Dear Aunt Sally vs Rational Algebraic Equations

PEMDAS is an acronym that is taught in school classrooms across the nation. It helps students remember the priority, or Order of Operations, used to solve expressions involving strings of numbers and operators. It stands for: P(arenthesis) E(xponent) M(ultiplication) D(ivision) A(ddition) S(ubtraction) A familiar mnemonic widely used in place of PEMDAS is: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. Thus the name of this application... Kind of an inside joke for the mathematical types. Computers, including smart phone calculators, desktops, etc. have built in functionality to properly interpret such expressions so we don't have to. But have you ever wondered what algorithms the CPU executes to get the right answer every time? This app demonstrates one such algorithm called the Shunt Yard, developed a few years back by Professor Edsger W. Dijkstra. We’re going to take a closer look under the hood at Order of Operations algorithms. It will interest programmers and school students alike; for programmers, the use of queues and stacks will reinforce previous computer science learning; for students, it allows them to write an expression, then analyze it using Order of Operations rules, step by step. The Quiz mode generates random expressions of user selected lengths and magnitudes and checks the student's answer. Incorrect answers can be examined using the same step by step process. In the SOLVE mode, algebraic expressions are entered free hand using an internal keyboard which limits entries to the five common mathematical operators (+ - / * ^) as well as one level of parenthesis. There is a maximum term limit of ten variables, but no limit to their magnitude in this mode. In the QUIZ mode, between two and ten variables can be selected, their maximum value and which operators that are eligible. The program then randomly generates an algebraic expression using these parameters. Both modes make available an analysis page which is used to step through the solution. Stack/Queue dynamics are displayed.

The DOST Courseware is a locally-produced, all-original Filipino highly interactive multimedia educational application packages that are conceptualized, digitized and produced as spearheaded by the Science Education Institute (SEI-DOST) in partnership with the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI-DOST) and in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Normal University (PNU) and University of the Philippines-National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (UP-NISMED), which aims to develop information and communication technology learning innovation to support the upgrading and improvement of science and mathematics education in the country. The DOST Courseware are provided for free to schools and are also made available online as supplemental resources for teachers and student as a fun and interactive approach to e-learning and blended learning. The Grade 7 DOST Courseware is composed of 120 lessons overall, 73 lessons in Science where it covered the domains on: Matter; Force, Motion and Energy, Living Things and Their Environment and Earth and Space while the 60 lessons in Mathematic covered the domains on: Numbers and Number Sense, Patterns and Algebra, and Geometry. The Grade 8 DOST Courseware is composed of 118 lessons overall, 61 lessons in Science where it covered the domains on: Parts and Functions, Ecosystems, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Structures and Functions, Biodiversity, and Evolution, while the 57 lessons in Mathematics covered the domains on: Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Rational Algebraic Equations, Integral Exponents, Radicals, Arithmetic Sequence and Geometric Sequence. The themes of the courseware for Grades 7 and 8, Magicademy, Freddy’s Lab and D’nayao will surely amuse the users as they explore these distinct worlds while learning at the same time.