Page 68 - 1980

CALCULATIONS

Using an enlarged compass lo demonstrate how to figure a problem is done quite often in math
teacher Thomas Mruz's class
Math problems really

'add up' for classes

■ by Cathy Cvitak
hat group of people is it that meets on the sec­
W ond Wednesday of every month during the
school year for only 30 minutes to take a test? Can't
guess? It’s the Math Club.
The club gets its members from the advanced
math classes. The club is a national organization
and the tests that are taken are meant for competi­
tion.
The tests are made up of ten questions in the
areas ranging from algebra to calculus. They are
timed tests and the students are not to use such
things as slide rules or calculators.
After the tests are taken, the number of correct
answers are tallied and sent into state competition
to see how well each group has done.
In this year’s competition the Ralston club was
ranked eleventh in the district and sixth in Nebraska.
The three highest scoring people in RHS are senior
Jeff Rayer, junior Scott McIntyre and senior Scott
Heckman.
During the 1979-80 school year the club has got­
ten organized further and has ordered T-shirts
especially for their club. Their motto is “ We do it in
30 minutes.”
Math is more than addition and subtraction; the
math department has more than those classes.
In the Computer Math class the students learn
how to program the school computer to play games, .
do math problems and answer questions.
Trouble-shooting math covers the basics of addi­
tion, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Algebra and Geometry cover those two subjects.
Algebra 2/Trigonometry is further advanced than
regular Algebra and also teaches some trigonome­
try.
Seniors can take Applied Math. This class is
designed to teach students how to use their math
skills in everyday life. Such subjects as taxes, budg­
ets, and bank accounts are covered in Applied
Math.
Elementary analysis is a prepatory class for Cal­
culus. It teaches advanced methods of using alge­
bra, geometry and trigonometry.
Many students drop out of the math program by
the time they have enough credits. Of those that do
continue on in math, very few get into the advanced
courses. Those that are in the advanced courses
are usually going to study math in college.
The most advanced course offered in RHS is Cal­
culus. It is designed as a college prepatory course
for seniors. Other advanced courses offered are
Slide Rule and Math IV. These courses cover vari­
ous areas of math that are used in college.
Math is not only for the math-minded, but for
those of us who have to figure taxes, bank accounts
and budgets.
Calculators are a common sight in a math class Senior Jeff Rayer finds a calculator helpful in stud­
ying and doing his calculus assignment.