Pop Quiz Tomorrow

Tomorrow we will have a very short quiz over the formal names of certain polygons as well as the ability to identify and construct concave vs convex polygons.  You will also need to be able to apply both the Interior and the Exterior Angle Sum Theorems.

Angle Sum Applet

Click here!

You can access the prompt here.

On the lighter side of things, here is a little song to help you remember all of the named polygons.

Logic Puzzle Project

Logic Project

Logic puzzles involve a variety of logic statements.  Some are stated in the clues while others are implied.  Your task is to create your own logic puzzle.  It must include:

• A story to introduce the problem.  This should contain a scenario that makes the puzzle compelling.  You should have 5 characters involved in your story.

• 2 categories each with 5 variables

• Between 3 to 5 clues!  Remember, clues should work together, not be obvious and simple.  Get creative!

While every puzzle should be solvable, you do not want to make the puzzle too obvious.  Every puzzle must be accompanied by a grid made in Google Sheets and a solution key on a separate sheet in the same workbook.  You may wish to have a classmate attempt to solve your puzzle to see if your clues are clear and sufficient.  

I've provided a template here.  You will need to save a copy of this template to your drive so you can edit it.  Once you have done that, make sure to share it with me (rrmcadam@cps.edu) through google drive!

All spreadsheets must be submitted via google drive by February 28th, no later than 7:59 am.  Do your best and show off your talent J

Below is the rubric that I will be using to grade your project.  Make sure you have all of the necessary pieces.

Name	Points Earned	Points Possible
Logic Puzzle
Title		2
Story		3
2 Categories / 5 variables each		10
3 to 5 Clues		3
Answer key		3
Formatting		6
Creativity!		3
Total:		30

Ch 5 Review Solutions

You can find the solutions to the review here!  The solution to number 27 is here!  Note that with #27, we can show that the triangle is a right triangle because two sides have opposite reciprocal slopes and we also know that the orthocenter of a right triangle lies on the vertex of a right angle.

You can find solutions to yesterday's practice here.

You can also find some extra online practice here:

• Slopes of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
• Midpoint Formula
• Perpendicular Bisector Theorem
• Midsegments of Triangles
• Triangles & Bisectors
• Identify medians, altitudes, angle bisectors, and perpendicular bisectors

Logic Review Solutions

You can check out the review solutions here!

Homework Check #1

The first homework check of the semester will be tomorrow and will cover assignments 1-4.

Quiz Review Solutions

Here are the solutions to the quiz review!

Ch 5 Quiz Review

You can access the Ch 5 Quiz Review here.

The quick quiz can be found here.

Triangle Points of Concurrency

If you have forgotten your packet for today, you can access a digital version here.  You will be expected to turn in a completed hard copy of the packet tomorrow.


There will be a short quiz tomorrow that will look similar to the first page of this packet.  You will need to know the properties of each triangle point of concurrency.  To help, here are some digital flashcards with the properties of each point.  You may wish to make an account on Quizlet so you can save the set of flashcards to use later, play the matching game, play gravity, or test yourself.

How To Logic Puzzle Like a Pro!

Some logic puzzles can be really tough!  At the end of this unit, you're going to write your own logic puzzle, so you want an understanding of how the clues can work together.

I break the clues into two categories - primary & secondary.  Primary clues come from the statements themselves.  They are a direct translation of each statement to the grid.  Secondary clues are more difficult because they require you to put two or more statements together to translate them to the grid.  Check out these two videos for tips and tricks on getting the more elusive clues out of the statements.

Perpendicular & Angle Bisector Word Scramble Questions

You can access the questions from the word scramble here!  Make sure that you have justified your work on each problem.  I will be collecting the completed scramble tomorrow.

Also, today is the final day that you can complete the Classroom Roles Survey.  This is also where you can let me know of any seating requests and your preference of lecture (powerpoint/hand-written).

Selected S1 Survey Results

I have compiled some of the results from the survey last Thursday.  I hope you take the time to look through the aggregated data and my comments on it.  I want this data to be instructive and enlightening.  So, here we go!

1 - They don't make sense

4 - They make sense

For comparison, here is the grade breakdown of the class.

I find it interesting that many of you had a high estimation of your understanding of the basic concepts yet the course grades were so low by comparison.  Even more telling is the following breakdown of the final exam grades prior to the curve.

I am pointing this out because I think there is a slight disconnect between perceived understanding and actual performance in the class.  I think this misunderstanding is centered almost entirely around proofs and justification.  While many of you are capable of solving a given problem, you are unable to justify your work.  This may be for a multitude of reasons ranging from not knowing the theorems/postulates to being unable to separate what you are given from what you might know based on theorems/postulates.  Consequently, one of the major focuses of the second semester will be on the justification of your work.  Particularly the justification of work outside of the typical "two-column proof".

1 - Not clear

4 - Very clear

A large number of you said that lectures were somewhat not clear.  I find this surprising given the number of times per lecture that I ask for questions.  I cannot clarify what is not asked about.  It is a responsibility of the student to ask questions when the content is not clear.  

1 - Nope

4 - Yes!

This seems in line with the previous graph, so there's not much to say about it.  

1 - Never

4 - Often

Over half of you rarely or never review outside of class.  Reviewing your notes and examples can be extremely helpful if you are struggling with homework problems.  The materials you are creating should be a reference and your first line of defense when faced with a problem you aren't sure how to tackle.

1 - Never

4 - When I need it

As mentioned in class, tutoring is a critical part of the learning process if you find that you are stuck on problems or struggling with a concept.  22.9% of you claimed that you come see me frequently when you have a problem with the material.  That simply does not line up with the number of students that I have seen in tutoring over the course of the last semester.  Please take the time to address your issues prior to an assessment.  Coming in the day before or period before an exam is not generally a good tutoring model, as it encourages a short-term memory solution to your particular struggles.  

Geometry Semester 2 Survey

Please take a moment and fill out this survey to volunteer for class roles, express seating preferences, and vote on lecture styles.

Reminder to Unsubscribe

Hello subscribers old and new!  This is the last post for Semester 1 Discrete Math Students.  Thank you for a great semester and I hope you enjoy your semester of Business Statistics.  Don't forget to unsubscribe from the email alerts (unless you want to relive the memories).  See you at the Carnivale!

Semester 1 Reflection

Good morning!  On our last day of semester one, I wanted to take some time and reflect on the previous semester.  Please complete the following survey and then answer the reflection questions.  While your responses are not anonymous, as I need to know who has and who has not completed the survey, you will not be penalized for your opinions.  Please be honest, as that will be the most useful for both of us.

Semester 1 Reflection Survey

Semester 1 Reflection Questions