Lesson+Reflections


 * __Lesson Reflections__**


 * __Term 2__**

__**Lesson 1: Coordinate Geometry and Linear Graphs**__

Throughout the whole experience learning this topic, for sure, I did not feel happy or a feeling of satisfaction or happiness while learning it. Coordinate geometry is something I will always hate. Up till this point of my studying life of Mathematics, this has probably been the toughest and most hated topic in Mathematics. Why so? Many people say this is an extremely easy topic but to me, I just dislike graphs. While the formulas are easy, it is difficult to apply them apparently because the question coming out may not be related to these formulas. Thus, you get stuck so one of the important points is that you must know how to apply your knowledge into the questions.

So, what have I learnt in these lessons? I think one of the greatest takeaway is knowing how to use GeoGebra really well because to me, I have never ever explored this kind of programmes before and just maybe, it will help me in the future for my projects. There is the formula y = mx + c. m refers to the gradient of a line while c refers to the y-intercept. There are some patterns with regards to this formula: Value of m determines the slope of a line, thus, the greater the value of m, the steeper the line and when m = 0, it produces a horizontal line.

So, there are 3 formulas needed to be learnt. (Really sorry about this, I tried to use the 2 online equations for the typing, but I can’t seem to get it right.):

Gradient: y2 – y 1 / x2 – x1 Distance Formula: Square Root {(x2 – x1) ^2 + (y2 – y1) ^2} Midpoint Formula: x1 + x2 / 2, y1 + y2 / 2

Well, these 3 formulas are really easy to remember, regarding this lesson, do I have any more doubts? Well, currently no at the moment after the test has been released to us and I know where I have gone wrong but I believe towards EOY, we will have many doubts to come. But maybe 1 question left lingering in my mind is: Why, why do we learn coordinate geometry for? Why, there is not even any human application towards it, I think?

__**Lesson 2: Simultaneous Linear Equations**__

Looking back, it was a form of relief to have met this topic in Term 2. It is finally, I can say, a break from the tough topics in Term 1 and 1st half of Term 2. To me, simultaneous linear equations could probably be the easiest topic in our secondary school life. Why? As long as you have the skills and abilities at your fingertips, you will definitely know how to solve the equation. Many of us say this is the easiest topic, and to contrast with my previous reactions for coordinate geometry, these are totally different. However, most importantly, there are no formulas at all for you to study, just that you need to know the different methods on how to solve the simultaneous linear equations.

What have I learnt? Well, there are basically 2 methods you need to do:

Elimination or Substitution Elimination is just the process of eliminating one of the two variables, to solve one of the variables first, followed by substituting the found variable into the equation. Substitution is the process of comparing the two different variables and substituting them once more to solve the equation.

Then, we move on to problem solving using simultaneous linear equation, simply make your equations and solve through the two methods or another new method called graphical representations. For one (me) that hate graphs and coordinate geometry so much, I will never ever use this method to solve simultaneous linear equations.

Do I have any doubts? Well, no, especially since it is an easy topic to me but maybe I have some thoughts besides these 3 methods (elimination, substitution and graphical representation), are there any more methods?

__**Lesson 3: Trigonometry**__

This topic has been covered through the use of one’s own independent learning and presentations that have been made by our very own classmates. Well, trigonometry to me was an average topic, not very tough, nor every easy. Something that I love about trigonometry is that it has played a role in our lifestyles and just maybe, we could get to use it in the future. You may not know that trigonometry is revolving around us because we pay little attention to it. Everything that has been built makes use of some concepts in trigonometry. Our tables, chairs, school, shelves, everything has been made with some concepts. That is why without trigonometry, we may not have that perfect tables, chairs, school and shelves. It is such an important tool, skill, ability and knowledge now, don’t you realise? What is the main point about trigonometry? It is to get all those formulas in your head and apply these formulas to the questions. It is that simple, but it can also get really hard if the questions are set horribly tough.

What have I learnt? Well, there are actually 3 basic formulas here that need to be learnt:

Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse (SOH, reciprocal is Cosecant) Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse (CAH, reciprocal is Secant) Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent (TOA, reciprocal is Cotangent)

Yes, it is only these 3 formulas that are the main crux of this topic or at least, for the questions in the test. It has been an enriching experience because trigonometry offers one lots of exploration, especially in complicated questions. Well, doubts are doubts. Regarding this extent of trigonometry, nothing yet, but I do look forward to the remaining part of trigonometry. When will we ever learn it? Using the reciprocals to solve would be much more complicated and I do wonder, well, could we get the answers for trigonometry from GeoGebra?