GETTING STARTED

With The Self-Tutorial Math Notes

by

Luis Anthony Ast

Professional Mathematics Tutor

Copyright © 2005
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing of the author.
 BTHE LEGAL STUFF…
Most of the advice given to students is the opinion/property of the Author
and in NO WAY represents the views nor opinions of any educational
institution. Tips from other sources are clearly indicated and remain the
property of their respective authors. All graphics/icons used are either in
the public domain or were purchased for use by the author (artists still
retain ownership). TI-84+ Special Edition calculator images, screen
images, and images of keystrokes are copyrighted material from Texas
Instruments Incorporated and are reproduced with permission from Texas
Instruments. All other trade names are the property of their respective
owners and I in no way wish to infringe on their rights and use them only
for illustration/identification purposes only. Any business or individual
listed in the Tutorials or Videos is by choice of the Author and does NOT
represent nor imply endorsement by any educational institution. Neither
Math-Tutors.com, VideoMathTutor.com, nor Luis Anthony Ast shall be
liable for any errors or for incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of the Notes or Videos
or the procedures contained herein.

Users need to be aware that there are instructors out there that force
students to do math "their way" and will penalize students for using
methods/tips/tricks that are presented within the Notes/Videos and
students assume all risk in using them. The Math Notes and Videos are
subject to change without notice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

My name is Luis Anthony Ast. I attended the University of Arizona in
Tucson, Arizona and pursued a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in
Computer Science. I am a professional mathematics tutor with over 22
years experience tutoring junior high through college level mathematics. I
have worked as a tutor for the University of Arizona, Pima Community
College, the Tucson Unified School District, and Arizona State University.
I also ran my own Learning Center with over 30 tutors (7 of which were
other math tutors), and have trained other in the fine art of tutoring. I
tutor math in English or in Spanish. I am able to help students in Junior
High School, High School, Technical Training School, Community College,

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or University. I am also able to help students score higher for most
Standardized Tests (AIMS, ACT, SAT, GMAT, GED, GRE, etc.)

The subjects I tutor are: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry,

calculus, finite mathematics (matrices, linear programming [simplex
method], finance, set theory, combinatorics, and probability), and business
mathematics. I DO NOT formally tutor Statistics (but I know the basics).

I pride myself in being the BEST math tutor in Arizona, and am confident
I am one of the top math tutors in the USA and hope to prove this to you
via the Notes and my Videos. I am very patient, have an easy-going style
of tutoring, and have an ample supply of "lame math jokes" to keep the
sessions from getting boring. I am also proficient in using most major
brands of calculators (TI, Sharp, Casio and HP).

I tutor students individually. My rates vary depending on the number of

hours students decide to hire me for. I now live in Tempe, Arizona and
only tutor in the Phoenix Metro Area. If you are in this area, you can order
private tutoring hours online by going to my web site. With advanced
warning, I can prepare Sample Tests and some Notes for students to
better prepare them for their upcoming exams. For those not in the
Phoenix area, you can still get quality tutoring by using the Self-Tutorials
and ordering my Math Videos CD’s. Visit my web site
for details.

I take my Apple PowerBook 3400c laptop with me to tutoring (OK, it's old,
but gets the job done!). I have it set up for Wireless Internet service
through cafe.com. Now, I can help students complete online Web
assignments faster and with less chance of error. The laptop is also used to
help students solve more difficult problems (using Maple software) and I
have special advance math graphing capabilities too (using several
different computer applications). I sometimes take my portable printer
with me (HP DeskJet 340), but not always. I also use a large number of
"math toys"/visual aides to help students better understand the math
concepts. I carry extra pens, pencils, paper (ruled and graphing),
calculators and other school supplies with me, in case students need
anything. I am probably the most prepared tutor you will ever meet.

™ Readers are invited to send me e-mail feedback and to report any

errors in the Notes or Videos to:
Luis-Ast@VideoMathTutor.com
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 GETTING STARTED…
The Self-Tutorial Math Notes and Videos are predominantly intended for:

Y Junior High and High School students.

Y Parents who home school the above students.
Y Lower division (Freshmen/ Sophomore) college students taking a math
course.
Y Students planning to take a Standardized Test like the AIMS, ACT,
SAT, GED, GRE, GMAT, etc., or Job Placement exams that require
knowledge of mathematics.
Y Tutors and private instructors of the above students.

=
The Self-Tutorials and Videos are NOT meant for students under
the 7th Grade.

