WRITING NOTEBOOK

MA.4 The student will expand binomials having positive integral exponents through the use of
the Binomial Theorem, the formula for combinations, and Pascals Triangle.
I this text because it is short and very clear. It explains Pascals triangle very clearly so that it can
be very easily understood. It walks you through how to do it and even gives you practice
questions with the answers at the end. It then connects Pascals triangle to the binomial theorem
and how pascals triangle actually gives you the coefficients for the terms in the binomial
expansion. This text would be a great supplement source for students who are learning about
these things.
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/mc-ty-pascal-2009-1.pdf

I picked this text because it has very good information about the binomial theorem and pascals
triangle. It starts off with a little history on Pascal, who developed the Pascals triangle and then it
goes into what it is and how it is formed. This text is a little dull and hard to read at times, but it
definitely provides enough great information to offset that fact. It even talks about what to do
with a binomial with a -sign, and that the successive terms will alternate signs. It connects the
binomial theorem and pascals triangle very well. This is another good source for students to learn
about Pascals triangles and its relation to the binomial theorem.
https://www.shmoop.com/polynomial-equations/Pascal-and-Binomial-Theorem.html

I picked this text because it connects the binomial expansion and Pascals triangle really well.
This text is for the students who do well and could use a little challenge. This text can be hard to
read due to its notation and vocabulary. If a student chooses to read this text they will get deeper
knowledge into the relationship between the binomial and pascals triangle. This text gives
examples that help the reader along and make it easier to follow.
https://www.math10.com/en/algebra/probabilities/binomial-theorem/binomial-theorem.html

I picked this text because it provides another way of obtaining the coefficients in the binomial
theorem. This is the factorial method of using n choose m which is a way of finding the
combinations of choosing n m way. It even shows how to use a calculator to find these numbers.
It then explains that these numbers are in fact the numbers that make up Pascals triangle.
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/binomial.htm

Exit slip: What information does Pascals triangle give us in relation to the binomial theorem?
Student Response: It gives you the coefficients for the expansion of the binomial theorem once
simplified. It allows you to expand binomials quickly and easily.
Data / analysis: why does using pascals triangle work and why do we use it for the binomial
expansion:
Student Response: It works as a result of expansion of the binomial theorem. After
simplification, the coefficients in the expansion are the same as the pascal triangle row for that
exponent. The method of using factorials to find the coefficients in the binomial theorem is the
same factorial method of finding the numbers that are in each row of pascals triangle. Using
pascals triangle is a faster and easier way to determine those coefficients.

Exit Slip Rubric

Clearly explained the Briefly explained the Attempted to explain Didnt make any
connection between connection between the connection connections between
Pascals triangle and Pascals triangle and between Pascals Pascals triangle and
the Binomial theorem the Binomial theorem triangle and the the Binomial theorem
but lacked some Binomial theorem but
points didnt draw clear
conclusions
5 points 3-4 points 1-2 points 0 points

Data/ Analysis Rubric

Clearly and fully Explained most of the Briefly gave Displays no
explained the how reasoning behind the reasoning behind the connection between
and why we are able how and why Pascals use of Pascals how and why we are
to use Pascals triangle work for the triangle for the able to use Pascals
triangle for the Binomial coefficients Binomial coefficients triangle for the
Binomial coefficients but lacks the full Binomial coefficients
reasoning behind it
5 points 3-4 points 1-2 points 0 points
Bibliography
Exit Tickets. (2015, June 23). Retrieved from edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/practice/exit-tickets-
checking-understanding

This text goes through what an exit ticket and how to use them. Exit tickets are short formative
assessments that are given at the end of a lesson to see what they learned. Exit tickets are only as
good as they are designed, as in good questions get you good answers. Date gathered from exit
tickets can be used to differentiate instruction in the following lesson.

Pascal's triangle and the binimial theorem. (2009, January 1). Retrieved from mathcentre:
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/mc-ty-pascal-2009-1.pdf

This text is short and very clear. It explains Pascals triangle very clearly so that it can be very
easily understood. It walks you through how to do it and even gives you practice questions with
the answers at the end. It then connects Pascals triangle to the binomial theorem and how pascals
triangle actually gives you the coefficients for the terms in the binomial expansion. This text
would be a great supplement source for students who are learning about these things.
Polynomials. (2017, January 1). Retrieved from shmoop: https://www.shmoop.com/polynomial-
equations/Pascal-and-Binomial-Theorem.html

This text it has very good information about the binomial theorem and pascals triangle. It starts
off with a little history on Pascal, who developed the Pascals triangle and then it goes into what it
is and how it is formed. This text is a little dull and hard to read at times, but it definitely
provides enough great information to offset that fact. It even talks about what to do with a
binomial with a -sign, and that the successive terms will alternate signs. It connects the
binomial theorem and pascals triangle very well. This is another good source for students to learn
about Pascals triangles and its relation to the binomial theorem.

Promoting Active Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2017, from teachingcommons.stanford:
https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/learning-resources/promoting-active-
learning

This text is about getting students to be active learners. An any environment, if a student is active
in their learning they will focus more on the information then if they just sit back and listen to a
lecture. One way to engage students is to have them analyze and discuss topics covered in class.
Small group discussion is also a way to engage students into the material.

Stapel, E. (n.d.). The Binomial Theorem: Formulas. Retrieved November 29, 2017, from Purplemath:
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/binomial.htm

This text provides another way of obtaining the coefficients in the binomial theorem. This is the
factorial method of using n choose m which is a way of finding the combinations of choosing
n m way. It even shows how to use a calculator to find these numbers. It then explains that these
numbers are in fact the numbers that make up Pascals triangle.

The Binomial Theorem. (2017, January 1). Retrieved from math10:

https://www.math10.com/en/algebra/probabilities/binomial-theorem/binomial-theorem.html

This text connects the binomial expansion and Pascals triangle really well. This text is for the
students who do well and could use a little challenge. This text can be hard to read due to its
notation and vocabulary. If a student chooses to read this text they will get deeper knowledge
into the relationship between the binomial and pascals triangle. This text gives examples that
help the reader along and make it easier to follow.