Transmath: Understanding Algebraic Expressions (2010)

Dividing Fractions

Divide fractions using area models. Adjust the numerators and denominators of the divisor and dividend and see how the area model and calculation change. 5 Minute Preview

Equivalent Fractions (Fraction Tiles)

Explore fractions using the Fractionator, the machine that makes fraction tiles. Compare fractions and find equivalent fractions by arranging the tiles on two horizontal rows. Explore simplifying fractions. Add fractions and express sums as improper fractions or mixed numbers. 5 Minute Preview

Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Find the sum or difference of two fractions with unlike denominators using graphic models. Find the least common denominator graphically. 5 Minute Preview

Multiplying Decimals (Area Model)

Model the product of two decimals by finding the area of a rectangle. Estimate the area of the rectangle first. Then break the rectangle into several pieces and find the area of each piece (partial product). Add these areas together to find the whole area (product). 5 Minute Preview

Multiplying Fractions

Multiply two fractions using an area model. Vary the vertical area to change one fraction and vary the horizontal area to change the other. Then examine the intersection of the areas to find the product. 5 Minute Preview

Sums and Differences with Decimals

Find the sum or difference of two decimal numbers using area models. Find the decimals and their sum or difference on a number line. 5 Minute Preview

Treasure Hunter (Decimals on the Number Line)

Drive a desert highway searching for buried treasure. Learn to use the car's tens, ones, tenths, and hundredths gears, along with a GPS system (number line), to find the right place to dig. Plot your findings on a zoomable number line map. Can you become a master Treasure Hunter? 5 Minute Preview

Box-and-Whisker Plots

Construct a box-and-whisker plot to match a line plots, and construct a line plot to match a box-and-whisker plots. Manipulate the line plot and examine how the box-and-whisker plot changes. Then manipulate the box-and-whisker plot and examine how the line plot changes. 5 Minute Preview

Correlation

Explore the relationship between the correlation coefficient of a data set and its graph. Fit a line to the data and compare the least-squares fit line. 5 Minute Preview

Least-Squares Best Fit Lines

Fit a line to the data in a scatter plot using your own judgment. Then compare the least squares line of best fit. 5 Minute Preview

Trends in Scatter Plots

Examine the scatter plot for a random data set with negative or positive correlation. Vary the correlation and explore how correlation is reflected in the scatter plot and the trend line. 5 Minute Preview

Beam to Moon (Ratios and Proportions)

Apply ratios and proportions to find the weight of a person on the moon (or on another planet). Weigh an object on Earth and on the moon and weigh the person on Earth. Then set up and solve the proportion of the Earth weights to the moon weights. 5 Minute Preview

Function Machines 1 (Functions and Tables)

Drop a number into a function machine, and see what number comes out! You can use one of the six pre-set function machines, or program your own function rule into one of the blank machines. Stack up to three function machines together. Input and output can be recorded in a table and on a graph. 5 Minute Preview

Part-to-part and Part-to-whole Ratios

Compare a ratio represented by an area with its percent, fraction, and decimal forms. 5 Minute Preview

Using Algebraic Equations

Translate equations into English sentences and translate English sentences into equations. Read the equation or sentence and select word tiles or symbol tiles to form the corresponding sentence or equation. 5 Minute Preview

Using Algebraic Expressions

Translate algebraic expressions into English phrases, and translate English phrases into algebraic expressions. Read the expression or phrase and select word tiles or symbol tiles to form the corresponding phrase or expression. 5 Minute Preview

Points, Lines, and Equations

Compare the graph of a linear function to its rule and to a table of its values. Change the function by dragging two points on the line. Examine how the rule and table change. 5 Minute Preview

Estimating Population Size

Adjust the number of fish in a lake to be tagged and the number of fish to be recaptured. Use the number of tagged fish in the catch to estimate the number of fish in the lake. 5 Minute Preview

Proportions and Common Multipliers

Complete a proportion using a graphical model. Use counters to fill cells in the numerators and denominators given. Use the visual pattern to determine how many counters to put in the missing numerator or denominator. 5 Minute Preview

Similar Figures

Vary the scale factor and rotation of an image and compare it to the preimage. Determine how the angle measures and side lengths of the two figures are related. 5 Minute Preview

Compound Inequalities

Explore the graphs of two inequalities and find their union or intersection. Determine the relationship between the endpoints of the inequalities and the endpoints of the compound inequality. 5 Minute Preview

