Mr. Wadge's Math Shack
  • Welcome
  • Grade 12 Courses
    • Calculus 12 >
      • Projects
      • Ch 0: PreCalculus Review >
        • 0.0 One-Day Review
        • 0.1 PreCalculus Review (part 1)
        • 0.2 PreCalculus Review (part 2)
        • 0.3 PreCalculus Review (part 3)
        • 0.4 PreCalculus Review (part 4)
        • 0.5 PreCalculus Review (part 5)
      • Ch 1 Limits and Rates of Change >
        • 1.1 & 1.2 Tangent Problem / Limit of a Function
        • 1.3 One-Sided Limits
        • 1.3 (part 2) Intermediate Value Theorem
        • 5.1 Vertical Asymptotes
        • 5.2 Horizontal Asymptotes
        • 1.4 Using Limits to Find Tangents
        • 1.5 Velocity and Other Rates of Change
        • 1.8 Review Exercises / 1.9 Chapter Test
      • Ch 2 Derivatives >
        • 2.1 Derivatives
        • 2.2 The Power Rule
        • 2.3 The Sum and Difference Rules
        • 2.4 The Product Rule
        • 2.5 The Quotient Rule
        • 2.6 The Chain Rule
        • 2.7 Implicit Differentiation
        • 2.8 Higher Derivatives
        • 2.9 Review Exercises / 2.10 Chapter Test
      • Ch 3 Applications of Derivatives >
        • 3.1 Velocity
        • 3.2 Acceleration
        • 3.3 Rates of Change in the Natural Sciences
        • 3.5 Related Rates
        • 3.6 Newton's Method
        • BONUS: Local Linear Approximation
        • 3.7 Review Exercises / 3.8 Chapter Test
      • Ch 4 Extreme Values >
        • 4.1 Increasing and Decreasing Functions (part 1 of 2)
        • 4.1 Increasing and Decreasing Functions (part 2 of 2)
        • 4.2 Maximum and Minimum Values
        • 4.0 Existence Theorems
        • 4.3 The First Derivative Test
        • 4.4 Applied Maximum and Minimum Problems (part 1 of 2)
        • 4.4 Applied Maximum and Minimum Problems (part 2 of 2)
        • 4.6 Review Exercises / 4.7 Chapter Test
      • Ch 5 Curve Sketching >
        • 5.0 Review
        • 5.3 Concavity and Points of Inflection
        • 5.4 The Second Derivative Test
        • 5.5 A Procedure For Curve Sketching (part 1 of 2)
        • 5.5 A Procedure For Curve Sketching (part 2 of 2)
        • 5.6 Slant Asymptotes
        • 5.7 Review Exercises / 5.8 Chapter Test
      • Ch 6 Trigonometry Review >
        • 6.0 Review (part 1)
        • 6.0 Review (part 2)
        • 6.0 Review (part 3)
      • Ch 7 Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions >
        • 7.1 Limits of Trigonometric Functions
        • 7.2 Derivatives of the Sine and Cosine Functions (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.2 Derivatives of the Sine and Cosine Functions (part 2 of 2)
        • 7.3 Derivatives of Other Trigonometric Functions
        • 7.4 Applications
        • 7.5 Inverse Trigonometric Functions (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.5 Inverse Trigonometric Functions (part 2 of 2)
        • 7.6 Derivatives of the Inverse Trigonometric Functions
        • 7.7 Review Exercises / 7.8 Chapter Test
      • Ch 8 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions >
        • 8.1 Exponential Functions
        • 8.2 Derivatives of Exponential Functions
        • 8.0 Review of Logarithms
        • 8.3 Logarithmic Functions
        • 8.4 Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions
        • 8.6 Logarithmic Differentiation
        • BONUS: Indeterminate Forms and L'Hôpital's Rule
        • 8.7 Review Exercises / 8.8 Chapter Test
      • Ch 9 Area Under Curves >
        • 9.1 Riemann Sums
        • 9.2 The Trapezoidal Rule
        • 9.3 Sigma Notation
        • 9.4 Limit of Riemann Sums
      • Ch 10 Integration >
        • 10.1 Antiderivatives
        • 10.2 The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
        • 10.3 The Substitution Rule
        • 10.4 Integration by Parts
