1. Write your birth date or the birth date of someone in your family as mm/dd/yy. (Example: March 13, 1981 is written 3/13/81, and November 7, 1967 is written 11/7/67).
Now let a = the one- or two-digit month number,
b = the negative of the one- or two-digit day number, and
c = the two-digit year number.
(Our example: a = 3, b = -13, and c = 81 or a = 11, b = -7, and c = 67)
2. Use the following algebraic expressions for parts 3-5 of the discussion:
a3 - b3
(a - b) (a2 + ab + b2)
(b - c)/ (2b - a)
3. Evaluate the three given expressions using the a, b, and c from your birth date. Make sure that b is negative when you plug in the values.
4. After you have your math worked out on scratch paper, go back and verbally describe the steps you took to evaluate the expressions. Make sure to use each of the vocabulary words at least once in your writing.
(a - b) (a2 + ab + b2)
Did you notice anything interesting about the results of and ? Was this coincidence or do you think there is a reason for this?
Incorporate the following five math vocabulary words into your discussion. Use bold font to emphasize the words in your writing
Exponent
Integer
Variable
Lowest terms
Divisor