We Made It!

Break time! Woooo!

Rest up, relax, hang out with friends and family, watch tv, play outside, read a book, do some math....come back ready to learn! We'll have lots more log stuff to learn for our 9 days leading up to midterms!

Check the blog later in the week for an extra-credit opportunity!

Have a wonderful vacation!

We're....almost....there....

So close to break....hopefully you aced your test today!

Tomorrow we will only have about half of a class....we'll do.....some math....

No homework tonight!

For those of you who I won't see tomorrow, have an amazing break! Come back rested up and ready to power through some more stuff with logarithms! Have fun, enjoy family and friends, eat a lot, sleep a lot, and go outside! See you all soon!

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY

Test Monday! This is the last hurdle between you and the winter break; work hard this weekend to prepare for our test! Look over your pop quiz (I returned today), use the graphing practice/answer key I gave you in class, and study your 3.1 take home quiz (with the graphs of e and compound interest stuff).

The test is broken into 7 different parts (about 30 questions). Here's what you need to know:

Part 1:

• Evaluate exponential expressions
• Be sure to know how to deal with fractional exponents, negative exponents, and 0 (as an exponent)!

Part 2:

• Evaluate logarithmic expressions
• Remember, the log of a negative or of 0 is undefined!
• Study your pop quiz--this is the same stuff (1-9 on the pop quiz)

Part 3:

• Simplify logarithmic expressions
• Know the properties of logs we discussed in class!
• These are the same as 10-15 from our pop quiz
• Remember, if the "base" is the same as the number we're taking a log of, the expression = 1
• log(1)=0 no matter the base
• a^log(x)...The "a" and the "log" "cancel out" if the bases are the same! (The base of the log is the same as "a")

Part 4:

• Sketch the graph of a given logarithmic function
• This is what we discussed today (Friday) in class!
• Use the practice problems and answer key I provided you to study!
• Remember, you only need to show the asymptote, "shifted point," and the general shape to get credit

Part 5:

• Compound interest problems
• Study our 3.1 take home quiz--we had a bunch of these types of problems in that packet~
• Most important: know the formulas! If you don't know the formulas, these are impossible!

Part 6:

• Find the domain of a logarithm algebraically
• This is like the stamp problem we had today in class (that I printed out so you can keep)
• Remember, what's "inside the log" must always be >0; set up an inequality and solve!

Part 7:

• Graphing exponential functions
• For this section, you will be provided with 6 graphs and 6 equations; you have to label each graph with the correct equation
• Additionally, you also have to describe the shifts/reflections (in words) for these functions
• Study your 3.1 take home quiz (with the compound interest stuff)
• We also had a 3.1 homework (and I passed out an answer key) that you can use to study!

More generally, everything you need to know is in section 3.1 and 3.2 of your book. Use your resources! Look up videos on youtube! Try some of the links on the right! Just be ready to get an A!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday HW

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook (practice your graphing!):

Page 195: 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45-48, 49, 51

Tomorrow (in class) we'll do some graphing practice and get ready for our mid-unit test on Monday! Yay!

See you there! Enjoy your afternoon!

Nice work today!

Great work today! I think I could have left the room and you all would've been fine...as always, an impressive effort on our classwork!

Tonight, please finish the investigation we started today in class (if you didn't already). Remember, this is a 36 point classwork grade--so finish! Get an A! I'll collect this tomorrow. If you were absent, I'll give you the investigation to complete on your own (due by Monday).

Tomorrow in class we will discuss what we found in our groupwork. We will talk more about the domain of a logarithmic function, and then we will start to graph logarithmic functions with different bases, with shifts, and with reflections!

Then, on Friday we'll do some practice and finish section 3.2....all in preparation for a quiz/test/quest on Monday!

If you'd like to get a head start, here's tomorrow night's homework:

Page 195: 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45-48, 49, 51

Enjoy your afternoon! See you all tomorrow!

Extra Credit HW?

Tonight, please feel free to earn some homework extra credit! Complete the following in your textbook:

Page 196: 53 - 60; if you complete each of these you can add a point to one of your homework 0's!

Tomorrow in class we will continue to explore logarithms as we start to investigate the graph of
log(x) and how the logarithmic function relates to the exponential function!

Enjoy your Tuesday! See you all manana!

Monday.....

Back to work!

Tomorrow we'll answer any homework questions and take a look at the natural logarithm....then, we'll move onto graphing! Yay!

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 195:  1-15 (odd); 17 – 23 (odd) ; 25-29

Enjoy your sunny afternoon! See you all tomorrow!

Take Home Quiz!

This weekend, please complete the quiz that we started (in groups) in class! Don't forget!

Here's a hint for the last question:

• This question tells us that the element decays continuously. This tells us which formula to start with!
• The only reason this tells us that it's a daily rate is so we know that we can substitute numbers of days in for t, rather than years. (It has nothing to do with "n").
• Consider the rate....because this element is decaying, we have to use a negative rate (-r) in our equation!
• Part (c) asks us for the half-life. This means we have to try to estimate the value of t (the number of days) that it will take for our initial amount to decay to half (of the original amount). In other words, since our element started at 50 grams, we need to estimate the value of t when the amount will be at 25 grams.
• There are three ways to do this:
• 1.) "guess and check." Substitute different numbers for t! Try decimals too!
• 2.) Use the table feature of your calculator (after putting your equation in Y1) to see when the amount (Y) is at 25!
• 3.) Use the graph of the function. Look at the graph and trace along the curve to find out the x-value when y = 25!

