SSDS Boston 8th Grade Algebra Web Site

Summer Projects

Here are some summer projects you can do for enrichment, or to help prepare you for 8th grade algebra.

History of Algebra

Write a report on the history of Algebra. Click here for a suggested outline to guide your research.

Skills

There were several things that you learned in seventh grade that are really critical skills for Algebra. Although we will review them in class, you'll have a big advantage if you've reviewed and practiced these skills before the year begins.

Tri-C Publications has two books that are particularly good for summer review and practice. These books may be ordered at http://www.summerskills.com

	The *7th Grade Math Review* covers all basic math skills learned in 7th grade, including number facts, order of operations, fractions and decimals, percents and basic geometry.
	The *Prealgebra Summer Math Skills Sharpener* is a more advanced review that also includes graphing, variables, algebra, and exponents (among other topics).

The AAAmath site has lots of information on basic skills, along with interactive exercises to help you practice.

Fractions. Mrs. Voolich has told you, I'm sure, "you have to be facile with fractions." That means that you need to know how to add, subtract, multiply, divide and simplify fractions. You should also know about reciprocals. See the fractions on AAAmath. You should know how to

	add and subtract fractions by finding a common denominator, and rewriting the fractions so they all have the same (common) denominator.
	multiply two fractions by multiplying the numerators together to get the numerator of the result, then multiply the denominators to get the denominator of the result.
	find the reciprocal of a number and a fraction.
	divide one fraction by another by multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second
	convert a fraction to a decimal

Add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative numbers. There are a series of pages on AAAmath on positive and negative integers. We'll learn how to do this in class, but it wouldn't hurt to keep your skills from seventh grade fresh.

Percents. Some practice using percents would be helpful as well. Go to the fractions, decimals and percents page on AAAmath for information.

Honors Algebra

Those enrolled for Honors Algebra in 8th grade are responsible for the material in chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the Algebra 1: An Integrated Approach textbook. You will receive a textbook at the end of 7th grade to help you with your summer review.

As you review chapters one, two and three of your textbook, use the assignments below to check your understanding. Answers to all odd-numbered problems (and some even-numbered ones) are in the back of the textbook. Note: You are not required to complete or turn in these assignments, but it is a good idea to try at least some of the problems in each unit. If you're strong in an area, you may choose not to complete all of the suggested problems. If you find some problems to be repetitive and you think you know the material, you can skip some of them.

If you do complete some or all of these assignments, you may hand them in and I will give you credit on your homework grade. There will be no penalty if you decide not to hand them in.

Assignments

Chapter 1

	1.1: p. 5: 9-30
	1.2: p. 12: 9-24
	1.3: p. 18: 13, 19, 20, 22-25, 28, 30, 32-39
	1.4: p. 22: 11, 13, 14, 21-36, 42, 44
	1.5: p. 27: 11, 12, 14-17, 21-23, 25-27, 30, 31, 33-37
	1.6: p. 31: 5-10, 16-23
	1.7: p. 35: 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22-32
	1.8: p. 41: 7-13, 16, 17, 19-22
	Review: p. 45 6, 7, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27-29, 31, 33-37, 42-45
	Chapter test: p. 48: All problems.

Chapter 2

(Where there are two problem sets given for a particular section, the first one checks basic concepts, the second provides more challenging problems for developing deeper understanding).

	2.1: p. 55: 17-19, 26, 27, 35-38, 40-42, 44, 46, 50, 51, 56-59
	2.2: p. 61: 15-17, 19, 20, 31, 32, 34, 37, 39, 44, 53 2.2: p. 61: 21, 22, 25, 26, 33, 35, 46, 47, 52, 54
	2.3: p. 66: 22, 25, 28, 29, 31-35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 44, 47, 49-53
	2.4: p. 71: 15, 18, 22-24, 27, 29, 33, 35, 48, 58, 60, 62, 64 2.4: p. 71: 19, 20, 25, 30, 31, 36, 46, 49, 56, 57, 63, 67
	2.5: p. 76: 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 16 2.5: p. 76: 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 17
	2.6: p. 83: 9, 10, 13-19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 35-37, 41 2.6: p. 83: 11, 12, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 33, 39
	Review: p. 87: 14, 15, 22, 23, 25-27, 30-41, 43, 44, 46-48
	Chapter test: p. 90: all problems

Chapter 3

(Where there are two problem sets given for a particular section, the first one checks basic concepts, the second provides more challenging problems for developing deeper understanding).

	3.1: p. 97: 13, 14, 17, 18, 21-24, 32-34-37, 40, 42, 52-56, 60, 61, 65, 78, 82, 84
	3.2: p. 104: 12, 14, 27, 29, 42, 43, 48, 50, 61, 62, 69 3.2: p. 104: 28, 37, 40, 41, 47, 55-57, 64, 65, 67, 70
	3.3: p. 111: 8-13, 16, 17, 25, 28-34, 36-40,k 42, 44, 48, 53, 55, 57
	3.4: p. 117: 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 27-29, 32, 35, 37, 38, 45-56, 59, 60, 70, 72-74
	3.5: p. 123: 11-18, 20, 23-25, 29-40, 50-56, 66, 69-71
	3.6: p. 128: 17, 22, 24, 39, 42, 46, 47, 50, 53, 60, 61, 64-68 3.6: p. 128: 26, 34, 35, 43, 44, 49, 54, 59, 62, 63, 69-71
	3.7: p. 135: 11-15, 19, 21, 24-34, 40-42, 44, 46-49
	3.8: p. 140: 1-4
	Review: p. 143: 1-10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 23-27, 29-31, 39, 44-46, 48-50, 52-59
	Chapter test: p. 146: all problems

This web site was developed by and is maintained by Mr. Srebnick for use in the 8th grade math program at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston.