A window through the walls of our classroom. This is an interactive learning ecology for students and parents in my Consumer Math 20S class. This ongoing dialogue is as rich as YOU make it. Visit often and post your comments freely.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Learning is a Two Way Street: A Mentor Reflects

Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
November 27,2007 Scribe Post
- Sales Tax consists of GST and PST:
GST: Goods & Services Tax (if buying basic needs such as food, clothes)
PST: Provincial Sales Tax
Mr.Kuropatwa had told us about taxes and how they change every year. He also mentioned a thing or two about what kind of things were never taxed. Such as books, because they contain information to educate, and food because its basic requirement.
Goods & Services Tax
Some examples of GST would be:
- If you buy 6 dozen muffins, you won't be taxed.
- If you buy less than 6 items, you were buying a "service".
- Buying 6 muffins you wouldn't get taxed. (prepared foods)
- A haircut is not a good, it's a service.
- Getting a car fixed is buying a service, which means you get taxed.
Provincial Sales Tax
- anything sold in a province gets taxed.
Example:
- used car - no GST
- new car - both GST & PST
Some provinces have HST such as New Brunswick, P.E.I and Quebec. HST stands for Harmonized Sales Tax.
We were given an example to find the Final price of a new computer when taxes are included
EXAMPLE: Dave lives in Nelson, British columbia. How much tax will he have to pay to buy a new computer that costs $2565.00? What will be the final price when taxes are included.
Step (1) Look for B.C tax, PST: (7%) GST (6%)
(2) Find 6% (6/100=0.06)
Find 7% (7/100=0.07)
(3) Multiply the percentage by the cost of the computer:
GST: 0.06 x $2565.00 = $153.90
PST: 0.07 x 2565.00 = $179.55
(4) To find the total tax, add the PST and GST together to get the answer:
$153.90 + $179.55 = $333.45
Next Scribe will be ... Kay-Ti
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
BLOGGING ON BLOGGING
Examples For Forumlas :
=SUM (B4*B5)
=AVERAGE (D6*D7)
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
[ ! ] BLOGGING ON BLOGGING
A label usually consists of ONLY letters in a cell. A formula is an equation beginning with an equal sign (very important), and a value is content in a cell that consists of nothing other than numbers. Along with this, you're also going to have to know how to identify cells. Cells are the little boxes that make up the spreadsheet.
Along the top of the spreadsheets are letters of the alphabet, and along the left-hand side are numbers. The proper way to identify a cell is to first find the column in which the cell is in, go all the way to the top, and remember the letter. Then find the row in which the cell is located, go all the way to the left, and remember the number. Then put the two together; letter first, number comes after.
Using the spreadsheet above as a reference, this is how you'd determine which cell it is. The highlighted box is under the "B" column, and located in the "2" row, therefore it is cell "B2".
When you know which cell you're supposed to put content in, then its pretty straight forward. If you're typing in a label, you should type NOTHING other than letters or words, with the acception of dates and such. If you're typing in a formula, letters and numbers are allowed, but you MUST remember to place an equal sign (=) before it, or it won't work the way it should. If you were to type in a value, there should be NOTHING but numbers in that cell.
When you put a label into your spreadsheet, it should automatically align to the left of the cell, unless it is further formatted. Opposite of labels, values are automatically aligned to the right of the cell, again, unless it is further formatted. Formulas are similar to labels, they are aligned to the left, and then automatically calculated to show the answer. You'll find that when you type the formula in, the answer will show up in the cell, but in the textbox, the formula is still there.
Speaking of formulas, there are a variety of formulas that are already there for you to use. You can find them all listed under the 'formulas' tab just along the top of the actual spreadsheet. Not all spreadsheet programs are the same, so you might have to search for a button that says 'formulas'. Formulas make spreadsheets all the more easier to work with, because it does all you're calculations for you automatically, the only thing you have to do is make sure the formula that you put in is correct, and that you didn't leave out the equal sign.
Examples of commonly used formulas are:
[ & ] = SUM(A2:G2) , OR , = SUM(A2+B2+C2+D2+E2+F2+G2)
