Welcome to Algebra! 

 

Useful Websites:

  • Algebraic Expressions Millionaire - http://www.math-play.com/Algebraic-Expressions-Millionaire/algebraic-expressions-millionaire.html - If you are still having any problems writing algebraic expressions, this is a fun game to help you practice.  It's set up just like the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," and will help you test your algebra skills.  The game gives you are variety of different verbal algebraic expressions and asks you to write them using variables and numbers.  Go ahead and see if you can get all the way to the million dollar question!

  • The Birthday Problem - http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.birthdayprob.html - The birthday problem is a rather famous math problem involving a lot of probability.  The problem asks what the probability is of having two people with the same birthday in any given group.  While it might seem like there is a very small chance, the actual answer may surprise you.  We will be looking at this problem further when we are learning about probability, but feel free to take a look and check out the results on your own.


 

  • Factor Dazzle -
    http://www.calculationnation.com/Games/Game.aspx?GameId=A0537FC6-3B08-4AFC-9AD6-0CC5E3BC9B86 - Factor Dazzle is an addicting game that tests your knowledge of factors.  To play Factor Dazzle, you simply select and number and make your opponent find all the factors.  Once they have done so, they select and number and you do the same.  The game goes back and forth and points are awarded based on the value of the numbers selected.  This game takes not only a knowledge of factors, but strategy as well!
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  • Factortris - http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/games/factortris/factortris_hotmath_sound.swf - Factortris is an online game set up like tetris, but testing your knowledge of factors.  Whether you are struggling with factors or not, Factortris is an exciting and fun game.  It might be a good idea to play a few times just as a refresher during our unit on factoring quadratic equations.  To play Factortris you only need to know how to factor numbers, sometimes strategically to get the right shaped box.  Be careful though, this game is addicting!
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  • 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!

 

  • How to Study Mathematics - http://www.math.osu.edu/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!

 

  • Line Gem Game - http://funbasedlearning.com/algebra/graphing/lines/default.htm - The Line Gem game is a fun interactive game you can play on your computer while learning about linear equations.  To play this game, you will need a basic understanding of slope-intercept form and graphs of lines.  Points are earned in the line gem game when you select the equation of the line that goes through gems.  Gems are each worth 100 points, so select the line that goes through the most gems.  Be careful though and as always, make sure you take the time to read each option carefully.  Good luck and have fun!

 

  • The Locker Problem - http://mathforum.org/alejandre/frisbie/student.locker.html - This website has a fun mathematical word problem we will be looking at later this year.  The problem deals with patterns and opening and closing lockers.  After simulating the problem and making predictions, we will actually test our hypotheses by opening and closing problems on a much smaller scale.  Once we have recognized some patterns, we will then look at the algebra that really makes this entire process a simple math problem!

 

  • The Math Dude - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/itv/mathdude/ - This link goes to a website set up by a school district in Rockville, Maryland.  It features videos by Mike DeGraba, AKA The Math Dude.  The Math Dude has videos for almost any Algebra I topic, including dozens that we will be studying this year.  His videos are very fast-paced and exciting, and the best part is that you can watch them anywhere!  We will watch many of these during class, but if you miss a day, or need a quick refresher just click on the above link and find the video you need!

 

  • 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.

 

  • Order of Operations Song - http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=112675&title=Order_of_Operations - This video has a group of elementary school kids singing a song to the order of operations with motions.  Even the best mathematicians sometimes go to quickly through their work and do problems out of order.  Knowing the order of operations correctly will help you eliminate a lot of quick errors.  This video has a group of kids performing the order of operations in a catchy way that will help you remember.  And if these young kids can remember then so can you!

 

  • 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!


  • Scientific Notation - http://www.quia.com/pop/50485.html - This website allows you to practice finding the correct exponent for scientific notation.  It is set up in a quiz format and features a series of scientific notation questions.  Scientific notation is used a lot to describe very small or very large numbers, especially in areas like science where molecules are very tiny.  It is an important topic that you will use in a variety of different places!

 

  • Sloping Letters - http://www.kw.igs.net/~bkiggins/letters.htm - This is a fun activity we will be doing as we are first introducing slope.  It deals with the letters of the alphabet and a list of criteria.  Knowing the 26 letters of the alphabet, you will determine which letter fits which description.  We won't be getting into exact values of slope just yet, just whether slope is positive, negative, zero, or undefined.  It will be best to write out each of the letters of the alphabet so you can actually see the different lines and their slopes.  After this activity, you will be much more confident in your knowledge of slopes and ready to move on to the next step!

 

  • 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!

Image found at: Teaching College Math. <http://teachingcollegemath.com/category/math-humor/>.

 

 
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