Scientific Notation

By reading the title of this post you may be asking "Well why is this post on an algebra blog?" Scientific notation is not only used in science. Scientific notation is used when trying to convert a large decimal such as 0.0000000000000298 (STANDARD FORM) into a smaller number with exponents and coefficients. Watch my video to learn more about the scientific method. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNl3-mJC_wQ&context=C31464d6ADOEgsToPDskI1n6LYRpvzCoV9cJuklRIC
I hope that this video helped you learn about scientific notation.
If you would like some extra practice, here are some problems you can write down and use.

Express in correct scientific notation:

1.  61,500
2.  0.0000568
3.  321
4.  64,960,000
5.  0.07085

Express in standard form:                 Use to check your answer 

                                                              after you have solved.

1.  1.09 x 103	Answer                     1,090
2.  4.22715 x 108	Answer                     422,715,000
3.  3.078 x 10-4	Answer                     0.0003078
4.  9.004 x 10-2	Answer                     0.09004
5.  5.1874 x 102	Answer                     518.74

 Part 1:

Express in correct scientific notation: (Answers)

                            

The Effect of Outliers on Mean & Median

Knowledge Builder:
What is an Outlier? An outlier is a piece of data that is numerically different from the others, in which case is placed outside the representation of the cumulative data.

What is Mean? Well you could basically think of mean as being another way of saying the average. Mean is taking the sum of all values in a set of data and dividing it by the total number of values.

What is Median? Median can be explained in a variety of ways: The numerical value separating the upper and lower half of a sample, in an even number of observations the median is determined by finding the mean of the two middle values. But we are gonna keep it simple and define median as the middle value in a set of values arranged in numerical order.

Lesson:
So now that we have some background knowledge on mean, median, and outliers we can move on to the bigger question. How do outliers affect the mean and median? As explained in the knowledge builder outliers are basically values that do not belong in a set of data for numerical reasons. They kind of screw with the way the data is represented.
Here is an example of an outlier in a box and whisker plot:
Mean:21
Median:25
UQ:33

LQ:23                                                                                      The outlier in this data would be 49 and is clearly marked with an astrick. 

                                                                         

= Outlier 49

Slope

Slope: Can be best described as the ratio of the "rise" divided by the "run" between two points on a line.

Rise represents the data on the Y axis. It is literally the rise of your data on a graph. The Y axis runs from north to south or up and down on a vertical line.

Run is on the X axis. This is literally the run of your data on a graph. The X axis runs from west to east or left to right on a horizontal plane.

Data: The X and Y axis contain specific data. The Y axis contains the dependent data which cannot be changed manually and depends on the data of the X axis to be changed. The X axis contains the independent data which can be changed manually to vary the data on the Y axis.

The way you graph your slope is to do run first then rise. Think of it as a runway, the plane must role and gain speed before it can rise into flight.

You can determine the slope of a line on a graph by developing a slope triangle. Now this is the opposite of graphing the slope and is also the reason for the theory of Rise over Run. You pick an even point like (5,10) and you go up from the Y intercept ten points and then over five points and that is how you determine slope.

Here is an example of a plotted slope on a graph:
Slope=rise/run
                                                Slope=4/6

Parent Teacher Conference

• Has class met your expectations? Why or why not? This class has met my expectations to the tee. Mr. Fisch is awesome, he is a great teacher and an even greater person. When Mr. Fisch explains the concepts and problems i am able to understand everything very well. Also the atmosphere is great, I think we have a great classroom chemistry and i believe everyone gets along great with one another which makes it much easier to work and focus. The class does not require much, as long as you do your assignments, give your best effort, and pay attention in class it should not be hard to get an A in this class. 
• What’s going well for you? I feel that everything is going well for me this year. I have a solid A in the class and i am understanding everything very well and I am able to remember the concepts and apply them when asked. I haven't had a grade lower than a B in the tests in Algebra and I count on keeping it that way. For example i plan on acing the Writing Linear Equations Using Point Slope Form Assessment coming up. Mr. Fisch has really helped me by sending out texts and emails reminding us as students to keep up with the lessons by watching the YouTube videos he created for each lesson and by taking the pre-assessments on Moodle to make sure we are ready for the actual assessment and as a result I am doing really well in Algebra this year.
• What’s challenging for you? I really have not found anything that has been challenging for me in this first semester so far. I have considered everything and i just cannot think of anything that has really caused me any trouble. I have been able to figure out everything from decimals, percents, fractions, and proportions to writing and graphing linear equations in all forms point slope, slope intercept, and now we are on standard form which seems a little more challenging but I am not afraid or worried I know it will be fine.
• What could I do as your teacher that would help you be more successful? In my opinion I believe as my teacher to help me become more successful you should just continue to teach the way you do know because I am doing really well right now with the way you are teaching and it is very easy for me to learn and understand the concepts and skills and then apply them. You should not change anything at all Mr. Fisch.
• What could you do as a student that would help you be more successful? As a student I could help myself become more successful by doing more practice problems and doing some of the activities on the math websites like coolmath.com or purplemath.com. Really those are the only things that I can think of that would help me become more successful as a student.
• Is there anything your parents can do to help you be more successful? I don't think there is anything that my dad can do to help me be more successful other than continuing to push me and support me and encourage me. Going of topic a little I would just like to say how much my dad has helped me and inspired me to be the person I am today. He has helped me through many things and helped me accomplish many things in life. No matter what happens between my dad and I he is always willing to help me and encourage me even if it takes away from his free time. For example whenever i ask him if we can go practice baseball even after work he says "sure just let me get changed and we will go." He helps me keep on track in school by asking me every night " Did you finish your homework? Do you have any tests or quizzes coming up?" My dad really is my main reason for my success I just wanted to point that out. Thank you Dad. 
• Is there anything else you think your parents should know about this class or about how you are doing in this class? Really I don't think there is anything else I need to cover about Algebra class other than I love it!

How to solve the equation 3(x - 5) = -7x + 12

Solve: 3(x - 5) = -7x + 12
 Step 1: first I distributed 3 into (x-5) so it would come out to be 3x-15 because you multiply the numbers/variables inside the parenthesis by 3. 


Step 2: I combined like terms because we have x on both sides and if you combine like terms you get x on one side. 3x-15=-7x + 12 
                    +7x      +7x 
                         10x-15=12


Step 3: I got rid of -15 by adding 15 to both sides. 10x-15=12
                                                                                     +15 +15
                                                                                     10x=27


Step 4: Usually you would solve for the last step but in this problem you do not need to solve because 10 does not go into 27 equally so your answer is 27/10.

Reflective post

I am feeling very well so far these past two weeks and everything's working out well. I am very excited for Homecoming week and for some projects to begin. So far nothing has been challenging for me and I am not really worried about anything but I'm sure later on down the road there will be. Three goals i have for this year are I would like to get strait A's. Also I would like to to get nothing bellow a B on any Algebra assignment. And third I want to complete at least 3-4 books this year.