Sunday, September 30, 2012

Thinking Left to Right

A key theme to wrap up Chapter 1 and transition into Chapter 2 (Function Graphing) will be
“Thinking Left to Right”
Just like in English class where we read sentences left to right, in mathematics, we read our graphs left to right and analyze the behavior of a function.  As I read a graph left to right: are my outputs increasing, decreasing, or staying constant?  

We also want to identify any key features on a graph.  Key features may include: any points where the rates of change...change.  Usually, we also want to identify important points like what is happening when the input is zero or basically any points that help us analze the graph.
This will make more sense after we review some of the 1.7 problems on Monday.  But before that, go to my website and take a look at how some of the class work and solutions look compared to yours.  This solutions are posted in the Chapter 1 resource folder. 
Don’t forget -  You should routinely be developing 3 good habits to help yourself learn:
(1)  Attempting and completing all assigned problems daily before the next class
(2) Checking solutions with your classmates and on my website at http://www.mpsri.net/page.cfm?p=1567 (or get there through the MHS website); and
(3) Revising any problems you did not previously understand (use pen if you original was in pencil) after you have seen more sample solutions and talked with your classmates.  Use your resources! 

When I collect and check homeworks, it would be great to see some misunderstanding initially but then evidence that you learned after your first attempt.  That is part of learning!