Good Examples
Examples include: a, x, b, m, ....
What is a variable?
This Latin prefix is be found in the mathematical name for an equation with two terms.
What is "bi"?
This is our enemy, which is why we don't spend it circling our answers or doing unnecessary tasks.
What is "time"?
On nights students are not terribly busy, this is the amount of time that should be invested in homework.
What is "thirty minutes"?
This is the math property illustrated by the following example:
17a + 8 = 8 + 17a
What is the "commutative property of addition"?
Examples include:
6/18, 2/6, 3/9
What are "equivalent fractions?"
This Latin prefix is found in the mathematical name for an equation with three terms.
What is "tri"?
These two words are what we say, instead of asking "is it?"
What is "it is!"?
These are important items that should be brought to math class every day (name four)
What is a pencil, red pen, math spiral, charged iPad, and weekly planner.
This is the mathematical property illustrated by the following example:
7(x - 2) = 7x - 14
What is the "distributive property".
Examples include: 3a, 7a, a
but not 4, 7b, x2
What are "like terms"?
This Latin prefix is found in the mathematical name for an equation with only one term.
What is "mono"?
This is what Patto tells us to chase, rather than chasing grades.
What is "knowledge?"
These are the requirements for homework to be marked as complete (list three.)
What is done in pencil, problems clearly numbered, one = per line, show all work, 20-30 minutes of continuous and concentrated effort.
This Patto-ism refers to an improper fraction.
What is "the horse is riding the jockey"?
Examples include:
3y + 7 - 1
6(2m - 4)
What is an "expression"
This Latin prefix means "with" and is found in the mathematical name for the number 2 in the following expression: 2m - 5
What is "co"?
An Australian term for friend, this word is commonly used by Patto when addressing his students.
What is "mate?"
These are the times students can see Patto or Ms. Waldron for extra math help.
What are during office hours, before or after school by advance appointment, or via email up until 8:00 pm most evenings?
Examples include:
3q2 or 98b or 9 or 5xy
What is a "monomial expression"?
This Spanish word is a cognate of the second syllable in the word "binomial."
What is "nombre"?
If a student does not do this, Patto and Ms. Waldron cannot know what the student is thinking.
What is "show their work"?