This year I have learned a lot in algebra especially the most recent 'factoring.' The quadratic formula was also fun, though, like rates, it takes a while to get used to them.
In the beginning of the year, I learned about unions, intersections, and sets (wiesej's favorite). The textbook was filled with properties, some of which I understood because of previous math lessons, such as the Commutative and Associative properties, and others which I will most likely forget until next year's math class.
Triangles were interesting; I enjoyed working on the Pythagorean Theorem, and making my own triangle on the computer, and I also found the Third Side Property to be very helpful. I never liked graphing (unless it was on my calculator) but I understand that it does visually help me solve a problem. We graphed everything from parabolas, to linear equations, and exponential growth. Spreadsheets were useful as well, and a very simple concept to learn.
Though I wished we could have used our calculators more often (writing to NavNet), calculators are an essential tool in math, and we learned a lot of tricks that will keep us on track in high school.
Probability and relative frequency were review from last year as well as ratios.
Slopes, and x and y-intercepts, are something that was easy to follow, but will (unfortunately) be talked about again in the near future.
Exponents and its six (or was it seven?) properties were very helpful in solving equations, and made such equations less scary with its multiple, jumbled numbers!
Thanks for a great year in math Mrs. Burke! I had a lot of fun in class, and I learned a lot!! I just wish I could bring you with me to Visi next year!
Love,
AMS