Monday, March 30, 2009

Spring... brake?

Hopefully this halt in Spring weather will end. I know I want to be outside and experience nature once again!

Precalc:
Today we began our adventure into the world of sums and differences in trig functions. Tomorrow, we begin solving and take section 5.4 a little further!

Notes:
5.4 Day 1 notes

Homework:
p. 440 #1-5; 7-15 odd; 17-26 all

***Due Thursday*** --> Test Corrections Assignment


Algebra II:
Today we discussed solving nth root equations. Tomorrow, we kick it into gear with rational root equations!

Homework:
p4 in your packet

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Pot 'o Gold Tuesday

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Here's a challenge for the day:
Go find a rainbow, and then follow it until you reach the end.  I hear that only on this day each year, a leprechaun hangs out by the northern end waiting for a friend and collecting loose change.  The loose change he turns to gold and throws into his cauldron.  My hat's off to you if you find this mystical creature!




Precalc
Today we covered two lucky charms: general solutions and multiple angle trig equations.  

Notes:
Day 3 notes part 1  (the back page of day 2 notes)

Homework:
In your textbook: p432 #11-24 all with gen. sol.'s chicken

Monday, March 16, 2009

Monday... the countdown begins!

Better start buying sunscreen before all of the spring breakers get it off the shelves!  Four days and counting!

Precalc
Today we expanded our love and knowledge of solving trig equations.  We hit calculator expressions, then using identities, and even touched a little on general solutions.  Tomorrow, more 5.3!

Notes:

Homework:
HW #7 --> out #60,65
p431, #5-9 odd (b only); 17-24 all; 32-40 all



Algebra II
Today, we graphed standard form polynomials.  So we factor just like we did in the last unit, and then we use our graphing knowledge that we've learned this unit.  A fusing of units, how clever of those curriculum writers!

Homework:
p13 & p14

Here are a few videos to help with your homework.  It's a couple of the example problems from class today.  

***Be sure to watch part 3 of the first example, I made a mistake that I wanted to clear up.  Can you spot it?

Page 10 example, part 1:     Fullscreen



Part 2:     Fullscreen



Part 3:     Fullscreen



Example 2: Page 11, #2

Part 1:     Fullscreen



Part 2:     Fullscreen

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday the 13th, version 2.0

Happy Friday the 13th everyone. Be sure to check out one of my favorite Popeye cartoons, "I Don't Scare" for some paraskavedekatriaphobic entertainment. (Look it up!)






Precalc
Today we began our journey into the world of solving trig equations. We took our knowledge of algebra, and our knowledge of trig, and slapped them together to make a nice trigebra sangwich.

Notes:

Homework:
HW #6 -> p431 #6-10 (even, a only); 12-16 even (in the interval [0, 2pi) ), #26-31 all, 42-50 even
***don't do 2 or 4!



Algebra II
Pi Day!!!

Homework:
watch the popeye video!
and have a good weekend!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for students. They bring me much joy.

Precalc
Today we worked more on verifying identities. Tomorrow, we'll plunge into equations!

Notes:
5.2 notes - day 1 & day 2

Homework:
All multiples of 7 up to 140 in the trig identities packet

*Hint: for #140, you will need to substitute a pythagorean identity immediately twice on the left-hand-side of the equation. Then consider the LHS as a quadratic and go from there

*Hint 2 for #140: After some reworking, you may want to use a conjugate (on both sides). From there, maybe you can split fractions and rewrite in terms on sines and cosines...



Algebra II
Today we reviewed some of yesterday's material and worked on more graphing. It was awesome. Tomorrw, we'll kick it up a notch, so get juiced.

Homework:
In your packet - p8 #'s 1,3,4 on the bottom

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Torrential Tuesday

Isn't it interesting to think that here in the Chicago area, we've been getting more rain than we know what to do with, and at the same time, there are areas in the world that haven't had rain in months? If only we could teleport rain clouds...

Precalc
Today we completed the last of our three-day coverage of simplifying trigonometric expressions. Good job everyone, we made it! Tomorrow, we use these skills and dive into verifying trig identies - where it gets even MORE fun! If you are feeling like you're not getting the hang of this, please come and see me and I will help you and show you more examples. A solid understanding of this material is crucial!

Homework:

worksheet #3 - ALL


Algebra II
No homework! Go jump in some puddles and play in the rain!

Monday, March 9, 2009

The Sleepiest Monday of the Semester (...so far)

Hello everyone, happy daylight savings time! Waking up an hour earlier can be a bit rough, BUT we can now have outdoor fun one whole hour later than we did last week! I don't know about you, but I will be tossing a frisbee around for sure today.

Precalc
Today was another exciting day of simplifying trig expressions, or what I like to call "math magic." Be sure to stay sharp on your simplifying strategies, as they will be used even more tomorrow!

Notes:
same as Friday, with some new notes towards the bottom


Homework:

Worksheet 2 (just the odds)


Algebra II
Reharsal test today. Be sure to study for the real deal tomorrow. Also, don't forget tomorrow is your last day to make up power quizzes!

Be sure to check your answers on the practice test, and feel free to email me with questions (mrfritz23@gmail.com)


Also, here's a little tutorial on how to use graphing calculators to graph functions:

(on the bottom of the screen is a "show me" link that actually shows you with a calculator how to graph these functions.)

Friday, March 6, 2009

Friday March 6th - "Everybody's workin' for the weekend!"

Hello everyone! Today is a beautiful day; it's perfect weather for some outdoor math appreciatiation. Try doing your homework outside for an extra boost in your mood.

Precalc
Today we started the ever-exciting chapter 5! Don't forget those strategies we talked about in class... you better RECKONIZE!

Notes:


Homework:



Algebra II
Review, review, review. Don't forget on Monday is the practice test, and on Tuesday is the REAL DEAL. Let me know if you need any review problems or help on any of these topics.

Homework:

The rest of page 46 in your packet

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

March 4th, 2009

Precalc

TEST TOMORROW!!!
- Best of Chapter 4! Hurray!
Here's a review guide for you to study with:

test review


Algebra II

Now we can use graphs to narrow down our choices of Possible Rational Roots! This makes life much easier, resulting in sounder slumbers.

Homework:

p36A & p36B -> ALL

Monday, March 2, 2009

March 2nd, 2009

Precalc:

Today we discussed the definition of the arcsin(x), arccos(x), and arctan(x) functions. Be sure to get comfortable with all of their domains, and ranges. Also memorize your UNIT CIRCLE values!!!

Notes:

For a copy of the notes from today, click here.

Homework:

#4 on the schedule: p384 #5-14, 33-41 odd



Algebra II

Today, we embarked on a journey and came upon the rational root (zero) theorem. In case you missed the definition:

RRT - all of the possibile rational roots of a polynomial can be found by dividing ALL of the factors of the constant term by ALL of the factors of the leading coefficient.

Homework:
pMP3 - all
pMP6 - 1-3

If you're having trouble, here's an example problem with two parts... Enjoy!

Part 1:
fullscreen here



Part 2:
fullscreen here