Break is Here! (And a take home test...)

First and foremost, have an amazing break! Spend some quality time with family and friends, rest up, relax, play, and have fun! Use this time to recharge your batteries as we get closer to our midterm exam!

Speaking of the midterm exam, over break you must complete your midterm review take home test! This was provided in class, or you can find it under the "PDF Textbook and Classroom Assignments" link on the right! A few points...

• Get this done! No excuses!
• You will lose 10 points for each day this is late. The test will not be accepted after Thursday, January 5th. 
• Use your notes, PDF textbook, Khan Academy, and other online resources to ace this thing! Don't just try to do this all from memory!
• The more effort you put into this the more prepared you'll be for the midterm exam!
• And, of course, the better your test grade will be!
• This will be our last "big" test of the quarter! We will have one more "smaller" test after break on the new stuff we learn when we're back!
• Feel free to email/Remind me with questions! However, I will not answer any questions on Monday, January 2nd! (Don't procrastinate!)
• Get an A!

Again, thank you all so much for handling this week responsibly and just generally being awesome! I'll miss you guys over break! See you soon!

Finish test tomorrow?

Hey everyone! I'm hoping I'll be back tomorrow.

Tomorrow in class you will have the opportunity to finish anything on the test that you did not finish today (including if you need to do the calculator questions)!

We will start class by discussing one of the questions (the application about the software company) and one of the bonuses (the triangle one) together!

After we finish up with our test we'll start to think about some review, and look at our take home test for break (we'll start it in class Thursday!)

In case you're curious, after break we will have two "mini units"--we will cover a little bit about logarithms and we'll cover some multiple choice test taking strategies!

See you all tomorrow!

Math Test Tomorrow!

First and foremost, I apologize for being out today; I (obviously) did not anticipate being sick and never intended to be out. However, I have the utmost confidence that you can all prepare yourselves to succeed on tomorrow's test. The key to success on tomorrow's test is preparation! Study, study, study!

Here's an outline of what's on the math test tomorrow:

• Multiple Choice Section:
• Solve a linear system using elimination or substitution
• Determine the order of a matrix
• Solve a system using back-substitution
• Solve a system using your graphing calculator and matrices
• Use your calculator to find the inverse of a matrix
• Add/subtract matrices
• Use your calculator to find the determinant of a matrix
• Solve a system using the method of your choice (SAT Question)
• Write a system of equations to model a scenario (SAT Question)
• Open Ended
• Solve a system with back substitution
• Evaluate 5[A] - 9[B] by hand (show all work)
• Solve a system using your graphing calculator
• Multiply matrices (show all work)
• Solve a system by hand (method of your choice)
• Find the inverse of a 2x2 matrix by hand (given the formula)
• Find the determinant of a 2x2 matrix by hand
• Perform a sequence of row operations on a matrix
• Application: Given a system...
• Write the augmented matrix
• Write the coefficient and solution matrix
• Solve the system using your calculator
• Application: write and solve a system from a context (we'll discuss this together Wednesday, this will be counted as a bonus on tomorrow's test)

Weekend HW (and potential extra credit!)

Th;is weekend please complete the following (from our "Matrices and Systems of Equations Problem Set"): 

Section 8.1 (page 582): 59, 65, 71 (use rref and the augmented matrix to solve)
Section 8.3 (page 608): 47, 61, 63 (use "A inverse B" with the coefficient and solution matrix to solve)

• USE YOUR GRAPHING CALCULATOR AND MATRICES TO SOLVE (ignore the Gaussian directions). 
• This is practice for our test Tuesday!

You will  have a question like 82 or 85 in section 8.1 on  next week's test so it's a good idea to look at these! There will also be a question or two like 67/69/71 in section 8.3! If you do/try any of these with your homework and show me the work on Monday you can get an extra credit homework grade!

• (Extra Credit HW: section 8.1 #85, section 8.3 #67, 69, 71).

• If you do this extra credit you're not only getting some extra homework points, you're also doing some serious prep for our test! So do it!

Finally, if you did not turn in your graphing calculator lab, remember that it's DUE MONDAY! This should be an easy 100%!

• If you don't have a calculator but you do have an Android phone use the downloadable app on the right!
• If you don't have  calculator and you don't have an Android phone you'll have to come to finish Monday before school or during a free period/lunch on Monday! 

