Math 7A, Lesson 4, 9/30/2012

Weidong Posted in Fall 2012, Homework, Teaching info
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We talked fractional equations and word problems with fractional equations.

Any equation involving any fraction, either x (unknown) either in enumerator or denominator, is called a fractional equation.

We studied fractional equations with x in enumerators, and we studied equations with x in denominators. When x is in denominators, one important step is to check the answer to make sure that it does not make any denominator zero and throw away any answer that does.

For word problems, it is important to come up with the right equation with the given information.

Homework is as follows:

Page 9: 49 a c d e g i k m n o, 52 a, 53, 54, 55, 56

Note, someone left an umbrella in the classroom. I have it.

 

Math 7A, Lesson 3, 9/23/2012

Weidong Posted in Teaching info
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We covered the following today:

  • Factorization
  • Addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions
  • Multiplication and division of algebraic fractions

The factorization refers to the process to find the common factors among all terms to make up an expression in product. For example, 3x + 6 = 3(x+2). For simple ones, every term has the common factor to take out. For some others, we talk about doing factorization with grouping, by looking at 2 terms as a group.

Like any fraction number being referred as real number, fractions involving algebraic expressions are called algebraic fractions or rational expression. For example, (x-1) / (x+1).

Like real number addition and subtraction, to add or subtract two algebraic fractions, we need to first find the LCM, Least Common Multiple for the denominator, then simplify.

And, multiplication and division of algebraic fractions work the same way as real numbers. For multiplications, you multiply the denominators and enumerators separately and then simply. For division, you flip the denominator to change it to multiplication.

Homework is as follows:

Page 8: 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29,31, 33, 35, 37

Page 9: 50 a, 50b, 50c, 51a, 51b, 51c

 

Math 7A, Lesson 2, 9/16/2012

Weidong Posted in Fall 2012, Homework, Teaching info
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We covered the following material today:

  • Scientific Notation or Standard Form
  • Special Algebraic Rules for Calculations
  • Expanding Products

To represent a number, scientists use the form of A * 10^n where 1 <= A < 10, n is an integer. This is called scientific notation or standard form. The key point is, A must be smalled than 10.

We talked about how to convert from a decimal form to the standard form, and vice versa. We talked about how to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with two numbers in standard form.

For special algebraic rules, we established the following three rules:

  • (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2
  • (a – b)^2 = a^2 -2ab + b^2
  • (a^2 – b^2) = (a + b)*(a – b)

For expanding products, the key point we went over is the distributive law, using which one should be able to expanding products in any form.

For homework, it is on the Workbook:

  • Page 4: 11b, 11d, 11f, 12d, 12f, 12h, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d
  • Page 5: 18a, 18b
  • Page 6: 1b, 1d, 2c, 2d, 3d, 3f
  • Page 7: 4a, 4c, 4e, 5c, 5e, 5f

http://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong/files/2012/09/HW_L2_P4.pdf

http://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong/files/2012/09/HW_L2_P5.pd

fhttp://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong/files/2012/09/HW_L2_P6.pd

fhttp://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong/files/2012/09/HW_L2_P7.pdf

 

 

 

 

Math 7A, Lesson 1, 9/9/2012

Weidong Posted in Fall 2012, Homework, Teaching info
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We covered the material about Exponents. The following are the important rules and defintions to memorize:

  • a^m * a^n = a^(m+n)
  • a^m / a^n  = a^(m-n)
  • (a^n)^m = a^(nm)
  • a^m * b^m = (ab)^m
  • a^m / b^m = (a/b)^m
  • a^0 = 1, a<> 0 (a to the power of zero is 1, as long as a is not zero)
  • a^(-n) = 1 / a^n, a <> 0

With the above rules and defintions, we can simply expressions. We did several in-class exercises and the homework will be mostly about simplying expressions.

We also talked about exponents with variables, whose operation is no different, exception we use variables, like x, y, a, b, c, etc., to represent the things in the operation. Same rules and definitions apply.

For homework, it is on the workbook:

  • Page 1, 1a, 1c, 1e, 1g, 2l, 2n, 2p, 2r
  • Page 2, 4a, 4b, 4c, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 7c
  • Page 3, 8g, 8i, 9a, 9c

Since the school ran out of the Workbook today, and some students who just paid today did not get the workbook, so for today, I will scan the pages for the homework:

http://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong/files/2012/09/HW_1_1.pdf

(fixed!) http://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong/files/2012/09/HW_1_2.pdf

Also, some parents asked about where to get the textbook. Here is a link where you can buy:

http://www.singaporemath.com/New_Elem_Math_Textbk_2_p/nemt2.htm

www.bestedusource.com

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://curriculumexpress.com/

The last one is about 10% cheaper compared to the singaporemath site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Math 7A, Fall 2012 Semester

Weidong Posted in Fall 2012, Teaching info
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The school starts this coming Sunday. The classroom is 325. For each paid student, you will get a workbook.

Please visit my blog site at blog.newtonchineseschool.org/wangweidong for more information about this class, the textbook information, the teaching plan, etc.

I see most of the students have taken NCLS Math 6, which is the prerequisite for this class. This is good. I am also aware that last year’s Math 6 did not finish all the content in the syllabus. School is discussing what to do at this time.

For those new students, you are required to go over the page for “New Student“, which contains helpful information for you to decide if you are ready for the class, including a placement test.

Remember, sending a student too early for a class does not do any good. The last thing you want is to make your kid hate Math and lose interest!

For all students, go over the “New Student” section as well, as it also contains information about homework, classroom rules, classroom expectation, etc.

I will start using my blog site exclusively for the communication with you guys, so get into a habit to check it often.

Once again, welcome to my class.