Though many consider Enrichment Schedule for Club Meetings “normal”, it sure does through a monkey wrench in our daily routine.

In Algebra II, being that y’all are 1st and 5th, no monkey wrench was thrown via the schedule. However, some many feel the monkey wrench came the from notes and assignment for today. We looked at the last topic that will be in Unit 1. This topic was over how to solve Absolute Value Inequalities Graphically. We still used the same steps from Tuesday, but man, those sign got us just about every time! These steps are 1.) Isolate the absolute value, 2.) Split into positive and negative equations (flip sign on negative), and 3.) Solve/Graph each inequality.

In Finite, we finished looking at Equations of Lines (Section 2.2) by looking at point-slope form and then real-world applications. This is where the time-management monkey wrench came into play. With our period being 15 minutes shorter, my plan of having time to work pretty much vanished by the time we graded 1.7 and then finished our 2.2 notes. But, alas, tomorrow is a work/catch-up day!

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.8 Solving Absolute Value Inequalities Algebraically – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 8 A – Solving Absolute Value Inequalities Algebraically
• Finite
  • Notes – Finish 2.2

If short notes in class are your version of hitting the jackpot, then all classes were in luck today because the notes were just that – short!

In Algebra II, we looked at solving absolute value inequalities graphically and by using a table. When solving graphically, we graph the absolute value function using “a”, “h”, and “k” transformations and then evaluate the inequality. If the part of the graph we want is considered the “legs” of the function, then we have an “or” inequality. Otherwise, if the part of the graph we want contains the vertex, it’s an “and” inequality.

In Finite, we started the section of Equations of Lines. Most of today was spent looking at the slope of a line and slope-intercept form of the line. There was very little application in today’s notes other than parallel and perpendicular lines. But, have no fear, applications come tomorrow for us!

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.7 Solving Absolute Value Inequalities Graphically – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 7 A – Solving Absolute Value Inequalities Graphically
• Finite
  • Notes – Start 2.2

This rain needs to go away because it’s had me sleepy all day long. I think it’s having the same affect on some of y’all as well 😉

In Algebra II, we picked up where we left off yesterday – solving absolute value equations by graphing. This part is pretty simple if you know how to graph. What’s newer today is solving these equations algebraically. This can be done in three steps: 1. Isolate the absolute value, 2. Split into positive and negative solutions, and 3. Solve each split for x. Just remember ISS (Isolate. Split. Solve.) and you’ll be golden.

In Finite, we had another bell-to-bell day unfortunately. We had to get finished with Section 2.1 even though we barely started it yesterday. This meant that after grading Section 1.6, we spent the rest of the period working on the 2.1 notes. That’s okay though, because I have moved the Section 2.1 assignment to being due on Friday instead of Thursday.

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.6 Absolute Value Equations and Applications
  • Assignment – Day 6 A – Absolute Value Equations and Applications
• Finite
  • Notes – Finish 2.1

I don’t know about you, but for me, part of today felt like a “Monday” and the other part felt just like any other day. Nonetheless, we survived Monday!

In Algebra II, we looked again at graphing Absolute Value functions using our “a”, “h”, and “k” transformations. This part, as well as the domain and range of the functions, was an extension of Friday’s exploration activity.

In Finite, we finished our section on Quadratic Equations and started Section 2.1 on Graphs …and by started, I mean barely started.

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.5 Absolute Value Transformations – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 5 A – Absolute Value Transformations
• Finite
  • Notes – Finish 1.7 and Start 2.1

We made it through the first week back! Now, since y’all were so good, I’ll give y’all the next two days off in the form of Saturday and Sunday.

In Algebra II, we explored transformations using absolute value functions. These involved being introduced to the “a”, “h”, and “k” threesome. Through the course of this semester, they will become either your best friends or your worst enemies. It’s up to you to decide which one, but hopefully you’ll pick the former. Remember, “a” tells us stretch/shrink/flip, “h” tells us left/right and is the opposite of what’s in the function, and “k” tells us up/down.

In Finite, I had to run to AC 4th period. So, today was a work day. Your first assignment (Section 1.2) is due on Monday.

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.4 Exploring Transformations – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 4 A – Exploring Transformations

If you’ve been watching the news lately…or at least the Weather, you’ll know that today is truly the calm before a stormy (and possibly severe) Friday. Make sure you stay safe during this severe weather and we will do our best at school to keep y’all safe.

In the case of Algebra II, you could also say this calm relates to today’s lesson, which was another review of Algebra 1 concepts. We spent the day looking at compound inequalities. Remember, these are the AND/OR inequalities. “AND” means that we shade in the middle when graphing be our x is between two numbers. “OR” means we shade outwards. Other than that, it was just more algebraic manipulation to solve for the “x” and put that as an inequality. Now…prepare for the “storm” coming tomorrow in the form of all things absolute value.

In Finite, today was actually the “storm” with tomorrow being the “calm”. Due to the possibility of me being out, we had to try to cram 2 days worth of lecture into one day. This meant that we were looking at ALL of Section 1.6 (First-Order Equations) and getting started on Section 1.7 (Quadratic Equations). We didn’t get as far as I had wanted, but that’s okay. We’ll survive 🙂

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.3 Solving Compound Inequalities – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 3 A – Compound Inequalities
• Finite
  • Notes – Section 1.6 and Start 1.7

While the warm-up may have been fun, everything else about today was about quickly getting into a routine.

In Algebra II, we looked at how to solve linear inequalities. There really isn’t too much that I can type here that would help explain it, so see the notes for the details. For many, this was a review from Algebra 1.

In Finite, I guess I need to turn things up a notch. Everyone seemed to be a little bored with today’s material. Unfortunately, there’s not much I could do about it because the first 1/3 of the class will be largely a review of stuff we already know (or at least we probably know it). The topic that I speak of is Polynomials…and by that I mean the BASICS of polynomials. We looked at exponents, adding polynomials, subtracting polynomials, multiplying polynomials, and then final a business applications that talked about Revenue, Cost, and Profit.

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.2 Solving Linear Inequalities – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 2 A – Linear Inequalities
• Finite
  • Notes – Section 1.2 Notes

I am so glad each and every one of you have decided to embark upon a great crusade with me through the Wizarding World of Mathematics. It is looking to be a magical semester and I hope we see all kinds of new things together!

This semester, I am teaching Dual Credit Finite Mathematics (3rd and 4th) and Algebra II (1st and 5th). On this website, you will find the notes for the day, a blank copy of the assignment, and perhaps I’ll leave a nugget of wisdom or joke along the way.

For Algebra II, we looked at solving linear equations. These equations are your basic equations that we have to solve for “x” with. The Golden Rule to remember is “What you do to one side, you must do to the other.” If you remember this part, you’ll then be considered “golden”.

In Finite, we really have just gotten started. So, nothing for y’all yet. 🙂

• Algebra II
  • Notes – Lesson 1.1 Solving Linear Equations – NOTES
  • Assignment – Day 1 A – Solving Linear Equations