Today we finished Chapter 11 by going over the last two sections: Dividing polynomial and rational equations.

We then reviewed what we have learned this semester: Chapter 9 on quadratic functions and equations; Chapter 10 on polynomials and factoring; and Chapter 11 on ratios, proportions, percents, direct and inverse variations, rational expressions and rational equations.

We will have our final exam next time, which is 2 weeks from today. Students have 2 weeks to review what they have learned. Then on the last school day, we will go over the exam.

There is no homework today, but students are expected to review. The book has review material for each chapter, so that will be a good place to start. Also go over the homework sheets.

Today we talked about rational expression operations.

A rational expression is a fraction whose numerator, or denominator, or both are polynomials.

We went over rational expression simplication. A simplified rational expression is one whose nemerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1 and -1.

We talked about rational expression multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. These are the same operations for fractions.

Registration for next semester is open, so do register to make sure you don’t lose your seats.

Today we started Chapter 11. We covered the following:

11.1 Ratios and Proportions

11.2 Percent

11.3 Direct and Inverse Variations

For proportions and percents, students found them pretty easy to understand. Indeed they have encountered such concepts before and already have a good handle on them. The only thing I want them to keep in mind is that when solving proportion equations, be sure that any answer does not make any denominator zero.

For direct and inverse variations, initially some students found them confusing. We went the definitions over and over with examples. Basically variations talk about relationship between two variavbles x and y. For direct variation, there exists a constant k, such that y/x = k. For inverse variation, there exists a constant k, such that xy = k.

It is registration time for Fall semester. For students who have successfully completed this course, they can move up to Math 8, for Algebra II.

Welcome back from the long break!

Today we first finished going over the math contest questions. It will be useful to help the student remember and undestand better, if you can ask your kid to explain to you one by one how to solve the question.

We then had a “test” for Chapter 10. This is really to help students get to know better about this chapter. Most of students did not finish it in the classroom, so their homework is to finish it.

Starting next week, we will move on to Chapter 11.