Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Ferris Wheel Problems with Solutions
Here is a link to the ferris wheel problems with solutions
http://www.bmlc.ca/Math12/Principles%20of%20Math%2012%20-%20Trigonometry%20Lesson%208.pdf
http://www.bmlc.ca/Math12/Principles%20of%20Math%2012%20-%20Trigonometry%20Lesson%208.pdf
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
What we did on Friday in Class (Finish on Monday)
You guys worked in your groups on finishing these problems. Remember there is a quiz on Tuesday on graphing and writing equations.
Group Practice
Group Practice
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Females are not as good at math as men
Now that I have your attention, read this article about a woman in the Victorian age that proved this old notion wrong!
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/history/2011/10/the-woman-who-bested-the-men-at-math/
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/history/2011/10/the-woman-who-bested-the-men-at-math/
Any Takers??
I know I showed this video in the beginning of the year. Let me know if anybody would be interested in building one to keep in the classroom. It would be pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yVkdfJ9PkRQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yVkdfJ9PkRQ
Sad Day
After looking over first quarter grades I have come to a sad conclusion.
The purpose of the blog posts was to give you an opportunity to communicate with each other, and to see math applied in the real world in more fun and interseting circumstances. Due to factors (some of which I know, and others I do not understand), many of you failed to complete the blog posts.
Along those lines, because regular homework was not graded, many of you failed to do the homework assignments because they were not counted towards your grade. This is particularly true in one class. This truly upsets me. I walked into this school year very excited to try to not grade homework. I still firmly believe that grades should measure what a student has mastered, not what they have tried. And we got off to a good start. But as the year went on it got slightly worse, and to the point we are at now. Therefore I am now forced into the decision of grading homework as you would normally expect. Some students are lost because they fail to do the homework. Other students and classes are thriving because people are doing the homework and trying hard in class.
I know there are things I could have done better to make the blog better, and I know there were things I could have done to get you to do the homework more. But I still believe that not grading homework is the correct thing, and I am not giving up on it forever. I am going to regroup, rethink my strategy and try again.
This is the lesson I want you to take away from this. Is that you should always take risks in your education and life. Things that make you uncomfortable, things that other people would not do, and things that will help you grow. Do not be afraid of failure, because that is what will make you a stronger person. And if you fail, get up and try again (but make sure you make some adjustments).
I hope you respect what I was trying to accomplish, and the fact that I was willing to try something different. I hope you appreciate the fact that it was all designed in your best interest (lord knows it made more work for me).
I would ask you to either post or email me comment on your thoughts on this experiment with the blog posts, and the non-grading of homework. I am looking for constructive criticism. You were my guinea pigs, and I can only learn from your feedback.
Lastly I want to thank the students who continued to do the homework and the blog posts. You did a GREAT job. You are the reason that I still have faith that I can make this system work. I truly thank you.
Thank you,
Mr. Frank
The purpose of the blog posts was to give you an opportunity to communicate with each other, and to see math applied in the real world in more fun and interseting circumstances. Due to factors (some of which I know, and others I do not understand), many of you failed to complete the blog posts.
Along those lines, because regular homework was not graded, many of you failed to do the homework assignments because they were not counted towards your grade. This is particularly true in one class. This truly upsets me. I walked into this school year very excited to try to not grade homework. I still firmly believe that grades should measure what a student has mastered, not what they have tried. And we got off to a good start. But as the year went on it got slightly worse, and to the point we are at now. Therefore I am now forced into the decision of grading homework as you would normally expect. Some students are lost because they fail to do the homework. Other students and classes are thriving because people are doing the homework and trying hard in class.
I know there are things I could have done better to make the blog better, and I know there were things I could have done to get you to do the homework more. But I still believe that not grading homework is the correct thing, and I am not giving up on it forever. I am going to regroup, rethink my strategy and try again.
This is the lesson I want you to take away from this. Is that you should always take risks in your education and life. Things that make you uncomfortable, things that other people would not do, and things that will help you grow. Do not be afraid of failure, because that is what will make you a stronger person. And if you fail, get up and try again (but make sure you make some adjustments).
I hope you respect what I was trying to accomplish, and the fact that I was willing to try something different. I hope you appreciate the fact that it was all designed in your best interest (lord knows it made more work for me).