      • Ch 11 Applications of Integrals >
        • 11.1 The Average Value Theorem
        • 11.2 Volume of Rotational Solids
        • 11.3 Volume of Rotational Solids (part 2)
        • 11.4 Volume of Rotational Solids (part 3)
        • 11.5 Differential Equations
        • 11.6 Slope Fields
      • Ch 12 Cumulative Review >
        • 12.1 Cumulative Review for Chapters 1 – 3
        • 12.2 Cumulative Review for Chapters 4 – 7
        • 12.3 Cumulative Review for Chapters 8 – 9
    • PreCalculus 12 >
      • Term Project Options
      • Review of Grade 11
      • Chapter 1: Sequence and Series >
        • 1.1 Arithmetic Sequences
        • 1.2 Arithmetic Series
        • 1.3 Geometric Sequences
        • 1.4 Geometric Series
        • 1.5 Infinite Geometric Series
        • 1.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch2: Transformations (First Half) >
        • 2.1 Functions and Relations (review)
        • 2.2 Arithmetic Combinations of Functions
        • 2.3 Composite Functions
        • 2.5 Inverse Functions (Part 1 of 2)
        • 2.5 Inverse Functions (Part 2 of 2)
        • 2.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch2: Transformations (Second Half) >
        • 2.4 Transformations of Graphs (Part 1 of 2)
        • 2.4 Transformations of Graphs (Part 2 of 2)
        • 2.6 Combined Transformations
        • 2.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch3: Polynomials >
        • 3.1 Polynomials
        • 3.2 Graphing Polynomial Functions
        • 3.3 Division of Polynomials
        • 3.4 The Remainder and Factor Theorems
        • 3.5 Polynomial Applications
        • 3.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch4: Radicals & Rational Functions >
        • 4.1 Radicals
        • 4.2 Graphing and Solving Radical Equations
        • 4.3 Rational Functions
        • 4.4 Graphing Rational Functions
        • 4.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch5: Logarithms >
        • 5.1 Exponents
        • 5.2 Logarithmic Functions and their Graphs (Part 1 of 2)
        • 5.2 Logarithmic Functions and their Graphs (Part 2 of 2)
        • 5.3 Properties of Logarithms
        • 5.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
        • 5.5 Applications of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
        • 5.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch6: Trigonometry (Pt. 1) >
        • 6.1 Angles and their Measure
        • 6.2 Trigonometric Functions of Acute Angles
        • 6.3 Trigonometric Function - General & Special Angles
        • 6.4 Graphing Basic Trigonometric Functions (part 1 of 3)
        • 6.4 Graphing Basic Trigonometric Functions (part 2 of 3)
        • 6.4 Graphing Basic Trigonometric Functions (part 3 of 3)
        • 6.5 Application of Periodic Functions
        • 6.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch7: Trigonometry (Pt. 2) >
        • 7.1 Trigonometric Identities and Equations
        • 7.2 Verifying Trigonometric Identities
        • 7.3 Trigonometric Equations (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.3 Trigonometric Equations (part 2 of 2)
        • 7.4 Sum and Difference Identities (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.4 Sum and Difference Identities (part 2 of 2)
        • 7.5 Double Angle Identities
        • 7.6 Chapter Review
      • Old Curriculum Material >
        • 7.1 Fundamental Counting Principle (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.1 Fundamental Counting Principle (part 2 of 2)
        • 7.2 Permutations
        • 7.3 Combinations
        • 7.4 Binomial Theorem
        • 7.5 Pathway Problems
        • 7.6 Chapter Review
      • Final Exam
    • Foundations 12 >
      • Ch 1: Logical Reasoning and Set Theory >
