Welcome back to my Blog!!!  Ready to practice for next week’s test? 

The first part of the test has you classify numbers.  Try to remember our boxes and the video about how numbers were “invented”.  Remember that numbers in smaller boxes also fit into the larger boxes.  For example, that natural numbers are also whole, integers, and rational numbers. 

The second part of the test has you place numbers on a number line.  It helps to start at zero.  Then place your positive numbers in order from left to right, least to greatest.  You will do the opposite with the negative numbers.  Put them on right to left…least to greatest.  The number line ought to show opposite numbers across from each other. 

The last part of the test you will use your 5 integer rules to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. 

Rule 1:  To add same signs, just add.

Rule 2:  To add different signs, subtract.

Rule 3:  To subtract, change the 2 inside signs and then “add”.

Rule 4: To multiply or divide, same signs will be a positive answer.

Rule 5:  To multiply or divide different signs will be a negative answer. 

Also, try to remember our integer poems!!!

Now go over to the blogroll and play the Integer Games on XPMath.  Most of them are on page 4 of the Number Operations section.  I liked the space ship comparison game!  I also found that if my left hand played the negative and enter signs on the keyboard…and my right hand used the number pad…I could get a higher score!!!   Good luck!!!!

May the Math Force Be with you!!!!!     

Mathlady :)

The Integer Poem, by Princess Zerkel

Addition is a simple thing when the sign’s the same

    Just add the two together; it’s really just a game.

    But when the signs are different it can be quite a pain.

    Subtract the two; that’s what you do.

    The biggest one’s the name!

 

   Subtraction is the opposite of everything you know.

   But change the signs inside of it and you will have no woe.

   Opposite and opposite, that’s the way to go.

   Opposite and opposite and you will have no woe!

  

    If you need to multiply or if you must divide

   The process is an easy one and this I will confide

   Same signs make a positive on that you can rely

   Diff’rent signs make negative I cannot tell a lie!

On Thursday we will have our Unit 1 test. Remember that the criteria are: exponents, products of factors, evaluating, commutative property, assoiative property, distributive property, identity properties, inverse properties, order of operations,expanded notation, expanded exponential notation, standard numbers, scientific notation, and problem solving.

 I have posted some games on the blogs. Your task is to play these games and complete the written reviews this week so that you are confident by Thursday.

Use the Former Text Animated Games for Chapter 1: powers, selecting operations, and problem solving

Use Book 2 Chapter 1: 1-1 Problem Solving, 1-2 Properties, 1-4 Order of Operations, and 1-5 Problem Solving.  The self-check quizzes are good and the personal tutor could be helpful.

Use Book 3 Chapter 2: Lesson 10 for scientific notation.  We are only doing the large numbers with positive powers.

And also play the other games listed!  Some make a bit of noise…so bear with each other and let’s have a good time learning! 

If you have questions, first refer to your ICE book or your textbook. If that doesn’t work, then let me know. Stay after school and get personalized help! No need to be lost for this test. Have a good time with the games! Leave me a comment :)

Mathlady

Our royal highness from the planet Zercon arrived this week!  Her loveliness shared her 3 fingered hands and a new way of counting.  Many things that we use are counted in different bases.  Our internet system runs on a wonderful mix of bases that begin with base 2.  The princess introduced us to Base 6. 

Bases simply represent ways of grouping as we count.  Centuries ago people probably used their fingers to group as they count.  As the “beans” were lined up near their fingers, they found a short-cut way of expressing both handfuls of beans with nothing left over.  10 means both hands with no fingers left over.  Therefore, in a six-fingered world, you would count 1,2,3,4,5,  and then 10 (think one-zero)…which means both hands with no fingers left over.

We have also discussed the difference between a NUMBER- an amount of something, and a DIGIT- a symbol that represents an amount.  Just as different languages have different words for a number ( two= dos), different bases can use different digits for a number. 

Check out the section to the  lower right to find links to websites that will discuss bases.  Why do this????  Mathlady’s intent is to have students rethink the process of place value in a fun new way.  We also have many careers…well-paying careers I might add…that do work in other bases! 

So live long and proper fellow Zerkonians!!! May the Math Force Be With You.

Mathlady

XP Math has some fun games under the measurement category.  Try the helicopter and the alien spaceship angle games!  I hit 29 on them today.  Then look under geometry and play the coordinate grid game.  There you have an avitar that seeks out the strange creatures on the grid.  Free games with learning at the same time and sound effects that brought the teachers in from the other room!  And…don’t forget chopper math under numbers and operations.  Wow!  Our new computers make it fly fast!  

Thought you might enjoy just a chance to mess around with some mathematical oddities.  Try the paper airplane throw link and see how far you can throw.  The hard part is getting out the window!   Then, head to the drawing site.  Draw whatever you want, then press spin.  Have a great week! 

Mathlady (aka Princess Zerkel)

PS.  You can post comments right under this section now.  The one below is really large, so you might want to get back to the top again!!!  Look for the “comments” button and you can just talk here.  Hasta mijas e mijos!