Rocketcat &judiethcarolApril2010c
Rocketcat says: I like skateboards. I'm a jumper myself, but a skateboard can be exciting. The ramp may be steep. How steep is the ramp? This is slope. There is a formula; and it is easy. It looks harder than it is. Let me tell you that there is an easier way than today's explanation on the SAT to see the answer to today's question. But, first, you MUST become aware of how problems look that deal with slope.
When you do today's problem, draw it on a piece of paper. The formula is simple. The questions on the SAT will have low numbers like this one. You are looking for a 6 over a 4 to be the same as 3 over 2. Notice that the 3 over 2 is bigger than 1. It is a mixed number 1 1/2. The bigger number on top tips you that you are looking for a numerator and denominator (numerator is the number on top and denominator-d for down--is the number on the bottom) with a larger numerator. Note: Because the number for slope is a ratio, you may fare better calling the top number the 'rise' and the bottom number the run.
Visualizing the rise --going up the y axis on a graph in a ratio to the run --going across the horizon on the x axis--can help you on all of the slope problems.
The only reason you can jot down a little outline of what you are doing (SEE THE FORMULA FOR SLOPE) and visualize the answer is that you have a feeling for what slope is measuring and how to plug in numbers.
Come back tomorrow for more about SLOPE. Prediction: There will be problems, perhaps more than one, on the SAT about slope. The questions about slope will challenge more than your understanding of the formula; but once you know the formula and practice with a few problems on graphs, you will be unstoppable about slope. Check back in a few hr to www.coolrocketschool.org -- Math tips are healthy. Look at the percentage of people who missed today's question. You can do better than half the people on this test by making a little effort to learn how to do what you know will be on the SAT test.
judiethcarol&rocketcatApril2010