        • 1.1 Connecting Words "And", "Or", "Not"
        • 1.2 Set Theory (Part 1 of 2)
        • 1.2 Set Theory (Part 2 of 2)
        • 1.3 Venn Diagrams - Part One
        • 1.4 Venn Diagrams - Part Two
        • 1.5 Conditional Statements
        • 1.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch 2: Permutations and Combinations >
        • 2.1 The Fundamental Counting Principle (part 1 of 2)
        • 2.1 The Fundamental Counting Principle (part 2 of 2)
        • 2.2 Factorial Notation and Permutations (part 1 of 2)
        • 2.2 Factorial Notation and Permutations (part 2 of 2)
        • 2.3 Permutations with Restrictions
        • 2.4 Permutations with Repetitions
        • 2.5 Combinations - Part 1
        • 2.6 Combinations - Part 2
        • 2.7 Problem Solving with Permutations and Combinations
        • 2.8 Chapter Review
      • Ch 3: Probability >
        • 3.1 Probability Terminology and Notation
        • 3.2 Odds and Probability
        • 3.3 Mutually Exclusive Events and the Event "A ∪ B"
        • 3.4 Independent / Dependent Events and the Event "A ∩ B"
        • 3.5 Solving Problems Using Tables and Diagrams
        • 3.6 Probability Involving Permutations and Combinations
        • 3.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions >
        • 4.1 Review and Preview (part 1 of 2)
        • 4.1 Review and Preview (part 2 of 2)
        • 4.2 Analyzing Exponential Functions (part 1 of 2)
        • 4.2 Analyzing Exponential Functions (part 2 of 2)
        • 4.3 Analyzing Logarithmic Functions (part 1 of 2)
        • 4.3 Analyzing Logarithmic Functions (part 2 of 2)
        • 4.4 Interpreting Graphs of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
        • 4.5 Modelling Data Using Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
        • 4.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch 5: Polynomial and Sinusoidal Functions >
        • 5.1 Polynomial Functions of Degree Zero, One, and Two
        • 5.2 Polynomial Functions of Degree Three
        • 5.3 Modelling Data Using Polynomial Functions
        • 5.4 Angular Measure - Degrees and Radians (part 1 of 2)
        • 5.4 Angular Measure - Degrees and Radians (part 2 of 2)
        • 5.5 Amplitude and Period
        • 5.6 Horizontal & Vertical Shifts
        • 5.7 Modelling Data Using Sinusoidal Functions
        • 5.8 Chapter Review
      • Ch 6: Financial Mathematics >
        • 6.1 Simple Interest andCompound Interest
        • 6.2 Investments Using Compound Interest
        • 6.3 Basic Loans Using Compound Interest (part 1 of 2)
        • 6.3 Basic Loans Using Compound Interest (part 2 of 2)
        • 6.4 Mortgages
        • 6.5 Buying, Renting, and Leasing
        • 6.6 Investment Portfolios
        • 6.7 Chapter Review
  • Grade 11 Classes
    • PreCalculus 11 >
      • Review (what you should already know)
      • Ch1: Factoring and the Quadratic Function >
        • 1.1 Factoring
        • 1.2 Factoring (More Complicated Types)
        • 1.3 Properties of Quadratic Functions
        • 1.4 The Standard Form of a Quadratic Function
        • 1.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch2: Quadratic Transformations >
        • 2.1 Finding the Equation of a Parabola
        • 2.2 General Form to Standard Form
        • 2.3 Vertex of a Parabola
        • 2.4 Applications of Quadratic Functions
        • 2.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch3: Quadratic Equations >
        • 3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
        • 3.2 Completing the Square and Square Root Property
        • 3.3 The Quadratic Formula
        • 3.4 Graphing Calculator and the Discriminant
        • 3.5 Applications of Quadratic Equations
        • 3.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch4: Systems of Equations >
