Mathematics 436

Mathematical Reflections 436: Reflection 2

Introduction
This document is a tool designed to help give teachers a clear description of what should be
covered in Reflection 2 of the Reflections 436 textbook. The textbook offers more material than
can be covered in most regular classes. However, this summary should be seen as a guide only;
the amount of time available as well as the students' interests and capabilities will determine the
material which is covered. Further information about the material is found in the Teacher's Guide.

Objectives Covered in Reflection 2

This reflection, together with Reflection 3, covers Objective 1.2: To transform an algebraic
expression into an equivalent expression. Emphasis will be on operations on polynomials.
However, operations on expressions with rational exponents, on square roots (including the
rationalization of numerators and denominators), and on simple rational expressions will also be
studied.

It is important to refer to the MEQ Curriculum document for more details on the objectives
of the program (pp. 18 - 19).

Time ≈7% of the year. 14% is allotted for Objective 1.2 which is covered in Reflections 2 and 3.
Note that Volume 1 of Reflections 436 covers only 33% of the course content. Therefore, it
should be completed by approximately the end of November.

Comments

1. Prior Knowledge

In Secondary I students performed the four operations on rational numbers.

In Secondary II students performed operations on expressions in order to be able to solve

first degree equations which could be simplified to the form ax + b = cx + d and then solved.

In Secondary III students have performed operations on polynomials (addition and

subtraction, multiplication of a polynomial by a monomial and a binomial by a binomial, and
division of a polynomial by a monomial). They have also performed operations on
expressions containing positive integral exponents.

2. A pretest could be administered at the start of this Reflection in order to determine the
students’ capabilities and then establish a time line for covering the operations on
polynomials. Division of a polynomial by a binomial and factoring are new topics and
should be supported with concrete materials.

3. Work with rational exponents and operations on square roots as well as the rationalization of
numerators and denominators (up to and including binomials) are also new topics.

4. Students will also work with simple rational expressions, both simplifying them and
performing the four standard operations on them.

This document has been prepared by Carolyn Gould, Resource Person for MAPCO.
It is available on the MAPCO website: www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/mapco/
 Mathematics 436

Mathematical Reflections 436: Reflection 2

5. Mastery of these concepts could be aided by including examples as mental math class warm-
ups throughout the year.

6. Be judicious in choosing what questions should be covered in class or group discussion vs

what can be assigned for homework.

7. Note:

As the students taking Math 436 generally constitute the top 35 - 40% of the school’s
population, they should be expected to work more autonomously on assignments in
order to cover the course content. Optional topics could be assigned for independent
study.

Feedback

Please send any comments or suggested changes regarding this document to Carolyn Gould at tel:
450-672-4010, extension 4705; fax: 450-465-8809; or e-mail: sb-.gould.carolyn@prologue.qc.ca.

This document has been prepared by Carolyn Gould, Resource Person for MAPCO.
It is available on the MAPCO website: www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/mapco/
 Mathematics 436

Mathematical Reflections 436: Reflection 2

Topic Time Priority 1 Optional Omit

Class Homework

1. The Concept of 1% √ Integral Exponents Investment 1: 1b-

an Exponent Rational Exponents d, 6c, d, 7c, d, 9,
(pp. 88 - 100) Investment 1: 1a, 12-15
2-5, 6a, b, 7a, b, 8, Think Tank: a, d
10, 11 Questions b, c
Think Tank: b, c Investment 2: 2, 3,
Real-Number 5-9, 11
Exponents Think Tank p. 95
Questions: a, d Workout 4: 1-3
Investment 2: 1, 4, (1/2 of each), 5-
10 6a, 7-11, 21-26
Workout 4: 1-3 (1/2
of each), 4, 6b, 20
Pop Quiz

2. The Laws of 0.5% √ Multiplying Powers: Multiplying Powers:

Exponents a-d e
(pp. 100 - Dividing Powers: a-e Dividing Powers: f
Investment 3: 1-4 Investment 3: 1, 4
(1/2 of each), 5-9, (1/2 of each), 18-
10-11 (1/2 of 20
each), 12-17 Power of a Product:
Think Tank p. 105 d, e
Power of a Product: Power of a Power:
a-c d-f
Power of a Power: Power of a
a-c Quotient: d
Power of a Investment 4: 1, 2,
Quotient: a-c, e 3 (1/2 of each
Investment 4: 1, 2, part), 5, 14, 15,
3 (1/2 of each 17-20
part), 4, 6-13, 16 Think Tank p. 112

3. Radicals 1% √ Irrational Numbers: Investment 5: 2,

a-g 11-15
Rationalizing Think Tank p. 116
Denominators: a-b Workout 5: 1-7, 9,
Investment 5: 1, 3- 13, 18-32
10 Pop Quiz 5: 6
Workout 5: 8, 10-
12, 14-17
Pop Quiz 5: 1-5
This document has been prepared by Carolyn Gould, Resource Person for MAPCO.
It is available on the MAPCO website: www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/mapco/
Mathematics 436
 Pop Quiz 5: 1-5

Mathematics 436

Mathematical Reflections 436: Reflection 2

Topic Time Priority 1 Optional Omit

Class Homework

4. Polynomials* 0.5% √ Like-Term Investment 6: 1, 8,

Monomials 9
Monomial Groups
Investment 6: 2-7,
10-12
Think Tank p. 129

5. Operations on 3% √ Addition of Investment 7: 4

Polynomials* Polynomials Investment 8: 5c,
Investment 7: 1-3 d
Think Tank p. 133 Workout 6: 2, 3, 4-
Subtraction of 10 (1/2 of each),
Polynomials 11, 13b, d, e, 14,
Investment 8: 1-5b 15b-d, 16b-d, 17-
Think Tank p. 136 20, 24-29, 31-34
Workout 6: 1, 4-10 Pop Quiz 6: 4
(1/2 of each), 12, Investment 10: 7
13a, c, 15a, 16a, Workout 7: 1-5
21-23, 30 (1/2 of each). 11,
Pop Quiz 6: 1-3 13, 14, 21, 22, 24-
Multiplication of 27, 29, 30, 32, 36,
Polynomials a-f 37, 39-48, 49b,c,
Investment 9: 1-8 50, 52, 53, 54b
Think Tank p. 146
Division of
Polynomials*
Investment 10: 1-6
Think Tank p. 150
Workout 7: 1-5 (1/2
of each), 6-10, 12,
15-20, 23, 28, 31,
33-35, 38, 49a, 51,
54a
Pop Quiz 7

* See Comment 2.

This document has been prepared by Carolyn Gould, Resource Person for MAPCO.
It is available on the MAPCO website: www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/mapco/