Late!!!!!! ahhhh.....

In the real world a lot of things relate to what we're doing in class. Besides bridges and tunnels many buildings are built based on parabolas. I named a few in my previous post. When I graduate high school I want to major in music and minor in psychology. I don't really see how math connects to either one. But I guess you could say music and math somewhat relate because with music you have to have rhythm which is involved with timing (counting, measures etc.). Outside of class I like to shop, write poetry/music, play instruments, go to parties and hang with friends. What we're learning in class somewhat applies to my music life as I just said. Also with when I'm shopping and have to deal with sale prices and stuff like that. Other than that I can't see a correlation. That's all for this one!

Parabolas Everyday Part I

Parabolas in Everyday Life:
1. Stain glass windows in churches
2. The Sydney Opera House in Aussie
3. St. Louis Gateway Arch

Stain glass windows were commonly used to symbolize religious happenings in churches and cathedrals. The windows were decorative and informative and many times were donated by members of the congregation in memory of loved ones. These windows also help to monitor how much light is able to shine into the building. Not all stain glass windows are parabolic but those that are need more attention when being built. One incorrect measurement could cause the glass not to fit properly, or to fit but not sturdily and cause injury. I think this shape is used for more of a decorative aspect and is just more elaborate than the usual rectangular shaped window.

The Sydney Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October, 20 1973. It conducts 3,000 events each year and has an annual audience of 2 million for its performances. It’s only been open since 1973 but is just as representative of Australia as the pyramids are to Egypt. This building wasn’t purposely built with parabolas in place. Utzon had entered an anonymous competition for an opera house to be built in Australia. Out of about 230 entries his concept was selected. He didn’t even complete the project himself because he left it in the hand of Peter Hall. He along with others completed the interior of the Opera house, but it was all coincidence that it’s shape contained parabolas.

The St. Louis Gateway Arch is the tallest national monument in the US (630 ft). It was completed on October 28, 1965. Each year, about a million visitors ride the trams to the top of the Arch. They’ve been in operation for over 30 years and carried over 25 million passengers. The arch is a catenary curve, meaning if a parabola were rolled along a straight line it would trace out a catenary. The word catenary derives from the latin word for chain. A flexible curve, supported at both ends, that hangs and is acted on by gravity is a catenary. This shape allows for the St. Louis Gateway Arch to be able to move up to 18 inches (wind at 150 mph). It is built to withstand any type of destructive storm.

Links to Pictures:

http://staytondailyphoto.com/photos/stained_glass_church2.jpg

http://www.underthesoutherncross.org/assets/images/australia-sydney-opera-house.jpg

http://www.orgsites.com/mo/stlchristianhomesports/StLouisArch.jpg

End of Quarter Self Reflection

• Assignments-I did all of the work required
• Classwork-I did most of the work required
• Homework-I did most of the work required
• Studying for quizzes-I didn't do much
• Studying for tests-I did most of the work required
• Reworking problems that you misunderstood-I did most of the work required
• Making up work & checking the eboard when absent-I did all of the work required

1. I've done a good job of keeping track of what I need help in. A lot of times I come in for extra help after school to stay updated. Or, if I don't come in for help I ask a friend to explain something to me. Also, the work that I was missing, I made sure to get it completed and questions I didn't understand were explained to me.
2. I could defnitely pay more attention during class to what is being explained. I could also make sure to at least do some of my homework instead of not doing any of it. My biggest problem is not studying enough for tests/quizzes. I come in for help but after that I don't do much studying and that's where my biggest downfall was this quarter.

Blog 5

I'm struggling the most with stating the domain and range by using a graph. My main problem is writing the greater than or less than signs. I keep switching them for some reason. I also am having trouble with f(x) functions when variables are put in the equations.

So far, I think blogging is a good way for you (Ms. DiTullio) to keep track of all of your students. But sometimes they are easy to forget about and could be unecessary points deducted. For example, right now. I just remember this was due and quickly signed on.

We get plenty of worksheets and practice in class and for homework. The only thing I think would be more affective is taking more notes down in class to have as a referance when we get stuck on problems. Instead of asking for help we can look at our notes first than ask.

I haven't really been focusing on my goal that much because I've been overwhelmed. I have been asking friends for help when I need it, but haven't really done work outside of what's assigned. I am hoping to get a tutor because I am struggling.

Honestly, I am unsure of how to properly complete any problems without help. But if I had to choose 2 topics to help somebody else with they'd probably be probability & possibly combinations. They seem to be the things I'm most comprehensive in.

Post #3

1: You and your friends go out to breakfast one morning. The diner gives you quite a few choices to make your meal. Main dish choices are: pancakes, toast, a bagel, muffin or english muffin. For your sides they have: omlettes, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns or grits. To complete your meal you have a choice of: Orange juice, Apple juice, Coffee or Hot Chocolate.

Since you have 5 choices of your main dish and 5 choices of your side dishes, you multiply and get 25. You than multiply that by 4 (drinks) and you get 100 as your answer. (5x5x4=100)


2: 5! = 5xx4x3x2x1
Jill's basketball coach needs to choose a starting line up. The team has 15 players. How many line ups of 5 can be arranged?

3: How many combos of set {1,2,3,4,5,6,7} are there in groups of 4?
Answer: (7C4=35)

Post 2

So far, it's been pretty hard for me to adjust to the new schedule. But it's getting a little bit easier everyday. This class in particular is a bit of a challenge because I have trouble remembering the algebra I learned in ninth grade. Completing the homework is only a hassle some nights depending on what classes I had that day. Other days it's no problem at all. Some of the strategies I use for help are asking friends, the text book, my parents and the internet. My goal for this year in math is to just grasp the concepts and be able to remember them for long term. Not just to pass tests as they're announced. For the next 2 weeks I want to focus on practicing more as opposed to just doing work when it's assigned. This will enhance my skills and allow me to do better as a student in the class.

So, I'm Deborah Riehl-Williams a.k.a Deb RW b.k.a Debbie or Deb. I'm obviously a junior here at Lower Merion and I have to say these last couple years have been interesting. Lost some friends but gained new ones and I think i've matured a lot since freshman year. As far as my life there's really nothing much to tell. I'm an only child and was raised by my grandparents. Music is my passion and that's where I'm headed for college and hopefully my profession later on. I also play basketball, volleyball, lacrosse and love them all. I chose not to play for the school this year so I can remain focused on my work. Outside of school I play basketball, I'm on a dance team, in a community based group called S.I.S.T.A.Z and I also like writing poetry/music. I've played the drums for 5 years and the cello for 8. I've had the same bestfriends since I was 3 years old and they're really the only people that I can call my true friends. I plan to attend college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Considering the high expectations that need to be met, and also the competition you face trying to enter, I have a few other schools in mind as back-up. My goal this year is to become a better student and learn better study habits. I want to learn for long-term as opposed to memorization. Looking forward to this last year and continuing on after I graduate next year.