        • 4.1 Graphing Non-Linear Systems of Equations
        • 4.2 Solving Non-Linear Systems Algebraically
        • 4.3 Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
        • 4.4 Graphing Non-Linear Inequalities
        • 4.5 Applications of Inequalities
        • 4.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch5: Radicals >
        • 5.1 Radical Operations (Part 1 of 2)
        • 5.1 Radical Operations (Part 2 of 2)
        • 5.2 Simplifying Radicals
        • 5.3 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
        • 5.4 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions (Part 1 of 2)
        • 5.4 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions (Part 2 of 2)
        • 5.5 Radical Equations
        • 5.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch6: Rational Functions >
        • 6.1 Properties of Rational Expressions
        • 6.2 Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions
        • 6.3 Sums and Differences of Rational Expressions
        • 6.4 Mixed Operations
        • 6.5 Rational Equations
        • 6.6 Graphing Rational Functions
        • 6.7 Applications of Rational Equations
        • 6.8 Chapter Review
      • Ch7: Trigonometry >
        • 7.1 Angles and their Measure
        • 7.2 The Three Trigonometric Functions
        • 7.3 Special Angles
        • 7.4 & 7.5 Oblique Triangles / Law of Sines (Part 1)
        • 7.5 Law of Sines (Part 2)
        • 7.6 Law of Cosines
        • 7.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch8: Finance >
        • 8.1 Investments and Loans
        • 8.2 Effective Interest Rates and Annuities
        • 8.3 Stocks and Bonds
        • 8.4 Instalment Loans
        • 8.5 Canadian Mortgages
        • 8.6 Chapter Review
      • Final Exam Review
      • Old Curriculum Material >
        • 1.1 Absolute Value
        • 4.3 Absolute Value Functions
        • 4.4 Solving Absolute Value Equations
        • 4.5 Rational Functions
        • 4.6 Reciprocal Functions (Part 1 of 2)
        • 4.6 Reciprocal Functions (Part 2 of 2)
        • 4.7 Chapter Review
    • Foundations 11 >
      • Ch 1: Rates and Scale Factor >
        • 1.1 Ratios and Rates
        • 1.2 Visualizing Rates
        • 1.3 Similar Figures
        • 1.4 Perimeter, Area and Surface Area of Similar Figures
        • 1.5 Volume of Similar Figures
        • 1.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch 2: Geometry >
        • 2.1 Geometry
        • 2.2 Proofs
        • 2.3 Polygons
        • 2.4 Compass and Straightedge Construction
        • 2.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch 3: Non-Right Angle Triangles >
        • 3.1 Review of Sine, Cosine and Tangent for Right Triangles
        • 3.2 Law of Sines (Part 1 of 2)
        • 3.2 Law of Sines (Part 2 of 2)
        • 3.3 Law of Cosines
        • 3.4 Applied Problems
        • 3.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch 4: Analyze Puzzles and Games >
        • 4.1 Patterns
        • 4.2 Inductive Reasoning
        • 4.3 Deductive Reasoning
        • 4.4 Puzzles and Games of Strategy
        • 4.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch 5: Statistics >
        • 5.1 Mean, Median and Mode
        • 5.2 Standard Deviation
        • 5.3 The Normal Distribution (Part 1 of 2)
        • 5.3 The Normal Distribution (Part 2 of 2)
        • 5.4 Confidence Interval for Means
        • 5.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch 6: Linear Systems >
        • 6.1 Review: Graphing a Linear Equation (Part 1 of 2)
        • 6.1 Review: Graphing a Linear Equation (Part 2 of 2)
        • 6.2 Linear Inequalities
        • 6.3 Linear Programming
        • 6.4 Application of Linear Programming
