Month: February 2020

Tech Issues & Word Problems

raschuldt

Today has been a day full of tech issues and then word problems.

In Algebra II, I seemed to have tech issues with the projector just shutting off randomly. Luckily, we were just doing a review, so no harm there. I just had to break out the classic Expo markers and get to writing. Make sure to be studying the review tonight!!!

In Finite, there were tons of word problems (a.k.a. applications). So, good thing there wasn’t any real tech issues here. On the bright side, I was able to record the video. So, a link to the Collaborate recording is posted in Blackboard. The past two days have been filled with exponentials, so I say it’s time we look really hard at some logarithms…stay tuned.

Whoopsie Daisy!

raschuldt

Every have one of those days where you’re like “Uh oh! I forgot to do ____.” That’s how today was for me. So, to the Finite students, I apologize that there is no recording of the lesson for today.

In Algebra II, after a pain-staking day doing long division yesterday, we looked at something called synthetic division today. Now, both of these methods involve dividing polynomials, so it’s not just arithmetic that we are doing. Synthetic division is a little difficult to describe on here, so the best I can say is to see the notes for the details.

In Finite, we explored exponential functions and got just barely a taste of their applications. It did take most of the period, but I hope the assignment won’t be too bad as a result. Again, I’m sorry for not recording the lesson. I didn’t remember until we were 2/3 of the way through and I don’t think it would have served any purpose capturing the last 1/3 of the notes.

Finding Nemo

raschuldt

With all this rain that we are about to have this week, we may need to go out and buy some fins and flippers just to make it into school as the week progress. Who knows, we may even see Nemo and Dory along the way! …Oh wait, they’d be in salt water, darn the luck!

In Algebra II, we had a major flashback to elementary school and to a topic that many seem to not like – Long Division. On Friday, we saw the addition, subtraction, and multiplication of polynomials. Today, we looked at the Division of Polynomials Using Long Division. So the concept is pretty much the same, we just added a pesky little x into the mix.

In Finite, we had a flux day (a.k.a. work day). So, nothing to see here.

5 Weeks Down!

raschuldt

Can you believe that we’re already 5 weeks into this semester?! That means that we are already 25% of the way done and that much closer to Summer 2K20!

In Algebra II, we looked at Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Polynomials. To add them, we simply “Drop it like it’s hot” with the parentheses and then combine like terms. For subtraction, it’s pretty much the same process except for the fact that we have to deal with a pesky little negative sign first. Then for multiplication, we have to use the distributive property to multiply everything out. Sometimes it’s single distribution, sometimes it’s double distribution, and it could even be TRIPLE distribution. Nonetheless, the concept is still the same.

In Finite, we wrapped up the section on Rational Functions. Monday is a work day, so there won’t be anything to report on Monday for this class (at least as far as this site is involved).

BRRRR

raschuldt

Was it just me or did it get cold outside? Good thing we are able to go to school indoors!

In Algebra II, we stayed warm by looking at our exponent rules that we learned yesterday in greater detail. Additionally, we added another rule: Power to a Power. Just remember, when you have a power to another power, you will multiply the powers. Other than that, we just built on our knowledge acquired yesterday.

In Finite, we started to look at Rational Functions. These weren’t too bad, but we did have to find vertical and horizontal asymptotes as well as know whether or not a slant asymptote exists. Nonetheless, see the notes for more details.

Exponents = MORE POWER

raschuldt

Did you know that exponents give you MORE POWER?! No, really…

In Algebra II, we looked at some exponent rules. These rules include what happens when we deal with multiplication and division with the same bases, raising anything to the zeroth power, and then negative exponents. Overall, I think the lesson was pretty easy and I hope you’d agree. Regardless, if you were absent, it may be a good idea to take a look at the notes.

In Finite, we finished looking at polynomial functions. This meant that we were looking at functions that had MORE POWER to them, including predictive power. Near the end of the notes, we looked at how to sketch these functions and even run regressions with them. The regression part was a little time consuming, but hopefully it was too painful.

Warning: Cold Blast in Future

raschuldt

We are about to have another cold snap coming in tonight. Are y’all ready?

For Algebra II, y’all may have thought the blast already hit when you took the test today. But I’m sure you probably did better than you think. Regardless, tomorrow is a new day with the start of a new unit.

In Finite, we had a blast finishing up Section 3.4 by talking about chinchillas. Then, started 3.5 by looking at the beginning of what will be Polynomial Functions. Perhaps you even may think I got a little too excited when talking about analyzing these graphs using calculus, but have no fear, we won’t do that in here (But it would be sooooo fun….)