1. Failure and Success
What is failure?
Final
Attempt
In
Life

2. Failure and Success
What is success?
The eventual achievement of a goal.
“I never failed once. I invented the light
bulb. It was just a 2000 step process.”
-Thomas Edison
What should you do?
Maintain a positive, no-quit attitude.

3. The Notebook
Organize the notebook into four sections.
1. Notes
2. Homework
3. Study Sheets
4. Practice Tests

4. Notes
Use three colors:
RED for definitions
BLUE for rules and procedures
BLACK (pencil) for everything else.

5. Sample Notes
Def. Like terms: Variable terms that have the
same
variables raised to the same exponents, or
constant
We can(p. 84)
terms. simplify an expression by combining
like
terms. Consider 3 x + 2x.
3x means there are three xs repeatedly added
and
2x means there are two xs repeatedly added.
3x
+
= x + x + x + x + x
=
5x
2x

6. Sample Notes (continued)
From our exploration we can conclude the
following procedure.
Procedure : To combine like terms, add or
subtract
the coefficients and keep the variables and
their
exponents the same. (p. 85)
ex) 7x + 5y – 3x + 6 +2y
= 4x + 7y + 6

7. Homework
Write the problem.
Show all work and steps neatly.

8. How homework should look:
(Section number, assignment, name, and date are given at the top. Solution steps are shown
neatly.)
Section 1.5
Jane Goodwin
49 – 85 odd 4/1/2006
49. 5 ∙ 3 + 4
51. 4 ∙ 6 – 7 ∙ 5
= 15 + 4
= 24 – 35
= 19
= –11

9. How homework should not look:
(Section number, assignment, and date are missing and solution steps are not shown.)
Jane Goodwin
49. 19
51. 11

10. Study Sheets
List of all rules and procedures.
Everything in BLUE in your notes.
(The summary in the text is helpful)

11. Study Sheet (Rules and Procedures only)
Chapter 1 Study Sheet
Section 1.7
To evaluate an expression, plug and chug
(replace the variables with the
corresponding
numbers and the calculate).
To combine like terms, add or subtract the
coefficients and keep the variables and their
exponents the same.

12. Study Sheet with Key Examples
Chapter 1 Study Sheet
Section 1.7
Key Examples
Evaluate 3x – 4y when
To evaluate an
x = –2 and y = 3.
expression, replace
the variables with the
3(–2) – 4(3) = –6 –
corresponding
12
numbers and the
= –18
calculate (plug and
chug).
To combine like
terms, add or
subtract the
coefficients and keep
the variables and
their exponents the
Combine like terms.
7x + 5y – 3x + 6 + 2y
= 4x + 7y + 6

13. Practice Tests
1. Use the practice tests in your textbook if your instructor’s
tests closely resemble them. If your instructor’s tests do not
resemble the practice tests in the book, then create a
practice test using the examples from class.
2. Create a game plan for your practice
test.

14. Practice Test Created from Examples in Notes
Chapter 1 Practice Test
1) Evaluate 3x – 4y when x = –2 and y = 3.
2) Evaluate –3 x2 + y3 when x = 2 and y = –3.
3) Use the distributive property to rewrite
5(x + 9).
4) Combine like terms.
a. 2x + 3x
b. 7x + 5y – 3x + 6 + 2y

15. Test Game Plan
Using the practice test (your own or the textbook’s),
write the definition, rule, or procedure required to
answer each question or group of questions with the
same instructions.
Chapter 1 Game Plan
The same procedure is used
for problems 1 and 2, so we
group them together.
1 and 2) Plug and chug (replace variables
with the
corresponding numbers and then calculate).
3) Use a(b + c) = ab + ac
4) Add or subtract the coefficients and keep
the
variables and their exponents the same.

16. Day to Day Routine
“No one has ever drowned in sweat.”
-Lou
1. Take care of business
HoltzTidy up notes. Complete definitions, rules, or
a.
procedures that you left incomplete.
b. Transfer new rules and procedures to your study sheet.
c. With study sheet handy, work through the homework.
d. Add to your practice test.
2. Study. Review study sheet, preparing as if you will have a
test
the next time the class meets.
3. Verify that you know all the rules and procedures. Can you
duplicate the essence of your study sheet from memory
(memory dump)?

17. Preparing for a Test
“What I do is prepare myself until I know I can
do what I have to do.”
-Joe
Namath
1. Read through the notes.
2. Go through your homework exercises.
3. Review the study sheet and practice memory dump.
4. Work through end-of-chapter review exercises.
5. Work through practice test in a “dress
rehearsal” environment.
6. Review the study sheet, practice memory dump, and
take the practice test until there is no doubt about
anything on the study sheet or practice test.

18. Taking a Test
“You play the way you practice.”
-Pop Warner
1. Do a quick memory dump.
2. Work through the problems you are sure about first. Do
not allow yourself to get stuck on a problem, skip it and
come back to it after completing everything else.
3. Return to those problems that you skipped. Always
answer every problem, even if you have to guess.
4. Use all the time you are given. Check and recheck.
Remember there are no prizes for finishing first.