        • 6.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch 7: Quadratic Functions >
        • 7.1 Quadratic Functions (Part 1 of 3)
        • 7.1 Quadratic Functions (Part 2 of 3)
        • 7.1 Quadratic Functions (Part 3 of 3)
        • 7.2 General Form of a Quadratic Function
        • 7.5 Application of Quadratic Functions & Equations (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.0 Graphing Non-Linear Systems of Equations (Part 1 of 2)
        • 7.0 Graphing Non-Linear Systems of Equations (Part 2 of 2)
        • 7.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch8: Math Research Project
      • Old Curriculum Material >
        • 7.3 Quadratic Equations
        • 7.4 Solving Quadratic Equations (part 1 of 2)
        • 7.4 Solving Quadratic Equations (part 2 of 2)
        • 7.5 Application of Quadratic Functions & Equations (part 2 of 2)
    • Workplace 11 >
      • Ch 1: Slope and Rate of Change >
        • 1.1 Ratios and Proportions
        • 1.2 Rates / Solving Problems with Proportions
        • 1.3 Slope
        • 1.4 Angle of Elevation
        • 1.5 Pitch, Grade, and Drop
        • 1.6 Calculating Slope on a Coordinate Plane
        • 1.7 Calculating Slope from Ordered Pairs
        • 1.8 Rate of Change
        • 1.9 Interpolation and Extrapolation
      • Ch 2: Graphs and Statistics >
        • 2.1 Broken Line Graphs
        • 2.2 Bar Graphs
        • 2.3 Pictographs
        • 2.4 Histograms
        • 2.5 Review of Percents / Circle Graphs ​(part 1 of 2)
        • 2.5 Making Circle Graphs (part 2 of 2)
        • 2.6 Graphs and Technology
        • 2.7 Other Types of Graphs
        • 2.8 Misleading Graphs
        • 2.9 Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
        • 2.10 Standard Deviation
      • Ch 3: Scale Factor and Representations >
        • 3.1 Scale Factor
        • 3.2 Scale Diagrams
        • 3.3 One-Point Perspective
        • 3.4 Two-Point Perspective
        • 3.5 Exploded Views and Component Parts
        • 3.6 Orthographic Drawings
        • 3.7 Isometric Drawings
        • 3.8 Oblique Drawings
      • Ch 4: Financial Literacy >
        • 4.1 Financial Institutions
        • 4.2 Bank Accounts
        • 4.3 Bank Statements
        • 4.4 Simple Interest
        • 4.5 Compound Interest
        • 4.6 Compounding Periods
        • 4.7 Credit
        • 4.8 Loans
        • 4.9 Mortgages
        • 4.10 Mortgage Payments
        • 4.11 Investments
  • Grade 8, 9, 10 Classes
    • Foundations & PreCalculus 10 >
      • Problem Sets
      • Review (what you should already know)
      • Ch 1: Measuring Systems, Surface Area, and Volume >
        • 1.1 Metric Systems
        • 1.2 Imperial Systems
        • 1.3 Converting Metric and Imperial Systems
        • 1.4 Surface Area and Volume of Prisms (part 1 of 2)
        • 1.4 Surface Area and Volume of Prisms (part 2 of 2)
        • 1.5 Surface Area and Volume of Pyramids
        • 1.6 Surface Area and Volume of Cylinders, Cones, and Spheres
        • 1.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch 2: Radicals >
        • 2.1 Number Systems
        • 2.2 Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple (part 1 of 2)
        • 2.2 Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple (part 2 of 2)
        • 2.3 Squares and Square Roots
        • 2.4 Rational And Irrational Numbers
        • 2.5 Simplifying Radicals
        • 2.6 Exponential Notation (part 1 of 3)
        • 2.6 Exponential Notation (part 2 of 3)
        • 2.6 Exponential Notation (part 3 of 3)
        • 2.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch 3: Polynomials >
        • 3.1 Classifying Polynomials (part 1 of 2)
        • 3.1 Classifying Polynomials (part 2 of 2)
        • 3.2 Multiplying Polynomials
        • 3.3 Removing Common Factors
