MR. LUPINACCI'S CLASSROOM
Honors Geometry
When we tackle formal proofs, students will imagine themselves in the role of lawyers who will use logic and their increasing knowledge of geometry to demonstrate common proofs, such as proving two triangles "guilty" of being congruent to each other. If the logic is not airtight, students will have a chance to revise their case so that it won't be dismissed.
Our study of geometry starts with formal logic and continues through classic geometry.
Through our study of logic we will work to develop our ability to reason by using precise language to construct airtight proofs that lead to clear, indisputable conclusions.
Geometry literally means the measure of the Earth. Throughout this course we will explore the connections between math and the natural world and math as a description of the Universe.
Check out the page to see a video of The Known Universe.
Logic:
Click here to see more about Mr. Spock:
Chapters 1 & 2: Introduction to Geometry and Proofs
Chapter 3: Congruent Triangles
Chapter 4: Perpendicularity, Equidistance Theorems and Lies On Theorem
Chapter 5: Parallel Lines
January Final Exam
Click here for some wisdom from Yoda:
SEMESTER TWO
The AMC exam will be administered on February 7th during 2nd and 3rd periods. Please take a look at the exam and the solutions and email me to let em know if you would like to take the exam.
You must email me by Monday morning.
Chapter 7: Polygons
The documnet labelled "Clues" will give you some hints on how to get a proablem started.
The second document will have the actual solutions worked out.
Look at the clues document first and see if you can get the answer (or close to the answer) before looking at the solutions.
Also, think about the strategies that you are learning, so that next time you will be able to use those strategies and solve problems without looking at the clues.
Chapter 8: Similar Polygons
Chapter 9: The Pythagorean Theorem
Chapter 10: Circles
Chapter 12: Volume
END OF YEAR INFORMATION
Dear Young Geometers,
The end of the year is finally upon us.
Below you will find two important links:
The first is for your summer work. You will see a link for the materials from Chapter 13, which focuses on coordinate geometry (The Cartesian Plane or probably better known to you as the x,y axis system). You will be using that system extensively next year and in the year's ahead, so it is a requirement that you refresh your memory before the school year starts. You will recognize a lot of it from your Algebra 1 class and your teachers will expect you to remember most of the basics (slope, y-intercept, etc.)
You may want to do a quick read-through of the chapter and then go right to the review materials at the end of the chapter, including the study guide on p. 625 and the review problems on p. 626. If there is any material that you are particularly rusty on, or if you have never seen before, then make sure you refer back to the original section and use the notes and problems from that section to get up to speed. Sections 8 and 9 are probably more than you need to know, so it is best to focus on sections 1 - 7.
Needless to say, chapter 13 is summer work and you shouldn't even look at it until after finals are over.
Then you will see a link for the review materials for the June final exam. Please READ THROUGH WHAT I WROTE. It is at least as important as the problems themselves.
The most important idea here is that these review problems are NOT a complete representation of what you will see on the final. They are just examples of good problems that will get you thinking geometrically. You should certainly look through your notes and look at the types of problems we have done throughout the semester.
Finally, I want to mention an important strategy the day of the test: make sure you pace yourself!!!! Skip problems that you don't know how to do and come back to them. Get all of the easier ones out of the way the first time through, including the part II problems.
There are 20 part I problems and 4 part II problems. You should be able to get through 10 part I problems and 2 part II problems in less than an hour because you are doing the easy ones first. Then you should have more than an hour to do the rest of the test.
When I come around to circulate, I will be checking on your pacing more than anything else. DO NOT GET HUNG UP ON ONE PROBLEM - THAT IS THE BIGGEST DANGER YOU FACE!
Ok, enough of that. Relax and get to work.
What is Silverman doing in this picture? (Whaba - you are not allowed to answer this question.)
Summer Work:
Final Exam Review: