Teaching Insights Archives

Order of Operations: Solving for Variables

February 28, 2020 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

There are priorities when using the order of operations for simplifying a system. After simplifying, reversing that order is how we suggest solving for variables. //For insight into the priorities, read: Order of Operations: Prioritize the Acronym. Reverse The Order Of Operations This means, one of the first questions to ask is, do scholars need
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Variables: A Brief Explanation

February 26, 2020 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

We make a point that variables can change. Variables may represent various values. So, we describe them as “change-ables.” On another level, we explain them as “change-ables” because variables may be exchanged for a value instead of a letter representation. This is true even in the context of coding, and others. An Illustration You: “Many
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Order of Operations: Exponential Problems

January 16, 2020 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

Order of Operations: Exponential Problems Exponents can be written in different forms. For example as: Once you prioritize your order of operations acronym, you can prioritize the exponent accordingly, even in radical form. Connect radicals to exponents Radicals are generally rewritten as a fractional exponent when the fractional exponent (x) is 0 < x <
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Order of Operations: Groups > Parentheses

January 11, 2020 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

Students usually know to do what is in the “parentheses” first. And yet, there are many nuances to consider. So, let’s propose we use the word “Groups” rather than “Parentheses” so that we can make things easier (on all of us) to learn the rules. Why Groups? The reason is simple: parentheses is too limiting
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Order of Operations: Prioritize the Acronym

January 10, 2020 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

PEMDAS problems still? Let us first admit that we may need a different tool or method to explain the order of operations. In fact, many websites and teachers treat PEMDAS synonymously with the order of operations. Below, we make the case that prioritizing the parts of the acronym can help you be more accurate and
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Fractions = Decimals = Ratios = Percentages

June 5, 2019 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

They describe parts of wholes. What are they? Well, fractions… decimals, ratios or percentages would be acceptable answers. Fractions give the same information as decimals, decimals can be written as ratios and ratios can be expressed as percentages. So consider: fraction = decimal = ratio = percentage Knowing that these are different forms of the
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Rethinking The Number Line

May 16, 2019 Teaching Insights by Gladminister

Rethinking The Number Line Turn into Turning that horizontal number lines vertical can let you use relevant reference points to understand how to use it Englishman John Wallis used the number line to help understand negative values of a variable. Your 3rd grader needs to solve for the expression -4-5 using a number line. Ironically,
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Category: Teaching Insights