Math 1512 How do I solve that? Post #3

I was always so terrified of geometry.  I really thought about why--until this course.  The reason I disliked geometry was because I was afraid of forgetting formulas. 

Whenever my teachers prepped us for state testing, they told us that the formulas wouldn't be on the test.  Similarly, when we had chapter tests, the formulas were nowhere to be found. 

What is my point?  This only brings me back full circle to my last post!  Instead of being shown the real-world application of these formulas, I was worried sick about memorizing the formula for finding the volume of a cylinder. 

I've linked these nifty websites featuring the Area of Shapes as well as the Surface Area of 3D Figures.  They helped me with my homework for this class.  Instead of rummaging through the book for my homework problems, I was able to have these up in another window. I'm not going to lie!  At first glance, when I was asked to find the volume of an ice cream cone, I thought "Oh crap no!"  After I realized it was simply a half sphere and a cone I was able to refer back to my handy websites and compute the answer rather quickly.  I hope my students see the image as a half sphere and a cone...and not an ice cream cone.

These sites would assist me during a direct instruction or classroom discussion activity.  We would have these sites to quickly refer to.  I also think it's appropriate to have posters  with the formulas for surface area and volume posted in the classroom.  I don't care if my students can/can't memorize the formulas.  I just want them to be able to apply them. 

I thought this would be a fun way to find perimeter and area.  This is a video about using Google Earth to find the perimeter and area of various things.  I think it would be fun because they could find the area of their house or neighborhood and then compare it to larger things such as the Mall of America or Target Field.  Google Earth is so much fun and could be used for so many different activities!

Things that make me say...Hmmm! Math 1510 Post #2

I've decided to take a new theme on for my blog...at least for this week anyway.  I'm coming across more and more things that I haven't ever heard of as we continue our journey through the textbook.  I think it's important to point these things out because if I haven't heard of these concepts, perhaps you haven't either!  There were so many concepts in the last two weeks that were completely new to me.  For example, I successfully completed pre-calculus without a taste of the Euclidean Algorithm.

At first, I ignored the tool and played with the numbers on my calculator.  I let it pass by in hopes of never seeing that God forsaken algorithm again.  Quite frankly, I was afraid of it.  That was until I needed to find the greatest common factor of said large number, 432.  I thought, "Well, I could play with my calculator, or I could look at that stupid very helpful algorithm."  I cracked open the book and checked it out.  Here is a video on how to use this crafty method to find the greatest common factor of 123.



I hope you found that helpful! It was clear as mud until I watched the video.  I think some of these methods would be used more often if they were explained to our students better!  I'm not a fan of formulas--because my math teachers shoved them down my made me memorize them and never showed me how to apply them!  Let's show our students how to apply these formulas so that they can have more time to do other things...like play outside in this beautiful weather!

Math 1512: Post #1: Formula Freak?

With my almost two-year-old son on my lap and my newborn daughter in her bouncy seat on the floor next to my feet, the math saga continues.  This second week has given me a boost of confidence.  I comprehended everything in this week's chapter.  I'm not a hardcore Celine Dion fan, but in her words, "It's all coming back to me now." 
With that being said, I love formulas!  Maybe I always have enjoyed formulas, or maybe it's just my Type A personality.  I like to have one way to do things...the RIGHT way.  Formulas help my solidify my stubbornness.  The most refreshing concept from this week was standard deviation.  After completing a few problems, I felt like I was in high school again and hadn't missed a beat. 
Here is a video about standard deviation.  Standard Deviation in Plain English
I cruised through the interest questions as that is what my life is being consumed by at the current moment.  My husband and I have been trying to figure out which things we should put more money toward based on interest rates.  We were lucky enough to finance our new home at 4.75%.  However, upon further examination, this will cost a lot of money!  (126,500 * 0.475%) * 30 years= $180,262 in interest.  Ouuuuch!  I think I'll be paying that one off early!