It took the class all of 15 minutes to arrive at the conclusion that 'special' products are just the unique and predictable outcomes of multiplying certain binomials. To formalize our findings we label these outcomes as the square of a sum, the square of a difference or the product of a sum and difference. Students also pointed out that it is NOT an absolute necessity to know that these special products exist because we can always fall back on the distributive property. However, such an argument is tantamount to claiming that knowing much of the multiplication table is useless, when the reality is that such rote knowledge is actually quite useful in general problem solving. In the same way, it is incredibly helpful to be familiar with the outcome of these special products.
Please bear in mind that your class notes will likely be collected this week and to invest in them appropriately at home.
Home Nugget #25 of the 3rd term
Due on Monday March 2, 2009
In Algebra I book:
Page 407 # 18 - 28, 35 - 39
Page 408 # 40 - 46, 50, 51
Page 409 # 61 - 72
Reminder: Be diligent about working on your class notes nightly! This process will help you to reflect on the day's lesson and give you a chance to gain meaningful, long-term retention of content.
FCAs
2 points: all problems completed in their entirety. Your effort at the end of the lesson is as evident as at the start.
2 points: evidence/explanations for your thought/solution process is provided for ALL pertinent problems.
