Friday 21 August 2009

Graphing y = mx + b

Date: 01/20/97 at 10:58:13
From: Larry Shirley
Subject: x and y intercepts and graph

Dear Dr. Math,

I am having trouble understanding 3x + 2y = 5. This has to be in
y = mx + b form. After I get it in the proper form, how do I graph
it?

Sarah

Date: 01/20/97 at 11:59:07
From: Doctor Lisa
Subject: Re: x and y intercepts and graph

Hi Sarah!

Let's take a look at your question step by step. The first thing you
told me is that you need to get the equation into y = mx + b form.
So, to begin, you will work on solving this equation for y. As you
may recall, what that means is that you want to manipulate the
equation so you get y by itself on one side of the equation. This is
the process I would use:

3x + 2y = 5
2y = -3x + 5 (subtract 3x from each side to get 2y by itself)
y = -3/2x + 5/2 (divide both sides by 2 to get y by itself)

Now that I have the equation in the proper form, we're ready to
graph it.

Remember that y = mx + b is called "slope-intercept form." If you
have an equation in this form (and written with the x-term first and
the constant second), you will have the slope and the y-intercept for
the graph. The slope is "m" (the coefficient of x) and is the rise
over the run (or the change in y over the change in x). The
y-intercept is "b" and is where the graph crosses the y-axis.

In this problem, m = -3/2 and b = 5/2. I would first locate the
y-intercept on the graph. Since b = 5/2, I would find where 5/2 (or
2 1/2) is on the y-axis and make a point. This is where the graph
crosses the y-axis.

From there, I would use the slope to find other points on the graph.
When using slope, we first travel in the y direction and then move in
the x direction. Keep in mind that a positive y direction is up, a
negative y direction is down, a positive x direction is right, and a
negative x direction is left. When you have a positive slope, you
will either use a positive y and positive x movement or a negative y
and negative x direction. This is because a positive number divided by
a positive number is still positive and a negative number divided by a
negative number is also positive. Since we have a negative slope, we
need one positive number and one negative number.

** As I am describing the graphing process below, I am assuming
that you are using graph paper. This process will work with any scale
on the graph (1 square could equal 2 units or 10 units, etc.). **

Our slope is -3/2. This means I can do one of two things: either go
up 3 squares (positive direction) and left 2 squares (negative
direction) or go down 3 squares (negative direction) and right 2
squares (positive direction). Be careful with this problem because
you are beginning with a fraction (the 5/2 from above) - you'll have
to either estimate where halfway is or make each mark equal to 1/2 (in
other words, 2 marks on the graph = 1 unit).

Go to the 5/2 you marked earlier. You can go up 3 squares from the
5/2 and then move over left 2 squares and make your next point. You
can also go down 3 squares from the 5/2 and then move over right 2
squares and make your next point. If you do both of those operations,
you will have 3 points and can connect the dots to make a line. You
can count out as many points as you need to make the line, but I
suggest a minimum of 3 points for accuracy (although some teachers
want you to use 5 points). The more points you have, the more
accurate the line will appear on your graph.

I hope I clearly answered your question for you and that this will
help you do other problems similar to it. Have a great day!

-Doctor Lisa, The Math Forum
Check out our web site! http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

Thursday 20 August 2009

My kid hates math

What to Do When Your Child Hates Math

The dislike for math is widespread among school going kids. You will often come across comments like 'math is very boring', 'I don't like math' or 'math has no use in real life'. Parents find it difficult to help their child when he or she hates math. However, a little effort on the part of the parents can make math fun their child. Understand the real problem of your child and then use various interesting activities or teaching methods to generate interest for math in your child.

Most kids do not like math because as a culture we have trouble bringing math to life. The majority of Teachers teach the subject as they were taught and the system is in an endless spiral of repeated practices.

You can make it an interesting subject by assigning math tasks to your child. Since you know better than the school teacher what are the likes and dislikes of your child, you can teach your child math by the activities he likes. For example, you can give him candies to distribute among your family members. Tell him how he can divide the total number of candies so that each member gets an equal amount. You can take him to shop with you and give him the task to add the total price of things you have bought. You can teach proportion to your child by assigning him the task to collect the ingredients of a recipe. This will teach him proportions. And after your child masters these basic concepts you can assign him more complicated tasks. But always remember to help your child if he finds any difficulty in completing the task.

Children hold the view that math has no role to perform in real life. Kids need to understand that math is all around them, in their bicycles, paintings or houses. The problem is that they can learn how to ride a bicycle without studying math. These types of questions generate a general disliking for math in schools. You can reduce this problem by making math a subject used in every day life. Take examples from the routine life of your child to teach him addition multiplication or fragmentation. Tell him in which activities math plays a very important role and how math can make their life better. Your child will start taking interest in math because he becomes familiar with the every day usage of math.

