Video Math Tutor: Getting Started With My Math Videos

GETTING STARTED With The Self-Tutorial Math Notes by

Luis Anthony Ast Professional Mathematics Tutor

Copyright © 2005 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing of the author.

BTHE LEGAL STUFF… Most of the advice given to students is the opinion/property of the Author and in NO WAY represents the views nor opinions of any educational institution. Tips from other sources are clearly indicated and remain the property of their respective authors. All graphics/icons used are either in the public domain or were purchased for use by the author (artists still retain ownership). TI-84+ Special Edition calculator images, screen images, and images of keystrokes are copyrighted material from Texas Instruments Incorporated and are reproduced with permission from Texas Instruments. All other trade names are the property of their respective owners and I in no way wish to infringe on their rights and use them only for illustration/identification purposes only. Any business or individual listed in the Tutorials or Videos is by choice of the Author and does NOT represent nor imply endorsement by any educational institution. Neither Math-Tutors.com, VideoMathTutor.com, nor Luis Anthony Ast shall be liable for any errors or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of the Notes or Videos or the procedures contained herein. Users need to be aware that there are instructors out there that force students to do math "their way" and will penalize students for using methods/tips/tricks that are presented within the Notes/Videos and students assume all risk in using them. The Math Notes and Videos are subject to change without notice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR… My name is Luis Anthony Ast. I attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona and pursued a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. I am a professional mathematics tutor with over 22 years experience tutoring junior high through college level mathematics. I have worked as a tutor for the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, the Tucson Unified School District, and Arizona State University. I also ran my own Learning Center with over 30 tutors (7 of which were other math tutors), and have trained other in the fine art of tutoring. I tutor math in English or in Spanish. I am able to help students in Junior High School, High School, Technical Training School, Community College, 2

or University. I am also able to help students score higher for most Standardized Tests (AIMS, ACT, SAT, GMAT, GED, GRE, etc.) The subjects I tutor are: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, finite mathematics (matrices, linear programming [simplex method], finance, set theory, combinatorics, and probability), and business mathematics. I DO NOT formally tutor Statistics (but I know the basics). I pride myself in being the BEST math tutor in Arizona, and am confident I am one of the top math tutors in the USA and hope to prove this to you via the Notes and my Videos. I am very patient, have an easy-going style of tutoring, and have an ample supply of "lame math jokes" to keep the sessions from getting boring. I am also proficient in using most major brands of calculators (TI, Sharp, Casio and HP). I tutor students individually. My rates vary depending on the number of hours students decide to hire me for. I now live in Tempe, Arizona and only tutor in the Phoenix Metro Area. If you are in this area, you can order private tutoring hours online by going to my web site. With advanced warning, I can prepare Sample Tests and some Notes for students to better prepare them for their upcoming exams. For those not in the Phoenix area, you can still get quality tutoring by using the Self-Tutorials and ordering my Math Videos CD’s. Visit my web site for details. I take my Apple PowerBook 3400c laptop with me to tutoring (OK, it's old, but gets the job done!). I have it set up for Wireless Internet service through cafe.com. Now, I can help students complete online Web assignments faster and with less chance of error. The laptop is also used to help students solve more difficult problems (using Maple software) and I have special advance math graphing capabilities too (using several different computer applications). I sometimes take my portable printer with me (HP DeskJet 340), but not always. I also use a large number of "math toys"/visual aides to help students better understand the math concepts. I carry extra pens, pencils, paper (ruled and graphing), calculators and other school supplies with me, in case students need anything. I am probably the most prepared tutor you will ever meet.

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Readers are invited to send me e-mail feedback and to report any errors in the Notes or Videos to:

[email protected] 3

GETTING STARTED… The Self-Tutorial Math Notes and Videos are predominantly intended for: Y Junior High and High School students. Y Parents who home school the above students. Y Lower division (Freshmen/ Sophomore) college students taking a math course. Y Students planning to take a Standardized Test like the AIMS, ACT, SAT, GED, GRE, GMAT, etc., or Job Placement exams that require knowledge of mathematics. Y Tutors and private instructors of the above students.

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The Self-Tutorials and Videos are NOT meant for students under the 7th Grade.