If you lost your paper or were absent, you can find the quiz below. Enjoy!

Thursday HW!

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Tomorrow we'll do some practice/groupwork graphing some natural exponential functions and using our compound interest formulas!

Wedneday HW

Tonight, please complete the graphing practice (worksheet) I passed out in class.

Tomorrow we'll answer any homework questions, then we'll start to discuss e and compound interest!

Your homework is below in case you lost yours! Enjoy! See you all tomorrow!

Rainy Day Homework!

It is very important that you check the blog regularly!

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 185: 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15-18

It's a perfect day for math! Stay inside, wear some sweatpants, relax, and do some homework (because I am definitely checking!)

See you all tomorrow!

Monday HW

Tonight, please complete the 9 questions at the back of our graphing activity (from class today). Remember, these will be graded as a classwork grade, so do them! You will have about 5-10 minutes tomorrow in class to compare with a neighbor and hand in your "final answers;" if you do not do your homework, you will not be given this opportunity! This will be collected and grade (14 point classwork--I skipped #3,4, so it's not worth 18 pts).

If you lost your graphs/paper, you can find all the questions below:

Happy Weekend!

Thanks for working hard on the STAR test today!

This weekend, please complete the worksheet (exponents review) provided in class! If you lost yours or you were absent you can find the homework below...

**Many of you were using your graphing calculators to evaluate these....when we have a quiz/test, we will not be allowed to use a graphing calculator, so make sure you know how to do them without it! In other words...don't use a graphing calculator on your homework, because you won't have one when I give you a quiz (on Tuesday).**

On Monday we'll get back to work in section 3.1 and start examining the graphs of exponential functions! I can't wait!

Enjoy your weekend...do your homework tomorrow while it's raining! And good luck if you're taking the SAT's!

Another night off?!

No homework tonight!

Remember, tomorrow we will be in room 121 for STAR testing!

See you all there! Enjoy your sunny afternoon!

No homework tonight!

Wooo! A night off!

Hopefully you all dominated my test today! I'm looking forward to grading these.

Tomorrow we'll start our new unit....exponential and logarithmic functions! We'll start with our unit 3 pre test, and then we'll review our rules of exponents...get excited!

Enjoy your afternoon off (from PreCalculus). See you all in the a.m.!

Test Tomorrow!

Study, study, study!

Here's a breakdown of what's on tomorrow's test:

Part 1: Multiple Choice (8 questions):

• Determine the domain of a function
• Find the horizontal asymptotes
• Find vertical asymptotes
• Graph the rational function

Part 2: Open Ended

• Find vertical and horizontal asymptotes given a function
• Identify the coordinates (x, y) of a point of discontinuity (hole) given a function
• Find the x and y intercepts of a function
• 2 graphic organizers...
• Find x intercept, y intercept, vertical and horizontal asymptotes, domain, range, end behavior, additional points, and graph
• One of the two functions is a graph with a "hole" in it! (study the answer key for last night's homework)

Monday HW!

Back to work! Yay!

Tonight, please complete the two graphic organizers for rational functions with points of discontinuity (holes). These are great examples of what you'll see on your test Wednesday!

You can also find the homework below, in case you were absent or you lost yours.

Tomorrow in class we'll play some bingo to review for our test. Then, Wednesday is test day! Thursday we'll start our next unit, and Friday is STAR testing. Wooo!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! You all have been working hard this year....take this well-deserved opportunity to rest up, relax, and enjoy some time with your friends and family! We'll get back to the hard work as we discuss "holes" in rational functions and review for a unit test when we get back!

Until then, please complete the take home test (provided in class) for homework! Don't forget!

If you lost yours or you were absent (or you want an electronic copy), just send me an email (carofano.fm@easthartford.org) and I'll reply with a copy of the test!

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, check out this fantastic Stove Top Stuffing commercial!

Enjoy the break! See you all on Monday!

Extra Credit?

We're halfway done PreCalc!

And there's no homework tonight!

Tomorrow (in class) we'll finish up our matching activity and then we'll finish up our unit! How exciting! And we'll get a take home test! Yay!

Great work today in class! Keep it up!

Oh, and here's an extra credit homework assignment (this can get rid of a homework 0!). This will only be accepted if you have it tomorrow:

Page 148: 7-12 (matching), 23 (only part c, complete the table), 35abc

Do it! Even if you don't have a homework 0....then you'll have one to "waste" in the future!

Wknd HW!

Great work today with those graphic organizers! Hopefully you're starting to feel more and more confident about graphing rational functions. On Monday we'll do some more practice with a matching activity, and then on Tuesday we'll learn the last pieces about rational functions. When we're back from Thanksgiving we'll do a little review and then have a test on rational functions!

This weekend, please complete the following in your textbook (the paper I gave you in class was just a photocopy of the book page):

Page 149: 13, 15, 17, 19 (just do part (b) of the directions; find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes for each function)

Page 149: 31, 32, 33, 34 (find the x-intercepts for each function without a graphing calculator)


Enjoy! Have a great weekend...enjoy the warm Sunday! I'll see you all Monday morning!

