Guest Virginia Dawn Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I was very happy with this choice, and so was ds. Three days into the book, what seems to me to be a glaring omission- no explanation at all that any variable or number with a zero exponent is equal to 1. I searched the entire book, it's not there. However, it is expected that you know that, because almost immediately there are multiple problems with terms that have exponents of zero. Everything else has been explained with great detail, but not this. I had to look it up in another algebra book (I had forgotten it myself). Anyway, should I expect more surprises like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinRTX Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Did you do Saxon for Algebra 1? I started my oldest with Algebra 2 without doing Saxon Algebra 1 and it was hard. There were several things you were just expected to know. It is doable (we went on to Saxon Advanced Math and Calculus), but hard. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 My son DID have Saxon Algebra I last year, and had the same complaint this week. I found it on the internet for him, but you're right, it's nowhere in the book. My older two also completed this text and I don't remember running into this problem. It was a few years ago, though, so who knows. If there are things like this all throughout the book, I think I would remember. My older two went on through Advanced Mathematics and Calculus and had no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenaj Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 We hit the same lesson this week and had the same problem because my son did TT Algebra I. My dd, who is in the middle of MUS algebra, gave him a quick tutoring lesson in exponents - she did enjoy being one up on her brother! I was wondering the same thing - how many more surprises there might be. I'm thinking about ording the DIVE CD - maybe that will help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 This is definitely covered in Saxon Algebra 1. Saxon Algebra 2 would assume the student already knew it. Now if anybody can give me a clear reason WHY that math fact is true, that's what I'D love to know! I never could understand the concept, we just accept it as fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moni Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 (edited) no explanation at all that any variable or number with a zero exponent is equal to 1. I'm not surprised. That concept isn't an Alg-2 concept, is it? Seems more like middle school math concept to me? Anyway, should I expect more surprises like this? If the student's preparation for Algebra-2 was lacking....... probably Yes. zero exponents were in ds's 6th grade math book last year. Oh there you go. I thought it was part of prior-to-Algebra-2 math. :seeya: Edited September 4, 2009 by Moni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moni Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 (edited) My son DID have Saxon Algebra I last year,. Wasn't it in Saxon Alg-1 ? :confused: what seems to me to be a glaring omission Well there are a lot of glaring omissions then. It's just that all the glaring omissions were covered in previous arithmetic and earlier algebra Did he try make up a problem, see what it would be? 2^0 ---> 2^3-3 ----> 2^3 / 2^3 ----> same-over-same ----> "1" he knows same-over-same equals "1" from 5th grade math class, and there you go ! :seeya: Edited September 5, 2009 by Moni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moni Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Now if anybody can give me a clear reason WHY that math fact is true, that's what I'D love to know. Sure It has to do with subtraction of expononents. x^5 over x^5 (set up as a fraction) is same over same equals 1 over 1 ....or just 1 right? So we "know" it's 1 x^5 ---- ---> x^5-5 ----> x^0 which is 1 :lol: x^5 :seeya: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 It's in Alg 1/2! Page 331. The only other Saxon texts we've used were 1 and 3, so I don't know about the other levels, but zero exponents were in ds's 6th grade math book last year. And I only remember that b/c I didn't believe the answer could possibly be 1! :blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moni Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I'm thinking about ording the DIVE CD - maybe that will help?? If that constitutes a "surprise" I would rather suggest the SaxonTeacher product, not the DIVE. ;) :seeya: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I have to agree with Moni. That is not an Algebra II subject. Algebra II cannot cover everything a student should have learned in middle school or Algebra I. That just isn't reasonable. As for will there be ongoing issues? Well, it COULD have just been a stray gap. Or it could be a sign of not having a sufficient math background to do Algebra II. JMO, but most students would benefit from a second year of Algebra. I was a highly gifted student and that second year made all the difference in the world. I went from A's to straight 99's and found it maddening at the time; but looking at it down the road a little (and definitely as an adult), I'm SOOOOOOOO glad I had the extra year. And both my kids (both mathy kids) also did more than one Algebra program. They weren't thrilled about it, but the results are obvious though they had no issue with the first time through the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUV2EDU Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 (edited) This will explain why it is equal to one. It all goes back to place values. http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/math/skillsupdate/g7/practice/student_g7_practice_1.pdf Edited September 5, 2009 by LUV2EDU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 This concept is covered in Dolciani Pre-Alg. From the book... 7 to the zero power=7 to the 1st power/7 = 7/7 = 1 The powers of 7 in decreasing order are such that each power of 7 is the quotient of the preceding power divided by a factor of 7....This decreasing pattern suggest that 7 to the zero power is equal to 7 to the 1st power divided by 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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