I would ask you to either post or email me comment on your thoughts on this experiment with the blog posts, and the non-grading of homework. I am looking for constructive criticism. You were my guinea pigs, and I can only learn from your feedback.
Lastly I want to thank the students who continued to do the homework and the blog posts. You did a GREAT job. You are the reason that I still have faith that I can make this system work. I truly thank you.
Thank you,
Mr. Frank
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Blog Post 7D
Send me a picture or short video of something that brings out a mathematical question. Something in your everyday life. For example, what question comes to mind when you see this picture??
... I think most people would likely ask "how many pennies are in there?" or "how much money"
So please take a picture of something you see in everyday life that makes you ask a question that can be answered with math, or science. Please email it to me, and I will either post it, or compile it into a database.
Please do not take pictures off of the internet, I want these to be pictures you have taken, and make sure they are school appropriate.
... I think most people would likely ask "how many pennies are in there?" or "how much money"
So please take a picture of something you see in everyday life that makes you ask a question that can be answered with math, or science. Please email it to me, and I will either post it, or compile it into a database.
Please do not take pictures off of the internet, I want these to be pictures you have taken, and make sure they are school appropriate.
Blog Post 7C
You are on a ferris wheel. The diameter of the ferris wheel is 36 feet and the center of the ferris wheel is 20 feet above the ground. The ferris wheel rotates counter clockwise.
1. How high off the ground are you when you are at the top of the ferris wheel?
2. How high off the ground are you when you have rotated 30 degrees past horizontal.
I WANT TO SEE LOTS O' MATH FOR #2!
1. How high off the ground are you when you are at the top of the ferris wheel?
2. How high off the ground are you when you have rotated 30 degrees past horizontal.
I WANT TO SEE LOTS O' MATH FOR #2!
Blog Post 7A
I have an angle A, and A is between 0 and 2pi radians.
The Sin A = 0.5
Therefore I say that A = pi/2
What is wrong with my argument for the value of A.
The Sin A = 0.5
Therefore I say that A = pi/2
What is wrong with my argument for the value of A.
Blog Post 7A Radians Help
A lot of students are having trouble figuring out/remembering radians on the unit circle. Describe how you think about/how you figured out/ how you remember the radian measurements on the unit circle.
BE VERY SPECIFIC! Pretend you are teaching someone who has never heard of radians. Remember to be additive not repetitive.
BE VERY SPECIFIC! Pretend you are teaching someone who has never heard of radians. Remember to be additive not repetitive.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Blog Post 6E
Ok even though I said the post on Obama was completely apolitical. I figured we would even the field and pick on a GOP candidate. Please go to this link, watch the video and double check John Stewart's Math on how long it would take to create enough jobs.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-12-2011/indecision-2012---mitt-romney-competes-with-crazy-people
I WANT TO SEE ACTUAL MATH HERE!
By the way, Mitt Romney's corporation Bain Capital has approximately 375 employees.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-12-2011/indecision-2012---mitt-romney-competes-with-crazy-people
I WANT TO SEE ACTUAL MATH HERE!
By the way, Mitt Romney's corporation Bain Capital has approximately 375 employees.
Blog Post 6D
I love the daily show. But they need to work on their math. Please figure out what percent should be in the blurred out box based on the picture. We will reveal the answer later on.
I WANT TO SEE ACTUAL MATH!!!!
I WANT TO SEE ACTUAL MATH!!!!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Post 6C
The order you do a transformation matters. Answer all the questions.
Let's say we have the function f(x) = x^2. Let's put it through the following transformations.
a. translate up 2
b. reflect over the x-axis.
1. What would the graph look like if you did 'a' first and then 'b'?
2. What would the graph look like 'b' first and then 'a'
3. Make a prediction of what g(x) = (-x - 2)^2 is going to look like.
4. Double check in your calculator. How can you explain your findings?
(If you do not have a graphing calculator on you, you can go to http://webgraphing.com/graphing_basic.jsp)
Let's say we have the function f(x) = x^2. Let's put it through the following transformations.
a. translate up 2
b. reflect over the x-axis.
1. What would the graph look like if you did 'a' first and then 'b'?
2. What would the graph look like 'b' first and then 'a'
3. Make a prediction of what g(x) = (-x - 2)^2 is going to look like.
4. Double check in your calculator. How can you explain your findings?
(If you do not have a graphing calculator on you, you can go to http://webgraphing.com/graphing_basic.jsp)
Post 6B
Ok we obviously need some review work on transformations. Please post "rules" for function transformations. I'll get us started off.
