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Piecewise functions. 1999-10-20
From Jenny:
How do you figure out a piecewise function by hand?

e.x.
( 2x (if x is not equal to 0)
f(x)=<
( 0 (if x is not equal to 0)
Answered by Harley Weston.

How many squares are on a chessboard? 1999-10-20
From Tchilco:
How many squares are on a chessboard?
Answered by Penny Nom and Claude Tardif.
Derivées partielle 1999-10-19
From Arnaud Flandin:
Quel est la definition des derivées partielle
Answered by Claude Tardif.
Broken line graphs 1999-10-19
From Lori Samara, Kristi Cameron and the 4th grade students:
Students in Ms. Cameron's grade 4 class were wondering if a broken line can be used anywhere in the range on the y - axis when creating a broken line graph? They understand that the broken line can be used at the 0 on the broken line but what if there is a large gap in the data from 100 - 200? What do we do? The text book and mathematics dictionary do not answer these questions.
Answered by Penny Nom.
l'Hospital's Rule 1999-10-18
From Yannick Gigandet:
How can I solve these two limits :
  1. lim when n approches 1 of n[a1/n -1]

  2. lim when x approches 0 of (eax - ebx) / x
Thanks for the answer!

Answered by Harley Weston.
Working Backwards 1999-10-16
From Linda:
I am having problems finding examples of problems that require "Working Backwards" used as a strategy for solving. We are required to give a presentation on Monday, October 25, 1999 in our school districts math class. We are trying to become better problem solvers and how to teach problem solving in the elementary classroom. Help! I can't find anything in my web searches.
Answered by Penny Nom.
An equivalent decimal 1999-10-14
From Cheryl Wendlandt:
I have a question in my book that is one and five sixths and you are to put them in an equivalent decimal. I'm sick at home or I would be able to ask my instructor. I would appreciate any help.
Answered by Penny Nom.
(-5)^2, -5^2 and -(5)^2 1999-10-13
From Jennifer Brown:
What is the difference between the following problems:

(-5)2, -52 and -(5)2

Our text book (Beginning Algebra, fourth edition, published by McGraw Hill, by Streeter, Huthison and Hoetzle) says the second and third problem are exactly the same. I don't see how that can be. Is there a mathematical rule that explains this?
Answered by Penny Nom.

Find the missing numbers 1999-10-12
From Bonnie:
I must find the missing numbers and function rules

noutput
710
1220
3940
2430
16b
87c

we are totally confused can someone help
Answered by Denis Hanson.

A famous mathematician 1999-10-12
From Yvette Perez:
Another way to write 3/15. Remove 0 add a line, unscramble, you have the name of a famous mathematician.
Answered by Claude Tardif.
Isosceles triangles 1999-10-12
From Amber:
In defining the types of triangles, our class was stumped by a question asked by one of the student. Maybe you could help. The definition of an equilateral triangle is a triangle with three congruent sides. The definiton of an isosceles triangle is a triangle with at LEAST two congruent sides. The question is, if an isosceles triangle only requires at Least two of the sides to be congruent, could an equilateral triangle be called an isosceles triangle?
Answered by Penny Nom, Walter Whiteley and Chris Fisher.
Solving using logs 1999-10-11
From Rich Bolton:
Here's my question:

$541.39(1+i)15=784.09

Can you please show me how to do this?
Answered by Penny Nom.

Women in Trig 1999-10-11
From Sandra Mills:
I am looking for some information about women who have contributed to the discipline of trigonometry. In addition to this I have been asked to choose a subject pertaining to Roman times for my Roman and American Lit class. I wanted to do a project and presentation related to mathematics, but could use some suggestions-- maybe how mathematics were applied as in engineering and the structure of the Roman buildings. Could you please provide some information about the history of mathematics and it's applications in Roman times. I am also open to any other suggestions for topics.
Answered by Chris Fisher.
Equations with fractions 1999-10-10
From Lori:
I'm a secondary student. How would you figure out a problem such as t-2/t =14/3t - 1/3. The book gave one example but it is really easy. The work YOU have to do is totally different. You don't have to tell me the answer just how to do such problems like these.
Answered by Penny Nom.
Length of a line 1999-10-10
From Dagmara Sarudi:
My question has to do with the length of a diagonal. This problem came up when I thought about the shortest distance between two points, for example walking from one point to another in my neighborhood. I can choose a zig zag route and assuming the blocks I walk are exactly the same length, it shouldn't matter what route I took, the distance I travel should still be the same when I reached my goal. If, on the other hand I could travel in a diagonal line, the distance would be shorter. But what if, in my zig zag motion, the sections get so small the route approaches a diagonal. Shouldn't it be that each separate section added together equals the value of the two original sides? Or would it suddenly equal the value of the diagonal (which, of course was shorter than the two sides added together)?
What gives?


Answered by Chris Fisher and Harley Weston.

 
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