This book is designed to help teachers implement the marvelous power of TI-nspire in the teaching of Algebra I. Keying sequences are provided to help students acquire the concepts of elementary algebra in a step-by-step fashion, while progressing smoothly through the menus of this exciting new technology.
Worked examples and comprehensive sets of exercises with complete solutions are provided. Screen displays on the page enable students to connect their work on the handheld or on the computer screen to the examples in the text.
On completing this book, students will have been exposed to all the important concepts in the first semester of Algebra I and will have had numerous experiences using graphs, spreadsheets and the calculator commands to solve real-world problems.
The sequel to this book, Algebra I with TI-nspire: Semester II is in preparation for publication in January 2009. Together, these two books constitute a full program in Algebra I as defined in all the US state guidelines. Both the pedagogy and content have been developed to implement the underlying philosophies articulated in the NCTM Principles & Standards for School Mathematics.
Table of Contents
Unit 1: From Arithmetic to Algebra
Exploration 1: The Natural Numbers (primes & composites)
Exploration 2: Greatest Common Denominator & Least Common Multiple
Exploration 3: From Integers to Fractions & Real Numbers
Exploration 4: Unknowns & Variables: Entry into Algebra
Exploration 5: Computing with Mathematical Formulas
Exploration 6: Formulas and their Inverse Formulas
Unit 2: Linear Equations & Inequalities
Exploration 7: Using Tables to Solve Linear Equations
Exploration 8: Using Algebra to Solve Simple Linear Equations
Exploration 9: Using Algebra to Solve Compound Linear Equations
Exploration 10: Solving Proportions
Exploration 11: Manipulating Formulas by Solving Equations
Exploration 12: Linear Inequalities in One Variable
Unit 3: Functions & Relations
Exploration 13: Cartesian Coordinates & Scatter Plots
Exploration 14: Cartesian Coordinates & Graphs
Exploration 15: Functions as Input-Output Machines
Exploration 16: Reading & Interpreting Graphs
Exploration 17: Functions & Relations as Sets of Ordered Pairs
Exploration 18: Sequences & Scatter Plots
Unit 4: Linear Functions
Exploration 19: The Concept of Slope
Exploration 20: Direct Variation
Exploration 21: Partial Variation
Exploration 22: Formulas for the Equation of a Line
Exploration 23: Parallel & Perpendicular Lines
Exploration 24: Linear Functions
Exploration 25: Using Linear Functions to Model Data
Unit 5: Linear Systems
Exploration 26: Solving a Pair of Linear Equations by Graphing
Exploration 27: Solving a Pair of Linear Equations by Substitution
Exploration 28: Equivalent Linear Systems
Exploration 29: Solving a System using Linear Combinations
Exploration 30: Analyzing Linear Systems
Exploration 31: Graphing Linear Inequalities
Exploration 32: Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities