Homework for Monday, December 15

Assignment: Mini Ops & Mini Ops Plus

Due Tuesday, December 15

The order of operations are involved in all math problems and the steps are always important. Sometimes, math learners believe they are only relevant when the assignment says, "use the order of operations, but that's because that's how we teachers name our assignments ... like this one. ;-)

Assignments like these will be sprinkled in throughout the different units until we hit them heavily in the spring. For now, these are simpler problems with fewer steps. 

PEMDAS is the most common mnemonic for remembering the order of operations, but it has an inherent flaw: the letters are not actually the order for solving a problem. Ultimately, the order needs to become natural, but until then I prefer teaching it this way: 

Please hear me out and think in terms of GEMS, not Pemdas

         *Grouping symbols (starting at the innermost bracketing)
          *Exponents 
          *Multiplication and Division in the order they appear in the equation from left to right
          *Subtraction and Addition in the order they appear in the equation from left to right
 
At this time, students should write the equations in two steps:
The answer to whatever is completed first along with the part that is left.

The final answer, which MUST be an improper fraction in simplest form. (no mixed numbers)

     *Equation: 5 - 3 + 7 = 

       *step one: 2 + 7 = 

        *answer:  9

There are two options tonight: Mini h-ops (just multiplication and division) or Mini h-ops + (with some exponents thrown in)

So, how can you help?

Make sure they are following the order of options correctly. Most mistakes come when they multiply first, regardless of the order. Focus on whether or not they understand the order and still multiplying and dividing their fractions correctly. If they seem to be struggling, ask what they should do first (don't tell!) and have them write the problem as instructed: step one, step two!