Check out this link for some videos to help with your graphing calculator (and matrices)!

Thursday HW!

Tonight please complete questions 1,2, 4, and 5 on the "Solving Multivariable Systems" worksheet provided in class (or below). For questions 2, 4, and 5 use your graphing calculator and matrices to solve the systems!

And if you're feeling ambitious here's your weekend homework (from the problem set I gave you yesterday)--more practice solving systems with matrices! USE YOUR GRAPHING CALCULATOR AND MATRICES TO SOLVE (ignore the Gaussian directions). 

Section 8.1 (page 582): 59, 65, 71 (use rref and the augmented matrix to solve)
Section 8.3 (page 608): 47, 61, 63 (use "A inverse B" with the coefficient and solution matrix to solve)

You will also have a question like 82 or 85 in section 8.1 on  next week's test so it's a good idea to look at these! There will also be a question or two like 67/69/71 in section 8.3! If you do/try any of these with your homework and show me the work on Monday you can get an extra credit homework grade!

(Extra Credit HW: section 8.1 #85, section 8.3 #67, 69, 71).

Wednesday HW!

Tonight, please complete the following in your "Matrices and Systems of Equations Problem Set" (provided today in class).

Section 8.1 (page 582): 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 37, 39, 45

Tomorrow we'll do some more with matrices and systems! See you there!

If you did not finish the graphing calculator lab you must do so by Monday--turn it in whenever you're done!

• If you don't have your own graphing calculator you will have to download the app (if you have an Android phone) OR you'll have to come before school/after school/during study hall to use one of mine!
• This should be an easy 100%!

Tuesday HW!

Tonight's Homework (find each inverse by hand--show work!)

Section 8.3 (page 608): 11, 15, 17, 39


Tomorrow in class we'll continue to work with matrices and our graphing calculator! We'll also start to connect matrices and systems of equations, and learn a new way to solve our multi-variable systems! See you there!

Monday/Tuesday HW!

Tonight, please complete the "multiplying matrices" worksheet provided in class (or below)!

And if you're feeling ambitious, tomorrow night you'll have some homework dealing with the inverse stuff we learned today!

Tomorrow's Homework (find each inverse by hand):

Section 8.3 (page 608): 11, 15, 17, 39

Weekend HW!

This weekend please complete the following problems in your chapter 8 problem set:

Section 8.1 (page 582): 93 (Order of Matrices)

Section 8.2 (page 597): 17, 27, 29, 31, 45 (Multiply Matrices and some add/subtract/scalar stuff)
Section 8.4 (page 616): 3, 5, 9 (Determinants)

On Monday we'll continue to work with matrices--we'll do some more multiplying, then we'll start to find inverses of 2x2 matrices! Then, on Tuesday we'll start to learn how we can use some of the matrix features of our graphing calculator! After that, we'll start to connect matrices and systems of equations to wrap up the unit!

Have an awesome weekend! One more full week of school before winter break!

Thursday HW!

Tonight, practice multiplying matrices! Please complete the problems below in your matrices problem set (or your PDF textbook)! THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE CHECKED ON MONDAY! So, it's your call--do this tonight if you don't want any weekend homework, or do it this weekend!

Section 8.1 (page 582): 93 (Order of Matrices)

Section 8.2 (page 597): 17, 27, 29, 31, 45 (Multiply Matrices (mostly))
Section 8.4 (page 616): 3, 5, 9 (Determinants)

Tomorrow we'll continue to work with matrices--we'll do some practice in groups with multiplication, determinants, adding and subtracting, and determinants--we'll also bring back some row operations! See you there!

Wednesday HW/Quiz Tomorrow!

Tomorrow we will start class with a (15 minute) quiz about matrices:

• Adding matrices 
• Subtracting matrices 
• Multiplying a matrix by a scalar (constant)
• Determining the order of a matrix
• Identifying a square matrix or column matrix or row matrix
• You will also have to explain how to add, how to subtract, and how to multiply by a scalar in your own words!

Tonight's homework = studying for tomorrow's quiz! 

