Homeschool Math Newsletter, Vol. 17
March 2008
Hello again! This is Maria Miller from HomeschoolMath.net and MathMammoth.com. The spring is around the corner − or maybe already there for your location!
In this newsletter we look at an interesting ratio problem and how to solve it − using bar diagrams. Then I present another alternative for an algebra 1 course: Foerster's Algebra 1 book along with a Home Study Companion video lessons. In the tidbits there's a no-cost download concerning average, a number game for Pre-K, and a dilemma about Pi.
In this month's newsletter:
1. Math Mammoth news
2. Solving ratio problems with bar diagrams
3. Foerster's Algebra 1 with a Home Study Companion
4. Tidbits
1. Math Mammoth news
Math Mammoth Grade 4 Complete Worktext (LightBlue Series) is just around the corner... coming early next week. I will send out a special announcement once everything is ready for that. I had hoped it would be ready by the time this newsletter goes out, but not quite, and I don't want to delay the newsletter any more.
I will also soon have another book for the Blue Series: Introduction to Fractions, meant for grades 2-4.
2. Solving ratio problems with bar diagrams
Ratios are an important topic in grades 5-7, and word problems about them abound. Please read through what follows carefully − I hope it is of help to all of you who might struggle with this topic!
Dave at MathNotations had an interesting ratio problem:
In Virtual HS, the ratio of the number of juniors to seniors is 7:5.
The ratio of (the number of) junior males to junior females is 3:2.
The ratio of senior males to senior females is 4:3.
What is the ratio of junior males to senior females?
He asked if it can be solved using "Singapore" style bar model.
I'm not sure if this is exactly how they'd do it, but this is how I'd do it... so here goes.
After I made the diagrams, I soon saw that Dave's numbers are two awkward; the bar diagram drawing would get too messy because we'd need to divide it into too tiny parts to see anything.
BUT... you probably know about the PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY called "solve an easier problem". My agenda is therefore:
- show how to solve a few related simple ratio problems using the bar diagram
- solve a variant of the original problem (with friendly numbers)
- solve the original problem.
1. Here's a bar diagram representing the fact that the ratio of the number of juniors to seniors is 7:5.
As you can see, the "whole" ends up divided into 12 parts (7 + 5).
We can use this diagram to solve problems such as:
Continue reading about this important topic at my blog.
3. Foerster's Algebra 1 with a Home Study Companion
As of this writing (2008), some of the most popular and respected algebra 1 programs among homeschoolers are:
- Saxon math,
- Harold Jacob's Algebra,
- Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1.
I certainly recognize each program has its followers and its good points − yet they do have their drawbacks as well.
So I want to present another alternative: start using Paul Foerster's texts at Algebra 1 level, alongside with the Home Study Companion video lessons made by David Chandler.
I feel this option, in general, is EXCELLENT, because of the quality of the text and of the video lessons. It serves BEST those students who don't mind − or who even want to have something a little challenging − and who want to gain a very strong background in mathematics.
Please read the complete review here.
4. Tidbits
Till next time,
Maria Miller
|