Let's say we have the the function f(x). If I define g(x) = f(x) + 2, it will shift the graph up 2. If I define g(x) = f(x) -2 it will shift the graph of f(x) down 2. So in general if you add or subtract a number outside of the original function, it will shift it up or down that amount. If you add a number it will move up, if you subtract a number it will move down.
Now you guys finish the rules.
Let's say we have the the function f(x). If I define g(x) = f(x) + 2, it will shift the graph up 2. If I define g(x) = f(x) -2 it will shift the graph of f(x) down 2. So in general if you add or subtract a number outside of the original function, it will shift it up or down that amount. If you add a number it will move up, if you subtract a number it will move down.
Now you guys finish the rules.
Post 6A
I have a right triangle ABC with hypotenuse length 1. Angle A measures 30 degrees. Find all of the six trig ratios of the angle A.
If you understand what is going on in class really well, this will take you no time at all. Remember, you do no have to post a complete answer. You can start the discussion, and add on to it later. Do not assume you have to fully answer the question in the first post. It should be a conversation.
If you understand what is going on in class really well, this will take you no time at all. Remember, you do no have to post a complete answer. You can start the discussion, and add on to it later. Do not assume you have to fully answer the question in the first post. It should be a conversation.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Homework
#1-10 due on Friday. 11-30 due by Monday. Do on your own piece of paper or print it out and complete on printout.
Exact Trig Values of Special Angles
Exact Trig Values of Special Angles
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Reference Angles HW
This was a great homework assignment. Many of you did not do the back. Try it if you did not.
Reference Angles Homework
Reference Angles Homework
Sorry
Sorry I have not been good about keeping the blog updated the last week. Life is crazy sometimes but I need to do a better job... my apologies. Here are some posts... make sure you look back for this weeks blog post ideas.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Blog Post 5D
Sequences are just numbers in a particular order. Look at the sequence of odd numbers.
1,3,5,7,9,...
Add up parts of the sequence...
1 + 3 = ??
1 + 3 + 5 = ???
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = ???
What do you notice?
Now subtract any two consecutive numbers.
3 - 1 = ??
9 - 7 = ??
15 - 13 = ??
What do you notice?
Both of these facts are not a coincidence and, actually have a lot to do with the way objects fall to the ground. We will study this next semester.
1,3,5,7,9,...
Add up parts of the sequence...
1 + 3 = ??
1 + 3 + 5 = ???
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = ???
What do you notice?
Now subtract any two consecutive numbers.
3 - 1 = ??
9 - 7 = ??
15 - 13 = ??
What do you notice?
Both of these facts are not a coincidence and, actually have a lot to do with the way objects fall to the ground. We will study this next semester.
Blog Post 5C
Write an equation or expression that would give you ALL of the coterminal angles for a particular angle given in degrees.
Example: If I wanted a way of writing all of the odd numbers in the real number system, I could say it is (2n - 1) where n is any integer.
Example: If I wanted a way of writing all of the odd numbers in the real number system, I could say it is (2n - 1) where n is any integer.
Blog Post 5B
I know, I know, I know.. I hate rules and I do not want you to use rules. But if you can WRITE rules... then it shows you probably understand the concept.
So Write rules for finding reference angles depending on the quadrant you are in. One person can write them for degrees, and another person can write them for radians. You can check and correct each others rules. Or maybe you could write the rules in a completely different way.
So Write rules for finding reference angles depending on the quadrant you are in. One person can write them for degrees, and another person can write them for radians. You can check and correct each others rules. Or maybe you could write the rules in a completely different way.
Blog Post 5A
Read this entire article. Let me know your detailed thoughts. I want a least a good, descriptive paragraph. Remember to be additive not repetitive.
http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/
http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/
Monday, September 26, 2011
Blog Post 4D
Let f(x) = 2|x-2|+ 1. Remember the absolute value graph has a V-Shape.
Graph this on your own, and write it as a piecewise function.
Graph this on your own, and write it as a piecewise function.
Blog Post 4C
This is too cool to pass up. Anybody interested in art... how about math and art. This is really cool.
Blog Post 4A
How much would you pay for the following objects. Why?
