Hopefully the studying has paid off and you are well on your way to building an extensive vocabulary. Below are the definitions to vocabulary set #1.

Daunting - intimidating

Disputatious - argumentative
Ephemeral - temporary
Equilibrium -balance
Fraudulent - deceitful
Prodigious -remarkable
Profuse - abundant
Somber -serious
Summon - to call
Viable - living; possible

Don't forget to check out the College Board's website each day for sample SAT questions.
Practice is what makes perfect!

Robin Hinmon, owner, Brandywine Academic Services

SAT Prep

Spring is in the air and we all want to be outside soaking up the refreshing rays of sunlight, so grab your flashcards, pull up a lawnchair, and study your SAT vocabulary!

Here is a list of 10 frequently used SAT words. How many do you know?

Daunting
Disputatious
Ephemeral
Equilibrium
Fraudulent
Prodigious
Profuse
Somber
Summon
Viable

Check back tomorrow for their definitions.

Solutions for "Order of Operations" Problems

1) 4^2 +12-(5X10)
Parenthesis 4^2+12- 50
Exponents 16 + 12 - 50
Mult/Div 16 + 12 - 50
Add/Sub 28 - 50
-22

2) 10 - 5 X 10^2
Parenthesis 10 - 5 X 10^2
Exponents 10 - 5 X 100
Mult/Div 10 - 500
Add/Sub -490

3) (6+6)^2 + (8-4) X (6-2)
Parenthesis 12^2 + 4 X 4
Exponents 144 + 4 X 4
Mult/Div 144 + 16
Add/Sub 160

4) (6-3/3) + 4 - 4 + 12
Parenthesis (6-1) + 4 - 4 + 12
5 + 4 - 4 + 12
Exponents 5 + 4 - 4 + 12
Mult/Div 5 + 4 - 4 + 12
Add/Sub 9 - 4 + 12
5 + 12
17

5) 10^4 - 10^2 X 5 / 500
Parenthesis 10^4 - 10^2 x 5 / 500
Exponents 10,000 - 100 X 5 / 500
Mult/Div 10,000 - 500 / 500
10,000 - 1
Add/Sub 9,999


Robin Hinmon, owner, Brandywine Academic Services

Mad Math On Monday

One of the foundational concepts in mathematics is "Order of Operations". A useful mnemonic that often helps us to solve complex equations is: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.

P = Parentheses
E = Exponents
M/D = Multiplication / Division
A/S = Addition/Subtraction

In a given equation, any portion of the problem that is within the parentheses should be simplified first. The order of operations should also be followed within the parentheses.

Next, if there are exponents present, these should be simplified.

Multiplication and Division are handled together, in the order in which they appear in the equation, from left to right.

Similarly, addition and subtraction are handled together, from left to right, across the equation.

Let's try a few.....
1) 3^3 + (6 X 2) - 10 / 2
Parentheses 3^3 + 12 - 10 / 2
Exponents 9 + 12 - 10/2
Mult / Div 9 + 12 - 5
Add/Sub 21 - 5
16

2) (6 + 4) / 2 + 2^2 - 5
Parenthesis 10 / 2 + 2^2 - 5
Exponents 10 / 2 + 4 - 5
Mult / Div 5 + 4 - 5
Add / Sub 9 - 5
4

3) (10-8)^3 + 12 X 2 - 10
Parenthesis 2 ^3 + 12 X 2 - 10
Exponents 8 + 12 X 2 - 10
Mult/Div 8 + 24 - 10
Add / Sub 32 - 10
22

4) (10 X 2 - 5) + (3 + 4) X (4 x 2)
Parenthesis (5 - 5) + 7 X 8
0 + 7 X 8
Exponents
Mult/Div 0 + 56
Add/Sub 56


Need additional practice?
Try these on your own and check back tomorrow for the solutions.
1) 4^2 + 12 - (5 X 10)
2) 10 - 5 X 10^2
3) (6 + 6)^2 + (8 -4) X (6-2)
4) (6 - 3/3) + 4 - 4 + 12
5) 10^4 - 10^2 X 5 / 500


Robin Hinmon, owner, Brandywine Academic Services
http://www.BrandywineAcademicServices.com

The Start of a Blog

How many of you out there saw the movie Julia and Julia? Much like Julia Powell, I wonder how many of you will be reading my blog. I know I am no match for the anecdotes retold by Julia; however, I am going to do my best to keep the reader's interest and become a helpful resource for high school students.

Robin Hinmon, owner, Brandywine Academic Services

http://www.brandywineacademicservices.com/