Week of Oct. 26th

It has been awhile since I have posted.  I apologize for that.  Over the last two weeks we have been studying equations.  We have learned to solve 1 and 2-step equations for an unknown.  Here's an example:

2x + 3 = 15

2x + 3 + (-3) = 15 + (-3)

2x = 12

 2x  =   12 

2          2

x = 6

I teach students that solving an equation is a process that you do over and over again.

Step 1:  Get rid of your addition or subtraction

How:  Add the opposite to both sides of the equation.

Step 2:  Get rid of your multiply and divide.

How:  You do the opposite to both sides of the equation.

We have now moved on to solving 1 and 2-step inequalities.  The major difference between an equation and an inequality is that an inequality can have multiple answers that will make the problem true.

Example:

2x + 3 > 15

2x + 3 + (-3) > 15 + (-3)

2x > 12

 2x  >   12 

2          2

x > 6

So, any value greater than 6 will make this problem true.

2(8) + 3 > 15

16 + 3 > 15

18 > 15

This week we will finishing solving inequalities, take a Common Assessment over equations and inequalities, and learn how to play Sumdog.

Remember, Friday is Parent / Teacher Conference Day.  There will be no school for students.  Monday is a Staff Development day so students actually have a 4 day weekend.  Enjoy.

Bonus Question of the Week:

Roger is having a picnic for 78 guests. He plans to serve each guest at least one hot dog. If each package, p, contains eight hot dogs, which inequality could be used to determine how many packages of hot dogs Roger will need to buy?

A.  p > 78                     C.  8 + p > 78

B.  8p > 78                   D.  78 - p > 8

Also, how many packages will he need to buy?

To receive Bonus points you must write the problem on a sheet of paper, solve the problem, and turn it in by Thursday, Oct. 29th.

Have a good week!

Week of Sept. 21st

Last week we began discussing mixed number operations.  We reviewed addition and subtraction of mixed numbers along with subtracting mixed numbers where you have to borrow.  We determined that there are six basic steps to add or subtract mixed numbers.

Step 1 - Find a common denominator.
Step 2 - Change your numerator to match (what you did to change the denominator you do the same thing to the numerator).
Step 3 - Add or subtract your numerators (Borrow if you need to).
Step 4 - Keep your new denominator.
Step 5 - Add or Subtract your whole parts
Step 6 - SIMPLIFY!!!!!

Example of Adding Mixed Numbers

Example of Subtracting Mixed Numbers with borrowing

This week we will focus on Multiplying and Dividing Mixed Numbers.  We will learn a few "Raps" to help us remember how to multiply and divide.

Bonus Question of the Week

To earn 10 Bonus Points for the week you need to copy the following problem on a sheet of paper.  Work the problem showing your work.  Circle your final answer with its correct label.  Turn it in to me by Thursday, Sept. 24th.

4/7 of the birthday cake was eaten on your birthday. The next day your dad ate 1/2 of what was left. You get to finish the cake, how much is left?

Week of Sept. 7th

This week we will continue our study of Integers.  Last week we reviewed how to add and subtract integers so this week we will multiply and divide integers.  We will end the week with Test 1-1 over all integers.

We need to remember for addition of integers you:
- Ask the question "Are my signs alike or different?"
If your signs are alike you add your numbers and keep the sign of the problem.

ex.  5 + 8 = 13      -13 + (-7) = -20

If your signs are different then you subtract your numbers and take the sign of the number with the greatest absolute value (farthest from 0).

ex.  -8 + 6 = -2        -12 + 18 = 6

If you have a subtraction problem you:
Step 1:  Keep the first number the same.
Step 2:  Change you subtraction sign to an addition sign.
Step 3:  Change you next number to its opposite.

ex.     12 - (-5) =                   -20 - (-8) =

          12 + 5 = 17                 -20 + 8 = -12

This week we will learn about multiply and divide integers.  The good thing is the rules are the same.

Step 1:  Multiply or divide the numbers like always.
Step 2:  Count your negative signs.
 - If there is an even number of negatives your answer is positive.
 - If there is an odd number of negatives your answer is negative.

ex.  4 x (-6) = -24          -3 x (-2) x 3 = 18

      24 / -8 = -3              -15 / -3 = 5


Bonus Question of the Week:

To earn 10 Bonus Points for the Week you need to copy the following problem on a sheet of paper.  Work the problem showing your work.  Provide me with your final answer with its correct label.

You owe $225. on your credit card. You make a $55. payment and then purchase $87 worth of clothes at Dillards. What is the integer that represents the balance owed on the credit card?

Week of Aug. 31st

Well, we made it through our first week of school.  All and all, it was a good week.  We now know the procedures at MPMS so now it is time to start school for real.  Here is our schedule for the week:

Monday - Introduce integers and discuss how to compare and order integers.  We will also learn about Absolute value.

Tuesday - Addition of Integers

Wednesday - Today, we will take a Pre-Test over computation with integers, fractions, and decimals.

Thursday - Subtraction of Integers

Friday - We will do a review activity over addition and subtraction of integers.

In my previous post I had a Bonus Question of the Week.  If you go back and read it I will allow you to turn it in by this Friday (Sept. 4th).  Following the directions to receive the bonus points.

Lets have a good week at MPMS.

Mr. Nash

Welcome to 7th Grade Pre-AP Math

I just wanted to say Welcome to Mance Park Middle School.  This year in math I guarantee you are going to learn something new.  It may not see so at first, but it will happen.  We will begin the year by ensuring you can do basic computation with integers, fractions, and decimals.  We will then apply those skills over and over and over again with algebraic concepts.  We will cover everything from basic algebra to trigonometry.  That may sound like a lot, and it is, but I know each and everyone of you can handle it if you do one thing:  STUDY!

I look forward to be your math teacher this year.

Jamie Nash
7th Grade Pre-AP Math
Mance Park Middle School


Bonus Question of the Week:

In Mr. Nash's math classes 40% of his 156 students have iPhones, 25% have a Samsung phone, 10% have some other brand, and the rest don't have a phone.  How many students have each type of phone or no phone at all?  Round each answer to the nearest whole person.

Instructions to receive 10 Bonus points:
Copy the problem to sheet of paper.  Solve the problem and show your work.  Write a complete sentence answering the question and turn it in with your name on it by Friday, August 28th.

New Websites

I have been having problems using the school website so I decided to move everything to Wix, a fress website host.  I created two new sites, a teacher page and a Washington DC trip page.  Here are the links:

Teacher page:  http://jnash03.wix.com/mpmspreapmath

DC Page:  http://jnash03.wix.com/mpmsdc

Week of April 27th

Well, the good thing about this week, STAAR is over for the 7th graders.  So now it is time to have some fun with math.  This week will begin a unit on right triangles.  We will start with the Pythagorean Theorem, then move on to special right triangles, and then to trig ratios.  It is going to be fun.  Most of the lessons will take two days, one day for the lesson and one day for the assignment.

If you would like to read up on a few of the topics here are some links.

- Pythagorean Theorem

- Special Right Triangles

- Trig Ratios


Bonus Question of the Week:

A baseball diamond is a square with sides of 90 feet. What is the shortest distance, to the nearest tenth of a foot, between first base and third base?