Saxon Algebra 1/2??

[HollyDay]

Dd is really having a hard time with all those surface area and volume problems in Saxon 1/2. She is getting everything else. Of the 20 problems on the test, she is getting 19 correct and missing the surface area/volume question. So, how important is this? Are other curriculums teaching this concept throughout like Saxon??

[mpcTutor]

Dd is really having a hard time with all those surface area and volume problems in Saxon 1/2. She is getting everything else. Of the 20 problems on the test, she is getting 19 correct and missing the surface area/volume question. So, how important is this? Are other curriculums teaching this concept throughout like Saxon??

 

If she is getting 19 correct out of 20 then she most likely is not making computational errors. She simply has not been shown how a cylinder can be cut open into a rectangle and how same idea can be extended to a little more unusual shapes. The Saxon problems fall into distinctly two categories:

 

1) Given a regular cross section and height, find volume and

2) Find lateral area from perimeter and height

 

Also, check if she is using area formulas for triangle and circle correctly. On a side note my suggestion is that she should do all required construction in the book diagram itself. By not drawing additional lines, angles etc. in the given figure, students don't see the solution. Most students will not draw their own diagram if it is not allowed to do the work in the text diagram itself.

 

How important is this?: Almost certainly, there will be at least one and sometimes 2 similar questions on ACT. In addition, there are more than two questions on ACT that will need the background in above area.

 

 

Best regards.

 

MPCTutor

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AP Calculus, AP Physics, Singapore Math Grades 7-12

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