April 24 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 24, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved algebraically simplifying a polynomial. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 23 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 23, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved a set of 4 data points (ordered pairs) and were asked to solve for the slope-intercept form of the linear equation. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 22 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 22, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Domonique Morton. This algebra problem involved solving a system of equations. Answer is A.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Domonique Morton's solution.
  

--Mr. Bujak

April 21 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 21, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved an arithmetic series (arithmetic progression). Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 17 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 17, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved probability without replacement. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 16 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 16, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved geometry in solving an angle of an isosceles given one of the other angles. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 15 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 15, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem was an algebra problem involving illustrations to find relationships and utilizing a system of equations to find the solution. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 13 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 13, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved geometric probability: the probability of a bug landing on a balloon shapes on a cake. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

April 2 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 2, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved an algebra problem asking to identify the linear equation that matched the linear plot. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solutions.

--Mr. Bujak

April 1 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our April 1, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Shkeem Brown. This geometry problem involved solving an expression involving a triangle's interior angles and 3 exterior angles. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solutions.
• Shkeem Brown's solution.

--Mr. Bujak

March 31 PSSA Math Boot Camp

Our March 31, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem involved a geometry problem involving solving the area of a square provided the length of the diagonal. This could have been solved by utilizing the Pythagorean Theorem or a special 45°-45°-90° right-triangle. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solutions.

--Mr. Bujak

March 30 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 30, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This algebra problem involved solving a real-world consumer problem of calculating your salary based on a base pay for 40 hours of work and time-and-a-half for overtime. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Nadine Redic's solution.
• Nadine Redic won a free snack.

--Mr. Bujak

March 13 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 13, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Jolesha Cruickshank. This geometry and algebra problem involved using algebra with properties of a parallelogram. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Jolesha Cruickshank's solution.
  
• Jolesha Cruickshank won a free dress down day.

--Mr. Bujak

March 12 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 12, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Tishell Wessells. This geometry problem involved relating a rectangle's perimeter and area with algebraic constructs. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Tishell Wessells' solution.
  
• Tishell Wessells won a free lunch.

--Mr. Bujak

March 10 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 10, 2009 PSSA math challenge (algebra) problem involved exponents. Possible strategies involved subtitution, using logarithms, or "solving" technology (graphing calculator or computer software such as Mathematica). Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solutions.
• The problem and solutions (utlizing Mathematica software).

--Mr. Bujak

March 9 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 9, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Tyler Linder. This geometry problem involved properties of a midpoint. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Tyler Linder's solution.
  
• Tyler Linder won 10 points on his math test of choice.

--Mr. Bujak

March 6 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 6, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This geometry problem involved finding the lines of symmetry (reflective symmetry) on a regular pentagon. "Regular" means all sides are the same. "Pentagon" means a 5-sided polygon. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

March 5 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 5, 2009 PSSA math challenge (algebra) problem involved extrapolating a data point from a table of data values given that the fact that the data is inversely related. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solutions.
• The problem and solutions (utlizing Mathematica software).

--Mr. Bujak

March 4 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 4, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This geometry problem involved finding the length of the body (or space) diagonal of a rectangular prism. Note that this is the Pythagorean Theorem in 3 dimensions. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and some solutions.
• Nadine Redic's solution.
• Nadine Redic won a free lunch.

--Mr. Bujak

March 3 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our March 3, 2009 PSSA math challenge (algebra) problem involved selecting the system of inequalities that matched the given graph. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and some solutions.

--Mr. Bujak