Some New Videos

There are certain topics that really interest me when teaching different math classes.  Recently my Algebra 2 class was working on some absolute value equations and inequalities and I made a couple of videos on the topic.  I thoroughly enjoy teaching the students this topic. The first video explains how to turn an absolute value equation into a piece-wise function:

The second and third video are a couple of examples.  The examples are $$|x+5|-|x-2|=8$$ and $$|3x-2|+2x=8.$$  There are certainly other methods for solving these problems, but creating a piece-wise function is effective and also useful when trying to graph functions of a similar nature.

Example 1

Example 2

Google Does It Again

Google has never made sense to me. It seems like such a paradoxical organization. Clearly they are generating vast amounts of revenue, but it seems like all of their best products are completely free. Adding to that list is the ability graph functions through a simple Google search. Follow the link for a demonstration (sorry for the sarcasm):

Graph of the Sine Function

You can change the scale easily and it has an extremely fine trace function. Now, they just need to design a way to find roots and points of intersection and it would be really amazing! You can also graph multiple functions at once:

Multiple Graphs

It is against my nature to think a company the size of Google could possibly be "good", but man they are generous with their technology.

Power Point Who?

I have never really been a fan of power point. I used it at times, but always felt like it should be able to do more than it did and that it should be easier make dynamic than it was. At the beginning of this school year, our head of middle school gave the staff a presentation. I was blown away. For the past four months I have been under the false impression that what she did took a lot of skill and hard work. Actually, though she utilized it well, all it really took was a web address. Prezi

Saturday, I finally took the time to look at the website, thinking it would take a big block of time like Christmas break for me to become competent using Prezi. Nope, I spent an hour playing around and learning the software. Maybe two hours later, I was able to produce the following video. IMO this is the best video I have created:



You can also view the Prezi itself:

Quadrilaterals

What do you think?

UPDATE: Looks like I can embed it as well.

To Knol or Not to Knol

I have recently forayed into a new avenue for putting my material on the web. I have decided to give Google's version of Squidoo a try. If you have not heard about it before they are referred to as "Knol". I believe in Google language Knol = Unit of Knowledge. In general, the Knol platform seems more inclined towards academics and might be a better platform for what I have been doing. Here are my first two on Geometry Proofs. I am still adding to both of them.

Knol on Angle Theorems

Knol on Example Proofs

Happy Teaching/Learning!

Two Examples of Proofs

I uploaded two more videos to YouTube today. They are both examples of how to use angle theorems to prove things. Here they are:

Four More Geometry Proofs

I completed 4 more Geometry proofs. My plan is to prove most of the theorems I go through with my Geometry class for YouTube and then I will also be adding some harder proofs as well. Tell me what you think and if there are any proofs you would like to me to add.

Alternate Interior Angle Theorem



Same-Side Interior Angle Theorem



Triangle Angle Theorem



Remote Interior Angle Theorem

New Squidoo Lenses Published

I have just finished two new Squidoo lenses. Squidoo is a pretty cool site that allows anyone to create a webpage about any topic. Check out my lenses and feel free to give it a thumbs up if you like what you see.

Writing Linear Equations

Graphing Linear Equations