Thursday...

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook: (you know I'm checking)

Page 157: 10, 15, 19

• Graph the rational function for each
• If you don't do 10, no credit! (because then you probably just copied from the book!)
• For full credit, I expect to see the asymptotes, intercepts, and some additional points plotted
• Your work should convince me that you didn't just copy these from the back of the book!

Also, remember your signed grade report is due tomorrow. This counts as a double homework! It should be an easy 100%!

And in case you need some help, here are a bunch of youtube videos you can watch about graphing rational functions!

Tomorrow in class we'll finish up 2 more graphic organizers (for a classwork grade)! On Monday we'll keep practicing, and on Tuesday we'll talk about holes! Wooo!

Enjoy your Thursday! See you all in the am!

Wednesday HW!

You have two homework assignments to worry about...

1. Please complete the graphic organizer for the rational function we started in class
1. You have to find the coordinates of 9 additional points (3 to the left of the VA, 3 between the VA's, and 3 to the right of the VA)
2. Then, sketch the graph!
2. Get your grade report signed! This is due by Friday and counts as a double homework!

We'll spend the next few days practicing graphing rational functions to get ready for a test on Tuesday! Wooooooo!

Enjoy your "hump day." See you all in the morning!

Rational Functions!

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Our quiz grades clearly show who has and who has not been working hard outside of class. If you want to improve in this course you have to put in work when you leave...and that means doing your homework! This course will only get more and more challenging as time goes by...if you're just sitting back and being complacent your grades are going to suffer!

Tonight, please complete slides 1-4 on the handout provided in class. I'm checking...do it! If you lost yours you can find the questions below...

Quiz Tomorrow!

Tonight--study! Tomorrow we have a quiz on graphing rational functions!

• The quiz is similar to problems from this past weekend's homework and today's stamp problem!
• Here's an outline of what you need to know to "ace" the quiz:
• Find x-intercepts of a rational function
• Find y-intercepts of a rational function
• Find the vertical asymptotes
• Find the horizontal asymptotes
• Describe the end-behavior of a rational function
• Find additional points (choose a couple x-values on either side of the VA; then, sub these in for x to find y; now you have the coordinates of some points to plot!)
• Use all of the above information to graph rational functions
• Define the domain and range of a rational function

Enjoy! Use your homework/answer key, stamp problem, and your notes to study!

After our quiz we'll learn some more about rational functions, and start to graph more and more complex ones! Yayyyy!

Wknd HW

This weekend, please complete the rational function practice (worksheet) provided in class. You can find it below if you lost yours or were absent!

Let's start being more consistent about doing our homework (as a class). Many of us do it every night....others never do it. Let's find a balance and be in a class where everyone does their homework (almost) every night! The more you do homework, the better you'll do on your quizzes/tests!

On that note, this weekends homework/worksheet is a perfect representation of what will happen when I give you a pop quiz next week! (probably on Tuesday...)

So....enjoy the cold....rest up, relax....have some fun with your friends/family....and DO YOUR PRECALC HOMEWORK! :)

See you all on Monday!

Thursday HW....do it!

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! I had to give too many zeros today!

If you want any nights off, you'll all have to do your homework first!

Tonight, please complete the 2 graphs and the accompanying questions (domain, range, vertical asymptotes, horizontal asymptotes) provided. If you lost yours or were absent you can see the worksheet below.

Tomorrow we'll go over these problems and formalize the ideas into some notes. Then we'll do some in class practice. On Monday we'll start looking at even more complex rational functions! Yay!

Enjoy your evening! See you manana!

It's Wednesday?

Today definitely felt like a Monday to me.

Today in class we started our notes (a little bit) on our new unit, Rational Functions.

Please be sure to complete the investigation of rational functions that we started in class for homework. You can find it below if you lost yours or were absent!

Enjoy Your Day Off!

Hopefully you all aced today's test!

I will have them graded, at the latest, by Thursday, but I am hoping to have the tests graded for you on Weds.

No homework tonight! Rest up, relax, and enjoy Veteran's Day! It's supposed to be nice outside...go play!

On Wednesday in class we will start our next unit, rational functions. This might be a more difficult section, and it might be new to many of us, so be ready to learn! See you all on Wednesday!

TEST MONDAY!

Study, study, study!

On Monday our test has three parts...here's a breakdown of exactly what to study for Monday:

• Open Ended: No Graphing Calculator:
• 2 Questions about finding all (real and complex) zeros of a polynomial
• This section is just like last night's homework!
• Open Ended with Graphing Calculator:
• Identify the degree, leading coefficient, number of zeros, and describe the end behavior given a polynomial
• Divide polynomials using long division (like today's stamp)
• Add/subtract/multiply/divide complex numbers (study your complex numbers quiz)
• Simplify powers of I (study your complex numbers quiz)
• Write the equation of a polynomial given the zeros (remember complex zeros always appear in conjugate pairs)
• Find the vertex and x-intercepts of a quadratic function (like Thursday's stamp)
• Then, use these to write the equation in vertex form and intercept form (like Thursday's stamp)
• Multiple Choice with Graphing Calculator3
• Study the pre-test I passed out today in class!

Thursday HW...

