Saturday, December 26, 2009

ALL CLASSES: MindBites - Math How-To Videos

Search through these videos

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Precalculus: Roots of Polynomials


Click on title for full document summarizing all concepts. 

(From Mr. James Jones, Professor of Mathematics at Richland Community College, Decatur, IL)

 

Suggested Attack to Finding Zeros of a Polynomial

  1. Identify the total number of real or complex zeros (corollary to Fundamental Theorem of Algebra).
  2. Identify the possible number of positive, negative, and complex zeros (Descartes' Rule of Signs).
  3. List the possible rational zeros (Rational Root Theorem)
  4. Try possible rational zeros until you find one that works. After each division by a positive value, check for possible upper bounds. After each division by a negative value, check for possible lower bounds (Upper and Lower Bound Theorems)
  5. After you find a possible rational root that actually works, take the quotient and continue to try to factor it until it is down to a quadratic or less. Once it is a quadratic or less, there are other ways to solve it.
  6. Write the linear and or linear / irreducible quadratic factorization (next section)

Really Important (and frustrating if you forget)!

Once you have found a zero using synthetic division, use the quotient as a new polynomial for all further divisions. The quotient will be one less degree than the original dividend. Each time you find a root, the quotient becomes one less in degree. Eventually, it will become a quadratic, and then you can factor, extract roots, complete the square, or use the quadratic equation to find the remaining roots.
If you continue to use the original function, you will become very frustrated and waste a lot of time.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Algebra 2 Honors Site for Your Help

Click on the title to visit "The Math Page" for further details on topics discussed in class.  We are now covering topic 37.  Link also included in Helpful Links to the right.

Precalculus Site for Your Help

Click on the title to visit "The Math Page" for further details on topics discussed in class.  We are now covering topics 10 through 14.  Link also included in Helpful Links to the right.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Precalculus Help on Asymptotes

Click on title for help with all asymptotes.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Precalculus: Continuity of a function at a point.

Click on the image (text below) for an enlarged view.


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Precalculus: Limits and Continuity

Click on the title for access to the videos shown in class.

I suggest you watch Lessons 1 through 5 with focus on Lessons 1, 2 and 5.


On your index card write the types of discontinuities with corresponding graphs.  Also write one-sided and general limit notation.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

All Classes: Video on Absolute Value

Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities. From iTunes. Click on the title.

Precalculus Videos on Transformations (Part 2)

From iTunes. Click on the title.

Precalculus Videos on Transformations (Part 1)

From iTunes. Click on the title.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Precalculus/Algebra 2: Important Message on "Algebra Skills"

Click on the title to download the Adobe pdf document with problems reviewing essential skills required for Precalculus.

Precalculus: I will assume you already master these skills; you will be required to use them! Remember, this is an honors class and you must do your part to keep up with the pace. As always, I am available during tutoring hours to assist you.

Algebra 2 Honors: Many of these topics also apply to you, come see me and ask me which ones.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Precalculus: Interval Notation And Piecewise Functions Practice

Precalculus, I changed my mind! I will count this as a graded assignment. Yes, like a quiz grade. Therefore, all work must be clearly identified, labeled, and complete. I will grade for correctness! Still, you can come to me with questions. Thursday's in class assessment will be closed notes. This graded assignment is due that same day.

Click on the title to download the Adobe pdf document for further practice prior to next week's remedial assessment.


Friday, September 11, 2009

FULL FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS

QuestBridges National College Match scholarship.  Application is free of charge and due September 30, 2009

www.questbridge.org

Friday, August 28, 2009

Welcome Back!

The new school year 2009-2010 is here and we are going to make it the best so far. I look forward to helping you grow as individuals and as math students while having much fun as we much work.

Mr. Perez (Room U-212)

Period 1 Precalculus
Period 2 Precalculus
Period 3 Precalculus
Period 4 Planning
Period 5 Algebra 2 Honors
Period 6 Algebra 2 Honors

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Precalculus and Algebra (New)

Click on Title for awesome resources for both classes. Select "Precalculus Review" or "Algebra."

Monday, August 24, 2009

When am I ever going to use this? For real?!

Click on the title to access the amazing interviews from +plus magazine:

The career interviews explore the wide range of careers open to people with a degree in maths or related sciences — and quite a few of them have ended up in the arts.
Most articles are accompanied by a podcast
.

"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus"

Just Math Tutoring

Scroll down after selecting link for tons of VIDEOS covering all topics for all classes!

Calculus For Beginnners

Click on title.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

AMC Student Practice Questions

For those students participating in the American Mathematics Competitions you may download the pdf version of AMC 10 Student Practice Questions by clicking on the title above.