Unit Exam #1 Study Guide: Real Numbers, Quadratics and Rational Expressions

Good Morning MSI Visionaries!!!

This is your study guide to prepare for Unit Exam #1. As a class you did really well on the Thanksgiving packets that count as a test grade. And I really enjoyed reading what you like most about Math B...many of you wrote that the blog is your favorite, so I figured this is the best way to get you ready for the Unit Exam.

First, here are the 3 major topics that will appear on Unit Exam #1:

1. Real Numbers - Rational AND Irrational (no imaginary)
2. Quadratics - expression or equation with highest exponent equal to 2
3. Rational Expressions - 3 Great Commandments, Operations w/RE's, Rationalizing Denominator

Next, here is a list of study tips to prepare for the Unit Exam:

1. Memorize the vocabulary from the Thanksgiving packet and make sure you can give an example for each word.
2. Look over the multiple choice section from the packet, especially questions you had incorrect. Study the MC - you may see some of the SAME EXACT questions on the exam.
3. Work out Extended Response problems you had trouble with again.
4. Read over your notes (starting from September!) and highlight important words/concepts.
5. Work out problems from old review sheets again in the hw section of your notebook.
6. Study the 10th grade blog that already has postings if you have Internet access at home: www.mathb10thgrade.blogspot.com
7. Attend Mrs. Collins' Wed. tutoring session from 4:00 - 4:45 pm in Room 404.

Finally, here are some mathematical questions you should be able to answer on the Unit Exam:

1. What is the difference between a rational and irrational number?
2. What are real numbers, natural numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers?
3. What is the difference between a linear equation and a quadratic?
4. How do you do BOX Method?
5. What should you do if a quadratic is unfactorable?
6. How do you graph a quadratic on the graphing calculator?
7. How many solutions does a quadratic equation ALWAYS have?
8. What are the 4 cases of the discriminant and what predictions do they make about roots?
9. What are 3 synonyms for the word 'root'?
10. What are the 3 GREAT COMMANDMENTS FOR RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS?
11. How do you rationalize a denominator?
12. What does a quadratic equation always look like graphically?
13. What button on the graphing calculator tells you the x and y values?
14. What are the special cases of the BOX Method?
15. What are the graphical solutions to a quadratic equation?


Now, your lab assignment is to post comments and write back to me once you have read everything. You need to do 2 things: (1) Tell me how you are going to study for the Unit Exam (be VERY specific and very HONEST) and (2) Answer 3 of the questions that appear in the list above.

Happy Blogging!

Mrs. Collins

Posting a Word document on our 9th Grade Math B Blog

Once you have included all the bullet points above it is time for you to publish your project. Make sure you have checked over your group’s work and that there are NO math or spelling mistakes. Only 1 team member is posting your group’s project. To post your text on our Math B Blog, follow these steps:

1. Highlight your document text, excluding pictures and tables, and click ‘Copy’
2. Open up an Internet Explorer window and type the following:
www.blogger.com
3. Type in the Username and Password that you set up before (see front)
4. If you did this correctly, you should now be looking at the ‘Dashboard’. Click on the green cross that says ‘New Post’.
5. For the ‘Title’, type in the name of the math topic for your group (examples: Solving Linear Equations, Venn Diagram Comparing Rationals and Irrationals, etc.)
6. ‘Paste’ the work you copied before into the body of the ‘Posting’ window
7. Some words and numbers may not look right! Edit them right in that window.
8. If everything looks good, click the ‘Publish Post’ button. You should view the blog and make sure your work appears in the right format.