# Recent Posts

## Two Step Linear Equation Problems

The solution to each of the following problems is 18. Focus on finding the most helpful algebraic steps to take a reader from the problem as stated to the solution.

1.   $2x+1~=~37$
2.   $5+3x~=~59$
3.   $2x+3x~=~90$
4. Continue reading Two Step Linear Equation Problems

## One Step Linear Equation Problems

The solution to each of the following twenty problems is 12. Focus on finding the most helpful algebraic step to take a reader from the problem as stated to the solution, and be sure you can explain why that step leads to a solution.

1.   $x+7~=~19$
2.   $3+x~=~15$
3.   $11~=~-1+x$
4. Continue reading One Step Linear Equation Problems

## Math: Pen vs Pencil

Many math students are given strict instructions by their teachers to do all their work in pencil. I disagree.

The advantage of doing work in pencil is that:

• it is easier to erase, so students are less likely to be paralyzed by “I am not sure this is correct, so I don’t dare write it down”

The disadvantages of working in pencil are that: Continue reading Math: Pen vs Pencil

## 11 Ways To Do Better In Math

1) Reflect and Summarize
at the end of each class, at the end of each week, at the end of each month. Review your notes and/or think back over the material that has been covered, then decide which skills or ideas you think are most important. Summarize the material you are learning as concisely as you can, because summarizing helps you learn. Identify any skills or ideas that you are not confident about. Write your reflections and summarizations as part of your notes, with reminders about what needs more work.

2) Use scrap paper
Using scrap paper removes a source of anxiety when Continue reading 11 Ways To Do Better In Math

## Interactive Graphs for Linear, Quadratic, Rational, and Trig Functions Moved to GeoGebraTube

Some may have had trouble using my GeoGebra applets in their browsers. I have moved all of them to GeoGebraTube, which will hopefully fix the problem. You may search for them by typing “MathMaine” into the GeoGebraTube search box.

Links to all updated interactive graph applets are below. Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Linear Functions

GeoGebraBook: Exploring Linear Functions, which contains:

Interactive Linear Function Graph: Slope-Intercept Form

## Unit Circle Symmetry: a GeoGebraBook Exploration

Check out this GeoGebraBook of nine applets that will help you explore Unit Circle Symmetries. It contains three applets per type of symmetry on the unit circle, one focusing only on the unit circle, and the other two linking unit circle properties to patterns in the graphs of the sine and cosine functions.

When two angle expressions, such as $\theta$ and $(\pi -\theta )$, exhibit symmetry on the unit circle, an understanding of unit circle symmetries and reference angles often allow function arguments to be simplified. Mastery of symmetries and reference angles will also be very handy when expanding inverse trigonometric function results to describe all possible answers to a problem.

Suggestions for improvements to these applets, or additional applets, are always welcome via comments on this post.

## Absolute Value: Notation, Expressions, Equations

### What Does Absolute Value Mean?

The term “Absolute Value” refers to the magnitude of a quantity without regard to sign. In other words, its distance from zero expressed as a positive number.

The notation used to indicate absolute value is a pair of vertical bars surrounding the quantity, sort of like a straight set of parentheses. These bars mean: evaluate what is inside and, if the final result (once the entire expression inside the absolute value signs has been evaluated) is negative, change its sign to make it positive and drop the bars; if the final result inside the bars is zero or positive, you may drop the bars without making any changes:

$\lvert ~1-4~ \rvert\\*~\\*=~\lvert ~-3~ \rvert\\*~\\*=~3$

Another example is:

$\lvert ~4-1~ \rvert\\*~\\*=~\lvert ~3~ \rvert\\*~\\*=~3$

Note that absolute value signs do not instruct you to make “all” quantities inside them positive. Only the final result, after evaluating the entire expression inside the absolute value signs, should be made positive.

$\lvert ~1-4~ \rvert~\ne~\lvert ~1+4~\rvert~~\text{ Do not make this mistake!}$

### Absolute Value expressions that contain variables

Just as with parentheses, absolute value symbols serve as grouping symbols: the expression inside the bars must be evaluated and expressed as either Continue reading Absolute Value: Notation, Expressions, Equations