Tonight, please finish the worksheet (zeros of polynomials) that we started in class!

• Remember, we already did #5 in our notes, so you can skip it! (unless you were out yesterday)

Tomorrow we'll do some review for our test on Monday! Come prepared with any questions you may have!

And on another note....great work today! Keep it up tomorrow so we're all ready to ace Monday's test!

Wednesday HW!

Good work today!

On a less positive note, there was an unacceptable number of people who got a 0 on a take home quiz...that isn't going to help your grade! We had the weekend, Monday, and Tuesday to get it done...there's no excuse! :(

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook. This will count as 2 homework assignments (as the first 4 problems were assigned Monday):

Page 140: 1, 3, 5, 23

Page 140: 19, 25, 35, 37 (don't worry about 43 even though it was posted in class)

See you all tomorrow for some practice/review before our big test!

This was supposed to be posted Monday....but it was on the Stats blog...

Good morning! Sorry I'm not there with you today :( I'll be back for some "zeros of polynomial functions" on Wednesday!

Today, get an A on your classwork--some review of factoring and solving quadratics!

For homework, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 140: 1, 3, 15, 23

And I'll be collected your take home quizzes on Wednesday now, so you have an extra 2 nights! Don't forget about that!

See you Wednesday! Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

Happy Halloween!

I'll be doing the monster mash all weekend. I can't wait to dress up and hand out candy!

Enjoy your Halloween! Be safe! Great work today....keep it up!

Hopefully you all aced today's quiz...if not, get an A on your homework!

This weekend, please complete the take home quiz provided in class for homework. If you lost yours or were absent, you can find the questions below.

• For a question that requires the graphing calculator, don't forget the links on the right!

As always, you must show work to receive credit! If you do not show work, I will not even accept your quiz!

Quiz Tomorrow! (Complex #'s)

If you have not yet turned in your stamps tomorrow is your last opportunity to do so!

Your only homework tonight is to study for tomorrow's quiz! I won't give you any extra after that long, tedious worksheet I gave you. (Sorry about that :) )

Tomorrow we'll start class with our complex numbers quiz. Here's a breakdown of what will be on it (all from section 2.4 in your textbook).

• Simplify powers of i (for instance, simplify i^31)
• Simplify radicals with and without negatives (a couple basic simplifying radicals, and a question like today's stamp problem)
• Adding/Subtracting complex #'s (just combine "like terms!"
• Multiply complex numbers ("foil" or "box method"; and remember, i^2 = -1)
• Divide complex numbers (multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator)

This will be our first quiz grade of the second quarter...so study and get an A!

See you all tomorrow!

WinsDay

Tonight, please complete the worksheet (22 questions) regarding complex numbers provided in class. If you lost yours or you were absent, you can find the questions below.

Tuesday HW!

Today in class we...

• Discussed how to simplify various powers of i
• Quickly reviewed how to add/subtract/multiply complex numbers
• Defined "standard form" of a complex number
• Defined the "conjugate" of a complex number
• Divided complex numbers by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator

Tonight, please complete the 11 problems provided in class for homework. If you lost yours, you can find the questions below.

Enjoy!

Take Home Test Due Tomorrow!

Happy Monday! Hopefully you all enjoyed your day back! We have a long week of work, and then 2 4-day weeks follow!

Also, the quarter ends Friday!

Tonight, please complete the 7 multiple-choice question take-home test provided in class Friday. If you lost it or you were out, you can find the take home test below.

Remember, you must show work or explain how you chose your answer for each question. If you don't, you will not receive credit!

Tomorrow we'll get back to work exploring complex numbers, and refresh our memories on the arithmetic operations with complex numbers! Wooo!

See you all tomorrow! Enjoy your afternoon!

Homecoming Weekend!

This weekend, please complete the take home multiple choice test provided in class. This will be collected and graded on Tuesday.

However, we will also potentially have a few book problems for homework on Tuesday, so it'd be a good idea to get your take home test done this weekend! It's only 7 questions!

**Remember, you must show some type of work or jot notes/thoughts down for each question, or you will not receive credit (read the top).**

Now, my two cents on what happened...

I know I joked around with some of you about what happened yesterday. I did not realize the seriousness of the issue at that time. What happened yesterday in the cafeteria was the opposite of safe, respectful, and responsible. As students, if you want to be treated like adults, if you want to be respected as equals, you must act that way. This weekend, be safe. Be smart. If you want to enjoy the fun activities that come with being an upperclassmen, you must act like an upperclassmen. I'm confident that most of you were not the instigators, and many of you were not even involved. It's a shame that you have to be lumped into a whole group. However, it is your responsibility to be leaders, and to act responsibly and refuse to support or participate in such stupidity. Every single one of you is better than that.

I love you guys. Keep being great people. But no more disappointing acts. Don't let irresponsible classmates make bad decisions and ruin things for everyone. If you know someone is going to do something, talk them out of it. If that's not an option, tell someone. Otherwise, everyone is to blame.

Alright, off my soapbox.

Have a great weekend! Be smart!

Test Tomorrow!

Study! Tomorrow we have our test on 2.1 to 2.3!  There are no graphing calculators allowed on the test and it is entirely open ended.

