Week of February 20-24

Monday, February 20 was the first Presidents' Day we've had off in several years. Normally, we're using the day to make up a lost snow day. This winter, however, has been so unusually mild that we don't have any days to make up.

We just started working on algebra (solving simple equations). The rules to remember are pretty simple. Always keep both sides of the equation in balance, and isolate the variable by doing exactly the same thing to both sides. (Just like working with the numerator and denominator of a fraction.)

Example:
To solve n - 15.3 = 78.26
1.) Isolate the "n" by adding 15.3 to both sides (n-15.3+15.3 = 78.26+15.3)
2.) n = 93.56

While arithmetic can be thought of as "front to back" thinking, algebra works "back to front."
An arithmetic problem would be: What is 15 + 9? Just work it front to back and get 24. On the other hand, an algebra approach would be to start with the answer 24 and ask, "What number can we add to 15 to end with 24?" This kind of question requires starting at the end (24) and subtracting 15 from that answer to find the missing part of the addition problem.

The Unit 6 Test will start Thursday with the first section of the test that involves arithmetical computations. (Order of operations, number sentences, and division with fractions). The algebra section (solving and creating simple equations, and inequalities) will be given next Monday.