... .... > to add cell values together .
[ & ] = A2*B2
..... .. > to multiply two cells together .
[ & ] = SUM(A2:A7)/2
... .... > to add multiple cells together , then divide by two .
[ & ] = AVERAGE(C2:C9)
....... > to find the average of multiple cells .
Spreadsheets are a good way to keep track of everything, especially when it comes to banking. Its easy to understand, quick to do, simple to access, and a big plus, no paper work OR self calculating!
[ ! ] GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST :)
Blogging on Blogging
Spreadsheet contains a LABELS and VALUES. Before we put anything in the spreadsheet, we must first READ and FOLLOW the directions carefully because if we dont, everything will be mess up. And if we want to put a formula, always remember that always put an EQUAL SIGN because if we dont, the answer not gonna show up. For example, =sum(A2,A3),we can do this too, =A2+A3, this formula are both the same.
About the tricks too in mental math like how to solve 9 multiply into other number like 42. There's an easy way to solve this without using a calculator. this is how it is,
9x42=378
instead we multiply 9 to 42, we multiply 42 to 10 because 9 is close to 10 and 10 is easy to multiply to 42, just put zero after the number 42 then we get 420
10x42=420
then, we subtract 420 to 42 because we only need nine 42 and we multiply it in 10 so we must take one 42 in 420 and we get 387, and that's the answer.
420-42= 378
Its amazing that we are learning this unit because some other young teenager like us dont go to school. So dont waste time, learning everything makes a big changes in our life.
Goodluck in the test,,,,,
Blogging on Blogging
We learned that a cell can contain a label, value, or formula.
A cell that contains words is called a label.
A cell that contains numbers is called a value.
In order for it to be considered a formula, it MUST include an = sign (equal sign).
Some of you may have found this unit pretty easy, while the others found it pretty difficult. However, don't forget to STUDY for the math test tomorrow! Goodluck everyone.
Blogging on Blogging
In this section of Math, I found quite a lot of things interesting. However, one thing that stayed with me, was the trick of multiplying by 9. It helped me in a lot of places.
Step 1: Look at the equation. 14 x 9 = ?
Step 2: To multiply them together, multiply by 10. (Which is much easier) 14 x 10 = ?
Step 3: Solve the equation with the 10. 14 x 10 = 140
Step 4: Take the product and minus ONE of the numbers you used in the equation (NOT the 9 or 10). You want to do this, because you wanted 9 groups of that number, NOT 10. 140 - 14 = ?
Step 5: Solve the equation, once again. 140 - 14 = 126
Step 6: Dance around in circles, because you are done!
That is what I think helped me the most in this part of Math. Remember to study! You don't want to become some poor bum on the street, begging for money or trying to buy underwear, because you don't have any. A healthy mind, is a good mind!
Blogging on Blogging =)
During this past few weeks I have learned alot about spreadsheets and the different kinds of spreadsheets I never knew before.
When doing spreadsheets you always have to read the directions very carefully. If you don't, it won't work.
When you type in a formula, we always have to have an "=" sign (equal sign). If there isn't a equal sign, IT ISN'T A FORMULA, it would be called a value.
A Label is a cell with words and a Value is a cell with numbers.
We looked at google spreadsheets and pbwiki spreadsheets.
This is what I learned in this unit =)
Good Luck on the test everyone =) and take your time =)
Always Smile,
Joyce
canada's food guide
the next scribe will be mary.....
Blogging On Blogging
Example: take the two numbers that are the same from each digit. Witch is 3. Add one of them to make it turn to 4. so now you have 3x4 now multiply that together to get 12. then you take the 4 and the 6 that was left over then multiply that together and you get 24. So now you got the answer to the multiplication question. Its 1224 =D
34x36
3 x add one to the three = 4
3 x 4= 12
take the left overs
4 x 6 = 24
Now put it together
1224 =D
That was a new multiplication problem that i learn in Class and theres lots more.
In our current assignment spreadsheets. I learned that this symbol ( ^ ) was Exponent on the keyboard and this( * ) was Multiplication and( / )was Division. Well good luck to everyone on the spreadsheets test and hope you all do well. :D
Monday, November 19, 2007
Spreadsheets Assignment 6 - The Multiplication Table
This is a bonus marks assignment. Only PERFECT assignments will receive any marks.

