Welcome to Algebra II!

(This is where I will have a description of the class and goals for the year.) 

Image found at: Brown Sharpie. <http://brownsharpie.courtneygibbons.org/?p=557>.

 

Highlighted Activities: 

 

Useful Websites: 

  • The Airfare Problem - http://www.wfu.edu/~mccoy/NCTM00/lisa.html - This website has a fun idea for a project we will be doing later this year.  We will be analyzing different airlines and their costs for tickets to different cities throughout the country.  By looking at how cost varies by city and by purchase date, we will make a graph plotting the costs.  Then, we will determine which of the models we have learned best fits our plotted points.  This is a really fun activity that will test our knowledge of functions and their graphs

 

  • Graphing Calculator Tips - http://mathbits.com/MathBits/TISection/Openpage.htm - This website has step-by-step instructions with pictures for how to solve almost any problem on a graphing calculator.  This website is a great resource to help you use your calculator when you might have forgotten exactly where some of the commands are located.  The website is set up for TI-83 or TI-84 calculators, but if you are using a different model, many of the commands may be very similar.  If you are still having difficulties using your graphing calculator, please ask me and we will figure it out!

 

  • The Greatest Mathematicians of All Time - http://fabpedigree.com/james/mathmen.htm - Later this year, you will be asked to research and present on a famous mathematician.  This site lists 30 of the "greatest" mathematicians of all time, and although it is certainly not an all inclusive list, it does include a great deal of prominent mathematicians.  You should be looking at some personal history on your mathematician, as well as some of their mathematical accomplishments (Don't worry we will talk about this more as it gets closer!).  This site can serve as a good starting point for your research, but you should look further to more sites as well.  Someday, I hope to see you on one of these lists as well!

 

  • How to Study Mathematics - http://www.math.osu.edu/old-students/how_to_study.html - The Ohio State University Department of Mathematics put together this list of guidelines to help students succeed in math.  Even though this was set up for college students, all of their suggestions apply for the high school classroom as well.  Math is a difficult subject for most students to study for, as there aren't as many definitions or study questions as there are for other subjects.  These tips give a great list of suggestions to help you study.  As the article says, it would be a bit overwhelming to try each and every one of the suggestions, so pick the ones that seem the best fit for you and see if your results improve!

 

  • Inverse Function Tutorial - http://www.helpalgebra.com/articles/inverseofafunction.htm - This site offers instructions and multiple examples for finding inverse functions.  It goes over many of the instructions we will talk about in class, and looks at the math the same way we will.  If you need any extra instruction, this is a great resource and will be a huge help.  This site has several different examples of different types of functions, and even explains why some functions do not have inverses.  Since we use many of these same ideas in class, this is a good resource if you need any extra help.

 

  • Meta Calculator - http://www.meta-calculator.com/online/ - This is a free online version of several different graphing calculators.  You can choose from graphing calculators, scientific calculators, matrix calculators, or statistic calculators.  Use this when you don't have a graphing calculator or when you aren't sure how to use it 

 

  • The Quadratic Equation Song - http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=163441 - In this video, a group of adults are singing the quadratic equation song.  The quadratic equation song is a catchy rendition set to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel."  Using the quadratic equation, we can solve ANY quadratic polynomial.  This is a very important concept of Algebra.  Even if you already have the quadratic equation memorized, this song is a lot of fun and performances in class just might result in some extra points!

 

  • Ten Commandments of Math - http://www.english-for-students.com/10-Commandments-of-Math.html - This site takes the original Ten Commandments, and puts a math spin on them!  Although the site is meant to be somewhat humorous interpretation, but the 10 rules are a good set of a guidelines for any math class.  Live by these 10 rules, and you will be set for success in this class and any others!

 
  • Wolfram Alpha - http://www.wolframalpha.com/ - Wolfram Alpha is a great site that will calculate any problem for you, or give you almost any kind of information.  It is a site that can be used as a mathematical search engine.  You can use Wolfram Alpha to answer questions about any topic, but unlike other search engines, Wolfram Alpha will answer questions directly related to math.  This is a great resource if you are ever working alone and can't remember a definition, or how to compute something.  Wolfram Alpha won't just give you the answer, but it will also explain the process.  Please remember that just copying an answer from Wolfram Alpha is cheating, so if you use this website on your homework, make sure that you still show all of you work, and remember to cite the website on your paper!
 
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