Sarah Lilley | Sarah's Blog

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13
Apr
2018

Students Lead Huge Rallies For Gun Control Across U.S.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/us/politics/students-lead-huge-rallies-for-gun-control-across-the-us.html

This articles acknowledges the plea’s and cries of America’s youth on Gun Control. There is no excuse for the murders of thousands of students that have taken place over the years. America’s young people will no longer stand by and watch as nothing is done to insure their safety, and instead take initiative in ensuring their future. This article describes the events that took place during the March For Our Lives rallies that took place on March 24, 2018, in over 390 of the country’s 435 congressional districts. The author used descriptive language to acknowledge the major movements that occurred that day, including the many speakers and performers.

09
Apr
2018

Week 8-Parabolas

categories: Math 11

This week we learned about parabolas and how they can be translated on a graph.

A translation is an image of the original parabola, but moved either horizontally or vertically from the original parent equation $y=x^2$

Depending on the equation, you can determine where the parabola has moved on the number line.

If the coefficient of $x^2$ changes, the parabola will either stretch or compress. A coefficient less than 1 will cause the parabola to compress, while a coefficient more than 1 will cause it to stretch.

If the coefficient $x^2$ is negative the parabola will open down, while if it’s positive it will open up.

In the case that your equation looks similar to $y=(x+3)^2$ , with your numbers in brackets, then the “c” will effect whether your parabola translates left or right. If the number is positive, it will translate left, and if it’s negative it will translate right. It does not follow the general idea that negatives go left and positives go right.

17
Mar
2018

Week 7-Using the Discriminant

categories: Math 11, Uncategorized

While solving quadratic equations, it’s useful to take a look at the discriminant.

The discriminant is area under the square root in the quadratic formula:

if you have a quadratic equation (equation equal to zero with 3 distinct parts), you can use the quadratic formula to solve. Depending on the answer, we can figure out whether the equation will have 1,2 or 0 solutions.

Let’s find the discriminant of the equation: $x^2-3x+6=0$

In a quadratic equation, the parent would be $ax^2+bx+c$

following the parent, in our equation, a=1, b=-3, and c=6

using this information we can plug in the numbers to our equation to find the discriminant.

If $b^2-4ac$ is our equation, we just put our numbers we found in the spots of the letters, and simplify.

$b^2-4ac$

$-3^2-4(1)(6)$

$9-4(6)$

$9-24$

$-15$

using this we know that since the discriminant is -15, the original quadratic equation does not have any solutions, and using the quadratic formula would not work.

12
Mar
2018

Week 6 – Solving Quadratic Equations Using Factoring

categories: Math 11

This week we learned how to solve a quadratic equation using factoring.

In order to solve the equation the zero product law must be used.

a*b=0, so either a=0 or b=0.

both sides if the equals sign must be equal.

for example: 8(x+2)(x-7)=0

x+2=0

so x=-2

also, x-7=0

so x=7

a quadratic equation has two possible answers. If you plug either of them into the equation, it should work.

8(x+2)(x-7)=0

x=-2

8(-2+2)(-2-7)=0

8(0)(-9)=0

8(0)=0

0=0

to solve any quadratic equation, the product must be 0. The equation cannot work without it.

09
Mar
2018

Why feminism still matters to young people

categories: English 11

Link to Article: http://theconversation.com/why-feminism-still-matters-to-young-people-91299

Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of sexes. Not that women are superior than men, but that we want to be treated equally in every sense. Some people still find it difficult to grasp the idea of an equal world. I personally am an avid supporter of this and choose to educate myself on how to be the best, and most insightful into this subject as possible. The article centers around how young people, especially young women, are using feminism. The #MeToo campaign is an example of how women are standing up and speaking out against abuse and harassment. The author is very descriptive and fact-oriented in a way that is both clarifying and educational.

05
Mar
2018

Week 5-Factoring Polynomials

categories: Math 11

When factoring polynomials, we can use a system:

Common?

Difference of squares (2 terms)

Pattern ( $x^2$ x #) (3 terms)

Easy $1x^2$

Ugly $ax^2$

or for an easy jingle, Can Divers Pee Easily Underwater.

using these steps we can factor each type of polynomial to its simplest form.

for example:

3y(y+2) – 9(y+2)

because this polynomial has a common factor, y+2, we can substitute it for an unknown variable such as “a”

3ya – 9a

doesn’t that look better?

now we can use the D to find the difference of squares because there’s 2 terms. If there are more than two terms you can skip the D and go right to P.

3a is common on both terms so we simplify polynomial to

3a(y-3)

now we substitute our y+2 back for “a”.

3(y+2)(y-3)

and you’re done! this polynomial cannot be simplified farther.

For a polynomial with 3 terms, you will not use the D, but skip right to P depending on whether you have $1x^2$ or $ax^2$ will decide if you use the E or the U.

26
Feb
2018

Week 4-Dividing Radical Expressions

categories: Math 11

When dividing radicals, the denominator can never be a radical. So in order to solve, the denominator must first be made into a rational number.

First, use a difference of squares to rationalize the denominator. But since whatever you do to the bottom you must also do to the top, multiply both the numerator and denominator.

now add like terms to get a more simplified expression.

now you can just simplify the expression as far as you possibly can! It’s okay for the expression to not equal a single number.

18
Feb
2018

Week 3- Absolute Values of a Real Number

categories: Math 11

The absolute value of a real number is defined as the principle square root of the square of a number.

for instance the absolute value of $\mid 4 \mid$ is 4

when a number is between the brackets, it must be brought out of the bracket like this:

$\mid 4 \mid$

$=4^2$

$=\sqrt {16}$

$=4$

Whenever a number is between brackets, the answer must be a positive number. However, after the number is out of the brackets it can become negative in an equation.

We also learned about roots and radicals. Numbers with square roots can never be negative, like $\sqrt {-25}$ because it cannot be calculated and results in an error when put into a calculator. On the other hand, a cubed number can be negative. Roots with an index that’s even cannot be negative, but roots that have an uneven index can be negative.

when simplifying roots that are not perfect, a different approach must be taken.

for example:

$\sqrt {24}$

$=\sqrt {4*6}$ find two multiples of a number, one being a perfect square

$=\sqrt {4} * \sqrt {6}$ separate the roots

$=2 \sqrt {6}$ square the perfect square and leave the radical as a square root

this applies to other index’s as well, just find perfect cubes instead of perfect squares, etc.

12
Feb
2018

Week 2-Geometric sequences

categories: Math 11

This week we learned about geometric sequences and series. A Geometric sequence differs from an arithmetic sequence because instead of adding a common difference, a common ratio is multiplied by the term to get the next term.

the equation used to find a term in a sequence is