Sunday, February 19, 2017

Letters in Mathematics: Why?

Hello Students!

For this week's online blog assignment, please respond to the question in the following comic strip:





Since we have been introduced to variables in mathematics, put yourself in the position of the teacher. How will you respond to this student's question? In 3-5 sentences, create a response you would give this student. Keep in mind why we use letters in mathematics as this could help you in creating your response.


Reminders:
  • Your response to this blog post AND another student in the class' post is due on SUNDAY, 02/26/2017 at 10pm ChST.
  • Be sure to respond to the prompt FIRST, then respond to the post of another student in the class.
  • Use any vocabulary terms that you've learned that could be relevant in your response
  • Be creative. I will give one extra credit point (added to this online blog assignment) if your response is creative and unique.



Have fun blogging! I can't wait to read your responses!

49 comments:

  1. The x in the problem is a variable. A variable is a letter used to represent an unknown number. Since you can't multiply a letter like x, the x has to be a variable.

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    1. This explanation is very good, very descriptive. I like the way you explained it. Good Job!

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    2. Thank you for your response, John Dale. Thank you for pointing out that "x" in the problem is referred to as a "variable." It is great to see how you presented the student with a different view of letters in mathematics. Excellent response!

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  2. The x in the problem is what like John Dale said a variable. A variable is what represents an unknown value which in multiplication is a big deal. So in this case you multiply a constant to a variable.

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    1. Nice descriptive explanation.

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    2. i agree with kyle it is very discriptive

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    3. Kyle, I appreciate your response in this week's online assignment. It is extremely important that you differentiate the difference between a letter in the alphabet and variables in mathematics. Very short yet descriptive response here. I like your thinking, Kyle!

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  3. The letter 'x' has to always represent or equal to something because we need letters or numbers to symbolise objects such as food, locations, or people to help us solve problems that involve real life problems including math.

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    1. I like the way you explained why 'x' is always equal to something. You explained it enough to make several people understand. Good job!

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    2. I agree with you Elaine, I like how you explained why "x" is used to represent something not only in Math, but also in real life problems.

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    3. As with the many other students I teach this concept to, you have said exactly what I want you all to remember. Elaine, I really like how you paid close attention to the importance of "variables" in mathematics and that they should always represent or equal to something. Great response!

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  4. the x in the problem is a variable letter used to prepesent an number

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    1. Thank you for your response, Rowin. Keep in mind that this may not be enough for the student to fully understand the actual meaning of using letters in mathematics. For the next time I assign a prompt for any given blog, be sure to write your response with the requirements in mind. Your continued participation in our online blog assignments is very much appreciated.

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  5. The "x" in the problem is a variable used to represent a number.

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    1. Thank you for your response, Kayanna. Like with what I said in my response to Rowin's post, please keep in mind how the student would take it if this is the only thing you told them about "x" being a variable. Remember, you were tasked to put yourself in the shoes of the teacher and respond to the student's question. Your response covered just about all that I was looking for, however, it lacked details to explain the concept. Other than that, thank you for participating in this week's online assignment.

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  6. The letter "x" must always equal something especially if it is in mathematics. The letter "x" could represent an item or what not. So therefore, you multiply the constant and the variable when you deal with letters.

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    1. I agree that it must equal something. I was able to understand what you are trying to explain.

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    2. Great response here, Brinae. I, too, agree with your statement that "x" must always equal something. If I was the student, however, I would have liked to see you explain a little further by providing an example or a real-life situation that could help me understand this concept more. Other than that, great work!

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  7. The x in the problem is what's known as the variable. It is a letter used to represent an unknown number. An example of how a variable works is by showing the amountof something. Another thing is that it can't be multiplied, so that's why it has to be a variable.

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    1. Excellent interpretation of the concept of variables in mathematics, Reymar! Thank you for providing the student with an example of how a variable works. This is crucial for answering the question especially if the student is learning the concept for the first time. Good job!

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  8. The letter x is the common letter we use to represent a number or it equals to something because we need to symbolize a number or a thing. And mostly its use for math to represent a number and so we could answer the problem even though their is no number representing it.

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    1. Great response here, Kyla. I definitely agree with you! Good job at paying attention to the importance of variables in mathematics. Good thinking and keep up the good work!

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  9. X is a variable number. it explains a number

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    1. Thank you, Ray Ray. Although I cannot decipher your Blogger name, I do agree that "x" is what we refer to as a variable. Next time, please include a more detailed response as you may confuse the student in the comic strip if you were to just tell them any letter in mathematics is called a variable.

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  10. the x in the problem is a variable and so a variable represents an unknown number so when u cannot multilpy x then it has to stay a variable

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    1. Elijah, good thinking in this response. Remember, you are trying to answer the student's question about the purpose for having letters in mathematics. It would have been nice to see a more detailed explanation as to why variables exist in mathematics. Other than that, great work.

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  11. The letter x usually represents a variable. And the x explains a number.

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    1. Jasmine, thank you for your response. As I have mentioned to a few of your classmates, please keep in mind the question you are trying to answer. The student poses the question that asks "WHY," so, your response should have included a reason for why "x" can't just be an "x."

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  12. the "x" in the problem is known as the variable . the "x" represents an object or an item .

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    1. Thank you for your participation in this week's online assignment, Mikkilynn. Please keep in mind the requirements for online blogs. Your response must contain AT LEAST 3-5 sentences and you must respond directly to the prompt. Your response gave the basic idea of "x" in mathematics, however, please provide more detailed responses in future online blog assignments.

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  13. The variable "x" need to represent something, so when you see a variable in a equation you need to solve and make two side of equation are equal.

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    1. Great response, Anna. I agree with your post in that you need to make the two sides of the equation "balanced" so that you don't change the value of the equation on either side. Nice work!

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  14. Any variable such as "X" would represent a number, and if you don't solve for the amount of "x", you will not be able to find the value of the equation.

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    1. I agree with your explanation mia


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    2. Excellent thinking here, Camia! I like how you pointed out the fact that if you don't solve for the value of your variable, you won't be able to find the missing value. Great response!

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  15. i should say that X is an object or a item

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    1. Thank you for your response, Mark. "X" could definitely represent an item or an object, however, in mathematics, it is used to represent an unknown value.

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  16. The value "x" is the variable. The variable is needed because it is unknown. Because it is unknown, you need to solve it.

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    1. Thank you for defining what letters are in mathematics, Jenny. I, too, agree, that since it is unknown, you need to solve for it. Excellent work!

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  17. I would say, in terms of the Mathematical vocabulary, that "x" can't just be known as "x" because it is used to substitute for an amount, or, a variable. "X" will always have to be equal to something because, like i said, it substitutes for an amount, therefore, because it stands in place for that particular amount, you would have to solve the problem to figure out the value of the unknown number.

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    1. What a great explanation you have here, Maria! I am most impressed with how you put the concept of letters in mathematics into perspective. You are spot on with your response and I look forward to reading your future blog responses!

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  18. x is a variable. x has to represent a number like x can equal to two(x=2).

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    1. Thank you for defining the term "variable," Tyrik. Yes, I do agree that "x" has to represent a number and I appreciate you providing an example in your response. Thank you for your participation in this week's online assignment.

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  19. X in a equation would always need to equal something because x is a variable. The variable would remain unknown hence why we need to solve and find out what "x" equals to.

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    1. Good thinking here, Emigrace! I like how you pointed out the fact that the variable would remain unknown in an equation which is why we would need to solve for its value. This is an important tip to remember and understand why we see letters in mathematics. Good work here!

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