Tonight please complete the following in your matrices problem set (provided in class today) or in our PDF textbook:

Section 8.1 (page 582): 1, 3, and 5

Section 8.2 (page 597): 5, 7, 13, 15 (*For 15 you will have to distribute, then subtract)

If you're feeling ambitious, here's tomorrow night's homework as well--some practice with multiplying matrices! (There will not be any multiplication of matrices on tomorrow's quiz):

Section 8.1 (page 582): 93

Section 8.2 (page 597): 17, 27, 29, 31, 45

Always be sure to check your answers--that's why the answers to the odd problems are provided (and that's why I give you odds for homework)! There's no point in practicing if we're practicing incorrectly!

Tuesday HW (same as Monday)!

Tonight, please complete questions 1a, 2a, 2b, and 3, and 5 on the "Solving Multivariable Systems!" worksheet we started in class (or below). This will be checked on Wednesday!

• For 1a solve with back substitution!
• For 3 you need to create a system that has this solution! There is not one answer to this--there are many, many answers! I would recommend making up a system that is in row echelon form--so start with z = 0 (bottom equation). Then, write an equation that incorporates y and z so that y = 1 (middle equation). Finally, write a (top) equation that incorporates x, y, and z so that x = 2 (given that y = 1 and z = 0).
• It is also possible to answer this with a system that is not in row echelon form.
• If you write two answers to question c--one system with the solution (2,1,0) in row echelon form, and another system with this solution that has an x,y, and z term for each equation--you will receive homework extra credit! You will have to turn this in to me tomorrow!
• For 5, even though it looks complex (because it's an application problem), your challenge is to solve that given system using your row operations! Good luck!
• If you were out today we worked on questions 2a and 2b in class--do those and you're all caught up!

Here are the answers so you can check yours:

1.) (-2, -3.3333, -4)

2a.) (-2, -3, 3)

2b.) (-5, -5, 3)

3.) Answer will vary (we'll discuss tomorrow)

5.) (1, 2, 1)

See you all tomorrow for some new stuff!

Weekend HW!

This weekend please complete the following questions in your 7.3 problem set (or on pages 527-532 of your PDF textbook):

Use row operations (Gaussian elimination) to solve the following: 13, 15, 17, 19

• I KNOW THIS IS HARD! The only way to get better at this is to PRACTICE, so it's incredibly important you put a strong effort into your homework! (And check your answers!)
• YES, this will be on a quiz next week, and it will be on our unit test before winter break! So don't just try to avoid these!
• Don't give up! Remember, you're trying to get to row echelon form...so....
• First, try to use the row operations to get an equation with an leading x-coefficient of 1! Then write this as your first equation!
• After you can get an equation with an x-coefficient of 1, now try to get an equation with no x term and a y-coefficient of 1! We want this as our middle term!
• Finally, try to use your row operations to get an equation with no x and no y term, and only a z! This is our third (bottom) equation!
• Now, solve with back substitution!
• Remember to show the math, but also describe your row operations in words!
• If you want more help...
• Open the PDF textbook and look in section 7.3--you will find the examples we did in class with explanations!
• Or, google (or search in Khan) "Gaussian elimination" or "row operations" and find a video to watch to help!
• If you find a good one send it to me so I can share it with the class!
• If you want more practice...
• Try any of the odd problems from 13-37 and check your answers!

The most important thing is that you DON'T GIVE UP! Remember, there isn't a step-by-step process that will work every time! We have to come up with ideas and try them--if they fail, try something else!

Quiz Tomorrow (STUDY!)

Tomorrow we will start class with a quiz (15-20 minutes)! Tonight's homework is to study!

Here's what's on the quiz:

• Solve a linear system (2 equations with x and y) using substitution and/or elimination (showing all work)
• Solve a system graphically (using a graphing calculator)
• Determine if a point is a solution to a system
• Solve a system with 3 equations using back substitution
• Don't forget--you have to know how to identify if there are no solutions or infinite solutions as well!

I have assigned you some Khan Academy topics you can use to study for your quiz tonight! So, if you want to prepare, log into Khan, check your notifications, and use the assigned topics to review!

You can also use any of the odd problems (so you can check your answers) from our 7.1/7.2 problem set or our 7.3 problem set!

After our quiz we'll get back to work with this crazy row operation stuff! See you there!