MATH TOOLS NEWSLETTER - August 27, 2010 - No. 90 ***eInstruction Contest http://mathforum.org/pd/contest.html Enter eInstruction's Global Classroom Makeover Video Contest to win a Math Forum Problems of the Week School Membership and three (3) registrations to participate in our online course, PoW Class Membership: Resources & Strategies for Effective Implementation--a value of $1,946! And this is just one of the prizes that will be awarded in each category: Grades K-5 (4-10 years old) Grades 6-8 (10-14 years old) Grades 9-12 (14-18 years old) ***Orientation Sessions http://mathforum.org/pd/#sessions Session activities and discussions are designed to help you learn about the many features of our services. Registration (free) is open now for self-paced sessions focusing on: Math Tools [session date: Oct 7 - 13] http://mathforum.org/pd/orientation_mathtools/ tPoWs [session date: Oct 14 - 20] http://mathforum.org/pd/orientation_tpow/ Problems of the Week [session date: Sept 16 - 22] http://mathforum.org/pd/orientation_pow/ \|/ As you browse the catalog, please take a moment to rate a resource, comment on it, review it -- join an existing conversation, or start a new discussion! ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Graphical Function Explorer (GFE) - Math Open Reference http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/86519/ John Page A free web-based function graphing tool. Graph up to three different functions on the same axes. Functions can refer to up to three independent variables controlled by sliders. As you move the sliders, the graphs change in real time to reveal the effects of the variables. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: How much did it cost back in? http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/99079/ Blake M. Scarbrough This WolframAlpha widget calculates and displays the current value of a historical amount of money. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Out & About http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/98796/ BCC/Netmedia This activity suggests math questions to ask about city scenes. Illustrated prompts such as "I spy a tall building. Which is the tallest?" are available in three languages: Urdu, Bengali and English. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Coins & Dice http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/98794/ Duncan Keith Use this coin flipping and die rolling simulator to generate results from single or multiple coins and dice. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Constructing a pentagon inscribed in a circle - Math Open Reference http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/98395/ John Page An interactive applet and associated web page that provide step-by-step instructions on how to construct a pentagon inscribed in a circle using only a compass and straightedge. The method begins with a given circle into which we will inscribe the pentagon. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Quadratics http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/98167/ Duncan Keith Test yourself on quadratic equations with these ten questions of increasing difficulty. They cover quadratics up to (UK) GCSE intermediate level, and much of GCSE higher level material as well. ***FEATURED TECHNOLOGY POW Technology PoW: Balloon Booths http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tpow/17731/ Roschelle, Drier, Gertler, Jackiw, and Alejandre Pop a hot air balloon by scaling its size so that it fits through a narrow passage and hits a nail. NOTE: A free login is required. Sign up using the link on the login page, or use your existing KenKen or Problems of the Week login. ***FEATURED DISCUSSION New on-line Algebra tool http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?&do=m&thread=_____dev-87 KennyTilton writes, "I am gradually rolling out a Web-based version of my desktop application for practicing Algebra." CHECK OUT THE MATH TOOLS SITE: Math Tools http://mathforum.org/mathtools/ Register http://mathforum.org/mathtools/register.html Discussions http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html Research Area http://mathforum.org/mathtools/research/ Developers Area http://mathforum.org/mathtools/developers/ Newsletter Archive http://mathforum.org/mathtools/newsletter/ \`. .--------------.___________) \ |//////////////|___________[ ] `--------------' ) ( '-' The Math Forum @ Drexel -- 27 August 2010