I have written these Lessons as if I were actually tutoring you. I try to

keep things informal, but at the same time, maintain the quality of math
instruction as high as possible.

Some things you may notice right away are the use of color and many
different fonts and images. I feel all this will enhance your understanding.
Also, I use 14-point size fonts rather than 12-point size. As you can see, THIS is
smaller and harder to read. This is especially noticeable when typing mathematical
expressions: verses .

To get started, print a hard copy of each Lesson using a color printer.
When printing with Acrobat® or Acrobat® Reader, make sure the Page
Scaling is set to “None,” otherwise the notes “shrink” a little.

Select a study area where neither other people, the TV, nor the
refrigerator will distract you. Be sure you have a writing utensil (pencil or
pen) and perhaps also a fluorescent colored highlighter.

( You will need a calculator, unless you are in a class where the math
instructor does not allow the use of calculators. I recommend using a TI-
30X IIS if you need a good, inexpensive scientific (non-graphing)
calculator. If you may use a graphing calculator, I highly recommend you
get the TI-84+ Silver Edition model. This is the model I use in the Notes
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and in my Math Videos. It is fast, has tons of memory, and is very user-
friendly. It will last for years and has a high re-sell value, should you need
to sell it after finishing all your math classes.

Note: If you already own a TI-83, TI-83+, TI-83+ Silver Edition or a TI-
84+ (non-Silver Edition), you do not need to get a new calculator. You will
be able to follow almost all the keystroke sequences and screen shot
images presented. You can purchase a graphing calculator at your local
Office Supply store or on eBay.

Texas Instruments also provides incredible customer support for these

models. Visit education.ti.com for details.

If you need major help using your TI-84 calculator, I have a Video CD-
ROM called “How to REALLY Use Your TI-84 Graphing Calculator.” Visit
my web site for details.

Speaking of Video…

If you printed the Notes off the CD-ROM, please

take the time to read them BEFORE actually watching the videos. Then
launch your web browser and open the “STARTME.HTM” file. Why? This
way you are already “exposed” to the material before seeing it on the CD.

F are extra comments or are used to

clarify a statement. Answers to quiz questions are usually also in
red.
Icons are used throughout the Lessons. Here are some you will encounter:

( This is used when I want to show you how to do

something using your graphing calculator. Again, I use the TI-84+ Silver
Edition model exclusively in the Self-Tutorials and in my Math Videos. If
you own a TI-83, TI-83+ TI-83+ Silver Edition, or a TI-84+ (non-Silver
Edition) then the keystroke sequences will be identical for almost
everything presented.
This pencil is used at the beginning of an example/problem that is
worked out in detail. All steps are shown. Most of these same examples
are also done in the Videos. Minor examples don’t use this Icon.

5
 I use these when I have a great idea or a
OR
“hot math tip” to share with you.
HOT Tip!
I will point out something extra or special about an item

L …
presented in the Notes. I will use “ Note:” for minor
observations.

Take the time to memorize the item(s)

presented.

Yes, I ask you to memorize a great deal of items. Unfortunately, many

educators don’t like to use the word: “memorize.” It’s almost a dirty word
with them. They say you need to “understand” or “learn” the material.
Yes, you need to do this, but there are times you just need to just “bite the
bullet” and MEMORIZE formulas, definitions and other concepts.
Mathematics is a language all its own, and the only way to learn it is to
memorize stuff. Plain and simple.
Basic I use this when discussing techniques for tackling
Strategy: certain problems or procedures.

= or ΠThese are to warn or alert you of something.

This is to warn you that a problem/example is a typical “sneaky” or

“trick” question posed by some math instructors.

@ tools” to do the problem (graphing. You will need special “math

paper, compass, ruler, etc.)

¿ Ω ¿ Ω Step - By - Step ¿ Ω ¿ Ω
Used when explaining certain concepts that involve a very specific step-
by-step procedure.
Some problems require you to check the

< work done, since sometimes an answer you get isn’t really the
answer. Also used to remind you to check work for other situations.

Key Concept or “Key” to successfully doing a problem.

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. I use this icon if a concept is covered in more detail in another
Lesson.

A reminder to not to forget to do something.

Used to review concepts covered in Lesson and

Special Formula Sheets.

And Finally…
…Like it says on the cover of the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy*,” in
bright, friendly letters:

ÒDONÕT PANIC!Ó
I will do my best to get you through your math classes. Trust me, and
trust your abilities. You can do this.

OK , LET ’ S DO SOME MATH!

*By Douglas Adams. A great book. Read it some time.