Exploring Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solve inequalities in one variable. Examine the inequality on a number line and determine which points are solutions to the inequality. 5 Minute Preview

Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solve one-step inequalities in one variable. Graph the solution on a number line. 5 Minute Preview

Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs

Create a graph of a runner's position versus time and watch the runner run a 40-yard dash based on the graph you made. Notice the connection between the slope of the line and the velocity of the runner. Add a second runner (a second graph) and connect real-world meaning to the intersection of two graphs. Also experiment with a graph of velocity versus time for the runners, and also distance traveled versus time. 5 Minute Preview

Measuring Motion

Go on an African safari and observe a variety of animals walking and running across the savanna. Videotape the animals, and then play back the videotape to estimate animal speeds. Which animals run fastest? 5 Minute Preview

Arithmetic Sequences

Find the value of individual terms in arithmetic sequences using graphs of the sequences and direct computation. Vary the common difference and examine how the sequences change in response. 5 Minute Preview

Finding Patterns

Build a pattern to complete a sequence of patterns. Study a sequence of three patterns of squares in a grid and build the fourth pattern of the sequence in a grid. 5 Minute Preview

Function Machines 1 (Functions and Tables)

Drop a number into a function machine, and see what number comes out! You can use one of the six pre-set function machines, or program your own function rule into one of the blank machines. Stack up to three function machines together. Input and output can be recorded in a table and on a graph. 5 Minute Preview

Function Machines 2 (Functions, Tables, and Graphs)

Drop a number into a function machine, and see what number comes out! You can use one of the six pre-set function machines, or program your own function rule into one of the blank machines. Stack up to three function machines together. Input and output can be recorded in a table and on a graph. 5 Minute Preview

Geometric Sequences

Explore geometric sequences by varying the initial term and the common ratio and examining the graph. Compute specific terms in the sequence using the explicit and recursive formulas. 5 Minute Preview

Pattern Finder

Observe frogs jumping around on colored lily pads. Find, test, and reason about patterns you see in their jumping. 5 Minute Preview

Pattern Flip (Patterns)

In the Pattern Flip carnival game, you are shown a pattern of cards. The first cards are face-up so you can see the pattern, and the rest are face-down. Can you guess which animals are on the face-down cards? Use one of the preset patterns, or make your own custom pattern. Good luck! 5 Minute Preview

Points, Lines, and Equations

Compare the graph of a linear function to its rule and to a table of its values. Change the function by dragging two points on the line. Examine how the rule and table change. 5 Minute Preview

Percent of Change

Apply markups and discounts using interactive "percent rulers." Improve number sense for percents with this dynamic, visual tool. Reinforce the original cost (or original price) as the baseline for percent calculations. 5 Minute Preview

Percents and Proportions

Find a part from the percent and whole, a percent from the part and whole, or a whole from the part and percent using a graphic model. 5 Minute Preview

Adding and Subtracting Integers

Add and subtract integers on a number line using dynamic arrows. 5 Minute Preview

Adding and Subtracting Integers with Chips

Use chips to model addition and subtraction of positives and negatives. Explore the effect of zero pairs. See how to use zero pairs to help special cases of addition and subtraction. 5 Minute Preview

Addition of Polynomials

Add polynomials using an area model. Use step-by-step feedback to diagnose any mistakes. 5 Minute Preview

Order of Operations

Select and evaluate the operations in an expression following the correct order of operations. 5 Minute Preview

Surface and Lateral Areas of Prisms and Cylinders

Vary the dimensions of a prism or cylinder and investigate how the surface area changes. Use the dynamic net of the solid to compute the lateral area and the surface area of the solid. 5 Minute Preview

Surface and Lateral Areas of Pyramids and Cones

Vary the dimensions of a pyramid or cone and investigate how the surface area changes. Use the dynamic net of the solid to compute the lateral area and the surface area of the solid. 5 Minute Preview

Balancing Blocks (Volume)

This Gizmo provides you with two challenges. First, use blocks to build a figure with a given volume. Then, try to balance the blocks on a platform that sits on the tip of a cone. The dimensions of the platform can be adjusted, and blocks can be added or deleted by clicking on the model. 5 Minute Preview

Prisms and Cylinders

Vary the height and base-edge or radius length of a prism or cylinder and examine how its three-dimensional representation changes. Determine the area of the base and the volume of the solid. Compare the volume of an oblique prism or cylinder to the volume of a right prism or cylinder. 5 Minute Preview

