Back to the Blog!

Hi guys! Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. Today we graded binders. If you don't like your binder grade, see me and I can help you learn how to get a better grade, About ten people came in afterschool today to fix their grades. Good job! Then we took some notes on 2 dimensional geometry. We learned about points (0 dimensions), lines, line segments, and rays ( 1 dimension) and we began to talk about 2 dimensional figures. We learned that polygons are closed figures made of line segments. Tomorrow we'll learn much more about these things. Homework tonight is to define the first five words in the Words to Know on page 384.

Have fun!
Ms V

Simple interest

Wow! Today we had five problems which seem to take a looooong time. We learned Simple interest today. The formula is I=Prt, where I = interest, P= principal, r=rate, and t=time (expressed in years).

So here's a sample:

$425 at 5% for 10 years
I= 425*.05*10
I= 21.25*10
I= 212.50

or here's a harder one:

$1000 at 12.8% for 9 months
I= 1000*.128* .75 (which is 9 months out of 12)
I= 12.8*.75
I= $9.60

You only have five problems to do on the worksheet. Make sure you show your multiplying work- you can use a calculator to check it if you want.

Have a great night!
Ms V

Percent of change

Today we worked on finding the percent of change. The formula is change/ original= %/ 100.

So if we have the following:
Original= 10
After =2

we would set up the following proportion:

8/10 = x/100
Solving would show that 800= 10x
Divide both sides by 10 to get 80 = x

And that's that. It's really pretty simple. Just remember that the top number is found by subtracting. It's not in the problem at all.

Homework is p. 363 (6-11) and finish the project 2B which is due tomorrow.

Thanks
Ms V

Project 2B

Today was project work day. We are working on Project 2B- due on Thursday. There are parts to this assignment.
1) Cover- a picture of what you are selling
2) Inside:
page 1) Wholesale + markup = retail price
page 2) Retail price - discount = Sale price
page 3) Sale price + sales tax = Final price
page 4) Commission.

Work neatly, and in an organized way! Tomorrow would be the day to ask any questions!

Good luck!
Ms V

The tale of a price

So today we practiced how to go from a wholesale price, to a retail price (adding the markup), to a sale price (subtracting the discount), to a final price (adding the sales tax). We also practiced finding the commission from the final price.

So- example. We are selling a monkey. We bought it for $200 (wholesale). We mark it up 20%.
20/100=x/200
100x=20x200
100x=4000
100 100
x=40

200+40=240 (retail price)

discount is 10%.
10/100=x/240
100x=240x10
100x=2400
100 100
x=24

240-24=216 (sale price)

sales tax is 8.25 %
8.25/100= x/216
100x= 8.25x216
100x=1782
100 100
x=17.82

216+17.82=233.82 (final cost).


Our salesperson earns a 12% commission.

12/100=x/233.82
100x=12x233.82
100x=2805.84
100 100
x=28.05

Our salesperson earns 28.05.

Tonight all you have to do is decorate the front of your project 2B. Come in tomorrow ready to do the math!

Ms V

Applications of percents

Today we talked about the many applications of percents including tax, tip, commissions, markups and discounts, amongst others. We learned how to find the amount of discount and the amount of markup.

So here goes: Amanda buys a buffalo marked $40. It is on sale for 20% off. How much does she pay?

So x/40=20/100. In other words, what is 20% of 40.
100x=40*20
100x=800
x=8

Now, don't forget the part where we subtract the amount of discount ($8) from the original price ($40). 40-8= 32, so she paid $32 for her buffalo.

The other kind of problem is the one in which they give you the sale price.
Bobo bought an enchilada on sale for $5. It was marked down 10%. What was the original price?

In this case, we have to subtract 10% from 100%, since he is paying 90% of the original price.

So 5/x=90/100
90x=500
x= 5.56 (rounded up from 5.57)

All right, guys. Do your best and be ready to come in and ask questions tomorrow.

Thanks
Ms V

Percent proportions

Today we learned about percent proportions. We used color coding to identify is/ of= %/ 100. Solve with a proportion.

Homework tonight is Percent proportion worksheet. Do at least half of them. In some classes, we split it by boys and girls, in others it was choose any ten. As long as you end up with half the problems done, you're good. Do the work on binder paper, use your colors, and show your work.

Off to math lab!
MS V

More on person-days

So today we took more notes on this whole person-day thing. Here we go:

If you are given people and days, multiply to find person-days.

If you are given person-days, and people (or days), divide to find days (or people)

If you are given people and days, and asked to find people and days, you must first multiply to find person-days, and then divide to get your answer.

We practiced a bunch in class, so you should have no trouble (if you were listening).

Homework: Period 1 is a day behind, so they are doing p. 702 (2-20 even)
Period 2 is catching up, so they are doing p. 702 (2-20 even) AND creating and solving 2 person-day problems,
Periods 3, 5, and 6 have to create and solve three person-day problems.

Best of luck, my little chickadees.

Arrivederci!
Ms V.

Tonight's homework

Oops! I forgot to include the homework: p. 702 (1-20 even). and get your success sheet signed if you didn't. And work on Project 1, which is due on Friday!

Periods 1 and 2, you're a day behind because of the assemblies, so you are working on Project 1, which is due on Monday for you guys.

Hasta la vista!
Ms V

Person- days, squirrel-seconds, and raccoon- minutes

Today we learned about person-days. A person-day is the amount of work a person can do in a day. (1 person x 1 day= 1 person-day). We can do all kinds of fun math word problems with this info. For example, if it takes 8 monsters three weeks to scare 96 children, how many monsters can scare 96 children in 2 weeks? First, we multiply 8 monsters by 3 weeks to determine that it takes 24 monster-weeks to scare 96 children (we multiply, because we are going from monster and weeks to monster-weeks). Then we divide that 24 monster-weeks by 2 weeks and find that it will take us 12 monsters.

