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Category Archives: Grade 11
Sports Mascots Opinion Piece
First Nations Mascots: The Biggest Reasons to Not Have Them
First Nations. Some of the most difficult people to understand. One day you’re watching the Red Skins with a real First Nations mascot, and the next you meet someone with a status card, who looks just like any other person. Personally, I think First Nations need to figure out how they want everyone else to see them, because they’re making it very confusing; am I right?
No, I’m not right, and if any little part of you thought I was, you may be one of two things: very narrow minded, or very easily persuaded. If you are either, you should probably start re-thinking a few of your life choices. They do not choose to be viewed as a racist stereotype, nor do they want to be seen that way. First Nations people may be “difficult to understand”, simply because very few are genuinely trying to understand them. Spoiler alert, that “white man in red face, leaping through the air at football games” (Pyrillis) is exactly what First Nations are not. Sure, the Red Skins themselves may claim that “the word was created by First Nations and used as an inclusive expression” (Red Skins), but when the creators find the word racist and offensive, maybe you should start seeing it that way too. Just because they created it, does not mean you can use it, it’s the exact same reason you don’t run around saying the “N” word, or hey, naming teams that. Appropriating and appreciating are two very different things, yet we are still viewing them as the same. Now you can hit me with the lame excuse of “it goes back 86 years” (Red Skins), or “you’ll be erasing history”, but real First Nations react to a video and say “First Nations have a much longer history” (Buzzfeed) being disrespected and ignored. Although, maybe some history needs to be erased, times are changing. Slavery only ended 148 years ago, and women received the right to vote only 98 years ago. History is continually changing, and this change needs to be made: “Why do we need to have people as mascots anyway” (Buzzfeed). If you want a “heroic mascot that represents how you want your players to play on the field” (Red Skins), then create your own little super hero, and use it as a mascot. This change will drastically affect how First Nations, and thousands of other non-racist people view a culture, but it won’t affect the most important parts of the game: how you tackle, how well you run, and how well you can catch a ball.
This week in Pre-Calc we learnd trigonometry. Trigonometry this year was quite different than last year, because we were working with non-right angle triangles. The reference angle in this years trigonometry is very important, because it helps us relate it to grade 10 trig, and because it can help us use our special triangles. The notes I took for this unit were very heavy, because we learned so many new math laws, like the sine and cosine law. When doing the review I was able to create a whole paper of notes, with the most importnat stuff put together.
This sheet is what I think the most important concepts to know are.
Week 15 in Pre-Calc 11
This week in Pre-Calc 11 we learned about a cncept that is very hard for me, called “Rational Expressions. A rational expression is the quoient of two polynomials. This unit requires a lot of factoring, and also a lot of self control. By that I mean, you have to realyy stop yourself from simplifying any further, otherwise your answer will be completely wrong. This unit is especially hard when you are adding and subtracting rational expressions, because you have to find a common denominator with polynomials that have nothing in common. This unit requires a lot of thinking and practicing. The main thing to remember in this unit is that once you’ve done the necessary steps, don’t try to simplify any further. Also if you’re subtracting, always remember to disttibute your negative and change the correct signs to their opposites.
Here are some examples of rational expressions
Week 14 in Pre-Calc 11
This week in Pre-Calc 11 we worked with very weird looking graphs. We focused on absolute value functions and reciprocal functions. The weirdest ones we worked with were the quadratic reciprocal functions with 4 invariant points.
With absolute value functions you have to graph your equation, and then flip whatever is negative to it’s positive form. ex. (-2,-3) will flip to (-2,3), you only flip the y-value, not the x.
The most crazy thing we learned this week was the reciprocal functions. That’s where you put your equation under 1 and graph that. The most important points for this are the x-intercepts. The x-intercepts become your asymptotes. Asymptotes are the points on the graph that you can not touch or cross. The asymptotes can be represented as an electric fence. You can get as close as you want to it without getting shocked, but as soon as you touch it you get zapped. Asymptotes don’t just make one single point untouchable though. For example if the assymptote is y=2, you can not go below 2.
This is an example of a reciprocal function
Week 13 in Pre-Calc 11
This week in Pre-Calc we learned about Absolute Value Equations. The main thing to know is that if it is an absolute value equation it can never be negative. Since it can never ever be negative you have to flip up the negative points when you graph it. Meaning when you graph the original equation (without thinking about absolute values), you need to mirror the negative points to make them positive for the absolute value equation. Another thing to know about Absolute Value Equations is piece-wise notation. Piece wise notation is when you make to equations that are the exact same, but for one of the equations you change the numbers in the absolute value braces to their opposites. To solve absolute value equations you should always isolate the numbers in the braces, and move all the numbers outside of it to the other side of the equation. After you’ve isolated it, you can get rid of the braces. Then solve the equation. To check plug your solution back into the equation.
Week 12 in Pre-Calc 11
This week in Pre-Calc we learned about Solving Quadratic Inequalities in One Variable, Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables, and Solving Quadratic Systems of Equations.
When solving in one variable you first factor the expression, then Determine the zeros, and then using a sign chart (number line) determine your restrictions etc.
When graphing linear inequalities in two variables it is represented by a boundary line and a shading on one side. The boundary line can be a solid line/broken line. If solid it means it is greater than or equal to, and if it’s broken that means it is either less than or greater than. To graph an inequality first graph the equation, then determine whether you have a solid or broken line. Next choose a test point not directly on the line. When you can use (0,0), if the statement at the end is true, shade that side of the line, if not shade the other side. Always isolate y
When solving Quadratic Systems of Equations you would solve algebraically, either with substitution, or elimination. You could also graph, but if your point of intersection is not on a “pretty” point, you will not be able to be completely accurate. To solve get everything equal to zero.
Systems: What is a system? A system is when 2 or more equations are needed to find a solution. Their point of intersection is the solution. If 2 lines are parallel they will never have a solution. If the lines are the exact same and are right on top of each other there is an infinite number of solutions. The 3 types of solving systems is graphing, elimination, and substitution.
Week 11 in pre-calc 11
This week in pre-calc we learned a new way to graph quadratics and linear equations using one and two variables. If it only has 1 variable that means you can only graph along the x-axis. If it has 2 variables you can use both x and y. To start you must first faxtor the equation, then you have to graph it. Once you’ve graphed it you have to decide whether it has a dotted or solid line. If its solid that means < or equal to and > or equal to. If it has a dotted line it mean < or >. Next you have to shade the proper side by choosing a test point. The best point to choose is (0,0).
This is an example of a 2 variable equation graphed.