I have written these Lessons as if I were actually tutoring you. I try to keep things informal, but at the same time, maintain the quality of math instruction as high as possible. Some things you may notice right away are the use of color and many different fonts and images. I feel all this will enhance your understanding. Also, I use 14-point size fonts rather than 12-point size. As you can see, THIS is smaller and harder to read. This is especially noticeable when typing mathematical expressions:

verses

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To get started, print a hard copy of each Lesson using a color printer. When printing with Acrobat® or Acrobat® Reader, make sure the Page Scaling is set to “None,” otherwise the notes “shrink” a little. Select a study area where neither other people, the TV, nor the refrigerator will distract you. Be sure you have a writing utensil (pencil or pen) and perhaps also a fluorescent colored highlighter.

( You will need a calculator, unless you are in a class where the math

instructor does not allow the use of calculators. I recommend using a TI30X IIS if you need a good, inexpensive scientific (non-graphing) calculator. If you may use a graphing calculator, I highly recommend you get the TI-84+ Silver Edition model. This is the model I use in the Notes 4

and in my Math Videos. It is fast, has tons of memory, and is very userfriendly. It will last for years and has a high re-sell value, should you need to sell it after finishing all your math classes. Note: If you already own a TI-83, TI-83+, TI-83+ Silver Edition or a TI84+ (non-Silver Edition), you do not need to get a new calculator. You will be able to follow almost all the keystroke sequences and screen shot images presented. You can purchase a graphing calculator at your local Office Supply store or on eBay. Texas Instruments also provides incredible customer support for these models. Visit education.ti.com for details. If you need major help using your TI-84 calculator, I have a Video CDROM called “How to REALLY Use Your TI-84 Graphing Calculator.” Visit my web site for details. Speaking of Video… If you printed the Notes off the CD-ROM, please take the time to read them BEFORE actually watching the videos. Then launch your web browser and open the “STARTME.HTM” file. Why? This way you are already “exposed” to the material before seeing it on the CD.

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are extra comments or are used to clarify a statement. Answers to quiz questions are usually also in red.

Icons are used throughout the Lessons. Here are some you will encounter:

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This is used when I want to show you how to do

something using your graphing calculator. Again, I use the TI-84+ Silver Edition model exclusively in the Self-Tutorials and in my Math Videos. If you own a TI-83, TI-83+ TI-83+ Silver Edition, or a TI-84+ (non-Silver Edition) then the keystroke sequences will be identical for almost everything presented. This pencil is used at the beginning of an example/problem that is worked out in detail. All steps are shown. Most of these same examples are also done in the Videos. Minor examples don’t use this Icon.

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OR

HOT Tip!

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I use these when I have a great idea or a “hot math tip” to share with you.

I will point out something extra or special about an item presented in the Notes. I will use “ Note:” for minor observations. Take the time to memorize the item(s) presented.

Yes, I ask you to memorize a great deal of items. Unfortunately, many educators don’t like to use the word: “memorize.” It’s almost a dirty word with them. They say you need to “understand” or “learn” the material. Yes, you need to do this, but there are times you just need to just “bite the bullet” and MEMORIZE formulas, definitions and other concepts. Mathematics is a language all its own, and the only way to learn it is to memorize stuff. Plain and simple.

Basic Strategy:

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I use this when discussing techniques for tackling certain problems or procedures.

These are to warn or alert you of something.

This is to warn you that a problem/example is a typical “sneaky” or “trick” question posed by some math instructors. will need special “math @ tools” to do the problem (graphing. You paper, compass, ruler, etc.)

¿ Ω ¿ Ω Step - By - Step ¿ Ω ¿ Ω Used when explaining certain concepts that involve a very specific stepby-step procedure. Some problems require you to check the

done, since sometimes an answer you get isn’t really the < work answer. Also used to remind you to check work for other situations. Key Concept or “Key” to successfully doing a problem. 6

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I use this icon if a concept is covered in more detail in another Lesson.

A reminder to not to forget to do something.

Used to review concepts covered in Lesson and Special Formula Sheets.

And Finally… …Like it says on the cover of the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy*,” in bright, friendly letters:

ÒDONÕT PANIC!Ó I will do my best to get you through your math classes. Trust me, and trust your abilities. You can do this.

OK , LET ’ S DO SOME MATH!

*By

Douglas Adams. A great book. Read it some time. 7