Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sines_Signs_Everywhere theres Signs

Good but not great results on the 3.4_3.5 Quiz.  Not 80% above 80 but close.  I believe if everyone routinely drew a coordinate plane simple diagram we would hit 80% above 80.

The most missed problem was number 6.  You will see it tomorrow or Tuesday, but it basically involved working backwards from a Sec of 5/4 to get the Sin Value.  Everyone got the ratio correct but a little less than half of the class adjusted the Sine to have a negative "sign". 

If a diagram was drawn and the angle drawn carefully (it stated the angle was in Quadrant IV) I bet nearly everyone would have gotten full credit.

There is also a direct link between those who take time on their HW to draw the diagram for these problems and students who write answers only. Develop good habits because Trigonometry is highly visual.

One final thought.  Think of the unit circle as a round paddle wheel (like on an old ship).  If the water surface is the x-axis (y = 0).  Every sign (and csc) value will end up being negative if it under water.

We should be wrapping up chapter 3 this week but it may go a little into next week (long chapter).  Expect at least one more quiz later this week for chapter 3.  Also, I am available for help in room 225 after school on Mondays and Friday and am always in the computer lab in rm 108 until 3:00 on Thursdays.

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