Here's a list of topics--this is exactly what's on the test! (with some thoughts about how to do each problem in parentheses):

• (Section 2.1) Write a quadratic in standard form given the equation in vertex form ("foil" or "box method," then distribute and combine like terms)
• (Section 2.1) Given a quadratic in standard form...
• Find the vertex (find the x coordinate with "-b/2a," then substitute this x-value to find y)
• Find the x-intercepts (set the equation =0, then factor or use the quadratic formula)
• Find the y-intercept (substitute 0 for x)
• Graph the quadratic (plot the points found above, then sketch a parabola)
• Write the equation in vertex form ( a(x-h)^2 + k)
• Write the equation in intercept form ((x-a)(x-b), where a,b are the x-intercepts you found)
• (Section 2.3) Divide polynomials using long division 
• (Section 2.2) Identify the degree and/or leading coefficient of a polynomial
• (Section 2.2) Describe the end behavior of a polynomial
• (Section 2.3) Divide using synthetic division
• (Section 2.3) Determine if a given term (for example, (x-5)) is a factor of a polynomial (divide, then check the remainder--if the remainder is 0, the term is a factor)
• (Section 2.2) Write the equation of a polynomial given its zeros (write the terms as (x-a)(x-b)(x-c), then multiply; a,b,c represent the x-intercepts given)
• (Section 2.2) Factor to find the x-intercepts of a function, then comment on the multiplicity (determine if the graph crosses (odd multiplicity) or bounces (even multiplicity) at each x-intercept
• (Section 2.3) Use synthetic substitution to evaluate a function (synthetically divide by the # given, and the remainder is the answer)
• (Section 2.2) Sketch the graph of a polynomial by hand
• Determine the end-behavior
• Find the zeros/describe the multiplicity of each (cross or bounce?)
• Find the y-intercept
• Sketch a graph
• (Section 2.3) Completely factor a polynomial given one of its factors (this is like #12 from the powerpoint classwork that was returned today)

Wednesday HW

Hummmp dayyyyy......I still love that commercial. Hump Day Commercial!

Tonight, please complete the following (test review) in your textbook:

Page 169-171: 3, 19, 23 (factor), 25, 27, 37, 47, 51

Great work on the review packet today! I loved seeing you all focused on your math, and more so, I loved seeing you all help one another to prepare for this test!

Tomorrow we'll spend our half day working on our review packet in the same groups.....and then on Friday it's TEST DAY!

Enjoy your evening!

No Homework?! Maybe

Tonight, please complete the 12 practice problems that we started in class. Tomorrow this will be collected and graded as part of our "classwork," so don't forget! You don't want a 0 on this assignment!

Tomorrow and Thursday we'll spend our time reviewing for Friday's test.

I will be here tomorrow after school if you need help! Thursday's a half day, so tomorrow is your last chance to come!

Spirit Week!

Let's have more spirit tomorrow...sports day! Dress up! Be pumped for math in the morning! WooooooooooOOoOOoooo!

Tonight, please start getting excited by completing the following in your textbook:

Page 124: 31, 33, 45, 47

Enjoy! Tomorrow we'll do some in-class practice, and then wrap up section 2.3 and review for our upcoming test!

**Our test will likely be split into 2 parts, multiple choice and open ended, over 2 days, Thursday and Friday. This is because we have only 30ish minute periods both days.**

It's the Wknd!

Hey.....keep up the great work! It's been a solid 2 days!

When we come back on Monday we'll talk about the remainder theorem and the factor theorem some more, and then we'll do some classwork practice.

This weekend, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 123: 13,15,17,19,21

Enjoy! Have a great weekend! Rest up, relax your brain, get refreshed--we have a big week and a test coming up before the end of the marking period!

Thursday HW!

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook (for some long division practice):

Page 123: 3, 5, 7, 9

Tomorrow we'll continue with "division of polynomials," and refresh our memories on synthetic division.

Great work today! Keep it up tomorrow!
Until then....go home, curl up on the couch with some sweatpants and some math problems, and have yourself a lazy, rainy day.

Before you know it it'll be the weekend again! :)

Another Take Home Quiz! Due Tomorrow!

Another take home quiz? Seriously?!

Yup. Get an A.

For homework, please complete the factoring take home quiz provided in class (or below!). This will be collected in class on Thursday (tomorrow)!

(No need to print this out; feel free to just copy the 5 questions onto separate paper and factor if you lost yours)

 

 

And remember...#3 is NOT a difference of 2 squares! (It's a sum, not a difference). You can only factor out the GCF!

3 Day Weekend!

Wooooooo!

While you're resting, relaxing, and enjoying your 3 day weekend, why not do a take home quiz too?

So this weekend, please complete the multiple choice take home quiz provided in class. Don't forget! Don't get a 0 on a quiz!

You must show work on the following questions, or you will not get credit: #2, 11, 12, 13, 14

Also, remember that we have a quiz on graphing polynomial functions (no graphing calculator) on Tuesday! We'll start with a stamp problem and look at our groupwork (we did a great job on the graphing), then take our quiz!

Extra Credit:
If you want to do some extra studying for our quiz, check out these problems in your textbook; bring them in on Tuesday with all work shown for xint, yint, and sketch the graphs (ignore the textbook directions):

• Page 109: 61, 65, 69; also, find the polynomial for #54
• (you may also want to review factoring by grouping and with 3 terms on your own)

Do your homework!

