U.S. Lesson 1
Complex Algebraic Expressions

Part 2: Presenting and Discussing Problems [Begin: 17:18]


The teacher presents the problem 1/(x - 7) + 1/(x2 - 49) on the overhead projector and says to the students, "Yesterday we worked on least common denominators. Try this problem." While the teacher passes out the homework worksheets, the students work on this problem individually. After about one minute, the teacher reconvenes the class to ask for the solution. Some students have difficulty, so the teacher explains each step. She then continues the lesson by presenting a second problem, [5/(x + 6)] - [(2-x)/(x + 6)], and warns students that "this one looks easier but there is a trick to it." Students work individually on the problem for about one and a half minutes. During this time, the teacher moves from desk to desk, checking students' work. When the teacher announces the answer, some students ask for an explanation. The teacher provides a brief explanation by asking students to fill in several steps leading to the answer.
 

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