Pyramids and Cones

Vary the height and base-edge or radius length of a pyramid or cone and examine how its three-dimensional representation changes. Determine the area of the base and the volume of the solid. Compare the volume of a skew pyramid or cone to the volume of a right pyramid or cone. 5 Minute Preview

Modeling One-Step Equations

Solve a linear equation using a tile model. Use feedback to diagnose incorrect steps. 5 Minute Preview

Modeling and Solving Two-Step Equations

Solve a two-step equation using a cup-and-counter model. Use step-by-step feedback to diagnose and correct incorrect steps. 5 Minute Preview

Solving Two-Step Equations

Choose the correct steps to solve a two-step equation. Use the feedback to diagnose incorrect steps. 5 Minute Preview

Congruence in Right Triangles

Apply constraints to two right triangles. Then drag their vertices around under those conditions. Determine under what conditions the triangles are guaranteed to be congruent. 5 Minute Preview

Constructing Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Construct parallel and perpendicular lines using a straightedge and compass. Use step-by-step explanations and feedback to develop understanding of the construction. 5 Minute Preview

Constructing Congruent Segments and Angles

Construct congruent segments and angles using a straightedge and compass. Use step-by-step explanations and feedback to develop understanding of the construction. 5 Minute Preview

Triangle Angle Sum

Measure the interior angles of a triangle and find the sum. Examine whether that sum is the same for all triangles. Also, discover how the measure of an exterior angle relates to the interior angle measures. 5 Minute Preview

Investigating Angle Theorems

Explore the properties of complementary, supplementary, vertical, and adjacent angles using a dynamic figure. 5 Minute Preview

Polygon Angle Sum

Derive the sum of the angles of a polygon by dividing the polygon into triangles and summing their angles. Vary the number of sides and determine how the sum of the angles changes. Dilate the polygon to see that the sum is unchanged. 5 Minute Preview

Function Machines 2 (Functions, Tables, and Graphs)

Drop a number into a function machine, and see what number comes out! You can use one of the six pre-set function machines, or program your own function rule into one of the blank machines. Stack up to three function machines together. Input and output can be recorded in a table and on a graph. 5 Minute Preview

Introduction to Functions

Determine if a relation is a function using the mapping diagram, ordered pairs, or the graph of the relation. Drag arrows from the domain to the range, type in ordered pairs, or drag points to the graph to add inputs and outputs to the relation. 5 Minute Preview

Linear Functions

Determine if a relation is a function from the mapping diagram, ordered pairs, or graph. Use the graph to determine if it is linear. 5 Minute Preview

Slope

Explore the slope of a line, and learn how to calculate slope. Adjust the line by moving points that are on the line, and see how its slope changes. 5 Minute Preview

Slope-Intercept Form of a Line

Compare the slope-intercept form of a linear equation to its graph. Vary the coefficients and explore how the graph changes in response. 5 Minute Preview

Points, Lines, and Equations

Compare the graph of a linear function to its rule and to a table of its values. Change the function by dragging two points on the line. Examine how the rule and table change. 5 Minute Preview

Point-Slope Form of a Line

Compare the point-slope form of a linear equation to its graph. Vary the coefficients and explore how the graph changes in response. 5 Minute Preview

Points in the Coordinate Plane

Identify the coordinates of a point in the coordinate plane. Drag the point in the plane and investigate how the coordinates change in response. 5 Minute Preview

Reflections

Reshape and resize a figure and examine how its reflection changes in response. Move the line of reflection and explore how the reflection is translated. 5 Minute Preview

Slope-Intercept Form of a Line

Compare the slope-intercept form of a linear equation to its graph. Vary the coefficients and explore how the graph changes in response. 5 Minute Preview

Translations

Translate a figure horizontally and vertically in the plane and examine the matrix representation of the translation. 5 Minute Preview

Pythagorean Theorem with a Geoboard

Build right triangles in an interactive geoboard and build squares on the sides of the triangles to discover the Pythagorean Theorem. 5 Minute Preview

Square Roots

Explore the meaning of square roots using an area model. Use the side length of a square to find the square root of a decimal number or a whole number. 5 Minute Preview

Translating and Scaling Functions

Vary the coefficients in the equation of a function and examine how the graph of the function is translated or scaled. Select different functions to translate and scale, and determine what they have in common. 5 Minute Preview