Remember, if there are any zeros on homework tomorrow the entire class will have extra homework over the long weekend! So do it! (I have bookwork and a multiple choice quiz...if we don't all do our homework, we'll have both over the weekend!)

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:
page 109: 1-8, 31, 41, 43, 45, 55

Tomorrow in class we'll...

• Finish our matching groupwork
• Answer any homework questions from the past 2 days
• Work in groups to graph (at least 2) polynomial functions by hand

 

Wed nes day HW!

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 109: 9,17,19,35,37,39,51,53

Tomorrow (in class) we'll finish talking about the "multiplicity of zeros" and then do some practice classwork. Friday we'll do some work with graphing, and then that's it! We'll have a short quiz on section 2.2 after our long weekend (most likely on Wednesday of next week).

See you all tomorrow! Enjoy your afternoon!

Tuesday HW!

Back to work!

Tonight's homework is short, but the two questions on the back require a graphing calculator. Use the links on the right if you don't have one! (or, stop by tomorrow morning before class to use one of mine).

• **To create an exponent with the online graphing calculator, use the "carrot" symbol ^. You can find it above the number 6 (hold shift, press 6)

Tonight, please complete the "Properties of Polynomials" worksheet I passed out in class. This should be a pretty short assignment! You can find the questions below if you lost yours!

See you all tomorrow for some factoring!

No homework?!

You got a night off!

Tonight, rest up, relax, and get ready for a week of hard work. Tomorrow we'll get back into our notes on polynomial functions (2.2)!

See you tomorrow!

Take Home Quiz!

This weekend, please complete the take home quiz provided in class! If you were absent (or lost it), you can find the quiz below! (You can either print it out or re-write it on separate paper).

Below you can see an answer key for last night's homework. This was the same as the quiz, just different equations! Use this to help you on the take home quiz!

It's almost Friday...

We're almost through another week...it feels like they're flying by to me!

Nice work today. You guys were awesome about helping each other out and working hard throughout the period. That's what I love to see! Keep it up!

Tonight, please complete the quadratics graphic organizer and graph the three functions. Remember, you don't have to fill in the "2 additional points" boxes.

Tomorrow we'll check our answers on these and get ready to move on to some new stuff!

Wed nes day HW

Great work the past two days! Tomorrow we'll put this into practice and do some graded assignments, and really get a sense of what we know...

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 95: 13 - 25 (odd)

• Find x-intercepts (aka zeros or solutions)
• Find the vertex
• (You also need to know how to find the y-intercept, so it would be good practice to do so)
• Graph (plot the stuff you found above)

And although I didn't check today's homework (you just did it because you're an awesome student), I definitely am checking this one. Enjoy!

See you all tomorrow!

II's Day

Let's keep up the great work!

Tomorrow it's back to quadratics and parabolas and vertices and x-intercepts and such.

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 95: 1-8, 43, 45

Here is tomorrow night's homework (in case you'd like to get ahead):

Page 95: 13-25 (odd)


See you all tomorrow!

Monday......

I know this morning definitely felt like a Monday to me....I'll try to bring some higher energy to the math classroom tomorrow. You too! :)

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page A61: 83, 85, 87, 89, 95, 97, 109, 111 (all in Appendix B.3)

This will give us some practice with the different ways to solve quadratics--factoring, quadratic formula, and solving with square roots.

Use your notes from today to help! See you all tomorrow!

Enjoy Your Weekend!

Hopefully you aced today's test!

On Monday we're moving on to new stuff! We'll start with a review of everything we know about quadratics (section 2.1) and factoring on Monday!

Until then, enjoy the beautiful weather, go outside, rest up, and be ready to work hard!

See you all on Monday!

Test Again Tomorrow! (Round 2)

Tomorrow's test is all "no graphing calculator." Like today's test, it covers anything from section 1.1 through 1.6 in our textbook/notes.

To be honest, tomorrow's test is more difficult than today's was....so STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!

Here's an outline of tomorrow's test (all open-ended, no graphing calculator):

**If you have a scientific or other non-graphing calculator, feel free to bring it to use. Otherwise I will give you a basic 4-function calculator to use.*

• Write an equation of a line perpendicular to a given line and through a given point (like #1 on the multiple choice) (1.1)
• Construct a mapping of points and determine if it is a function (1.2)
• Evaluate a piecewise function (1.2)
• Determine where a function is increasing, decreasing, constant, positive, negative (1.3, or "Analyze the Graph" type questions)
• Identify three parent functions given their shape (1.4)
• Describe any transformations (shifts) in a function given an equation (1.4)
• Write an equation of a function given a description of transformations (shifts) and reflections (1.4)
• Graph four equations based on shifts and reflections (1.4)
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide functions (1.5)
• Evaluate combinations of functions (1.5)
• Find/evaluate compositions of functions (1.5)
• Find the inverse of functions (1.6)
• Find the inverse given 4 coordinate pairs (1.6)
• Use composition to determine if functions are inverses (1.6)
• Graph a linear equation, its inverse, and the identity function (1.6)

Study! Good luck! Feel free to email with any questions!

STUDDDDDDYYYYYYYYY

Tomorrow starts a HUGE two day span....two days of PreCalc tests! Woooo!