Your interest in the study and homework of your child can generate liking for math in your child. Cooperate with him in his math homework. Make a regular routine for your child and monitor his television and playing hours. Your child can actually learn many basic math concepts while watching television or playing various games, if you participate in these activities. You have to avoid all distractions when your child in doing his math's homework. Make all things like pencils or a ruler available to your child when he starts his homework.

If you cannot manage it yourself, then hire a good tutor for your child. A good tutor can make math a fun for your kid. He can give proper attention to your child and foster interest for math. The use of innovative methods to teach math also helps a child to take interest in the subject. In fact this is the biggest problem that generates hatred for math among school going children. The teachers focus more attention on removing the mistakes than encouraging innovativeness in the students. This practice detracts students and math becomes a boring subject for them. If teachers use various interesting methods like using animal images or candies to teach basic concepts like division, addition, multiplication, better results can be achieved.

Math Worksheets Center is home to over 8,000 highly quality printable K-12 math worksheets, lessons, quizzes, and homework. See it now:

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I Want My Kids to Love Math

I Want My Kids to Love Math but how????

Mathematics can be a fascinating subject. Once kids start liking it, the chances are they are going to spends hours solving math problems on their own. They will simply, enjoy mathematics and try to learn more about algebra and arithmetic. Watching your kids getting better in mathematics can be a worthwhile experience. After all, math is required to excel in any well respected professions. If your child is good in math then he can choose to become an economist, attorney or an engineer. However, if your child is having problems with math or you want him to love mathematics, you can follow these tips:

You can create a story that involves math puzzles which can be solved by your kids. For example you can use the story of the three little pigs to create mathematical problems. A good question can be: Once upon a time there were three little pigs, ages 3, 7 and 9. Are these ages in even or odd numbers? Another good question can be: pig number 1 wanted to create a house from straws, a bundle of straws cost $3. He needs four bundles of straws. How much will he spend?

One of the great ways of developing your kid's interest in math is through supplemental math books. Try buying books that are interesting to read, so that your child is motivated to solve math problems. Children often like books that have picture puzzles or their favorite cartoon characters in them. They can help your child in improving his mathematics skills.

Provide a positive learning environment to your children. If your child is stuck at any point, help him. Try reviewing problem areas to find out where he needs extra guidance. Communicate with the teacher on a frequent basis about your child's performance. Let the teacher know where your child is facing difficulties, so that he or she provides him the needed assistance. Your child will do much better in math if you make him practice math exercises on regular basis.

Most children start disliking math because their homework exercises are too difficult. If you want your child to love mathematics then you should help him in his homework. When he is finished with his assignment, you should check it for any mistakes. Most of the time children do the proper working but they make mistakes while doing calculations. If that's the case, then give credit to your child for the proper working and make him practice arithmetic calculations. However, if your child tends to do mistakes in working, then carefully guide him about the proper method. Tell him the basic concepts behind procedures. Math is about concepts rather then rote learning. If you are unsure about a certain problem, then tell the teacher to help your child in doing it.

You can make math easier for your kids by making them learn multiplication tables. This will make the multiplication exercises easier for them. A good way to do that is by using real life examples, so that your child develops a liking and basic understanding for mathematics. For example, ask your child to multiply the number of chairs to the tables in the classroom.

You can increase your child's interest in mathematics by telling him its importance in daily life. Children can be taught how to compare prices of the same goods in different weights. You can teach them about getting the correct change when they shop for goods. Involving them in a gardening project is an effective way of increasing their fondness for math. Simply, teach them how much fertilizer they need to purchase for a lawn. Other things that you can teach them include how much paint they need to paint various rooms in the house. Most of the highly sought after jobs require math. Tell them that the job of engineer, financial advisor and stockbroker all require good skills in mathematics.

Math Worksheets Center is home to over 8,000 highly quality printable K-12 math worksheets, lessons, quizzes, and homework. See it now: http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_J_Thomas

Calculating Volumes in Math

Calculating Volumes in Math


volume of a cylinder:

To calculate the volume of a cylinder we need to know the radius of the circular cross-section of the cylinder - this is the measurement from the centre of the circle, to the outer-edge. Enter this in field marked RADIUS below. Then measure the height and enter in the field marked HEIGHT below.

calculate online here


volume of a cube:

Heres is a calculator that calculates the volume of a cube.

Width X Length X Height

calculate online here


Volume of a Cuboid

Volume of a cuboid = a × b × c = a b c
where a, b and c are the lengths of the sides of the cuboid.

do exercise here

volume of a cone :

Heres is a calculator that calculates the volume of a cone.


calculate online here
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