CraigsMaths

Mathematics Teaching for Learning

Archive for the ‘Engineering Maths B’ Category

Factoring polynomials

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

There are several approaches to factoring polynomials.  Some are easier than others depending on the polynomial you are trying to factor.  Here’s a step by step method to help you on the way to selecting the “best” approach to use.  This article only considers real solutions and does not deal with complex solutions.

(more…)

Limits Theorems

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Limits theorems are used to find a limit for function that may be comprised of many terms. Using the theorems split the original function into 2 or more functions and evaluate the limits to each part seperately. Then recombine each individual limit to get the limit of the original function. (more…)

Solving equations when the pronumeral is an exponent

Friday, September 26th, 2008

If you have an equation and want to solve for an unknown in the exponent simply take the logarithm of both sides and apply the indices/logarithms laws.

An example follows: (more…)

Sketching exponential functions summary

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

As discussed in graphs of exponential functions the most informative approach is to view the general form

y=ae^{b\left(x-c\right)}+d

as a set of transformations.

These transformations are summarised here in tabular form. (more…)

Graphs of logarithmic functions

Monday, August 25th, 2008

By comparing logarithmic functions with the simple form it is easy to sketch their graphs using a transformational approach. (more…)