        • 3.4 Factoring x^2 + bx + c (part 1 of 2)
        • 3.4 Factoring x^2 + bx + c (part 2 of 2)
        • 3.5 Factoring ax^2 + bx + c
        • 3.6 Special Factors
        • Algebra Tiles
        • 3.7 Chapter Review
      • Ch 4: Relations and Functions >
        • 4.1 Relations
        • 4.2 Functions
        • 4.3 Linear Equations
        • 4.4 Non-Linear Equations
        • 4.5 Graphing with a Calculator
        • 4.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch 5: Linear Functions >
        • 5.1 Slope
        • 5.2 Rate of Change
        • 5.3 Graphing Linear Functions
        • 5.4 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
        • 5.5 Applications of Linear Relations
        • 5.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch 6: Linear Equations >
        • 6.0 Rewriting Equations
        • 6.1 Different Forms of Linear Equations (part 1 of 2)
        • 6.1 Different Forms of Linear Equations (part 2 of 2)
        • 6.2 Special Cases of Linear Equations
        • 6.3 Equations of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
        • 6.4 Linear Applications and Modelling
        • 6.5 Function Notation
        • 6.6 Chapter Review
      • Ch 7: Solving Linear Systems >
        • 7.1 Solving Linear Systems by Graphing
        • 7.2 Solving Linear Systems by Addition
        • 7.3 Solving Linear Systems by Substitution
        • 7.4 Problem Solving with Two Variables
        • 7.5 Chapter Review
      • Ch 8: Trigonometry >
        • 8.1 Sine, Cosine, and Tangent for Right Triangles (part 1 of 2)
        • 8.1 Sine, Cosine, and Tangent for Right Triangles (part 2 of 2)
        • 8.2 Relationships Between Sine, Cosine, and Tangent
        • 8.3 Special Angles
        • 8.4 Applications of Trigonometry
        • 8.5 Compound Trigonometry Applications
        • 8.6 Chapter Review
    • Math 9 >
      • Ch 1: Square Roots, Powers, and Exponent Laws >
        • 1.1 Square Roots
        • 1.2 Square Roots of Big & Small Numbers
        • 1.3 Estimating Square Roots
        • 1.4 Powers
        • 1.5 Order of Operations
        • 1.6 Exponent Rules
        • 1.7 Power Rules
        • 1.8 Review
      • Ch 2: Finance >
        • 2.1 Salary and Wages
        • 2.2 Commission
        • 2.3 Tips and Piecework
        • 2.4 Deductions
        • 2.5 Simple Interest
        • 2.6 Budgeting
      • Ch 3: Rational Numbers >
        • 3.1 Rational Numbers
        • 3.2 Operations with Integers
        • 3.3 Operations with Decimals
        • 3.4 Dividing Decimals
        • 3.5 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
        • 3.6 Adding Fractions
        • 3.7 Subtracting Fractions
        • 3.8 Adding and Subtracting Negative Rational Numbers
        • 3.9 Order of Operations with Rational Numbers
        • 3.10 Review
      • Ch 4: Polynomials >
        • 4.1 Defining Polynomials
        • 4.2 Simplifying Polynomials
        • 4.3 Adding & Subtracting Polynomials
        • 4.4 Multiplying Polynomials
        • 4.5 Dividing Polynomials
        • 4.6 Order of Operations with Polynomials
      • Ch 5: Linear Equations >
        • 5.1 One-Step Equations
        • 5.2 Two-Step Equations
        • 5.3 Using the Distributive Property
        • 5.4 Combining Like Terms
        • 5.5 Variables on Both Sides of an Equation
        • 5.6 Clearing Fractions
        • 5.7 Solving ANY Linear Equation
        • 5.8 Writing Algebraic Equations
      • Ch 6: Proportional Reasoning >
        • 6.1 Congruent Triangles
        • 6.2 Similar Triangles (Part 1 of 2)
        • 6.2 Similar Triangles (Part 2 of 2)
        • 6.3 Similar Polygons
        • 6.4 Scale Factor
        • 6.5 Scale Diagrams
        • 6.6 Unit Conversions
      • Ch 7: Statistics >
        • 7.1 Statistics
