←← (all) Weekly Math Problems & Solutions

                              #16: Week of Feb 23, 2015

Students are invited to rest up or catch up ... with problems from earlier sets that

feature: calendars (weeks #10, 11 & 15), extreme numbers (weeks 1 & 2), squares

& roots (weeks 3 & 6), cool patterns (7,13 & 14), paper cutting (8), stars & flags (9),

different views of parabolas with applications (week 12), and some problems that

are like the SAT (weeks 4 & 5). (Click numbers here or online.) Now, here are...

 

My Responses to Mentor Responses on the Math Questionnaire

henry@collegebound.org

 

Big thanks to the 44 of you whose responses I have so far. Almost all of them are positive, so thanks for that too and for the useful suggestions. If you haven't responded, I still welcome your thoughts. I'm trying to make this work for you all.

 

Problem sets   A big majority of you said your student usually does at least one problem. It's great that you're making math a regular part of what you and your student share at site. My goal is for everyone to be able and happy to do that. One of you said the calendar problems were fun! In response, #15 used another calendar and #14 featured a "mathemagical" trick that I hope was fun too.

 

I'm delighted to learn that some students attempt two problems or even all three. That's terrific, but I don't want an 8th grader to feel obliged to attempt problems that are out of reach. The #1s are there to keep 8th graders in the game, so a junior or senior may find them too easy, though sometimes they may also set the stage for a whole set. Some of you said your senior gives priority to applications for colleges and scholarships. That's crucial! I understand.

 

Solutions   Your answers here were almost uniformly supportive. I'm impressed by your interest and a bit overwhelmed by the many kind statements. A couple of you asked for more or clearer explanations. I will continue to strive for clarity without rattling on. Feel free to send me (at henry@collegebound.org) questions or suggestions, or ask for needed clarification. A couple of you liked the practical applications and asked for more of them or for more in the solution sheet about their significance. That too I will try to provide, again keeping it brief. My self-imposed limit is a single page.

 

MathLab   It's great to hear that so many of you are encouraging your student to turn up. Math-challenged students really should get help early, not wait until they feel lost. Stronger math students should be coming to stay strong and get SAT/ACT scores that will get them into a college worthy of their abilities. Help at school is fine too, but please be aware that our MathLab has long sessions, will back-fill on basics, makes math make sense and coordinates with parents. For full information on MathLab go to cbmath.org and click on "MathLab: Free Tutoring."

 

Website for Mentors    Designed specifically for you, cbmath.org contains the problem and solution sets and every idea I can think of to help you do a good job of helping your student to become (even) better at math. I obtained this domain name to make it easy for you to remember - any time, anywhere:

 

c for College    b for Bound    math for math.