Some Probability

Today we went over some probability questions, and I understood them for the most part. I really have to do some review on the conics stuff, I'm still not too great at that stuff. Also, I need to get caught up on my accel. math this week and over Christmas! I'm really thankful out test isn't tomorrow, I really need to learn the Conics stuff.

Oh dear.

We got our tests back today, and I'm not too terribly happy with how I did. I'm tired of doing not well, and I tend to always feel like I know more than I actually do... Just need to do more practice I guess. I'm not ready for the test on Wednesday so I really need to do a lot of work tonight and tomorrow.

Homework yes or homework no?

We just finished reading an article about a family that signed some sort of contract with their childrens school that says their kids will no longer be assigned homework, but will be only marked on the work they do in class. The parents say the homework was just 'busy work'.

I strongly feel that having homework IS imporant in classes such as math because there are formulas you need to know how to use and when to use. In the cases of math and sciences, I think that a certain amount of homework should be assigned that MUST be done by all students, maybe even just 5 or so specific questions just so students will remember what went down during the day and to double check whether or not they really get it, but then have the option to do more practice if they need it.


Doing homework for the sake or homework is not something I agree with. I believe there has to be a balance especially at the age that those children are at, but as for high school I think it's necessary. For people like me who are not natural at subjects such as math, NEED homework. It's not simple and for me to do half decent, I need to know my stuff which means I need to do homework. I can't just sit back for the class and listen and know exactly how to do everything, I need practice time and since class isn't long enough homework is very necessary.

This is a tough questions since everyone learns differently; I believe some kids don't necessatily need homework and some do. I know that teachers do want the best for their students and want them all to succeed. Our teachers know what's best for us so as long as they give their students what they need practice with but not over do it, and remember we have other tough subjects on our plates also, I think that'll work out just fine.

And really, when you look at the bigger picture homework (although it can be a pain) is helping us all out in the long run. It's preparing us all for university or jobs that require us to bring work home. I don't think a homeworkless world is the answer, I think a balance of working hard in class and reviewing the necessary amount of time at home is.

Logarithmic Word Problems

We did word problems today using the log laws and learned some new formulas... I'm really glad the test isn't until next, next Wednesday because I need to do way way more practice on this stuff.

Change of Base and Exponential Equations

I understand the change of base theorem for the most part, but putting all the log rules together still stumps me. Clearly I need to do more practice with this stuff.

I honestly don't know how the class could be taught more 'interestingly' and still learn everything we need to know. By the end of the day is it super hard to stay motivated and listening, but the random jokes, inserted photos, and other made up words and such really do help me stay engaged. It's like a short breakish time where my over-filled mind can take a rest, but not long enough where I forget everything I've learned.

Logarithmic Functions

Today we were given some formulas in order to solve log. functions. Also, Mr. Maks told us that Logarithms are the same as Exponents which is a help since things always make more sense to me when there's comparisons. I don't completely know what exactly I learned, but I'm sure doing the exercise will help me.

Exponents and Logarithms

I'm pretty pumped that the graphing part of this unit is pretty similar to the transformation stuff we have done previously, so that makes it all a bit simpler. Also, we reviewed some exponent rules and how to find the 'x' in exponential questions.. not too terrible actually.

Work Time

Today we got to work on our math and get caught up with our exercises and such.. I really appreciate these classes when I can just sit down and try to better comprehend what we're learning. I understand the earlier bit of this identity work, but the newer stuff is still pretty hard to understand for me.

Sum/Difference Trig. Identities

We got some pretty neat, complicated formulas today. I don't really understand this stuff too much, like how to change one number into 2 numbers and then put them into the equation and work it all out. But I do understand which formula to use when I'm given the 2 numbers.

More Identity Practice

We did some more practice today and I think it benefitted me; it helped me look at some things differently. We learned Extreneous Roots and how to check our work, I don't completely understand, but I'm also not completely lost. I just need to start remembering the interchangeable identities and where I can plunk them in.

More Trig. Identities!

Today we learned more about trig. identities, and to be honest, I like the idea of this stuff. I'm a huge nerd and I love working things like this out, so I'm excited to get super comfy with it. It's complicated, but I'm intrigued and excited to learn how to do this stuff! I've never been this excited about math before ever.

Trigonometric Identities

So today we learned about trig identities and how they're all connected and how each one can have more than one possible way of getting the answer . That really confuses me. I do kind of understand how there are different ways of getting the answers and why, but it's not all clicked together quite yet.

What is A Trig Identity?

• Equations, Equalilties, Same sames - just different versions
• They work for any value to any variable
• Always work no matter what inputs are

Test!

I was sick yesterday, so I took my test this morning. I actually feel it went pretty well, but sometimes I'm slapped in the face with a terrible mark when I think that, so I'm not totally sure what to expect. We shall see.