More than one person can post the same answer IF they have a different way of arriving at the same answer.
More than one person can post the same answer IF they have a different way of arriving at the same answer.
Friday, September 23, 2011
End of the week rap up
Some end of the week things to talk about...
1. I really enjoyed meeting some of your parents last night.
2. I am extending the posting of blog comments until sunday night. As we stated earlier, the due date is before first period on Friday of each week. This is the only time I will extend the due date.
3. We are done with new material with unit 1. Today (Friday) we are making the long and awesome trip into trigonometry. This is really cool stuff, but make sure you get a good hold on the material in the beginning, because it will not go away.
4. Remember I am here to help you. Please come see me at lunch (mon-thurs), or after school (Wed - Fri).
5. Please apply for reassessment. So far we have had 2 sucessful reassesments. I have denied about 5 applications so far. So make sure fill out the application in detail. Remember, if I deny your application, you may reapply.
6. Have a nice weekend.
1. I really enjoyed meeting some of your parents last night.
2. I am extending the posting of blog comments until sunday night. As we stated earlier, the due date is before first period on Friday of each week. This is the only time I will extend the due date.
3. We are done with new material with unit 1. Today (Friday) we are making the long and awesome trip into trigonometry. This is really cool stuff, but make sure you get a good hold on the material in the beginning, because it will not go away.
4. Remember I am here to help you. Please come see me at lunch (mon-thurs), or after school (Wed - Fri).
5. Please apply for reassessment. So far we have had 2 sucessful reassesments. I have denied about 5 applications so far. So make sure fill out the application in detail. Remember, if I deny your application, you may reapply.
6. Have a nice weekend.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
9/20 and 9/21 Graphing Piecewise
Sorry, I forgot to post this practice on graphing piecewise functions. In class we did 2 -5, 8 -9.
Piecewise Functions Graphing.do
Piecewise Functions Graphing.do
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday and Tuesday - Graphing Piecewise Functions
You guys will be figuring out how to graph piecewise functions. Here is the homework and a framework for which we worked out problems in class. Homework is due on Wednesday.
Piecewise HW and Capture Sheet Notes
Piecewise HW and Capture Sheet Notes
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Oh Politicians 3C
We have to be careful with our politicians out there. We need to double check all the information they give us, and also their diagrams. In his 2010 state of the union speech, President Obama put up this picture to show how well the economy was doing compared to other countries.
Based on the picture, determine what the gross domestic product (GDP) for the US should be. At the end of the week I will post the whole picture without the answer blurred out.
FYI. This is not meant to be pro or anti Obama. We are just merely double checking our politicians information.
Based on the picture, determine what the gross domestic product (GDP) for the US should be. At the end of the week I will post the whole picture without the answer blurred out.
FYI. This is not meant to be pro or anti Obama. We are just merely double checking our politicians information.
Summarize 3B
Can you summarize something we learned so far into one nice paragraph for people to use? For example can you summarize functions transformations, or even and odd functions. Keep in mind I am not asking you to summarize how to do things, but give a total picture of what even and odd functions, and then how to determine them. Be holistic here.
Questions 3A
Do you need help with a concept? This is the place to ask people questions and get answers!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
This is just weird and gross...nothing to do with math
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/14/world-longest-fingernails_n_962851.html#s361581
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Reassesment Season is open
Applications for Reassessment (not re-takes Ms. Nguyen) are now available. To do so click on the link on the right side of the blog. Fill out the survey in detail, and I will let you know if your application has been accepted. You may only reassess one learning target per day. You must be ready to provide hard evidence of effort to master the materia.
Blog Post 2F
Provide a mathematical (not commonsense) argument for why dividing by zero is undefined.
Blog Post 2E - Questions
Post questions for each other. Either about how to do something we are studying in class, or just something interesting.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Post 2D - Sound as Math
Watch this interesting video about how we hear, how it is related to math, fractions, and pythagoras. This is pretty cool stuff guys.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Blog Post 2C - US Debt
US Debt
The unfunded us debt is approximately 114.5 trillion dollars. This would take spending $1,000,000 per day since _________________ until today (9/9/11). Assume there are 365 days in a year. If you don't feel like solving this problem, post a guess and let's see how close we get. I will post a video later on in the week that will help us visualize this.
