Thursday, January 30, 2014

Chapter 8 Vocabulary Prezi

Me, Aidan, Alec A., Sabrina, and Mason made a Prezi introducing the vocabulary from unit 8 about matrices. 


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Interesting Math Stuff #3: Exploring the Circle

"A circle is the reflection of eternity. It has no beginning and it has no end."-Maynard James Keenan

Circles are often used in literature and visual arts as a symbol of eternity and unity. Why is this? Circles (and spheres) have many properties that are unique and prompt intellectuals to utilize it as an example of many difficult concepts. Some special properties of circles are that they have only one edge, they have an infinite number of diameters and lines of symmetry. They also have radial symmetry around every point. If a perfect circle is rotated any number of degrees, it will be identical to the original. 

Circles can also create beautiful art in mosaics and pointillism, among other methods. 




Math joke of the day:





Chapter 7 Review

Things to know for Chapter 7 Test

1) solving systems by substitution and elimination
2) how to solve break even situations
3) how to solve systems with three equations and three variables 
4) how to solve non-square systems in terms of z
5) how to solve partial fractions
6) when to use long division to solve partial fractions 
7) linear programming problems

Math joke of the day:
Q: What does the zero say to the the eight? 
A: Nice belt!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Interesting Math Stuff #2: David Blackwell

One Mathematician that I find especially interesting is David Blackwell, who contributed to the Rao-Blackwell theorem and was the first African American staff member at UC Berkeley and the first African American in the National Academy of Sciences. Blackwell David 1938 he earned his bachelor's degree in 1938  in mathematics (age 19), a master's degree in 1939 (age 20), and was awarded a PH.D. in mathematics in 1941 (age 22), all by the University of Illinois. He became the President of the Institute of Mathematical in 1956. 

I think that David Blackwell should be commended, not only because of his brilliance, but because of his tenacity to advance in the academic world during a time of harsh racial discrimination. 






Sources:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Blackwell
Google images

Math joke of the day:
Old mathematicians never die; they just lose some of their functions



7.4: Partial Fraction Decomposition Worksheet

Today we had a difficult lesson and learned about partial fractions. 

1) distribute
2) bring all terms with same variable together.
3) factor out the variable
4) equate the coefficients
5) solve system of equations
6) write answers as partial fraction. 

Example: 


Math joke of the day:
Q: Why don't you do arithmetic in the jungle? 
A: Because if you add 4+4 you get ate! 

7.6: Graphs of Systems of Inequalities

7.6: Systems of inequalities 

Today we reviewed graphing systems of inequalities

Sketching the graph of an inequality in two variables

1) replace the inequality sight with an equal sign and sketch the graph of the resulting expression. 
2) test one point in each of the regions formed by the graph in Step 1. If the point satisfies the inequality, shade the entire region to denote that every point in the region satisfies the inequality. 
3) a solution of the system of inequalities in x and y is a point that satisfies each inequality in the system.  
4) Sometimes it is helpful to find the vertices of the solution region. 

Example of a graph of inequalities


Math joke of the day: 

Q: Why did the chicken cross the mobius strip?
A: To get to the same side.


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

7.2: Elimination


Today we learned how to solve systems of equations by elimination. If done correctly, solving a problem by elimination should get you the same answer and solving problem by substitution. 

Steps to elimination:
1) obtain coefficients that differ only in sign
2) add equations to eliminate a variable
3) back substitution to solve for second equation
4) check your solution. 

Example problem: 
Solve this system of equations. 
5x+3y=9
2x+4y=14

Example solution by elimination. 


Note: in more complex problems where the coefficients in the original problem do not already differ only in sign, you will have to multiply both to get it to this form. 
Quick example: 
(5x-6y=9) (-2)
(2x-5y=10) (5)

Example solution by substitution. 


Math joke of the day
Q: Why did I divide sin by tan? 



Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Interesting Math Stuff #1: Beauty of Mathematics

Watch this video: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h60r2HPsiuM



Fascinating isn't it? I believe that this proves that in every area of study and every aspect of 
life, beauty can be found. Many people think that aesthetic beauty is limited only to the arts, 
but this video shows that even the most factual and seemingly impersonal subject reflects 
that God has an appreciation of beauty.

Math is also unique in its applicability to every field of study. Every study can be 
mathematically analyzed and the findings can often be applied to improve results. This is 
true in everything from figure skating to microbiology and the versatility and practicality of 
math often makes it, in many people's eyes, the most important field. 

Math joke of the day
Q: Why was the math teacher late for school? 
A: Because he got on the rhombus! 

Source: (@lauren_lsm) 



Monday, January 6, 2014

7.1: Substitution

Today was a very easy lesson concerning solving matrices by substitution and break even formulas. 

Substitution is accomplished by four easy steps. These steps are: isolate the variable, substitute for the  variable into the other equation, solve, and plug the value back into the either equation to find the value for the other variable (aka back substitution.) if after the problem is solved, the equation reads something false, such as 4=7, there is no solution. If the equation reads something like 4=4, then the solution is all reals. 

A situation 'breaks-even' then the total cost and the total revenue is equal. The total cost= (cost per unit)(number of units sold) + initial cost. The total revenue= (price per unit)(number of units sold). To find the situation that breaks even, set the total cost and the total revenue equal to each other and solve. 

Math joke of the day
Q: Why do they never serve beer at a math party? 
A: Because you can't drink and derive... 

source: http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/mathjokes/