This is all based on unit 1, sections 1.1 to 1.6.

Tomorrow's test is "graphing calculator allowed." Here's a breakdown of the test (tomorrow):

• 9 Multiple choice
• Study the pre-test I gave you today! Tomorrow's questions are the same types with different numbers!
• Here are the answers to the pre-test in case you're studying at home (and want to make sure you're correct):
• 1.) A
• 2.) B
• 3.) D
• 4.) D
• 5.) B
• 6.) C
• 7.) A
• 8.) B (SKIP; THIS IS NOT ON THE TEST)
• 9.) D
• 10.) C
• Open-Ended
• Determine if lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither, given points
• Find the slope for each line
• Same slope = parallel, "opposite reciprocal" slopes = perpendicular, otherwise they're "neither"
• Use the calculator to find any relative maxima/minima
• State the domain and range given a graph (no need for the calculator)
• Find x-intercepts of a function (zeros) using the graphing calculator
• Extra Credit:
• Factor to simplify an expression
• Add/subtract/multiply/divide fractions (and know order of operations)

Use your old quizzes to study! They'll have examples of all of these types of questions (except for the extra credit).

I'm looking forward to lots of A's! Study and be ready!

Oh, so this is the blog?!

Hello first time blog-checkers! Check this every day! (you have time, it only takes about 1 minute, max....just check this in between all of your social networking :) )

Tonight's Homework:
Page 69: 9a, 11a, 13a, 15, 17, 19; 53, 55, 57, 59,61  (for 53,55,57,59,61 just find the inverse)

Enjoy! Tomorrow we'll finish section 1.6! Then we'll answer some questions, and on Thursday it's test time!

Thursday's Test:

• Graphing calculator allowed
• 9 multiple choice (study your pre-test!)
• A few open-ended (that require the calculator, like relative min/max questions)

Friday's Test:

• No graphing calculator
• All open-ended
• Show all work!

No homework tonight....kinda

How did you do on the quiz? I'll be here on Wednesday after school if you'd like to go anything....this is a big week, with tests on Thursday and Friday!

Tonight, no official homework. However, feel free to get a head start on the assignment below, which is tomorrow's homework: (**This is modified from what you saw in class**)

Page 69: —9a, 11a, 13a, —15, 17, 19, 53-61 (odd; just find the inverse)


Enjoy! See you all tomorrow for some more math!!!! :)

Weekend Homework! Yay!

Did you get an A on the quiz today? I'm looking forward to some great grades!

This weekend, please complete the graphing assignment I passed out in class. Your job is to use the two graphs (of f and g) to create a new graph of (f+g)!

If you're having trouble, I recommend creating a table like this (this is based on exercise 3 of the hw)....

 

I can read the graphs of f(x) and g(x) to find their values for a given y-coordinate. Then, I can add these to find (f+g)(x). Finally, I now have x-values and h(x) values to plot on a new graph! For instance, this table above tells me to plot (-2, 6) and (0,2) for my first two points on h(x). After I plot all four points, I simply need to "connect the dots" with straight lines!

Enjoy your weekend! On Monday we'll start section 1.6 (inverses!)--the last section of this unit! Next week we will have our unit test over two days, Thursday and Friday! It's a big week!

And here's the homework in case you lost it!

Big Quiz Tomorrow!

Tomorrow's a big day....quiz time! Our quiz covers sections 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5, which includes the "analyze the graph" type questions!

Don't forget--you also have an extra credit homework opportunity (the worksheet passed out in class) if you'd like! You have to turn it in tomorrow though! If you want to really maximize this chance to study, I would recommend graphing the equations (in addition to describing the transformations).

Here's a breakdown of your quiz...which is by far our most heavily weighted quiz thus far, so study, come by if you need help (after school or tomorrow before class), and get an A! The section number is provided in parentheses.

• Sketch the shape of 3 parent functions (know them all!) (1.4, back cover of textbook)
• Graph 4 functions based on shifts and reflections (1.4)
• Find the domain of a radical (square root) function (1.3)
• Find the domain of a rational (a fraction) function (1.3)
• Find the relative min/max of a function using the graphing calculator (1.3)
• Adding/Subtracting/Multiplying/Dividing Functions (1.5)
• Compositions of Functions (1.5)
• Evaluating compositions and combinations of functions (1.5)
• Write the equation of a function given its shifted/reflected graph (1.4)
• "Analyze the Graph" questions (1.2, 1.3, study last night's homework)
• Evaluate f(#)
• Evaluate f(x) = #
• Find zeros (x-intercepts)
• Find y-intercepts
• Intervals of Increasing/Decreasing/Constant
• Intervals where a function is positive/negative
• Domain
• Range
• NOTATION!

Get an A! This is a big quiz, and next week will be a big week...on Monday/Tuesday we'll finish section 1.6, and then it's time for a unit test!

Wednesday HW!

Tonight, please complete the "Analyze the Graph" practice worksheet (on the back of the table we made in class). Tomorrow I'll provide you with an answer key so that you can use this to study!

Tomorrow, report directly to room 121 for the STAR test! You will be given a classwork grade based solely on your effort....try your best, get an A for the day!