The unfunded us debt is approximately 114.5 trillion dollars. This would take spending $1,000,000 per day since _________________ until today (9/9/11). Assume there are 365 days in a year. If you don't feel like solving this problem, post a guess and let's see how close we get. I will post a video later on in the week that will help us visualize this.
Blog Post 2B - mmmm...soda....
Which Glass has more of the original soda?
Be precise and specific. Use mathematics or detailed reasoning to justify your answer.
Be precise and specific. Use mathematics or detailed reasoning to justify your answer.
[WCYDWT] Coke v. Sprite from Dan Meyer on Vimeo.
Blog Post 2A - Silly Stacy
what is silly about this picture. Be specific and mathematically precise. 
Thursday 9/8 and Friday 9/9
Thursday we took an assessment on properties of graphs including domain and range, increasing and decreasing intervals, extrema (max and min), end behavior, and zeros.
Friday we developed ideas for what a blog post should look like and how it will be assessed. I will post this later.
We then discussed even and odd functions. The notes are below
Odd- Even Functions
Friday we developed ideas for what a blog post should look like and how it will be assessed. I will post this later.
We then discussed even and odd functions. The notes are below
Odd- Even Functions
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday 9/6 and Wednesday 9/7
On Monday and Tuesday we completed a station activity that asked you to determine different properties of different graphs including domain and range, increasing and decreasing intervals, local max and min, absolute max and min, zeros, and end behavior. At the end of class we took an assessment on domain and range. Some of you will need to come in for help on domain and range. Tonights homework is posted below.
Whatever
Whatever
Friday, September 2, 2011
DIRECTIONS IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE COMMENTING
People without google accounts are having trouble posting comments. I have given temporary permission for people to comment if they are not logged in. So if you need to make your comment, please type your comment, select "Name/URL" and just type in your first name and then last initial. My name is Daniel Frank so I would be "Daniel. F" and leave the "URL" blank. It will work for now.
Thanks
Thanks
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
An Example of what I want you to do for HW by Friday
Hey Everybody,
My name is Daniel F. I am your teacher. I have been teaching for 6 years, and this is my second year at Springbrook. I am married and have a 1.5 year old daughter named Samantha.
I am running my first Marathon in October. I will let you know how it goes.
I like to mountain bike, road bike, hike, camp, and do almost anything outside. I am a volunteer coach on the wrestling team here. I also enjoy solving puzzles and thinking. Most of all I enjoy being a teacher and spending time with driven young people.
Ok.. Your turn!
My name is Daniel F. I am your teacher. I have been teaching for 6 years, and this is my second year at Springbrook. I am married and have a 1.5 year old daughter named Samantha.
I am running my first Marathon in October. I will let you know how it goes.
I like to mountain bike, road bike, hike, camp, and do almost anything outside. I am a volunteer coach on the wrestling team here. I also enjoy solving puzzles and thinking. Most of all I enjoy being a teacher and spending time with driven young people.
Ok.. Your turn!
First Day!
Today we stacked cups to the top of Mr. Frank's head. In groups, you guessed how many cups it took to reach the top of my head. Then, you were given three cups and asked to calculate how many cups it took. Once you asked for me actual height, you calculated how many cups it took to reach my head. The answers were mostly within 3 - 5 cups of the answer. We then asked three questions
1. How tall would a stack of 100 cups be?
2. How tall would a stack of 14323 cups be?
3. What is the quickest way to do this?
We only used slides #1 - 7
1. How tall would a stack of 100 cups be?
2. How tall would a stack of 14323 cups be?
3. What is the quickest way to do this?
We only used slides #1 - 7
Stacking cups
View more presentations from frankdan.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Welcome to Mr. Franks Precalculus Blog!
Hi everybody,
This will be our place of discussion out of class. This is the first time I am trying this.. so there may be some bumps in the road but hopefully things will run smoothly. Please use this as a resource to ask each other questions, to get make up work, to post interesting things you find, answer others questions, or just share something cool/funny.
Thanks!
Mr. Frank
Oh Check out this sweet video. We will study pendulums later in the year!
This will be our place of discussion out of class. This is the first time I am trying this.. so there may be some bumps in the road but hopefully things will run smoothly. Please use this as a resource to ask each other questions, to get make up work, to post interesting things you find, answer others questions, or just share something cool/funny.
Thanks!
Mr. Frank
Oh Check out this sweet video. We will study pendulums later in the year!
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