As we finish up our first math unit, I think it's important to recap what we have covered thus far and preview where we're headed. Our first unit in math had students working with patterns, numbers, and rules. The major skills required in this unit have been identifying patterns in tables and sequences. Once the pattern has been discovered, students are often required to find missing terms. A short-cut for finding missing terms in any sequence or table is discovering a rule. The rule can be applied to find the value of any term in a sequence. However, discovering the rule can often be the most challenging task. As we shift our focus to more algebraic thinking, our rules require us to use variables for the input and output of our rule. When we place an input value into our rule, it will apply the rule and give us an output. Some strategies for finding a rule easier:
List your input/output pairs in consecutive order from least to greatest
Remember that if your consecutive output values are increasing by the same amount, repeated addition is the same as multiplication. Therefore, your input must be multiplied by that amount.
Rules often have two operations applied to the input. Try many different operations until you get it right!
Another major skill we have been working on in this unit has been the application of the order of operations. While practicing the order of operations we have also been thinking about the question, "Why do we have an order of operations?". Feel free to watch the video below on order of operations if you forget the convention!
Before wrapping up this current unit, we will be learning how to apply the distributive property. Check the video below for a refresher!
Looking ahead, we will be continuing to expand our algebraic thinking by working more in depth with equations, solving inequalities, and backtracking. Equations and rules help us to model real world situations. Backtracking will be another skills we can add to our mathematical toolbox which may help us to discover certain rules. I'll leave you with one last video on inequalities!
A final reminder to all students; remember that it is very important to bring home your math binder each night. I understand you are already taking home your main binder each night, but your math binder is an essential tool to help you complete your homework each night. Your math binder has classwork with example problems to help you with your homework. It also has notes and sometimes vocabulary. Lastly, flex is an excellent time to see me for help in any topic you are having trouble with.
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