What I learned this week (Polynomials)

November 9, 2016 — Leave a comment

I learned FOIL (First, outer, inner, last)

FOIL is a way to multiply binomials and utilize the distributive property.

Take this expression for example: $(4x + 3)(2x + 5)$

The F is for first, which is multiplying the first term in each binomial.

$4x \cdot 2x = 8x^2$

The O is for outer, which is multiplying the outer or the first and last terms of the whole equation.

$4x \cdot 5 = 20x$

The I is for inner, which is multiplying the inner or the second and third terms of the whole equation.

$3 \cdot 2x = 6x$

The L is for last, which is multiplying the last term in each binomial.

$3 \cdot 5 = 15$

You will then have each of those in an addition expression.

$8x^2 + 20x + 6x + 15$

Simplify where you can.

$8x^2 + 26x + 15$

That is the process of FOIL, which is an easy way to understand and use the distributive property with binomials.

What I learned this week (Trig)

October 30, 2016 — Leave a comment

I learned the three main trigonometric functions, Sine (sin), Cosine (cos), and Tangent (tan).

These functions help us find angles and sides of right side triangles.

What I learned from Unit 3

October 13, 2016 — Leave a comment

I learned that pyramids have a third of the volume of the same based prism with the same dimensions (rectangular based pyramids and rectangular prisms, etc.), as well as cones have a third of the volume of a cylinder with the same dimensions.

What I learned from Unit 2

October 3, 2016 — Leave a comment

I learned the exponent laws, such as adding exponents when multiplying the bases, or subtracting exponents when dividing the bases, and multiplying exponents when it’s a power of a power.