If you lost your worksheet, tonight's homework is to find each of the following for the graph below:

• Domain
• Range
• Intervals where the function is...
• Increasing
• Decreasing
• Constant
• Positive; f(x) > 0
• Negative; f(x) < 0
• Relative Maximum (coordinates)
• Relative Minimum (coordinates)
• Absolute Maximum Value
• Absolute Minimum Value
• X-Intercept(s)
• Y-Intercept(s)

Toosday Homework

Tonight, please complete the combinations/compositions of functions worksheet that we started in class. If you can do this you know everything you need to know about section 1.5!

A few other reminders...

• STAR test in room 101 on Thursday!
• Quiz on sections 1.3 - 1.5 this Friday!
• Unit 1 test next week! (either Weds/Thurs or Thurs/Fri)
• Another "Analyze the Graph" pop quiz is looming....it'll happen sometime before our unit test...

See you all tomorrow for some review/quiz prep! Enjoy your afternoon!

Monday HW

Did some people really get 0's on a take home quiz? If you didn't turn in your multiple choice today, tomorrow is your last chance. I can't give you full credit, but any points will be better than a 0 on a quiz!

Tonight's (Monday) Homework: Some practice with arithmetic combinations and compositions of functions. You know I'm checking it!

Page 58: 7,9,13,15,17,19,35,37

See you all tomorrow! Enjoy!

Take Home Quiz!

We made it to the weekend after our first 5 day week!

This weekend, please complete the 12 multiple choice questions provided in class. This will be graded as a take home quiz! Use the links to the right if you don't have a calculator!

In addition, if you did not finish the "shifting, reflecting" (graphing and writing equations) worksheet that we started in class, please finish it and bring it back Monday. This will also be collected and graded!

So that means you have 2 things that will definitely impact your grade (more than a usual homework)...so do a great job! As always, email with any questions!

And enjoy the weekend!

Thursday HW

I know we're moving quick....I'm always after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays....you can also take advantage of the tutors here at the high school if you need help!

Tonight, please sketch the shape of each parent function on the worksheet provided. If you don't know the shapes, you can find them in the back of your book--there's a thicker page with some, and some are on the back cover (I think). It's super important that you do this for tomorrow's classwork assignment! If you don't have your homework, the classwork will be pretty tough!

See you all tomorrow.....and it's Friday!

Hump Dayyyyy!

We made it through our first real "hump day," as this is our first full week! Of course that calls for us to view this classic...


Tonight, please complete the following:

Page 39:17-20, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 105

The homework requires a graphing calculator. If you don't have one, I expect you to do one of the following to get it done:

• Come to my class after school, during school, or before school (I'm here around 6:50) to borrow one of mine!
• Borrow a friend's!
• Try to find an app for your phone that allows you to download one!
• http://wabbit.codeplex.com/
• Search for a graphing calculator online! (it might not have the same buttons as ours though)
• My google searches for "Graphing Calculator" quickly returned these...
• https://www.desmos.com/calculator
• http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/tools/Graph_Calculator/graphCalc.html
• If you google "TI84 Emulator" you can probably also download a calculator that looks like ours to your computer...

2's Day HW

Tonight's Homework:

Please complete the worksheet provided in class (dealing with increasing, decreasing, constant behavior, domain, range, etc.)

Tomorrow's Homework:

Page 39:17-20,105 (you can do these now), 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 (we'll talk about these 4 tomorrow)

 

Enjoy! See you all in the morning for some more math!

Monday HW

We still have to learn a few things about section 1.3, so the following homework will be checked on Wednesday:

Page 39:17-20,105 (you can do these now), 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 (we'll talk about these 4 tomorrow)

 

Enjoy! Do some math while you watch the GGGggggmmennnn tonight!

 

 

Quiz Tomorrow!

Sorry it's not earlier, but here's an answer key for the weekend homework...use this to help you study for tomorrow's quiz!

It's The Weekend!

You made it to the weekend!

For homework, please complete the "packet" (practice quiz) provided in class. Check back on Sunday--I will try to post the answers so that you can see how you did! If you can do this packet, you should be fine for our quiz Monday!

Monday it's quiz time, then we'll start section 1.3!

Enjoy the weekend!

Thursday HW:

Hopefully you're reading this! Check this blog every day for homework/announcements/etc.!

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 25/26: 31, 41

Page 38: 1-4, 11, 13

**We will have our quiz on section 1.2 on Monday, not tomorrow!**

See you all tomorrow for some more math!

Wednesday HW

Tonight, please complete the following in your textbook:

Page 24: 1-11 (odd), 27, 29, 37, 38

Enjoy!

Grades and Accountabilities...

Final exams are graded! The final exam grades below are subject to change. The curve for the final exam cannot be officially determined until all PreCalculus classes (for all teachers) have taken the exam. Thus, the final curve will not be determined until Wednesday.

The final exam curve is determined by adjusting the median to a 75. For our classes, the median score was a 66.5, which resulted in a curve of +8.5 points. (This has already been added to your grade). After we examine the PreCalculus final exam grades for the school, this curve could change--it could become larger, or it could be smaller. Thus, these grades below are not final. Your final exam grades could be adjusted by adding more points, or by subtracting points. 

Accountabilities: The following students will be issued an accountability on Monday for their PreCalculus books (unless you contact me and we discuss this issue):
Bethany, Mauricio

Period A: 

Period D: