Order of Operations

This week in math we're learning about the Order of Operations.

Numbers 

and Operations

in a Formation...

Watch this video and you'll see what I mean!

Do NOT blame me if that song is stuck in your head until 2034.

Many things in math are not up for interpretation. We need to agree on certain math rules in order for  for humans to calculate numbers and communicate accurately.

For example, if you are ordering new carpet and the guy at Carl's Carpet Center asks you what the square footage of your bedroom is, you should both have an understanding of area. If you calculate differently, you may end up with too much or not enough lime green wool shag. (I had lime green shag carpet in my bedroom when I was your age, so don't laugh.)

"The Order of Operations is very important when simplifying expressions and equations. The Order of Operations is a standard that defines the order in which you should simplify different operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

This standard is critical to simplifying and solving different algebra problems. Without it, two different people may interpret an equation or expression in different ways and come up with different answers. The Order of Operations is shown below." (algebrahelp.com)

What's the difference between parentheses and brackets?

Sometimes parentheses are called "round brackets" because of their shape.

( )

Square brackets remind me of staples that hold the numbers together.

[ ]

When dealing with parentheses and brackets...

For more information, games and other resources, click the links below!

Cool Math

Khan Academy

Dad's Worksheets

Order of Operations Game 

Watch this video for a review!

How to Divide Decimals by Decimals

Hey Friends! This week we are going to divide decimals by decimals! What does it mean to divide?

Yep! Make equal parts or groups! 

To divide decimals correctly, you have to remember 3 things.

1. Use graph paper or turn your notebook sideways to line up your numbers correctly.
2. Move the decimal, so that your divisor is a whole number. What you do to the divisor, you do to the dividend.
3. Use your mad long division skillz to solve. 

Here's a quick video lesson...

One more example...

 

Click here for the whole lesson!

Volume: Composite Figures

Let's find the volume of this shape...

   

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November STEM Challenge

In November, we are going to design free-standing pendulums that can draw or paint as they swing to and fro!

A pendulum is an object, hung from a fixed point, that swings freely back and forth under the action of gravity. The back and forth movements of a pendulum are called oscillations.

(I could watch that sand pendulum allll daaaay 😍)

Kids love to ride the swings at the playground. The motion of a tire swing demonstrates the physics of a pendulum. The swing is supported by chains that are attached to a fixed point at the top of the swing set, which allow it to move freely back and forth. 

The Foucault Pendulum is named for the French physicist Jean Foucault, who used it to demonstrate the rotation of the earth in 1851. It was the first experiment to give simple, direct evidence of the Earth's rotation.

Check out this cool video that explains how the Foucault Pendulum proves the rotation of our amazing planet, Earth. 

Let's design a pendulum!

Research pendulums and use items from around your house to complete this challenge.

Send Mrs. Sol pictures or movies of your experiment to share in class.

DUE DECEMBER 19

Divide and Conquer!

The standard algorithm for division may work for you...

DIVIDE

MULTIPLY

SUBTRACT

BRING DOWN

CHECK!

BUT, I have two new strategies that give you a little more freedom with numbers!

You can choose numbers without having to be so precise with each step of the process. 

Suppose that we want to solve the equation 

324 ÷ 2

First, draw a box with the dividend on the inside and the divisor on the outside.

Then, think in multiples to find a number that is close, but does not go over.
Think 10s, 100s, 1000s!

2 x 100 = 200

Subtract and write the answer in the next box.

Repeat until you are left with a number that is smaller than the divisor.

Let’s take a look at one more example. 

In this example, we will solve 

453 ÷ 4

Draw a box with the dividend on the inside and the divisor on the outside.

Think in multiples to find a number that is close, but does not go over.

Think: 10s, 100s, 1000s!

Think 2s and 5s!

Subtract and write the answer in the next box.

Keep going until you are left with a number that is smaller than the divisor.

When all is said and done, there is a 1 left over...

that's your REMAINDER! 

113 r 1    or     113 1/4

The area model strategy works with 2-digit divisors too! 

Here's an example from page 20 in your Math Activity Book:

Step 1: Think of a few easy X facts for the divisor.

Step 2: Subtract from the dividend an easy multiple of the divisor (e.g. 100x, 10x, 5x, 2x). Record the partial quotient in a column to the right of the problem.

Step 3: Repeat until the dividend has been reduced to zero or the remainder is less than the divisor.

Step 4: Add the partial quotients to find the quotient.

Let’s solve

679 ÷ 5

Click on the images above for a closer look.

Visit Shelly Gray's math website for the videos above and many other helpful math lessons!