Math
I am in Geometry in ALEKS and I find that I have trouble doing the more difficult sections particularly in Volumes and Surface Areas and in Polygons and Circles. I like doing math though so I like to think that I work hard doing ALEKS.
Math
This semester, in math, we have been learning about quadratic equations. I already had previous knowledge about quadratic equations so instead of listening to lectures and doing homework, I have been planning to create a science project. I am very interested in animal behavior, and I am trying to figure out how I can make a scientific experiment based on my interests. I have come up with many different ideas but they have all been either too simple or untestable.
I have also been learning and understanding quadratics more in depth through the help of my teacher Jeff Major.
I have also been learning and understanding quadratics more in depth through the help of my teacher Jeff Major.
Struggles/Successes in Math
I struggle in Math when I have to sit still and just listen for a long time. I end up getting off track easily and I have trouble paying complete attention for long amounts of time. On the flip side, I love math and I am very good at problem solving or using previous knowledge to figure out how to do different or more difficult problems. I am not very far in my ALEKS pie chart but I feel as though I would have been farther if I had actually payed attention in the pre-assesment.
This is my original ALEKS pie chart. It was not full very much.
Tis is my current ALEKS pie chart. Completely full!!! It was really exciting to be completely done with Algebra 1 ALEKS. I am excited to move on to Geometry next semester.
Quadratic Equation Understanding
There are two main ways that I like to figure out Quadratic equations. The first will include simple factoring and FOIL.
2x^2+10x+12=0
First step is to factor out the 2 making the equation x^2+5x+6.=0
You then Put two pairs of parenthesis ( ) ( ) so that they will be multiplied and multiply them by the 2 that you factored.
You will then figure out two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 5. (2 and 3) So you put them in the parenthesis.
2(x+3)(x+2)=0
You know that one of the numbers inside the parenthesis is 0 so therefore x=-3 0r x=-2
The other way would be the quadratic formula which is x=-b+ or - the square root of b^2-4ac all over 2a. After plugging in the numbers into that eqaution. It gives you the answers.
2x^2+10x+12=0
First step is to factor out the 2 making the equation x^2+5x+6.=0
You then Put two pairs of parenthesis ( ) ( ) so that they will be multiplied and multiply them by the 2 that you factored.
You will then figure out two numbers that multiply to 6 and add to 5. (2 and 3) So you put them in the parenthesis.
2(x+3)(x+2)=0
You know that one of the numbers inside the parenthesis is 0 so therefore x=-3 0r x=-2
The other way would be the quadratic formula which is x=-b+ or - the square root of b^2-4ac all over 2a. After plugging in the numbers into that eqaution. It gives you the answers.
This is the simplest version of factoring. You have the answer planned out for you and all you have to do is divide the second term by the term before the variable to get your answer.
For this type of quadratic, it is necessary to simplify the quadratic before finding the answer. You need to factor it out completely and then you will get the answer.
For this type, you have to simplify, factor, factor again and the divide. The numbers are also fractions and bigger than ten which makes the problem more difficult to figure out.