      • Ch 8: Linear Relations >
        • 8.1 Patterns (part 1 of 2)
        • 8.1 Patterns (part 2 of 2)
        • 8.2 Modeling Real-Life Situations
        • 8.3 Cartesian Plane
        • 8.4 Graphing a Table of Values
        • 8.5 Interpolation and Extrapolation
    • Math 8 >
      • Ch 1: Integers >
        • 1.1 Multiplying Integers
        • 1.2 Dividing Integers
        • 1.3 Adding Integers
        • 1.4 Subtracting Integers
        • Practice
      • Ch 2: Fractions >
        • 2.1 Basic Fraction Skills
        • 2.2 More Fraction Skills
        • 2.3 Multiplying Fractions
        • 2.4 Multiplying Mixed Fractions
        • 2.5 Dividing Fractions
        • 2.6 Dividing Mixed Fractions
        • 2.7 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
        • 2.8 Adding Mixed Fractions
        • 2.9 Subtracting Mixed Fractions
        • 2.10 Order of Operations with Fractions
        • Practice
      • Ch 3: Percent, Proportions, Ratio, and Rate >
        • 3.1 Converting Fractions, Decimals, & Percents
        • 3.2 Solving Proportions
        • 3.3 Percents
        • 3.4 Common Percent Problems
        • 3.5 Ratios
        • 3.6 Rates
        • 3.7 Proportion Problems
        • Handouts
      • Ch 4: Square Roots and the Pythagorean Theorem >
        • 4.1 Perfect Squares and Square Roots
        • 4.2 Estimating Square Roots
        • 4.3 Cube and Cube Roots
        • 4.4 The Pythagorean Theorem
        • 4.5 The Pythagorean Theorem (continued)
        • 4.6 Applications of the Pythagorean Theorem
        • Practice
      • Ch 5: Probability and Statistics >
        • 5.1 Probability
        • 5.2 Probability with Cards
        • 5.3 Tree Diagrams
        • 5.4 Independent and Dependent Events
        • 5.5 Dependent Events
        • 5.6 Measures of Central Tendency
      • Ch 6: Linear Equations and Relations >
        • 6.1 Algebraic Expressions
        • 6.2 Solving One-Step Equations
        • 6.3 Solving Two-Step Equations
        • 6.4 The Distributive Property
        • 6.5 The Cartesian Plane
        • 6.6 Linear Relations
        • 6.7 Linear Models
      • Ch 7: Geometry >
        • 7.1 Area Review
        • 7.2 Area of Composite Shapes
        • 7.3 Volume of Prisms
        • 7.4 Volume of Composite Shapes
        • 7.5 Surface Area of Prisms
        • 7.6 Surface Area of Cylinders
        • 7.7 Surface Area of Composite Shapes
  • (Retired) Blog
  • Marks
  • Contact Mr. Wadge

Two great essays by PreCalculus 12 students

28/11/2015

0 Comments

 
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I think that both of these essays are very well written. I also think that they would be very useful for many students to read (especially students in grades 8, 9 , and 10). Great job Juliana and Jessica!

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By Juliana Capera
When I was in elementary school, I was working on a project the night before it was due. I’ve always been a chronic procrastinator, so I was rushing to get it finished without putting much effort into it. An hour before I had to go to bed I showed it to my mom, who ripped it in half because it wasn’t good enough. Ever since that day, I’ve tried to do my absolute best in all my courses. I’ve always relied on academics to validate me, and it’s always been extremely important to me that I succeed in courses that are considered complicated. It’s because of this that I’ve always taken difficult math courses. When I was given the choice to do pre-calculus, foundations, or AW math, there was no hesitation when I picked pre-calculus. Later, when I was given the choice of continuing pre-calculus, adding calculus on top of it, or taking foundations, I opted for the two most difficult ones. I now regret that choice.

