Period 2
We completed our work on Problem 1.3 today. The end of the problem was a comparison of our results from all three problems in this investigation. We discovered that that the bridge thickness and the beam were both linear relationships. The bridge length and the steps were both nonlinear but they went in opposite directions. For the bridge length, the increase in length meant the breaking weight decreased. For the steps, the more steps that were made, the more rods were needed.
We will use the idea of linear equations tomorrow when we begin to discuss slope and y-intercept. We will also use tables and graphs to write equations.
Assignment: no homework.

Period 3
Today we continued our work with linear equations and how to write them. Yesterday we defined slope and talked about how we could identify it in an equation. Today we included the y-intercept. The y-intercept is the place where the line crosses the y-axis. We have talked about it previously as the upfront cost. It is the amount we have when the independent variable, or x, is zero.
We used the patterns we saw in the table in A on Problem 2.2 and the relationship we saw on the graph in B on Problem 2.2 to write equations for both of those situations.
We also used information found in C to write the ordered pairs that would go on the graph of the next situation.
Tomorrow we will use those two ordered pairs to find the slope of the line for this situation.
Assignment: no homework.

Period 4
For the first part of class we answered questions on the Wednesday homework and organized notes for the take home quiz.
Using their notes and books, students worked independently for the second part of the period on the take home test. This is due tomorrow.
Assignment: finish take home test. It MUST be turned in tomorrow—NO EXCEPTIONS!

Period 5
We continued our work on solving polynomial equations. We also discussed the vertical motion model. The formula for this is h = -16t² + vt +s where t is the time in seconds, v is the initial velocity in feet per second, and s is the initial height. h is the final height. We will primarily use it to determine how long a projectile will remain in the air. It considers gravity but does not consider other factors like air resistance. We are using it here because the final height will usually be zero. We can use it to find the roots for the equation.
Assignment: p.578, #32-45, 46-48, 53-55. This will be collected tomorrow.