 10-pp.167-182) |
Khan Academy Video:
Matrices to solve a system of equations
Brightstorm Video:
Solving linear systems using matrices (this is a link to four videos that start with previous topics and build to the final topic of solving systems with matrices)
Homework:
pp. 103-104 #27-52, pp. 119-122 #1-48, pp. 124-125 #1-10
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Algebra II will hone their factoring skills and will be introduced to the basics of rational expressions. After next week algebraic basics is over and we will be moving onto linear functions and piecewise functions. Please find the notes from the week below (factoring is ppt2), factoring reference sheets, and the homework.
| Slides: | Factoring Reference Sheet | Factoring Flowchart |
Brightstorm Videos:
These videos are aligned to the sections from your textbook, so as you are completing homework from your textbook you can easily locate the most relevant videos for you!
Homework:
Handouts taken from XYZ Custom+. Completes the multiples of three, please.
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