According to the New York Times, “there’s something about doing well in math that makes kids feel they are smart in everything,”* and I believe that is the case with me. My academic excellence has always defined who I am. I’m a smart and hard working girl.  However, I’ve had occurrences where I feel like I am dumb and lazy because I don’t understand a topic taught in class. There are certain chapters that discourage me from wanting to learn math, because I have a voice in my head that tells me I’m not able to understand the topic. It’s not that I can’t, but rather that I block myself from even thinking that, though it’s hard now, I’ll understand it eventually. While this feeling is something I should work on, there is also a way to prevent me having these thoughts. I have a couple of career paths in mind, and all of them have to do with humanities. Pre-calculus and Calculus are courses targeted for high school students who want to go on to sciences, medicine, further mathematic studies, or engineering, while foundations is recommended for those that want to study humanities or arts. Reflecting back on my decision, I chose pre-calculus over foundations not only because of my nature to challenge myself with seemingly harder courses, but also because AW math and foundations had a stigma around them that I didn’t want to be in. They’ve been labeled “easy” courses that require less work than other maths, and my own pride (for lack of a better word) forced me to take courses that maybe weren’t right for me.

I’ve had the opportunity to sit in on several foundations 12 classes, and I envy the amount of fun they have while learning. While their course content isn’t easy by any means, they incorporate fun elements to their lessons, like student-directed puzzles. They also have the luxury of playing board games during class for a week, and learn how to solve more real-life problems, versus learning about limits at infinity and how to factor cubic polynomials. Most of the problems they’ve dealt with in the classes I’ve been in have been logic-based. Everyday we’re taught facts, formulas, rules, and guides to follow, but very rarely are we ever tested on our logic, which is a valuable skill to exercise. I’ve also noticed that they take longer to explain things, and approach lessons in many ways to make sure everyone understands, which is important because “math is like a ladder. If you miss a step, sometimes you can’t go on. And then you start losing your confidence.”

            Overall, I wish I had taken the course that was right for me. I wish I hadn’t picked the one that I thought would look best on a resume, or the one that I thought would give me the hardest time but the greatest satisfaction when completing it. I wish that foundations didn’t have the negative stigma it has, and I hope that others don’t make the same mistake I did. I’m not trying to discourage people from taking pre-calculus and calculus, but rather trying to prevent others from feeling like they could’ve taken a course that better suit their needs. However, because I’m still that little girl who had her project ripped in half, I know that when I finish the course and graduate from school, having an A on my report card for pre-calculus 12 will feel just as good as getting an A on that socials project I stayed up all night doing back in grade 1.

________________________________________________________________________________________
 
By Jessica Morcilla
High school math is hard; it encompasses weird foreign characters (yes, numbers), symbolism, and theories to create problems that may be challenging. As a student’s career in high school math progresses, the material increases in difficulty. Many begin to develop this conception that math isn’t for them, and these students will be convinced that math is pointless. They will reluctantly attend classes and dwindle along until they able to discontinue in grade 12. The ensuing frustration they develop prompts the golden question: “When will I ever use this in real life?”. My question to these students is is the application of the skills you learn in math solely limited to your classroom?

When I refer to the skills acquired in math, I’m not only referring to someone’s ability to factor. Apart from curriculum material, math teaches skills that are as applicable to everyday life as arithmetic, fractions, or even percentages. In fact, these skills are more rewarding than being able to slice a pizza into eighths or count pocket change. Math serves a dual purpose; it implicitly trains a student to critically think, be perceptive, and use their knowledge to solve a problem. This aptitude may be applied to absolutely anything. Math may seem useless after a certain point, but the material that is taught in class serves a greater purpose than being able to solve the equation on the board. Being able to take your knowledge about a problem and use your investigating skills to  solve it is just as fulfilling as math itself, if not more.
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I have never been the star math student. Math class throughout my school years has always been a struggle, and I am sure that many others would say the same.  As a grade 9 student unhappy with my 67% in math, I often asked the golden question and hated math class. Unfortunately, me rejecting the essentiality of math was directly linked to my frustration in how I was doing in class. Had I been more open minded and eager to be challenged, math would have been much easier to learn. Despite this, I firmly believe that math is important to learn throughout at least high school. Math isn’t all about the numbers. If you perceive math in a more abstract way, it will be evident that like any other subject in school, math teaches you to work hard, be flexible with your thinking, and solve problems- which is vital to succeed in anything.
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