8 monsters x 3 weeks= 24 monster-weeks. 24 monster-weeks / 2 weeks= 12 monsters.

Don't worry if it's not 100% clear yet. We'll keep working on this for a while.

Ciao!
Ms V

More proportions.

Today we practiced proportions on the white boards. Hopefully you're all feeling pretty confident with the butterlies. Tonight you need to do 5-3 Problem Solving Practice.

Sorry it's brief- I'm in staff meeting!

See you all tomorrow!

Ms V

Proportions and word problems

Today we spent time practicing word problems, using proportions. If Bob mows three lawns in five hours... That kind of thing.

Easy day in class and the homework is even easier. 4-1 Word Problem Practice (it's a yellow worksheet with 8 problems!)

Thanks
Ms V

Proportion portion, what's your portion?

Hey guys! Today we took notes on Proportions (two equal ratios). We used the property of cross products to find out if two ratios were equal. In addition, we used it to find the missing number. We used the butterfly of cross multplication to help remember what to do. It was a quick and easy lesson! Cross multiply, and then divide by the coefficient to find the answer.

Homework varies by class:
Period 1 does Wksht5-3 Practice (1-12) and 5-3 Puzzles (on the back)
Periods 2,3, and 6 do Wksht 5-3 (1-16 even) and 5-3 Puzzles (all for extra credit)
Period 5 Wksht 5-3 Practice (1-12) and 5-3 Puzzles for extra credit.

Have a beautiful weekend. Gung Hay Fat Choi! (and Chuc Mung Nam Moi- but I know it needs accents)

Ms V

If at first you don't succeed...

So today we learned how to switch units, again. It was clear that yesterday wasn't enough for most of you, so we did it again today. And I would say that by the end of the period, I felt like most of you were there or at least a lot closer. Remember that you're not supposed to be perfect. If you could do everything perfectly, what would be the point of coming to class? Also, it's the beginning of the semester, so please take advantage of being able to do redos and keep that grade high!

Tonight's homework: p. 331 (9-18) and Wksht 6-1 (last night's work) (13 and 17)

Hope it goes better tonight. I'll be at school doing 5th grade recruitment:o)

Ms V

Jumping in with both feet

Hey guys- today was a busy busy day. We finished up everything from Semester 1 and we jumped right back in for semester 2. Today we started talking about rates and ratios. Most of it is very simple. A ratio is a comparison of two quantities by division. A rate is a comparison of two quantities with unlike units (miles/ hour) The hard part is when we have to switch units.

For example, 18 minutes/ 2 gallons to hours/ quarts.

18 minutes times 1 hour times 1 gallon
2 gallons 60 minutes 4 quarts

You can cancel minutes with minutes and gallons with gallons, leaving 18/2 x 1 hour/ 60 x 1/ 4 quarts. Multiply across the top to get 18x1x1= 18 hours. Across the bottom we have 2 x 60 x 4 qts= 480 quarts. So 18 hours/ 480 quarts, which can simplify to 3 hours/ 80 quarts.

We'll go over this in class tomorrow, so no sweat if you didn't get it the first time!

Homework is 6-1 worksheet.

DOn't spend forever on it- do what you can in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks
Ms V

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

To stay, I hope! I apologize to you all for my extended absence! My kiddos have been very sick and are hopefully much better.

Today we spent the day preparing for the Benchmark. Benchmark #3 is tomorrow, like it or not. We checked over the Practice Problems, labeled the ones we missed with which notes they pertained to, and redid the missed problems. I can't encourage you enough to study study study. I want everyone to improve their performance from last benchmark. You guys can do it! Study!

Tonight's homework is to finish the practice problems (labeling and redoing) and to complete HW 65: The BM3 Review Sheet (it's a lovely shade of blue.)

Get enough sleep, eat a good breakfast, and come in ready to rock! I have every faith in you.

Good night!
Ms V

Combining exponents

So- today we learned about combining exponents. Basic rules: When you MULTIPLY two or more terms with the SAME BASE, ADD the exponents. When you DIVIDE two terms with the SAME BASE, SUBTRACT the exponents. That's pretty much it. The homework tonight is p 301 (10-25). IT should be simple. Drop me an email if you are lost, and I'll be happy to help you out. And don't forget to study for the dreaded slope quiz.


Remember: there are three ways to find slope: 1) rise/ run 2) slope formula and 3) slope-intercept form. If you know those three things, when to use them, and how to use them, you should be fine as fine can be.

Sleep well!
Ms V

Welcome back!

I sure hope everyone had a faberooni winter break, and your Christmas or Hanukkah celebrations were awesome. We are now back right into the swing of things. Phew! That vacation sure wore off quickly!

So today we reviewed slope. It's really important that you don't let all that wonderful slope stuff flit out of your mind now that we've moved on. Probably 50% or more of the benchmark is slope and linear equations. Please study your notes on slope and linear equations and inequalities.

And now, the new stuff. Today we learned about negative exponents. We talked about things that are intuitive (creating your Mii) versus things that are counterintuitive (negative exponents.) Even though you really really want a negative exponent to be a negative number, it's not. A negative exponent is really another way to write a fraction. Figure out what the base is, move the base to the bottom of the fraction, change the negative exponent to a positive exponent and put a one on top. If you have a coefficient, put that on the top instead. Use your notes as you work through the homework. It will all make sense if you practice, I promise.

And get some sleep tonight!

:o)
Ms V