Test Tomorrow

Today we got our tests back from last week and we also have our test tomorrow... I have some review to do tonight and I am quite nervous. I'm hoping for a pass!!

Absolute Value Functions

Today we learned about piece-wise functions and how functions can have seperate pieces and each follow diferent rules. For absolute values, you bounce the negative values up on top of the x-axis to make them positive. I'm not too happy I missed math for soccer yesterday, but I'm thankful it's a long weekend coming up so hopefully I'll get some stuff done. Homework check tomorrow up to Exercise 10.

Reflections, One to one, Evens and Odds

Reflections: How functions flip across the x-axis and y-axis. We were showed how to make table of values for this stuff and graph them

One to one functions: These functions have inverse functions. They PASS the horizontal line test

Even vs. Odd functions: If f(-x)= -f(x)ODD
If they do NOT equal then NEITHER
If f(-x)= f(x) EVEN

This stuff is not sticking, practice time.

Transformations

Today we learned about transformations: verticle and horizontal stretches and compressions.
Although I missed Friday for soccer, I feel like I actually kind of understand this stuff.

Tying up the loose ends before Test

Today, we went over some graphing and other things that we're going to need to know for the test on Thursday. I've got some reviewing and studying to do since we aren't able to take in our unit circles or graphs.

Sub.

We had a sub today and I got quite a bit of my Accelerated Math done. Some of it was nice to do, and some Stephen helped me with. This stuff is still pretty complicated to me.

Exercise 6 "without a clue"

Today we graphed more and I'm starting to understand what I've been learning since like grade 10. I never really understood what undefined was, just that it was any number divided by 0, I never really understood how it meant it went on forever and ever... and now I do. Better late than never I guess.

Solving trig. equations over real numbers

This stuff gives me a stomach ache; I understand that k=all integers and the revolutions and stuff but I'm still not too confident with it at all. We also got a practice test which will help.

Examples

Today we went over some more examples of Trig equations, some of it makes sense and some of it still doesn't... I'm happy we went over how to actually use the graphing calculator, that should really come in handy. I still have yet to fall madly in love with trig.

Review and Such

Today we were to solve a trig. question from an old provincial exam. I think this was a really good idea for extra practice before our test coming up. I NEED to review the unit circle way more and get that thing memorized. Still over my head at this point, but I can't wait for the day it becomes boring and way simple.

Solving Trig. Equations

I was away on Friday, so today's class really benefitted me since we kind of just went over what the class learned on Friday. I figured out the chart and what we went over today is starting to click... I haven't looked at the questions assigned yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out from all the examples. Some of this stuff is kind of actually starting to click and I'm way pumped about all the online places we can go to look for extra examples and explinations. The unit circle is slowly making more sense to me every class.

6 Trig and Unit Circle

Today Mr. Maks reviewed the 6 trig functions and how to find them in an actual 'word problem' type question which was way beneficial for me. I just need to work on knowing them better without needing to think as long and hard. It's beginning to click, and I'm unfortunately missing class tomorrow which blows since I won't be able to see more examples and reinforce everything. But I'll bring my little unit circle along and hopefully get a couple glances at it and start memorizing that. We're also assigned to make a chart about the angle measures and trig functions; I already know it's going to make me think, so I'll hopefully be able to figure that all out!
I was feeling overloaded and scared today, but at the end of class when Mr. Maks was talking to a group of us about some of the stuff it was really encouraging and just hearing it all once again helped drill it into my brain which is what I need with this stuff right now.

Unit Circle

Today we learned more about the lovely unit circle. Mr. Maks helped us draw out our own which really helped me understand it a little bit more. I'm starting to kind of see the relationship between degrees and radians and how all the basics from grade 10 are kind of coming into play with this stuff. We also learned about the 6 Trig Ratios:
sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, cotangent.
No lies, I'm pretty overwhelmed at this point but I know at some point I'll look back on this blog post and tease myself because of how simple I'm sure I'll find it later on, which is slightly encouraging.

Sub

Yesterday we had a substitute and went downstairs to work on our Exercises. I thought I understood how to do this stuff until I looked at some actual questions and most of it was a bit over my head. Luckily, I was sitting by Stephen and he was able to help me out a bit so I was able to finish the majority of Exercise 1 and understood a little bit more than I did the day before.

Monday

On Monday we reviewed:

supplementary angles= 180 degrees
complimentary angles= 90 degrees

We also learned about the Unit Circle and I honestly didn't understand too terribly much about it that day.

Radians

• Almost 1/3 of pi
• Roughly 57.3 degrees
• 1 pi radian= 180 degrees
• 2 pi radians= 360 degrees

Goals

1. Go to math tutoring after school when needed- even if I'd rather just be lazy and go home
2. Not allow myself to get behind when missing class for sports etc.
3. Be willing to help others when they ask (if I'm able to)- benefits them and is a good review for me
4. Ask questions- not feel stupid or shy
5. Always try my best
6. Finish with at least a 74%