Thursday, November 15, 2007
November 15, 2007 Scribe Post.
For example:
= Sum (B3:D3)
=Average (A1:A11)
*The next scribe will be Melchor.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
we should do first multiplication lot stead of addition Because Division or multiplication must be done first before addition division or subtraction.
But if the Question is written in this way =(4=8)2=24
always remember that we should add first the number inside the column before multiply it.
The next scribe is BatangX
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Scribe post, November 13, 2007.
After correcting our mental math sheets, the class headed to the maclab to do some work online. Due to the bad connection, we just ended up doing our homework in the yellow booklets we were given.
HOMEWORK:
+ Page 151 # 1-2
+ Page 163 # 1-2 & 4-7
+ Page 173 # 1-3
+ assignments 1-4 online: http://cm20sf07.pbwiki.com/
> The next scribe will be Jay.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Scribe Post - November 12, 2007
25% x 68
50% of 68 = 34
25 % of 68 = 17
OR
25% x 68 = 1700%
1700% / 100% = 17
We also did a quiz, which wasn't too hard. Still, many of us had some problems here and there. The next scribe will be Maximo.
Spreadsheets Assignment 4
No Name = No Marks
and
No Link = No Marks

Friday, November 9, 2007
Scribe post, November 9, 2007.
After handing in our papers to Mr. Kuropatwa, we went to the lab to work on our spread sheet assignments. There are 9 different assignments posted on the site http://cm20sf07.pbwiki.com/. You can also find this link on the last page of yesterday's slides. Each assignment has its own site, be sure to put your link on the right page.
When you've completed the assigment:
1) Make a final save.
2) Publish your work.
3) Get the link to your work.
4) Comment on the correct class blog
5) Include your link and your name in your comment.
* YOUR NAME IS IMPORTANT! No name, no marks.
[ ! ] The next scribe will be Tina.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Scribe, November 8, 2007
Whats important in spreadsheets is that you have to follow the directions very carefully, using the addresses like for example, C3 .
Today for our assignment we had to copy what was on the spreadsheet and then we clicked the link that brings us to a written part of our assignment, which we had to follow carefully.
If one 'value', 'label', or 'formula' isn't placed correctly, everything will be messed up.
=) There isn't much we did.
The next scribe will be, Deaarly.
Spreadsheets Assignment 3
No Name = No Marks
and
No Link = No Marks

Spreadsheets Assignment 2
No Name = No Marks
and
No Link = No Marks

Spreadsheets Assignment 1
No Name = No Marks
and
No Link = No Marks

Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Today, Mr. Kuropatwa taught us about creating and modifying spreadsheets:
To make the text or labels BOLD or ITALIC
BOLD - click the letter B in the format toolbar to make it BOLD and click the cell you want to change for example: B1 after highlighted then click the B in the format toolbar
ITALIC - click the letter i in the format toolbar to make it ITALIC and click the cell you want to change for example: D1 after highlighted then click the i in the format toolbar
To make the row longer - click the line between the two rows you want to become longer for example: row A and B there is a line between them click it and drag it to make the row longer
To align the label or the value to center or opposite the default setting - click the align in the format toolbar and choose were side you want to align it for example: from B3 to B8 highlight it and then click the align and choose which side you want it to align
To make the whole row BOLD or ITALIC - just drag the first row you want for example: from A6 to A9 start dragging A6 to A9 and after highlighted click the B or i in the format toolbar
To make the value a dollar amount - click the format in the format toolbar and then choose the one with the dollar sign for example: the cell D4 to D8 you want it to change to dollar amount highlight it and click the format in the format toolbar and then click the one you want to use
To make a border - click the icon that is a box that are divided into four for example: you want to make a border from A1 to A7 highlight it and click the icon boxes that are divided into four
To color the cell - click the icon that is a box that are divided into four and has different color inside the four square for example: you want to change the color of cell B1 to B5 highlight it and click the box that has different color inside the four square and choose the color you want and thats it
The next scribe will be...... Joyce
Monday, November 5, 2007
spreadsheet
Today, we started our class with ten mental math question, the first five question is about spreadsheet and the second five question is about how to solve 9 multiply by two number, for example: 9x43
The next scribe will be……………..almond
Lessons from the geese??

The geese who inhabit the wildlife preserve where we walk each day are pretty much gone, having migrated south before the snow flies. I wonder did you see them, too, heading south for the winter flying along in "V" formation? Do you know what science has discovered as to why they fly that way?
FACT 1 - As each Goose flaps its wings it creates uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71 per cent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
FACT 2 - When a Goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
FACT 3 - When the lead Goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another Goose flies to the point position.
FACT 4 - The Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
FACT 5 - When a Goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two Geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Are there lessons we can learn from a gaggle of geese? What do you think?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
november 2,2007.
The next describe is Melchor
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
bloggingand blogging
In this lesson,I leanr lots of things ang technique for example: find the gross pay of a works work 46 hours this week. he paid doble time for every overtime he work. His regular hours per week is 40 hour and He paid $8.00 per hours.
* find the over time hours by subtracting the Total hours to the Regular hours 46 hour - 40 hour =6 hour (overtime pay)
* find the over time pay by multiplying the overtime hours to overtime rate and to wage
6 hours times 2 tmes $ 8.00 =$96.00 (overtime pay)
* find the regular pay by multiplying the regular hours to waege
40 hours times $ 8.00=320(regular pay )
* then last add the overtime pay and regular pay to get the total gross pay $320.00 add to
$96.oo=$ 416.00 this is the <total grosspay >