algebra

  • Matrix Multiplication Project needs beta testers!

    Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people! Any Algebra 2/Precalc level students out there? I need student helper beta testers for another project. This is a project where students will work on developing both a meaning and an easy-to-remember algorithm for matrix multiplication. Meaning of Matrix Multiplication Practice Project I may add tutorial videos on…

  • Solving Systems of Equations by Matrix Methods Practice Project Needs Beta Testers

    Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people! Any Algebra 2/Precalc level students out there? I need student helper beta testers. This is a mystery picture graphing project, where the points to be plotted are solutions to systems of equations, and students are directed to use their choice of two matrix methods. Solving Systems of Equations…

  • Gap Year Math

    Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people! Taking some time off from classes is an idea people are considering more seriously right now than they usually would. If you\’re thinking about something along these lines, but you\’re not sure how you\’re going to keep from losing the math skills you\’ve worked hard for years to…

  • Factoring: Trinomials

  • Multiplying Polynomials

    Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people! Multiplying ordinary numbers is easier than lots of other things once you\’ve got the hang of it (though getting the hang of it in the first place can be tricky), but multiplying more complicated expressions can be — well, more complicated. Here\’s one example: what if you need…

  • Puzzles and Formulas

    Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people! This is what I came up with by exploring relationships between numbers in yesterday\’s puzzle. Like I mentioned, there are still some directions available for further exploration, so I don\’t think we\’re done yet with this puzzle and ones like it. But, for now, Calc You Later!

  • The Abstract Algebra of Direct Proportions

    Hello mathematicians, puzzlers, and other curious people! This post previously appeared in the Mathematical Musings free class on Teachable, currently available in the Teachable archive. In a previous MMusing, I mentioned a rabbit trail upon the occasion of using the word \”group\” about functions in the form f(x)=kx, called direct proportions. I didn\’t run down…

  • How to Confuse Kids about f(x)

  • What is “Suzy’s Freaking Pocket Change”?

    One problem with many math textbooks is that the application problems are nothing you would ever do. I call that kind of problem the “Suzy’s Freaking Pocket Change” category because if you had enough information to know that Suzy had $2.37 in her pocket in the form of 17 coins where there were twice as…